W. L. McKnight Stakes
(Redirected from W.L. McKnight Handicap)
The W. L. McKnight Stakes is an American Grade 3 Thoroughbred horse race held annually at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida.[1] Inaugurated in 1973 at Calder Race Course it remained there through 2013 when the track closed. In 2017 a race condition was changed from being open to horses age three and older to those who were four and older. A race on turf at a distance of a mile and one-half, due to safety concerns it was shifted from the turf course to the main dirt track in 1993, 2005, and 2013.
The race was named for William L. McKnight, the founder of Tartan Farms.[2] Prior to 2019, it was run as the W. L. McKnight Handicap.
Historical notes
Twilight Eclipse has the distinction of winning the McKnight Handicap back-to-back on two different racing surfaces. At Calder Race Course, the gelding won the race on grass in 2012 and in 2013 on dirt after it was switched from a soggy grass course to the dirt track. It was only the second time in his career that Twilight Eclipse had run on dirt.[3][4]
In 1995, Flag Down set the race record that still stood when the Calder track closed. Flag Down was bred by Windfields Farm and raced by Allen Paulson who at the time was also racing the great future U. S. Racing Hall of Fame inductee Cigar.[5]
Of its fifty-three runnings, no female horse has won the McKnight.
Records
Speed record:
- 2:25.90 @ 1<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄2 miles on Gulfstream Park turf course: Taghleeb (2017)
- 2:24.11 @ 1<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄2 miles on Calder turf course: Flag Down (1995)
Most wins:
- 2 – Flying Pidgeon (1985, 1986)
- 2 – Twilight Eclipse (2012, 2013)
- 2 – Presious Passion (2007, 2008)
Most wins by a jockey:
- 4 – José Santos (1985, 1986, 1990, 1995)
Most wins by a trainer:
- 5 – Michael J. Maker (2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2023)
Most wins by an owner:
- 2 – Buckram Oak Farm (Mahmoud Fustok) (1980, 1982)
- 2 – Constance Daparma & Marjan Stable, Inc. (1985, 1986)
- 2 – Patricia A. Generazio (2007, 2008)
- 2 – West Point Thoroughbreds, Inc. (Terry Finley CEO) (2012, 2013)
- 2 – Ken & Sarah Ramsey (2015, 2018)
- 2 – Michael M. Hui (2017, 2019)
Winners
| Year |
Winner |
Age |
Jockey |
Trainer |
Owner |
Dist. (Miles) |
Time |
Win$ |
Gr. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Red Knight | 9 | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Michael J. Maker | Trinity Farm | 1<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄2 | 2:25.11 | $116,500 | G3 |
| 2022 | Abaan | 5 | Luis Saez | Todd Pletcher | Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners & Alex Daigneault | 1<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄2 | 2:29.53 | $115,320 | G3 |
| 2021 | Tide Of The Sea | 5 | Tyler Gaffalione | Michael J. Maker | Three Diamonds Farm | 1<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄2 | 2:24.57 | $87,420 | G3 |
| 2020 | Spooky Channel | 5 | Julien Leparoux | Brian A. Lynch | Terry Hamilton | 1<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄2 | 2:26.16 | $116,560 | G3 |
| 2019 | Zulu Alpha | 6 | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Michael J. Maker | Michael M. Hui | 1<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄2 | 2:36.80 | $114,080 | G3 |
| 2018 | Oscar Nominated | 5 | José Ortiz | Michael J. Maker | Ken & Sarah Ramsey | 1<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄2 | 2:30.08 | $119,040 | G3 |
| 2017 | Taghleeb | 6 | Tyler Gaffalione | Michael J. Maker | Michael M. Hui | 1<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄2 | 2:25.90 | $115,320 | G3 |
| 2016 | Race not held | ||||||||
| 2015 | Charming Kitten | 5 | John R. Velazquez | Todd Pletcher | Ken & Sarah Ramsey | 1<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄2 | 2:27.76 | $59,520 | G3 |
| 2014 | Divine Oath | 3 | Javier Castellano | Todd Pletcher | Let's Go Stable (Kevin Scatuorchio & Bryan Sullivan) | 1<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄2 | 2:34.25 | $57,040 | G3 |
