La Jolla Handicap
| Grade III race | |
| Location |
Del Mar Racetrack Del Mar, California |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1937 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred – flat racing |
| Website | Del Mar |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1+1⁄16 miles |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | left-handed |
| Qualification | Three-year-olds |
| Weight | Handicap |
| Purse | $150,000 (2021) |
The La Jolla Handicap is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds over a distance of one and one-sixteenth miles on the turf scheduled annually in August at Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California. The event currently carries a purse of $150,000.
History
The event is named for the city of La Jolla, California, which is not far from Del Mar.
The event was inaugurated on July 11, 1937, as an event for three-year-olds and older and was won by the five-year-old mare Topsy Omar by the shortest of margins defeating the favorite Grey Count in a time of 1:452⁄5. The event was not run in 1939 but moved to early February 1940 to Santa Anita as a seven furlong event for four-year-olds and older on the turf. The champion Seabiscuit resumed in this event after a long layoff carrying 128 pounds after injury and was placed third to Heelfly. Later in the year the event was run at Del Mar at the set distance of one mile.
The event was idle during 1942–1944 due to World War II, resuming in 1945 as a three-year-olds and older California bred handicap.
In 1950 the event's conditions were set for three-year-olds at the distance.
In 1973 the event was classified as Grade III and in 1975 was moved to the turf track and has been run since then on that surface. In 1987 the event's distance was extended from one mile to 1+1⁄16 miles. From 2004 to 2013 the event was run as a Grade II.
The event's position in the racing calendar at Del Mar has led to the race being a preparatory race for the Del Mar Derby which is scheduled usually several weeks later.
The event has been split into division four times, the last being in 1982.
Two fillies or mares have won this event. The inaugural running in 1937 and Henpecker in 1948 when the event was restricted to three-year-old fillies.
Records
Speed record:
- 1+1⁄16 miles: 1:39.52 – Sidney's Candy (2010)
- 1 mile (dirt): 1:34.20 – Groshawk (1973)
- 1 mile (turf): 1:34.60 – Floating Reserve (1985)
Margins:
- 5+1⁄2 lengths – Sidney's Candy (2010)
Most wins by a jockey:
- 7 – Chris McCarron (1980, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1987, 1989, 1993)
Most wins by a trainer:
- 4 – Farrell Jones (1962, 1971, 1974, 1975)
Most wins by an owner:
- 4 – Red Baron's Barn & Rancho Temescal (2014, 2018, 2021, 2023)
La Jolla Handicap – Del Mar Derby double:
- Big Raff (1963)
- Lightning Mandate (1974)
- Larrikin (1975)
- Relaunch (1979)
- Tanks Brigade (1983)
- Vernon Castle (1986)
- Tight Spot (1990)
- Ladies Din (1998)
- Inesperado (FR) (2002)
- Free Rose (2016)
- Sharp Samurai (2017)
Winners
| Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Distance | Time | Purse | Grade | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At Del Mar – La Jolla Handicap | ||||||||||
| 2023 | Maltese Falcon (IRE) | 3 | Juan Hernandez | Leonard Powell | Red Baron's Barn & Rancho Temescal | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:44.20 | $151,500 | III | |
