Frank J. DeFrancis Memorial Dash Stakes
Encyclopedia
The Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race
run annually at Laurel Park Racecourse in Laurel, Maryland
. Open to horses aged three and older, it is competed on dirt over a distance of six furlong
s. Run during the latter part of October, it currently offer a purse of $300,000. It was announced by Laurel Park that the famed race would be restored in 2011 and run on October 22nd at 6 furlongs.
in purse money and prestige. Beginning in 2010, the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association downgraded the Dash to a Grade II status. The race was not eligible for grading in 2011.
The inaugural De Francis Dash attracted the nation's finest sprinters to Pimlico Race Course in the summer of 1990. Included in the spectacular field were 1989 Sprint Champion Safely Kept
and top sprinters Glitterman and Sewickly. But at the wire, in a fitting tribute to the late Mr. De Francis, it was Maryland-bred, Maryland-based Northern Wolf in a track record-setting time of 1:09.
The Dash moved to Laurel for its second running. The distinguished field included two champions; Safely Kept and Housebuster
as well as leading sprinters Clever Trevor and Sunny Blossom. Housebuster captured the winner's share of the lucrative purse with a five length victory. He was named Eclipse Award
Sprint Champion for the second year in a row.
During the next nine years while the Dash reigned as Laurel Park's signature summer event, it was captured by two additional Sprint Champions: Cherokee Run
(1994) and Smoke Glacken
(1997).
The race was moved to the fall by Maryland Jockey Club Chief Operating Officer Lou Raffetto in 2001 with instant success. Taking advantage of a deep sprinting field three weeks after the Breeders' Cup Sprint, the De Francis Dash attracted a strong field of seven, including four of the top Breeder's Cup finishers with visions of an Eclipse Award.
The De Francis Dash was given Graded stakes
status in 1992 and became a Grade I event in 1998. On August 7, 2008 it was announced that the race would be on hiatus for 2008, the Maryland Jockey Club cited financial distress as the reason for the races' cancellation.
Most wins:
Most wins by a jockey
:
Most wins by a trainer
:
Most wins by an owner:
Thoroughbred horse race
Thoroughbred horse racing is a worldwide sport and industry involving the racing of Thoroughbred horses. It is governed by different national bodies. There are two forms of the sport: Flat racing and National Hunt racing...
run annually at Laurel Park Racecourse in Laurel, Maryland
Laurel, Maryland
Laurel is a city in northern Prince George's County, Anne Arundel County, and Howard County, Maryland, United States, located midway between Washington, D.C. and Baltimore. Incorporated in 1870, the city maintains a historic district including its Main Street...
. Open to horses aged three and older, it is competed on dirt over a distance of six furlong
Furlong
A furlong is a measure of distance in imperial units and U.S. customary units equal to one-eighth of a mile, equivalent to 220 yards, 660 feet, 40 rods, or 10 chains. The exact value of the furlong varies slightly among English-speaking countries....
s. Run during the latter part of October, it currently offer a purse of $300,000. It was announced by Laurel Park that the famed race would be restored in 2011 and run on October 22nd at 6 furlongs.
Race history
The Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash is one of the elite sprints in the country. Until 2010, it was one of the only two six-furlong contests with Grade I status, it is second only to the Breeders' Cup SprintBreeders' Cup Sprint
The Breeders' Cup Sprint is an American Weight for Age Grade I Thoroughbred horse race for three year olds & up. Run on dirt over a distance of 6 Furlongs , the race has been held annually since 1984 at a different racetrack in the United States or Canada as part of the Breeders' Cup World...
in purse money and prestige. Beginning in 2010, the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association downgraded the Dash to a Grade II status. The race was not eligible for grading in 2011.
