Phoenix Stakes (United States)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Grade III race
Phoenix Stakes

Location	Keeneland Race Course Lexington, Kentucky
Inaugurated	1831
Race type	Thoroughbred - Flat racing
Website	www.keeneland.com
Race information
Distance	6 furlong sprint
Track	Dirt, left-handed
Qualification	Three-years-old & up
Weight	Assigned
Purse	$250,000

The Phoenix Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky. Open to horses age three and older, it is conteested on dirt over a distance of six furlongs and currently offers a purse of $250,000. Raced in early October, prior to 1989 it was run during the track's spring meeting.

Inaugurated in 1831 with the name from the local Phoenix Hotel, it is oldest stakes race in the United States. Hosted by the Kentucky Association racetrack in Lexington until 1930, the event was restarted at Keeneland Race Course in 1937. From 1943-1945, the race was renewed as part of the Keeneland-at-Churchill Downs meetings. Over the years it has been called the Brennan, Chiles, Phoenix, Association, Phoenix Hotel Stakes and Phoenix Handicap.