| 2022 | Cabo Spirit | 3 | Joe Bravo | George Papaprodromou | Kretz Racing | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.28 | $150,500 | III | |
| 2021 | ₫Zoffarelli (IRE) | 3 | Drayden Van Dyke | Jeff Mullins | Red Baron's Barn & Rancho Temescal | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.27 | $150,500 | III | |
| 2020 | Smooth Like Strait | 3 | Umberto Rispoli | Michael W. McCarthy | Cannon Thoroughbreds | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:40.29 | $126,500 | III | |
| 2019 | Kingly | 3 | Mario Gutierrez | Bob Baffert | Clearview Stables, RAC 04 Racing & Michael Meegan | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:39.95 | $151,053 | III | |
| 2018 | River Boyne (IRE) | 3 | Flavien Prat | Jeff Mullins | Red Baron's Barn & Rancho Temescal | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:40.93 | $150,345 | III | |
| 2017 | Sharp Samurai | 3 | Gary L. Stevens | Mark Glatt | Red Baron's Barn, Rancho Temescal & Mark Glatt | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:41.51 | $151,035 | III | |
| 2016 | Free Rose | 3 | Joseph Talamo | Richard Baltas | Abbondanza Racing | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:40.73 | $151,275 | III | |
| 2015 | Prospect Park | 3 | Kent J. Desormeaux | Clifford W. Sise Jr. | Pam & Martin Wygod | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:41.54 | $151,000 | III | |
| 2014 | Enterprising | 3 | Mike E. Smith | Thomas F. Proctor | Glen Hill Farm | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:41.31 | $150,250 | III | |
| 2013 | Dice Flavor | 3 | Garrett K. Gomez | Patrick Gallagher | Oda Racing Stable & US Equine | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:39.82 | $151,000 | II | |
| 2012 | Old Time Hockey | 3 | Joseph Talamo | Thomas F. Proctor | Glen Hill Farm | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:40.55 | $147,000 | II | |
| 2011 | Burns | 3 | Pat Valenzuela | Barry Abrams | Madeline Auerbach & Alfred Pais | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.36 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2010 | Sidney's Candy | 3 | Joel Rosario | John W. Sadler | Craig Family Trust | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:39.52 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2009 | Meteore | 3 | Alex O. Solis | Richard E. Mandella | Wertheimer et Frère | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:40.82 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2008 | Sky Cape | 3 | Joel Rosario | Kristin Mulhall | Visionary Racing & Steve Taub | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:40.92 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2007 | † Worldly (GB) | 3 | Michael Baze | Ben D. A. Cecil | Christopher Wright | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.57 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2006 | A. P. Warrior | 3 | David R. Flores | John Shirreffs | Stan E. Fulton | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:40.71 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2005 | Willow O Wisp | 3 | Garrett K. Gomez | Vladimir Cerin | Robert A. Alexander | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:41.45 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2004 | Blackdoun (FR) | 3 | Corey Nakatani | Julio C. Canani | Marsha Naify & Woodside Farms | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:41.03 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2003 | Singletary | 3 | Pat Valenzuela | Don Chatlos | Little Red Feather Racing | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:40.39 | $150,000 | III | |