The inaugural De Francis Dash attracted the nation's finest sprinters to Pimlico Race Course in the summer of 1990. Included in the spectacular field were 1989 Sprint Champion Safely Kept
Safely Kept
Safely Kept was a Maryland-bred Bay thoroughbred filly sired by Horatius. Safely Kept stormed onto the nationwide sprint stage in 1988 and won 24 of her 31 starts over the next three years in an era when there weren't a great deal of sprint races restricted to females...
and top sprinters Glitterman and Sewickly. But at the wire, in a fitting tribute to the late Mr. De Francis, it was Maryland-bred, Maryland-based Northern Wolf in a track record-setting time of 1:09.
The Dash moved to Laurel for its second running. The distinguished field included two champions; Safely Kept and Housebuster
Housebuster
Housebuster was an American thoroughbred Stallion racehorse. He was sired by graded stakes race winner Mt. Livermore out of the Great Above mare, Big Dreams....
as well as leading sprinters Clever Trevor and Sunny Blossom. Housebuster captured the winner's share of the lucrative purse with a five length victory. He was named Eclipse Award
Eclipse Award
The Eclipse Award is an American thoroughbred horse racing award named after the 18th century British racehorse and sire, Eclipse. The Eclipse Awards, honoring the champions of the sport, are sponsored by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association , Daily Racing Form and the National Turf Writers...
Sprint Champion for the second year in a row.
During the next nine years while the Dash reigned as Laurel Park's signature summer event, it was captured by two additional Sprint Champions: Cherokee Run
Cherokee Run
Cherokee Run is an American thoroughbred stallion racehorse. He was sired by 1982 Canadian Hall of Fame inductee Runaway Groom, who in turn was a son of leading sire Blushing Groom...
(1994) and Smoke Glacken
Smoke Glacken
Smoke Glacken is an American Champion Thoroughbred racehorse. Sired by Two Punch, a son of the important sire, Mr. Prospector, his dam was Majesty's Crown, a daughter of Irish stakes winner Magesterial who was a son of Northern Dancer.Trained by Henry Carroll, at age two Smoke Glacken finished...
(1997).
The race was moved to the fall by Maryland Jockey Club Chief Operating Officer Lou Raffetto in 2001 with instant success. Taking advantage of a deep sprinting field three weeks after the Breeders' Cup Sprint, the De Francis Dash attracted a strong field of seven, including four of the top Breeder's Cup finishers with visions of an Eclipse Award.
The De Francis Dash was given Graded stakes
Graded stakes race
A graded stakes race is a term applied since 1973 by the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to thoroughbred horse races in the United States and Canada to describe races that derive their name from the stake, or entry fee, owners must pay...
status in 1992 and became a Grade I event in 1998. On August 7, 2008 it was announced that the race would be on hiatus for 2008, the Maryland Jockey Club cited financial distress as the reason for the races' cancellation.
Records
Speed record:- 107.80 - Richter Scale (2000)
(Stakes and track record)
Most wins:
- 2 - Lite The Fuse (1995, 1996)
Most wins by a jockey
Jockey
A jockey is an athlete who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing.-Etymology:...
:
- 3 - Craig PerretCraig PerretCraig Perret is an American thoroughbred horse racing jockey. He began riding horses at age five and by seven was riding quarter horses in match races...
(1991, 1994, 1997) - 3 - Jerry Bailey (1999, 2001, 2005)
Most wins by a trainer
Horse trainer
In horse racing, a trainer prepares a horse for races, with responsibility for exercising it, getting it race-ready and determining which races it should enter...
:
- 2 - Richard Dutrow, Sr.Richard E. Dutrow, Sr.Richard E. "Dick" Dutrow, Sr. Richard E. "Dick" Dutrow, Sr. Richard E. "Dick" Dutrow, Sr. (March 8, 1937 - February 19, 1999 was an American Thoroughbred racehorse trainer. Dutrow, along with King T. Leatherbury, John J. Tammaro, Jr. and Hall of Fame inductee Bud Delp, were known as Maryland...
