The American Pharoah Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually near the end of September during the fall meet at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. A Grade I event, it is open to two-year-old horses and is held at a distance of one and one-sixteenth miles on the dirt.

The American Pharoah Stakes was run as the Norfolk Stakes through 2011. In 2012, it was renamed to the FrontRunner Stakes after the lease with Oak Tree, the organization that formerly operated Santa Anita's fall meet, ended in 2010. It was renamed again in 2018 in honor of its 2014 winner, American Pharoah, who went on to win the U.S. Triple Crown in 2015.

This race is a Road to the Kentucky Derby Prep Season qualifying race. The winner receives 10 points toward qualifying for the Kentucky Derby. It is also currently part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge series. The winner automatically qualifies for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

First run in 1970, it became a Grade I event in 1980 but was downgraded to Grade II status in 1993. However, the American Graded Stakes Committee announced its return to Grade I status for 2007.

The race was run over a distance of 1 mile from 1997 through 2001. It was run in two divisions in 1980.

Records Speed record: (at current distance of 1 miles) 1:41.27 - Ruler's Court (2003)

Most wins by a jockey: 7 - Alex Solis (1985, 1991, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2008)

Most wins by a trainer: 14 - Bob Baffert (1997, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2009, 2012, 2014, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2026)

Most wins by an owner: 3 - Golden Eagle Farm (1990, 1992, 1997)