| 2002 | Inesperado (FR) | 3 | Eddie Delahoussaye | Robert J. Frankel | 3 Plus U Stable | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:43.92 | $147,000 | III | |
| 2001 | Marine (GB) | 3 | Corey Nakatani | Robert J. Frankel | Juddmonte Farms | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:41.72 | $150,000 | III | |
| 2000 | Purely Cozzene | 3 | David R. Flores | Bob Baffert | Ed & Natalie Friendly | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:41.50 | $150,000 | III | |
| 1999 | Eagleton | 3 | Isaias D. Enriquez | Kevin Lewis | Dennis E. Weir | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:41.89 | $150,000 | III | |
| 1998 | Ladies Din | 3 | Gary L. Stevens | Julio C. Canani | Terrence J. Lanni, Bernard Schiappa & Mike Sloan | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:41.94 | $136,350 | III | |
| 1997 | Fantastic Fellow | 3 | Alex O. Solis | D. Wayne Lukas | The Thoroughbred Corporation | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:43.43 | $135,450 | III | |
| 1996 | Ambivalent | 3 | René R. Douglas | J. Michael Orman | Ted C. Ford | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:43.34 | $132,850 | III | |
| 1995 | Pétionville | 3 | Corey Nakatani | Randy K. Bradshaw | Everest Stables | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:44.26 | $130,850 | III | |
| 1994 | Marvin's Faith (IRE) | 3 | Chris Antley | Ian P. D. Jory | Marvin Malmuth | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.38 | $107,800 | III | |
| 1993 | Manny's Prospect | 3 | Chris McCarron | Michael R. Smith | Clover Creek Ranch | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.12 | $109,700 | III | |
| 1992 | Blacksburg | 3 | Kent J. Desormeaux | D. Wayne Lukas | Overbrook Farm | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:41.60 | $109,700 | III | |
| 1991 | Track Monarch | 3 | Pat Valenzuela | Darrell Vienna | David S. Milch | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:41.91 | $106,400 | III | |
| 1990 | Tight Spot | 3 | Eddie Delahoussaye | Ron McAnally | Anderson, VHW Stable, et al. | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:41.80 | $107,600 | III | |
| 1989 | River Master | 3 | Chris McCarron | Charles E. Whittingham | Cardiff Stud, Red Baron's Barn & Timestable | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.60 | $110,100 | III | |
| 1988 | Perfecting | 3 | Gary L. Stevens | Laz Barrera | Harbor View Farm | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:41.60 | $109,800 | III | |
| 1987 | The Medic | 3 | Chris McCarron | Gary F. Jones | Dr. E. Giammarino | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.20 | $100,000 | III | |
| La Jolla Mile Handicap | ||||||||||
| 1986 | Vernon Castle | 3 | Eddie Delahoussaye | John Sullivan | Allen E. Paulson | 1 mile | 1:35.20 | $105,600 | III | |
| 1985 | Floating Reserve | 3 | Pat Valenzuela | Joseph Manzi | Robert E. Hibbert | 1 mile | 1:34.60 | $98,300 | III | |
| 1984 | Tights | 3 | Chris McCarron | Laz Barrera | Mill House Stable | 1 mile | 1:35.60 | $101,000 | III | |
| 1983 | Tanks Brigade | 3 | Eddie Delahoussaye | Joseph Manzi | Lee, Manzi & Ozer | 1 mile | 1:35.80 | $83,900 | III | |
