William Donald Schaefer Memorial Stakes
| Grade III race | |
| Location | Pimlico Race Course, Baltimore, Maryland, United States |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1987 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred - Flat racing |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1 1⁄8 miles 9 furlong |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Track | Left-handed |
| Qualification | Three-year-olds & up, open |
| Weight | Assigned |
| Purse | $100,000 |
The William Donald Schaefer Memorial Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually during the third week of May at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. A Grade III event open to three-year-old horses and up, it is contested on dirt over a distance of 1 1⁄8 miles (nine furlongs). This race had been run as the Never Bend Handicap from its inception in 1987 through 1993.
Namesake
[edit]The race was named in honor of former Maryland Governor and industry advocate William Donald Schaefer (1921-2011). Schaefer was an American politician who served in public office for 50 years at both the state and local level in Maryland. A Democrat, he served as mayor of Baltimore from 1971 to 1987, the 58th Governor of Maryland from 1987 to 1995, and the Comptroller of Maryland from 1999 to 2007.[1]
Race info
[edit]The William Donald Schaefer Handicap became an American graded stakes race in 2001. In 2007, the race was won by West Point Thoroughbred's Flashy Bull a multiple grade one winner including a win in the Stephen Foster Handicap. The stakes record was held by Tidal Surge who won the race in 1995 in a time of 1:48.19.[1]
Records
[edit]Speed record:
- 1 1⁄8 miles - 1:47.10 - Private Terms (1989)
- 1 1⁄16 miles - 1:42.20 - Senator to Be (1991)
Most wins by an owner:
- 2 - West Point Thoroughbreds (2004, 2007)
Most wins by a jockey:
- 3 - Jerry Bailey (1998, 2001, 2005)
- 3 - Pat Day (1991, 1992, 2000)
Most wins by a trainer:
- 3 - Nick Zito (1991, 1992, 1998)
Winners
[edit]| Year |
Winner |
Age |
Jockey |
Trainer |
Owner |
Distance | Time | Purse | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Apart | 5 | Garrett Gomez | Albert Stall Jr. | Adele B. Dilschneider | 1-1/16 | 1:43.70 | $100,000 | III |
| 2010 | Blame | 4 | Garrett Gomez | Albert Stall Jr. | Dlschneider/Claiborne Farm | 1-1/16 | 1:43.40 | $100,000 | III |
| 2009 | No Advantage | 4 | J. D. Acosta | Stephanie Beattie | Joe Besecker & Kirk Wycoff | 1-1/16 | 1:42.79 | $100,000 | III |
| 2008 | No Race | - | No Race | No Race | No Race | no race | 0:00.00 | no race | III |
| 2007 | Flashy Bull | 4 | Alan Garcia | Kiaran McLaughlin | West Point Thoroughbreds | 1-1/8 | 1:47.20 | $100,000 | III |
| 2006 | Master Command | 4 | Garrett Gomez | Todd A. Pletcher | Aaron & Marie Jones | 1-1/8 | 1:49.42 | $100,000 | III |
| 2005 | Zakocity | 4 | Jerry Bailey | Patrick L. Reynolds | Paul Pompa, Jr. | 1-1/8 | 1:49.19 | $100,000 | III |
| 2004 | Seattle Fitz | 5 | Richard Migliore | Kiaran McLaughlin | West Point Thoroughbreds | 1-1/8 | 1:49.43 | $100,000 | III |
| 2003 | Windsor Castle | 5 | José A. Santos | Frank A. Alexander | Dogwood Stable | 1-1/8 | 1:50.08 | $100,000 | III |
| 2002 | Tenpins | 4 | Robby Albarado | Donald R. Winfree | Joseph Vitello | 1-1/8 | 1:50.20 | $100,000 | III |
| 2001 | Perfect Cat | 4 | Jerry Bailey | Mark A. Hennig | Edward P. Evans | 1-1/8 | 1:49.55 | $100,000 | III |
| 2000 | Ecton Park | 4 | Pat Day | W. Elliott Walden | Mark H. Stanley | 1-1/8 | 1:49.21 | $100,000 | III |
| 1999 | Perfect to a Tee | 7 | A. C. Cortez | Linda L. Albert | Nonsequitur Stable | 1-1/8 | 1:49.20 | $100,000 | III |
| 1998 | Acceptable | 4 | Jerry Bailey | Nick Zito | Kinsman Stable | 1-1/8 | 1:48.76 | $100,000 | III |
| 1997 | Western Echo | 5 | Edgar Prado | Bud Delp | Harry C. & Tom O. Meyerhoff | 1-1/8 | 1:49.41 | $100,000 | III |
| 1996 | Canaveral | 5 | Shane Sellers | H. Graham Motion | Morven Stud | 1-1/8 | 1:49.03 | $100,000 | III |
| 1995 | Tidal Surge | 5 | Jeff D. Carle | Timothy F. Ritchey | not found | 1-1/8 | 1:48.19 | $100,000 | III |
| 1994 | Taking Risks | 4 | Mark T. Johnston | King T. Leatherbury | Lakeville Stables | 1-1/8 | 1:49.53 | $75,000 | III |
| 1993 | Root Boy | 5 | Herb McCauley | Louis D. Bernier, Jr. | Richard F. Blue, Jr. | 1-1/16 | 1:42.60 | $75,000 | III |
| 1992 | Senator to Be | 6 | Pat Day | Nick Zito | BCC Stable | 1-1/16 | 1:42.60 | $51,000 | III |
| 1991 | Senator to Be | 5 | Pat Day | Nick Zito | BCC Stable | 1-1/16 | 1:42.20 | $50,000 | III |
| 1990 | Flaming Emperor | 4 | "Jo Jo" Ladner | Kenny Cox | Hideaway Farms | 1-1/8 | 1:49.60 | $50,000 | III |
| 1989 | Private Terms | 4 | Kent Desormeaux | Charles Hadry | Stuart Janney, Jr. | 1-1/8 | 1:47.10 | $50,000 | III |
| 1988 | Little Bold John | 6 | Donnie Miller Jr. | Jerry Robb | John E. Owens | 1-1/8 | 1:50.20 | $55,000 | |
| 1987 | Brilliant Stepper | 5 | Allen Stacy | King T. Leatherbury | Cot Campbell | 1-3/16 | 1:58.20 | $55,000 |