Winners Year Winner Jockey Trainer Owner Distance Time Win$ Gr.2026HughesJuan J. Hernandez Bob BaffertFront Row Club, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Bashor Racing, Albaugh Family Stables, Robert E. Masterson, Golconda Stable, Waves Edge Capital & Catherine DonovanM1:43.22$180,000G12025IntrepidoHector Isaac BerriosJeff MullinsDutch Girl Holdings LLC & Irving Ventures LLCM1:43.67$180,000G12024Citizen BullMartin GarciaBob BaffertSF Racing et al.1 M1:43.07$180,000G12023MuthJuan HernandezBob BaffertZedan Racing1 M1:42.45$180,000G12022Cave RockJuan HernandezBob BaffertMike Pegram, Karl Watson, Paul Weitman1 M1:43.05 $180,000G12021CornicheMike E. SmithBob BaffertSpeedway Stables1 M1:44.75$180,000G12020Get Her NumberFlavien PratPeter MillerGary Barber1 M1:44.92$180,000G12019Eight RingsJohn VelazquezBob BaffertSF Racing LLC et al.1 M1:45.41$180,000G12018Game WinnerJoel RosarioBob BaffertGary & Mary West1 M1:43.77$180,000G1 FrontRunner Stakes (2011–2017)2017Bolt d'OroCorey NakataniMick RuisRuis Racing1 M1:43.54$180,000G12016GormleyVictor EspinozaJohn ShirreffsJerry & Ann Moss1 M1:43.57$180,000G12015NyquistMario GutierrezDoug F. O'NeillReddam Racing1 M1:44.89$180,000G12014American PharoahVictor EspinozaBob BaffertZayat Stables1 M1:41.95$180,000G12013Bond HolderMario GutierrezDoug F. O'NeillReddam Racing1 M1:45.02$150,000G12012Power BrokerRafael BejaranoBob BaffertGary & Mary West1 M1:44.44$150,000G1 Norfolk Stakes (1970–2011)2011Creative CauseJoel RosarioMike HarringtonHeinz Steinman1 M1:42.66$150,000G12010‡JaycitoMike E. SmithMike MitchellZayat Stables1 M1:44.17$150,000G12009Lookin at LuckyGarrett GomezBob BaffertMike Pegram, Karl Watson, Paul Weitman1 M1:43.11$180,000G12008Street HeroAlex SolisMyung Kwon ChoMyung Kwon Cho1 M1:42.12$150,000G12007Dixie ChatterRichard MiglioreRichard E. MandellaHerman Sarkowsky1 M1:42.64$150,000G12006StormelloKent DesormeauxWilliam L. CurrinWilliam L. Currin & Al Eisman1 M1:43.10$150,000G22005Brother DerekAlex SolisDan L. HendricksCecil N. Peacock1 M1:44.38$120,000G22004 Roman RulerCorey NakataniBob BaffertFog City Stable1 M1:44.27$120,000G22003Ruler's CourtAlex SolisEoin G. HartyDarley Stable1 M1:41.27$150,000G22002KafwainVictor EspinozaBob BaffertThe Thoroughbred Corp.1 M1:42.75$120,000G22001Essence of DubaiAlex SolisEoin G. HartyGodolphin Racing1 M1:37.16$150,000G22000Flame ThrowerVictor EspinozaBob BaffertGary M. Garber1 M1:34.86$120,000G21999Dixie UnionAlex SolisRichard E. MandellaDiamond A Racing & Herman Sarkowsky1 M1:35.79$120,000G21998Buck TroutEddie DelahoussayeMike HarringtonHeinz Steinmann1 M1:37.55$120,000G21997Souvenir CopyGary StevensBob BaffertGolden Eagle Farm1 M1:36.00$120,000G21996Free HouseKent DesormeauxJ. Paco GonzalezTrudy McCaffery & John Toffan1 M1:43.54$120,000G21995Future QuestKent DesormeauxRon McAnallyVHW Stables1 M1:43.31$120,000G21994SupremoGary StevensRichard W. MulhallThe Thoroughbred Corp.1 M1:43.48$120,000G21993Shepherd's FieldChris McCarronBrad MacDonaldCamptown Stable1 M1:43.11$120,000G21992River SpecialKent DesormeauxRobert B. Hess Jr.Golden Eagle Farm1 M1:43.58$120,000G11991BertrandoAlex SolisBruce Headley505 Farms1 M1:42.87$164,820G11990Best PalPat ValenzuelaIan P. D. JoryGolden Eagle Farm1 M1:42.80$178,620G11989Grand CanyonChris McCarronD. Wayne LukasD. Wayne Lukas & Overbrook Farm1 M1:43.20$166,440G11988HawksterPat ValenzuelaRon McAnallyJ. Shelton Meredith1 M1:43.40$187,740G11987Saratoga PassageJoe SteinerRobert W. LeonardSaratoga I Stable 1 M1:45.00$181,140G11986CapoteLaffit Pincay Jr.D. Wayne LukasBarry Beal, L. R. French Jr. & Gene Klein1 M1:45.20$193,680G11985Snow ChiefAlex SolisMelvin F. StuteGrinstead & Rochelle1 M1:44.60$167,340G11984Chief's CrownDon MacBethRoger LaurinStar Crown Stable1 M1:42.40$201,960G11983Fali TimeSandy HawleyGary F. JonesJames L. Mamakos & Marc Stubrin1 M1:44.20$168,930G11982Roving BoyEddie DelahoussayeJoseph ManziRobert E. Hibbert1 M1:41.60$181,110G11981StalwartChris McCarronD. Wayne LukasMarvin L. Warner1 M1:42.20$140,790G11980-1Sir DancerFrank OlivaresCharles M. MarikianGeorge Arakelian Farms1 M1:43.80$100,980G11980-2High CounselLarry GilliganCharles WhittinghamNelson Bunker Hunt1 M1:42.80$99,780G11979The CarpenterChris McCarronWillard L. ProctorCardiff Stud Farm1 M1:41.80$119,280G21978Flying PasterDon PierceGordon C. CampbellBernard J. Ridder1 M1:42.20$118,860G21977BalzacBill ShoemakerCharles WhittinghamElizabeth A. Keck1 M1:45.40$157,230G21976HabitonyBill ShoemakerTommy DoyleAnton W. Pejsa1 M1:42.00$79,290G21975Telly's PopFrancisco MenaMelvin F. StuteHoward W. Koch & Telly Savalas1 M1:43.60$74,295G21974George NavonodDon PierceGordon C. CampbellNavonod Stables1 M1:42.20$77,370G21973Money LenderJerry LambertJohnny LongdenHazel Longden1 M1:42.60$58,050G21972GroshawkBill ShoemakerCharles WhittinghamQuinn & Muffett Martin1 M1:42.20$59,0251971MacArthur ParkBill ShoemakerTommy DoyleMark Three Stable1 M1:41.80$59,4451970June DarlingWilliam MahorneyWarren StuteClement L. Hirsch1 M1:43.00$45,765 ‡ In 2010 run at Hollywood Park.

See also Road to the Kentucky Derby

References