| 1982 | Hugabay | 3 | Kenneth D. Black | Jesse C. Newsom | Melvin Ross | 1 mile | 1:35.60 | $55,550 | III | Division 1 |
| Take the Floor | 3 | Chris McCarron | John Gosden | Jason & Scott Beck | 1:35.60 | $55,550 | Division 2 | |||
| La Jolla Mile Stakes | ||||||||||
| 1981 | Minnesota Chief | 3 | Chris McCarron | Leonard Dorfman | Larkin & Stames | 1 mile | 1:35.20 | $67,950 | III | |
| 1980 | Aristocratical | 3 | Chris McCarron | Edwin J. Gregson | Leone J. Peters | 1 mile | 1:36.20 | $55,350 | III | |
| 1979 | Relaunch | 3 | Laffit Pincay Jr. | John H. Adams | Glen Hill Farm | 1 mile | 1:35.40 | $43,600 | III | |
| 1978 | Singular | 3 | Darrel G. McHargue | Edwin J. Gregson | Jan Siegel | 1 mile | 1:35.80 | $38,900 | III | |
| 1977 | Stone Point | 3 | Marco Castaneda | Charles E. Whittingham | Howard B. Keck | 1 mile | 1:35.80 | $32,350 | III | |
| 1976 | Today 'N Tomorrow | 3 | Donald R. Pierce | Roger E. Clapp | Connie M. Ring | 1 mile | 1:35.80 | $32,900 | III | |
| 1975 | Larrikin | 3 | Donald R. Pierce | Farrell W. Jones | Joseph Morjoseph | 1 mile | 1:35.00 | $28,100 | III | |
| 1974 | Lightning Mandate | 3 | Álvaro Pineda | Farrell W. Jones | Farrell W. Jones & Mrs. Norman Z. McLeod | 1 mile | 1:34.40 | $27,050 | III | |
| 1973 | Groshawk | 3 | Bill Shoemaker | Charles E. Whittingham | Mr. & Mrs. Quinn Martin | 1 mile | 1:34.20 | $27,550 | III | |
| 1972 | Solar Salute | 3 | William Mahorney | Louis Glauberg | Mr. & Mrs. John J. Elmore | 1 mile | 1:34.40 | $26,800 | ||
| 1971 | Petes Ruler | 3 | William Mahorney | Henry E. Moreno | Jules Biharile | 1 mile | 1:35.20 | $16,625 | Division 1 | |
| Great Career | 3 | Jerry Lambert | Farrell W. Jones | Mr. & Mrs. John C. Mabee | 1:35.60 | $16,625 | Division 2 | |||
| 1970 | Sugar Loaf | 3 | Fernando Toro | Dale K. Landers | Mrs. K. Dudley Malloy | 1 mile | 1:34.40 | $22,400 | ||
| 1969 | Eagle Fly | 3 | Merlin Volzke | William B. Finnegan | Jack Schwabacher | 1 mile | 1:35.20 | $19,025 | ||
| 1968 | Baffle | 3 | Bill Hartack | Johnny Longden | Frank M. McMahon | 1 mile | 1:35.40 | $17,150 | ||
| 1967 | Jungle Road | 3 | Jack Robinson | Johnny Longden | Frank M. McMahon | 1 mile | 1:34.60 | $19,525 | ||
| 1966 | Embassy | 3 | Robert L. Menell | Mesh Tenney | Rex C. Ellsworth | 1 mile | 1:35.40 | $16,625 | ||
| 1965 | Mr. Payne | 3 | Jerry Lambert | Michael E. Millerick | Klipstein Stable | 1 mile | 1:35.40 | $13,600 | Division 1 | |
| Hoist Bar | 3 | Bill Hartack | Noble Threewitt | Ben Canter | 1:35.80 | $13,600 | Division 2 | |||
| 1964 | Royal Eiffel | 3 | Jerry Lambert | Michael E. Millerick | Mr. & Mrs. Harry S. Hart | 1 mile | 1:35.80 | $16,450 | ||
| 1963 | Top Light | 3 | Jackie Leonard | Charles A. Comiskey | Robert S. LeSage | 1 mile | 1:36.20 | $13,600 | Division 1 | |
| Big Raff | 3 | Rudy Campas | John H. Adams | Ralph Lowe | 1:35.80 | $13,600 | Division 2 | |||
| 1962 | Testum | 3 | Dean C. Hall | Farrell W. Jones | Schilz & Anderson | 1 mile | 1:35.40 | $16,025 | ||
| 1961 | Apple | 3 | Emile Ohayon | Joseph S. Dunn | Howard B. Keck | 1 mile | 1:35.20 | $16,575 | ||
| 1960 | Our Rulla | 3 | Johnny Longden | Fred Houghton | Mrs. John D. Hertz | 1 mile | 1:35.00 | $16,550 | ||
| 1959 | King Ara | 3 | Donald R. Pierce | Richard L. Crosby | Mr. & Mrs. Richard L. Crosby | 1 mile | 1:35.40 | $16,075 | ||
| 1958 | Sir Ruler | 3 | George Taniguchi | Joseph S. Dunn | Howard B. Keck & Claiborne Farm | 1 mile | 1:36.60 | $16,175 | ||