(1995, 1996) - 2 - Ben W. Perkins, Jr. (2001, 2004)
Most wins by an owner:
- 2 - Richard Dutrow, Sr.Richard E. Dutrow, Sr.Richard E. "Dick" Dutrow, Sr. Richard E. "Dick" Dutrow, Sr. Richard E. "Dick" Dutrow, Sr. (March 8, 1937 - February 19, 1999 was an American Thoroughbred racehorse trainer. Dutrow, along with King T. Leatherbury, John J. Tammaro, Jr. and Hall of Fame inductee Bud Delp, were known as Maryland...
(1995, 1996)
Winners of the Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash Stakes
| Year |
Winner |
Age |
Jockey |
Trainer |
Owner |
Distance |
Time |
Purse |
Grade |
| 2011 | Candyman E | 4 | Joe Bravo Joe Bravo Wilkyns Nuñez, better known by his ring name Joe Bravo, is a Puerto Rican professional wrestler best known for performing with the International Wrestling Association and World Wrestling Council.-International Wrestling Association :... |
Anthony Dutrow | Kuehne Racing | 6 fur. | 1:09.43 | $150,000 | |
| 2010 | No Race | - | No Race | No Race | No Race | no race | 0:00.00 | no race | II |
| 2009 | Vineyard Haven Vineyard Haven (horse) Vineyard Haven, foaled 2006, is grey roan American Thoroughbred racehorse, sired by Lido Palace out of Princess Aloha. He is trained by Saeed bin Suroor and is owned by Godolphin Racing.... |
3 | Alan Garcia Alan Garcia (jockey) Alan Garcia is a thoroughbred horse racing jockey. He was Peru's leading apprentice jockey in 2003 and in that same year he began racing in the United States at the Meadowlands Racetrack where he was also the leading apprentice. His father and grandfather were both jockeys in Peru... |
Saeed bin Suroor Saeed bin Suroor Saeed bin Suroor , is a horse racing trainer. Formerly a policeman, he took out his training license in 1994 and the following year was appointed as the trainer for Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin operation.... |
Godolphin Racing | 6 fur | 1:09.62 | $300,000 | I |
| 2008 | No Race | - | No Race | No Race | No Race | no race | 0:00.00 | no race | I |
| 2007 | Benny the Bull | 4 | Edgar Prado | Richard E. Dutrow, Jr. | IEAH Stables IEAH Stables IEAH Stables operates a thoroughbred horse racing stable in the United States. It is based in Garden City, New York.IEAH was formed in 2003 by Michael Iavarone, Michael Sherack and Richard Schiavo. Current IEAH employees include Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens as a bloodstock agent and Mike... |
6 fur | 1:09.86 | $250,000 | I |
| 2006 | Thor's Echo Thor's Echo Thor's Echo is an American Champion Thoroughbred racehorse best known for becoming only the second California-bred horse to ever win a Breeders' Cup race.... |
4 | Corey Nakatani Corey Nakatani Corey S. Nakatani is an American Thoroughbred horse racing jockey. He got his big break in 1990 when he rode Itsallgreektome to win big stakes races.Nakatani currently resides at Belmont Park... |
Doug O'Neill Douglas F. O'Neill Douglas F. "Doug" O'Neill is an American Thoroughbred horse trainer.In 1986 he began working in Thoroughbred horse racing as a stable hand and eventually a training assistant... |
Pablo Suarez/Royce Jaime | 6 fur | 1:08.71 | $300,000 | I |
| 2005 | I'm The Tiger | 5 | Jerry Bailey | Robert J. Frankel | Stronach Stable | 6 fur | 1:09.06 | $300,000 | I |
| 2004 | Wildcat Heir | 4 | Stewart Elliot | Ben W. Perkins, Jr. | Cloverleaf Farms II et al. | 6 fur | 1:09.45 | $300,000 | I |
| 2003 | A Huevo | 7 | Ramon Dominguez Ramon A. Dominguez Ramon A. Dominguez is an Eclipse Award-winning champion jockey in American Thoroughbred horse racing.... |
Michael W. Dickinson | Mark S. Hopkins | 6 fur | 1:08.92 | $300,000 | I |