| 2013 | Twilight Eclipse | 4 | Jose Lezcano | Thomas Albertrani | West Point Thoroughbreds, Inc. (Terry Finley CEO) | 1<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄2 | 2:23.66 | $75,175 | G3 |
| 2012 | Twilight Eclipse | 3 | Manoel Cruz | Thomas Albertrani | West Point Thoroughbreds, Inc. (Terry Finley CEO) | 1<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄2 | 2:26.71 | $90,210 | G2 |
| 2011 | Musketier | 9 | Luis Saez | Roger L. Attfield | Stella Perdomo | 1<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄2 | 2:28.25 | $90,520 | G2 |
| 2010 | Prince Will I Am | 3 | Javier Castellano | Michelle K. Nihei | Casa Farms I (Susan A. Atkins) | 1<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄2 | 2:38.40 | $93,000 | G2 |
| 2009 | Cloudy's Knight | 9 | Rosemary Homeister Jr. | Jonathan E. Sheppard | S J Stables LLC (Shirley & Jarrold Schwartz) | 1<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄2 | 2:27.63 | $88,350 | G2 |
| 2008 | Presious Passion | 5 | Elvis Trujillo | Mary E. Hartmann | Patricia A. Generazio | 1<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄2 | 2:25.64 | $86,490 | G2 |
| 2007 | Presious Passion | 4 | Elvis Trujillo | Mary E. Hartmann | Patricia A. Generazio | 1<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄2 | 2:26.13 | $115,320 | G2 |
| 2006 | Devil's Preacher | 3 | Rafael Bejarano | George R. Weaver | R. A. Hill Stable (Randy Hill) | 1<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄2 | 2:38.28 | $120,000 | G2 |
| 2005 | Meteor Storm | 6 | Javier Castellano | Wallace A. Dollase | The Horizon Stable (M. Jarvis, G. Margolis, K. Smole, J. Conway) | 1<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄2 | 2:25.91 | $120,000 | G2 |
| 2004 | Dreadnaught | 4 | Jean-Luc Samyn | Thomas H. Voss | Trillium Stable (Douglas Joyce) | 1<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄2 | 2:26.60 | $120,000 | G2 |
| 2003 | Balto Star | 5 | John R. Velazquez | Todd Pletcher | Anstu Stables, Inc. | 1<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄2 | 2:24.87 | $120,000 | G2 |
| 2002 | Man From Wicklow | 5 | Jerry D. Bailey | Richard A. Violette Jr. | Richard A. Violette Jr. | 1<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄2 | 2:28.05 | $120,000 | G2 |
| 2001 | Profit Option | 6 | Mark Guidry | Kenneth E. Hoffman | Mark Conway, K. E. Hoffman, Team Canonie, Inc. | 1<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄2 | 2:27.95 | $90,000 | G2 |
| 2000 | A Little Luck | 6 | Mike E. Smith | Barclay Tagg | Kathleen Crompton | 1<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄2 | 2:29.01 | $90,000 | G2 |
| 1999 | Wicapi | 7 | Cornelio Velásquez | Joseph G. Calascibetta | Acclaimed Racing Stable (Michael R. Berry) | 1<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄2 | 2:26.28 | $90,000 | G2 |
| 1998 | Wild Event | 5 | Shane Sellers | Louis M. Goldfine | Arthur I. Appleton | 1<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄2 | 2:26.93 | $90,000 | G2 |
| 1997 | Panama City | 3 | Pat Day | Patrick B. Byrne | Robert Sangster & Joseph Lacombe | 1<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄2 | 2:27.00 | $90,000 | G2 |
| 1996 | Diplomatic Jet | 4 | Jorge F. Chavez | James E. Picou | Fred W. Hooper | 1<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄2 | 2:24.20 | $90,000 | G2 |
| 1995 | Flag Down | 5 | José Santos | Christophe Clement | Allen E. Paulson | 1<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄2 | 2:24.00 | $90,000 | G2 |
| 1994-1 | Star of Manila | 3 | Craig Perret | Burk Kessenger Jr. | New Phoenix Stable (Gary Drake) | 1<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄2 | 2:28.40 | $90,000 | G2 |
| 1994-2 | Cobblestone Road | 5 | José Ferrer | Oliver E. Edwards | Bruce Watkins & Stanley Stahl | 1<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄2 | 2:27.80 | $90,000 | G2 |
| 1993 | Antartic Wings | 5 | Rene Douglas | Michael Lerman | Sandy Price | 1<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄2 | 2:32.40 | $60,000 | G2 |
| 1992 | Bye Union Avenue | 6 | Rene Douglas | Reynaldo H. Nobles | Due Process Stable | 1<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄2 | 2:27.20 | $90,000 | G2 |