| La Jolla Handicap | ||||||||||
| 1957 | No Bumps | 3 | Warren Ferguson | Victor Cowdell | Harry James & Betty Grable James | 1 mile | 1:36.80 | $16,500 | ||
| 1956 | Blen Host | 3 | Ralph Neves | Bob R. Roberts | Gazelle Stable | 1 mile | 1:37.00 | $16,525 | ||
| 1955 | Hillary | 3 | Gordon Glisson | William B. Finnegan | El Peco Ranch | 1 mile | 1:35.40 | $11,375 | ||
| 1954 | Leterna | 3 | William Harmatz | Keith L. Stucki | Triple K Stable | 1 mile | 1:36.00 | $11,150 | ||
| 1953 | Threesome | 3 | Joseph Phillippi | J. Thomas Taylor | J. Thomas Taylor | 1 mile | 1:36.40 | $11,250 | ||
| 1952 | Arroz | 3 | Bill Shoemaker | Wally Dunn | Mrs. Gordon Guiberson | 1 mile | 1:37.40 | $11,375 | ||
| 1951 | Oats | 3 | Gordon Glisson | W. H. Tyree | J. A. Lyons | 1 mile | 1:37.80 | $11,150 | ||
| 1950 | § Blue Reading | 3 | Billy Pearson | Robert H. McDaniel | Mr. & Mrs. Clement L. Hirsch | 1 mile | 1:36.00 | $11,525 | ||
| 1949 | Dinner Gong | 4 | Ralph Neves | Frank E. Childs | Abraham Hirschberg | 1 mile | 1:36.00 | $11,225 | 3YO & older | |
| 1948 | ƒ Henpecker | 3 | John Gilbert | William Molter | Mrs. Harry Curland | 1 mile | 1:37.80 | $10,950 | ‡3YO fillies | |
| 1947 | Handlebars | 3 | Lester Balaski | Charles Irby | Mrs. R. F. Black | 1 mile | 1:38.40 | $8,150 | ♯3YO Cal Bred | |
| 1946 | § First To Fight | 5 | Hubert Trent | Haskell E. Ross | L. J. Montgomery | 1 mile | 1:37.40 | $8,280 | ¶3YO+ Cal Bred | |
| 1945 | Gold Boom | 4 | Francis Zehr | Robert R. Tilden | Sunland Stable | 1 mile | 1:37.60 | $5,585 | ¶3YO+ Cal Bred | |
| 1942–1944 | Race not held | |||||||||
| 1941 | Vain Grove | 4 | Ferril Zufelt | Charles T. Leavitt | G. W. Lawless | 1 mile | 1:37.80 | $2,500 | ¶3YO+ Cal Bred | |
| 1940 | Justice M. | 3 | Eugene A. Rodriguez | Harry M. Unna | Harry M. Unna | 1 mile | 1:37.20 | $2,170 | ♯3YO Cal Bred | August |
| At Santa Anita racetrack | ||||||||||
| 1940 | Heelfly | 6 | George Woolf | Sylvester E. Veitch | Circle S. Stable | 7 furlongs | 1:23.00 | $2,000 | °4YO & older | February |
| 1939 | Race moved to 9 February 1940 at Santa Anita Racetrack | |||||||||
| At Del Mar racetrack | ||||||||||
| 1938 | Dogaway | 4 | Eddie Yager | William B. Finnegan | Robert Riskin | 1 mile | 1:37.20 | $2,210 | 3YO & older | |
| 1937 | ƒ Topsy Omar | 5 | Tim Sena | Cecil Wilhelm | Mrs. Theresa Loeff | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:45.40 | $1,680 | 3YO & older | |
Legend:
Dirt
Turf
Notes:
§ Ran as an entry
ƒ Filly or Mare
₫ In the 2021 running of the event Sword Zorro (IRE) finished first by a nose in a photo finish but bumped the second-placed finisher Zoffarelli (IRE) from his inside when drifting out under left-handed urging by his jockey Umberto Rispoli and was disqualified. Zoffarelli (IRE) was declared the winner.
† In the 2007 running of the event Medici Code was first past the post and wagering was paid out as the winner, however the horse returned a positive swab for an excess amount of Clenbuterol and consequently was disqualified from the prizemoney and was placed eighth (last). Worldly was declared the official winner of the event.
‡ In 1948 the event was for three-year-old fillies
♯ In August 1940 and 1947 the event was for three-year-olds that were bred in California
¶ In 1941, 1945 and 1946 the event was for three-year-olds and older that were bred in California
°In February 1940 for four-year-olds and older