| 2002 | D'Wildcat | 4 | Jorge Chavez Jorge Chávez Jorge Chávez Dartnell , also known as Géo Chávez, was a Franco – Peruvian aviator. At a young age, he achieved fame for his aeronautical feats... |
Robert B. Hess, Jr. | Fog City Stable | 6 fur | 1:10.80 | $300,000 | I |
| 2001 | Delaware Township | 5 | Jerry Bailey | Ben W. Perkins, Jr. | New Farm | 6 fur | 1:09.00 | $300,000 | I |
| 2000 | Richter Scale | 6 | Richard Migliore | William I. Mott | N. Fox/N.R. Kaster et al. | 6 fur | 1:07.80 | $300,000 | I |
| 1999 | Yes Its True | 3 | Jerry Bailey | Michael Simone | Padua Stables | 6 fur | 1:08.60 | $300,000 | I |
| 1998 | Kelly Kip | 4 | Jean-Luc Samyn Jean-Luc Samyn Jean-Luc Samyn is a jockey in American Thoroughbred horse racing.The son of a pastry chef, Jean-Luc Samyn was one of three children. At age thirteen, he went to work for the stable of trainer John Cunnington at Chantilly, a racecourse about north of Paris city center... |
H. Allen Jerkens H. Allen Jerkens Harry Allen Jerkens is an American Thoroughbred race horse Hall of Fame trainer.Jerkens' father owned a riding academy on Long Island that led to his interest in horse racing and in 1950 he trained his first winner. Sometimes called the "Giant Killer", he is best known for his upsets... |
Hobeau Farm | 6 fur | 1:08.40 | $300,000 | I |
| 1997 | Smoke Glacken Smoke Glacken Smoke Glacken is an American Champion Thoroughbred racehorse. Sired by Two Punch, a son of the important sire, Mr. Prospector, his dam was Majesty's Crown, a daughter of Irish stakes winner Magesterial who was a son of Northern Dancer.Trained by Henry Carroll, at age two Smoke Glacken finished... |
3 | Craig Perret Craig Perret Craig Perret is an American thoroughbred horse racing jockey. He began riding horses at age five and by seven was riding quarter horses in match races... |
Henry L. Carroll Henry L. Carroll Henry L. Carroll he was the son of Bill Carroll who trained horses at New England racetracks. Carroll holds a degree in History from Newberry College. Having ties to thoroughbred horses through his own father and eager to get back into the world of racing, Carroll obtained his racing license in... |
Roberts/Karkenny/Levy | 6 fur | 1:09.40 | $300,000 | I |
| 1996 | Lite The Fuse | 5 | Julie Krone Julie Krone Julie Krone , is a retired American jockey. In 1993, she became the first female jockey to win a Triple Crown race when she captured the Belmont Stakes aboard Colonial Affair... |
Richard Dutrow, Sr. Richard E. Dutrow, Sr. Richard E. "Dick" Dutrow, Sr. Richard E. "Dick" Dutrow, Sr. Richard E. "Dick" Dutrow, Sr. (March 8, 1937 - February 19, 1999 was an American Thoroughbred racehorse trainer. Dutrow, along with King T. Leatherbury, John J. Tammaro, Jr. and Hall of Fame inductee Bud Delp, were known as Maryland... |
Richard Dutrow, Sr. Richard E. Dutrow, Sr. Richard E. "Dick" Dutrow, Sr. Richard E. "Dick" Dutrow, Sr. Richard E. "Dick" Dutrow, Sr. (March 8, 1937 - February 19, 1999 was an American Thoroughbred racehorse trainer. Dutrow, along with King T. Leatherbury, John J. Tammaro, Jr. and Hall of Fame inductee Bud Delp, were known as Maryland... |
6 fur | 1:08.80 | $300,000 | II |
| 1995 | Lite The Fuse | 4 | Julie Krone Julie Krone Julie Krone , is a retired American jockey. In 1993, she became the first female jockey to win a Triple Crown race when she captured the Belmont Stakes aboard Colonial Affair... |
Richard Dutrow, Sr. Richard E. Dutrow, Sr. Richard E. "Dick" Dutrow, Sr. Richard E. "Dick" Dutrow, Sr. Richard E. "Dick" Dutrow, Sr. (March 8, 1937 - February 19, 1999 was an American Thoroughbred racehorse trainer. Dutrow, along with King T. Leatherbury, John J. Tammaro, Jr. and Hall of Fame inductee Bud Delp, were known as Maryland... |
