Hollywood Derby

Hollywood Derby
Grade I race
Location

Del Mar racetrack as of 2014

formerly Hollywood Park Racetrack United States
Inaugurated 1938
Race type Thoroughbred - Flat racing
Website Hollywood Park Racetrack
Race information
Distance 1 18 (9 furlongs) formerly 1¼ miles (10 furlongs)
Track Turf, left-handed
Qualification Three-year-olds
Weight 122 lbs. (allowances)
Purse $300,000

The Hollywood Derby is a Grade I American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in late November/early December. Now held at Del Mar racetrack in San Diego, California, until 2014, it was held at Hollywood Park Racetrack in Inglewood, California. The race is open to horses aged three and contested at a mile and an eighth on turf. It currently offers a purse of $300,000.

Inaugurated in 1938, the race has been a Grade I event since 1973. There was no race from 1942 through 1944 as a result of World War II and it was not run in 2005 as a safety precaution after new grass had been planted on the turf course. It was contested in two divisions from 1981 through 1987.

Known as the Westerner Stakes from 1948-1958, the race was held at Santa Anita Park in 1949 after a fire destroyed the Hollywood Park grandstand and clubhouse. When Hollywood Park closed in December 2013, the race was transferred to Del Mar. Due to the layout of the turf course at Del Mar, the race was shortened to 1⅛ miles.[1]

Only four fillies have ever won the race: Busher (1945), Honeymoon (1946), A Gleam (1952) Royal Heroine (1983)[2]

The Hollywood Derby has been contested at various distances on both dirt and turf:

Records

Speed record:

Most wins by a jockey:

Most wins by a trainer:

Winners of the Hollywood Derby since 1989

Year
Winner
Jockey
Trainer
Owner
Time
2014 California Chrome Victor Espinoza Art Sherman P. Martin and S. Coburn 1:47.88
2013 Seek Again Corey Nakatani John Gosden Juddmonte Farms 2:00.60
2012 Unbridled Command Javier Castellano Thomas M. Bush Lewis G. Lakin 2:01.07
2011 Ultimate Eagle Martin Pedroza Michael Pender B.J. Wright 2:01.43
2010 Haimish Hy Garrett Gomez Art Sherman Sherman/Akin/Franco/Goldstein 2:01.20
2009 The Usual Q.T. Victor Espinoza James Cassidy Van Kempen & partners 1:59.69
2008 Court Vision Ramon Dominguez William I. Mott IEAH Stables/WinStar Farm 2:01.43
2007 Daytona Mike E. Smith Dan Hendricks Davenport/Lenner/Ravich/Murray 1:59.75
2006 Showing Up Cornelio Velasquez Barclay Tagg Lael Stables 1:59.35
2004 Good Reward Jerry Bailey C. R. McGaughey III Ogden Phipps 2:01.53
2003 Sweet Return Julie Krone Ron McAnally Red Oak Stable 2:04.27
2002 Johar Alex Solis Richard Mandella The Thoroughbred Corp. 1:48.70
2001 Denon Chris McCarron Robert J. Frankel Flaxman Holdings 1:49.28
2000 Brahms Pat Day W. Elliott Walden Tom VanMeter II 1:46.73
1999 Super Quercus Alex Solis Robert J. Frankel 3 Plus U Stable 1:45.82
1998 Vergennes John Velazquez Steve Asmussen Gary A. Tanaka 1:49.44
1997 Subordination Jerry Bailey Gary Sciacca Jeff Ravitch/Seth Klarman 1:50.00
1996 Marlin Corey Nakatani D. Wayne Lukas Michael Tabor 1:46.08
1995 Labeeb Ed Delahoussaye Neil D. Drysdale Sheik Mohammed 1:46.42
1994 River Flyer Chris Antley David Hofmans Gary Folgner 1:47.48
1993 Explosive Red Corey Nakatani Daniel J. Vella Frank Stronach 1:46.88
1992 Paradise Creek Pat Day William I. Mott Bertram R. Firestone 1:47.36
1991 Eternity Star Ed Delahoussaye Robert J. Frankel Peter Wall 1:47.30
1991 Olympio Ed Delahoussaye Ron McAnally V.H.W. Stables 1:47.10
1990 Itsallgreektome Corey Nakatani Wallace Dollase Jhayare Stables 1:46.60
1989 Live The Dream Alex Solis Charlie Whittingham Bradley, Bradley, Chandler 1:47.00

* In 2001, Designed for Luck won but was disqualified for drifting out in the stretch and was set back to fifth.

Earlier winners

  • 1988 - Silver Circus
  • 1987 - Political Ambition
  • 1987 - Stately Don
  • 1986 - Thrill Show
  • 1986 - Spellbound
  • 1985 - Charming Duke
  • 1985 - Slew The Dragon
  • 1984 - Procida
  • 1984 - Foscarini
  • 1983 - Royal Heroine
  • 1983 - Ginger Brink
  • 1982 - Racing Is Fun
  • 1981 - De La Rose
  • 1981 - Silveyville
  • 1980 - Codex
  • 1979 - Flying Paster
  • 1978 - Affirmed
  • 1977 - Steve's Friend
  • 1976 - Crystal Water
  • 1975 - Intrepid Hero
  • 1974 - Agitate
  • 1973 - Amen
  • 1972 - Riva Ridge
  • 1971 - Bold Reason
  • 1970 - Hanalei Bay
  • 1969 - Tell
  • 1968 - Poleax
  • 1967 - Tumble Wind
  • 1966 - Fleet Host
  • 1965 - Terry's Secret
  • 1964 - Real Good Deal
  • 1963 - Y Flash
  • 1962 - Drill Site
  • 1961 - Four-and-Twenty
  • 1960 - Tempestuous
  • 1959 - Bagdad
  • 1958 - Strong Bay
  • 1957 - Round Table
  • 1956 - Count of Honor
  • 1955 - Swaps
  • 1954 - Fault Free
  • 1953 - Rejected
  • 1952 - A Gleam
  • 1951 - Grantor
  • 1950 - Valquest
  • 1949 - Pedigree
  • 1948 - Solidarity
  • 1947 - Yankee Valor
  • 1946 - Honeymoon
  • 1945 - Busher
  • 1941 - Staretor
  • 1940 - Big Flash
  • 1939 - Shining One
  • 1938 - Specify


References