Gardenia Handicap

Gardenia Handicap
Grade III race
Location Ellis Park Racecourse
Henderson, Kentucky
Inaugurated 1982
Race type Thoroughbred - Flat racing
Website www.ellisparkracing.com
Race information
Distance 1 mile (8 furlongs)
Track Dirt, left-handed
Qualification Fillies and mares
Three-years-old & up
Weight Handicap
Purse $150,000

The Gardenia Handicap is an American Grade III Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Ellis Park Racecourse in Henderson, Kentucky.

Held in mid August, the one mile race is run on dirt and is open to fillies and mares, three years old and up.

Inaugurated in 1982 as the Stroh's Handicap, it was originally run at 1⅛ miles (9 furlongs) until 2005 when it was modified to its present one mile (8 furlongs) distance.

The Gardenia Handicap became a graded race for the first time in 1988.

It currently offers a purse of $150,000.

Records

Speed record: (at current 1 mile distance)

Winners of the Gardenia Handicap since 1999

Year
Winner
Age
Jockey
Trainer
Owner
Time
2008 Swift Temper 4 Victor Lebron Dale Romans Mark Stanley 1:37.55
2007 Pleasant Hill 4 Larry Melancon Gregory D. Foley Donamire Farm 1:38.85
2006 Prospective Saint 5 Eddie Castro Martin D. Wolfson Charles Miller 1:36.13
2005 Dream of Summer 6 Corey Nakatani Juan J. Garcia James Weigel 1:35.32
2004 Angela's Love 4 Mark Guidry Dale Romans Bill & Vicki Poston 1:49.54
2003 Bare Necessities 4 Rene Douglas Wallace Dollase Iron County Farms 1:50.09
2002 Minister's Baby 4 Craig Perret Kenneth McPeek Lucky Seven Stable 1:49.73
2001 Asher 4 Mark Guidry Ron Moquett James Mayer 1:50.16
2000 Silent Eskimo 5 James Lopez Bobby Barnett John A. Franks 1:50.56
1999 Lines of Beauty 4 Francisco C. Torres Randy Martin Marco Thoroughbred Corp. 1:49.60

Earlier winners

  • 1998 - Meter Maid
  • 1997 - Three Fanfares
  • 1996 - Country Cat
  • 1995 - Laura's Pistolette
  • 1994 - Alphabulous
  • 1993 - Erica's Dream
  • 1992 - Bungalow
  • 1991 - Summer Matinee
  • 1990 - Evangelical
  • 1989 - Lawyer Talk
  • 1988 - Lt. Lao
  • 1987 - No Choice
  • 1986 - Queen Alexandra
  • 1985 - Crimson Orchid
  • 1984 - Rambling Rhythm
  • 1983 - Migola
  • 1982 - Sweetest Chant


References