Richard Dutrow, Sr. Richard E. Dutrow, Sr. Richard E. "Dick" Dutrow, Sr. Richard E. "Dick" Dutrow, Sr. Richard E. "Dick" Dutrow, Sr. (March 8, 1937 - February 19, 1999 was an American Thoroughbred racehorse trainer. Dutrow, along with King T. Leatherbury, John J. Tammaro, Jr. and Hall of Fame inductee Bud Delp, were known as Maryland... |
6 fur | 1:08.80 | $300,000 | II |
| 1994 | Cherokee Run Cherokee Run Cherokee Run is an American thoroughbred stallion racehorse. He was sired by 1982 Canadian Hall of Fame inductee Runaway Groom, who in turn was a son of leading sire Blushing Groom... |
4 | Craig Perret Craig Perret Craig Perret is an American thoroughbred horse racing jockey. He began riding horses at age five and by seven was riding quarter horses in match races... |
Frank A. Alexander Frank A. Alexander Frank A. Alexander is an American Thoroughbred horse racing trainer.Alexander took out his trainer's license in 1963 and in 1974 opened a public stable in Maryland. He returned to his present base in New York in 1987... |
Jill E. Robinson | 6 fur | 1:08.80 | $300,000 | II |
| 1993 | Montbrook | 3 | Clarence Ladner | Dean Gaudet | Israel Cohen | 6 fur | 1:08.60 | $300,000 | II |
| 1992 | Superstrike | 3 | Danny Sorenson | Bruce L. Jackson | David R. Kruse | 6 fur | 1:09.80 | $300,000 | II |
| 1991 | Housebuster Housebuster Housebuster was an American thoroughbred Stallion racehorse. He was sired by graded stakes race winner Mt. Livermore out of the Great Above mare, Big Dreams.... |
4 | Craig Perret Craig Perret Craig Perret is an American thoroughbred horse racing jockey. He began riding horses at age five and by seven was riding quarter horses in match races... |
Warren A. Croll, Jr. Warren A. Croll, Jr. Warren A. "Jimmy" Croll, Jr. was an American Hall of Fame Thoroughbred race horse trainer.Croll was born in 1920 in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. After finishing high school, he attended the University of Pennsylvania with the intention of becoming a veterinarian but left to pursue his passion for... |
Robert P. Levy | 6 fur | 1:08.60 | $350,000 | |
| 1990 | Northern Wolf | 4 | Mike Luzzi Mike Luzzi Michael Jude Luzzi is an American jockey. He grew up near Delaware Park Racetrack where his grandfather, trainer Buddy Raines, had a major role in raising him and his brother John who also became a jockey... |
Harold A. Allen Hank Allen Harold Andrew "Hank" Allen is a former outfielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Washington Senators , Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago White Sox .... |
Deep Silver Stable | 6 fur | 1:09.00 | $350,000 | |
See also
- Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash Stakes "top three finishers" and startersFrank J. De Francis Memorial Dash Stakes top three finishersThis is a listing of the horses that finished in either first, second, or third place and the number of starters in the Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash Stakes, one of two Grade 1 sprints held in the United States. The "De Francis Dash" is run at a distance of six furlongs on dirt at Laurel Park...
- Laurel Park Racecourse
- American Champion Sprint Horse
- Breeders' Cup SprintBreeders' Cup SprintThe Breeders' Cup Sprint is an American Weight for Age Grade I Thoroughbred horse race for three year olds & up. Run on dirt over a distance of 6 Furlongs , the race has been held annually since 1984 at a different racetrack in the United States or Canada as part of the Breeders' Cup World...