| 1991 | Stolen Rolls | 5 | Pedro A. Rodriguez | Lawrence W. Jennings | Esquire Farms | 1<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄2 | 2:27.00 | $60,000 | G2 |
| 1990 | Drum Taps | 5 | José Santos | Neil J. Howard | William S. Farish III | 1<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄2 | 2:29.80 | $60,000 | G2 |
| 1989 | Mataji | 4 | Douglas Valiente | Happy Alter | Alters Racing Stable | 1<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄2 | 2:25.60 | $90,000 | G2 |
| 1988 | All Sincerity | 4 | Constantino Hernandez | Angel M. Medina | Almost Heaven Stable, Inc. | 1<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄2 | 2:25.40 | $120,000 | G2 |
| 1987 | Creme Fraiche | 6 | Eddie Maple | Woody Stephens | Brushwood Stable (Elizabeth Moran) | 1<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄2 | 2:27.00 | $120,000 | G2 |
| 1986 | Flying Pidgeon | 5 | José Santos | Luis Olivares | Constance Daparma & Marjan Stable, Inc. | 1<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄2 | 2:39.60 | $120,000 | G2 |
| 1985-1 | Jack Slade | 4 | Gerland Galitano | David C. Kassen | Andrew Adams | 1<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄2 | 2:26.20 | $69,900 | G2 |
| 1985-2 | Flying Pidgeon | 5 | José Santos | Luis Olivares | Constance Daparma & Marjan Stable, Inc. | 1<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄2 | 2:25.80 | $70,800 | G2 |
| 1984-1 | Open Call | 6 | Jorge Velásquez | Robert J. Reinacher Jr. | Greentree Stable | 1<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄2 | 2:30.20 | $63,755 | G2 |
| 1984-2 | Nijinsky's Secret | 5 | José Vélez Jr. | Kent H. Stirling | Hedley McDougald | 1<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄2 | 2:31.20 | $63,675 | G2 |
| 1983 | Current Blade | 6 | Jerry D. Bailey | John P. Campo | Buckland Farm | 1<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄2 ± | 2:29.20 | $70,020 | G2 |
| 1982-1 | Ghazwan | 6 | Constantino Hernandez | Leonard Imperio | Buckram Oak Farm (Mahmoud Fustok) | 1<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄2 | 2:28.80 | $61,920 | G2 |
| 1982-2 | Russian George | 5 | Miguel A. Rivera | Jean Cruguet | Sea Salt Farm, Inc. | 1<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄2 | 2:29.80 | $61,320 | G2 |
| 1981-1 | El Barril | 5 | Jacinto Vásquez | Angel A. Penna Jr. | Walnut Hill Farm | 1<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄2 | 2:28.40 | $51,630 | G3 |
| 1981-2 | Buckpoint | 5 | Jerry D. Bailey | J. Bert Sonnier | Owen Helman | 1<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄2 | 2:28.00 | $52,230 | G3 |
| 1980-1 | Old Crony | 5 | Don Brumfield | Edward I. Kelly Sr. | Bwamazon Farm (Millard A. Waldheim) | 1<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄8 ± | 1:48.40 | $35,565 | G3 |
| 1980-2 | Drum's Captain | 5 | Jeffrey Fell | Leonard Imperio | Buckram Oak Farm (Mahmoud Fustok) | 1<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄8 ± | 1:48.00 | $34,875 | G3 |
| 1979 | Bob's Dusty | 5 | Richard DePass | William E. Adams | Robert N. Lehmann | 1<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄8 ± | 1:48.00 | $55,800 | G3 |
| 1978 | Practitioner | 5 | Jesus S. Rodriguez | Leo Sierra | Dogwood Stable | 1<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄8 ± | 1:48.00 | $56,520 | G3 |
| 1977 | Hall of Reason | 5 | Mickey Solomone | Dukas "Duke" Davis | Malcolm Woldenberg | 1<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄8 ± | 1:47.20 | $52,200 | G3 |
| 1976 | Toonerville | 3 | Gene St. Leon | Norman St. Leon | Frank & Mike Ryan & Norman St. Leon | 1<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄8 ± | 1:44.60 | $55,800 | G3 |
| 1975 | Snurb | 5 | Gene St. Leon | Reed M. Combest | B.L.T. Stable (Art Bruns, et al.) | 1<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄8 ± | 1:46.00 | $37,800 | LR |
| 1974 | Shane's Prince | 5 | Eddie Maple | Frank J. McManus | Red Hand Stable | 1<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄8 ± | 1:46.00 | $35,700 | |
| 1973 | Getajetholme | 4 | Joseph E. Imparato | J. Bert Sonnier | Ralph Sessa | 1<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄8 ± | 1:47.20 | $38,700 | |