Muniz Memorial Classic Stakes
| Grade II race | |
| Location | Fair Grounds Race Course New Orleans, Louisiana, United States |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1992 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred - Flat racing |
| Website | www.fairgroundsracecourse.com |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1+1⁄8 miles (9 furlongs) |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Left-handed |
| Qualification | Four-years-old & up |
| Weight | Assigned |
| Purse | $300,000 |
Mervin H. Muniz Jr. Memorial Handicap is an Grade II American Thoroughbred horse race for horses aged four and older run annually in early March at Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans, Louisiana on the turf at a distance of 1+1⁄8 miles (nine furlongs).
Race history
The race was formerly known as the Explosive Bid Handicap but was renamed for the 2004 edition to honor Mervyn R. Muniz, Jr., a longtime racing secretary at Fair Grounds Race Course who died in 2003.[1]
There was no race in 2006 due to Hurricane Katrina.
Records
Speed record:
- 1:47.80 - Take the Stand (2016) (new course record)
Most wins:
- Proudinsky, 2008, 2009
Most wins by an owner:
- 3 - Gary A. Tanaka (2001, 2002, 2008)
Most wins by a jockey:
- 4 - Robby Albarado (1998, 2001, 2004, 2007)
Winners
| Year |
Winner |
Age |
Jockey |
Trainer |
Owner |
Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Take the Stand (ARG) | 5 | Edgar S. Prado | William I. Mott | Mack/Wachtel Stable/Brous Stable | 1:47.80 |
| 2015 | Chocolate Ride | 5 | Joseph Talamo | Brad H. Cox | John Wentworth | 1:48.18 |
| 2014 | Skyring | 5 | Joseph Rocco, Jr. | D. Wayne Lukas | Calumet Farm | 1:52.01 |
| 2013 | Amira's Prince | 4 | Junior Alvarado | William Mott | Wachtel Stable, Eclipse Thor. Part. & Gary Barber | 1:49.76 |
| 2012 | Casino Host | 4 | John Velazquez | Chad Brown | Gary & Mary West | 1:50.87 |
| 2011 | Smart Bid | 5 | Edgar Prado | H. Graham Motion | Augustin Stable | 1:49.97 |
| 2010 | Blues Street | 6 | Javier Castellano | Todd Pletcher | Anstu Stables | 1:50.10 |
| 2009 | Proudinsky | 6 | Victor Espinoza | Bobby Frankel | Johanna Louise Glen-Teven | 1:50.94 |
| 2008 | Proudinsky | 5 | Garrett Gomez | Robert J. Frankel | Gary A. Tanaka | 1:50.44 |
| 2007 | Einstein | 5 | Robby Albarado | Helen Pitts | Midnight Cry Stable | 1:49.57 |
| 2006 | no race | |||||
| 2005 | A to the Z † | 5 | Victor Espinoza | Paula Capestro | Andrew & Paula Capestro | 1:50.99 |
| 2004 | Mystery Giver | 6 | Robby Albarado | Richard R. Scherer | Team Block | 1:48.29 |
| 2003 | Candid Glen | 6 | Elvis J. Perrodin | Andrew Leggio, Jr. | Glen C. Warren | 1:51.15 |
| 2002 | Sarafan | 5 | Corey Nakatani | Neil D. Drysdale | Gary A. Tanaka | 1:48.88 |
| 2001 | Tijiyr | 5 | Robby Albarado | Niall O'Callaghan | Gary A. Tanaka | 1:50.72 |
| 2000 | Brave Act | 6 | Cash Asmussen | Ron McAnally | Sidney Craig | 1:48.98 |
| 1999 | Lord Smith | 4 | Garret Gomez | Bruce C. Jackson | Boich, Kruse & Kruse | 1:51.27 |
| 1998 | Joyeux Danseur | 5 | Robby Albarado | Albert M. Stall, Jr. | B. Wayne Hughes | 1:49.20 |
| 1997 | Always A Classic | 4 | Eddie Martin, Jr. | Mark Frostad | Sam-Son Farm | 1:54.83 |
| 1996 | Kazabaiyn | 6 | Kent Desormeaux | Robert Hess, Jr. | Jeremy Stable, et al | 1:50.80 |
| 1995 | Earl of Barking | 5 | Goncalino Almeida | Richard L. Cross | Henry E. Pabst | 1:52.01 |
| 1994 | Pride of Summer | 6 | Robert King, Jr. | Anthony J. Bizelia | TOC Stable | 1:49.59 |
| 1993 | Coaxing Matt | 4 | Eddie Martin, Jr. | Neil L.Pessin | Elmer E. Miller | 1:50.80 |
| 1992 | Slick Groom | 4 | K. P. Leblanc | Donald Cormier, Sr. | Albert Pusch | 1:52.60 |
† In 2005, Rapid Proof won the race but later was disqualified after he tested positive for an anti-therapeutic steroid not allowed to be administered to a horse on race day.
References
- ^ "Meeting Notice - Louisiana Racing Commission (1 December 2003)" (PDF). 21 November 2003. p. 2.