Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap

The Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race run Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California, USA. In 2014 it was moved from the now closed Hollywood Park Racetrack in Inglewood, California. Open to horses age three and older, it is contested on turf at a distance of one mile and a quarter (10 furlongs).

A Grade II event, it is run at a distance of 1 ¹⁄₄ miles and currently carries a purse of $200,000.

Inaugurated in 1969, it was run at a distance of a mile and a half (12 furlongs) until 1987.

Until 1999, the race was named the Hollywood Invitational Turf Handicap, often just referred to as the Hollywood Invitational Handicap. The race was renamed in honor of the U.S. Racing Hall of Fame trainer Charlie Whittingham (1913-1999) who saddled many memorable winners at Hollywood Park and whose seven victories in the Hollywood Invitational Turf Handicap race is the most for any trainer.

Records

Time record: (at current distance of 1 ¹⁄₄ miles)

• 1:57.75 - Bien Bien (1993) (new course record)

Most wins:

• 3 - Acclamation (2010, 2011, 2012)
• 3 - John Henry (1980, 1981, 1984)

Most wins by an owner:

• 3 - Dotsam Stable (1980, 1981, 1984)

Most wins by a jockey:

• 4 - Bill Shoemaker (1970, 1971, 1976, 1978)
• 4 - Laffit Pincay, Jr. (1973, 1981, 1982, 1983)
• 4 - Chris McCarron (1984, 1987, 1993, 2001)
• 4 - Gary Stevens (1991, 1992, 1994, 2003)
• 4 - Alex Solis (1997, 1999, 2005, 2007)

Most wins by a trainer:

• 7 - Charles Whittingham (1970, 1971, 1976, 1978, 1982, 1983, 1987)
• 7 - Neil Drysdale (1985, 1988, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2014)

Winners

References

• Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap at Pedigree Query
• The 2008 Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap at the NTRA