Awesome Again Stakes

Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series > Awesome Again Stakes

Awesome Again Stakes Race Facts

  • Location: Santa Anita Park, Arcadia, CA
  • Inaugural Race: 1982
  • Distance: 1 and 1/8th mile (9 furlongs)
  • Track Type: Left-handed, Dirt
  • Age Qualifications: Three Year Olds and up
  • 2022 Purse: $300,000
  • 2022 Race Date: Saturday, October 1st

2022 Awesome Again Stakes Race Results

POSTHORSEJOCKEY / TRAINERWIN / PLACE / SHOW
6DefundedEdwin A. Maldonado / Bob Baffert$12.00 / $4.60 / $3.40
4Country GrammerJuan J. Hernandez / Bob Baffert$3.00 / $2.40
8Slow Down AndyMario Gutierrez / Doug F. O'Neill$4.40
7Express TrainJohn A. Shirreffs / John A. Shirreffs
5TripoliRamon A. Vazquez / John W. Sadler
2Royal Ship (BRZ)Mike E. Smith / Richard E. Mandella
3High ConnectionAbel Cedillo / Bob Baffert
1Azul CoastHector Isaac Berrios / Bob Baffert

Exotic Payoffs:

  • $1.00 Exacta (6-4) Paid: $14.30
  • $0.50 Trifecta (6-4-8) Paid: $62.10
  • $0.10 Superfecta (6-4-8-7) Paid: $43.38

Watch the 2022 Awesome Again Stakes

Awesome Again Stakes Race History

The Awesome Again stakes is a Grade I horse race run each year at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. Inaugurated in 1982 as the Goodwood Handicap, the race was re-named in honor of the 1998 Breeders’ Cup Classic and Canadian hall of fame thoroughbred Awesome Again. Previous winners of the race include a bevy of notable horses, including:

  • Ferdinand (1987) – 1986 Kentucky Derby and 1987 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner
  • Bertrando (1994) – 1993 U.S. Champion Older Male Horse and California Horse of the Year
  • Sliver Charm (1998) – 1997 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner and Hall of Fame inductee
  • Tiznow (2000) – 2000 and 2001 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner (only horse to win the race twice) and Hall of Fame inductee
  • Lava Man (2006) – Seattle Slew grandsire and Hall of Fame inductee
  • Mucho Macho Man (2013) – 2013 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner
  • Shared Belief (2014) – 2013 American Champion Two-Year-Old Male Horse
  • California Chrome (2016) – 2014 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner and North American all-time earnings leader
  • Accelerate (2018) – 2018 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner
  • Improbable (2020) – 2020 American Champion Older Male Horse

Currently three horses are tied for most wins with two a piece: Lord At War (1984, 1985), Pleasantly Perfect (2002, 2003), and Game On Dude (2011, 2012). Game On Dude’s wins are particularly notable as Awesome Again is his sire. In 2013, Gary Stevens set the record for most wins by a jockey by capturing his fifth win. Bob Baffert currently holds the title for most wins by a trainer with his eight wins, including a three-peat between 2010 and 2012.

As part of the Breeder’s Cup Challenge Series, the winners of the race gain an automatic bid to race in the Breeder’s Cup Classic.

Awesome Again Stakes Past Winners

YearWinnerJockey / TrainerDistance / Time
2022DefundedEdwin A. Maldonado / Bob Baffert1 1⁄8 M / 1:49.38
2021Medina SpiritJohn R. Velazquez / Bob Baffert1 1⁄8 M / 1:49.67
2020ImprobableDrayden Van Dyke / Bob Baffert1 1⁄8 M / 1:49.01
2019Mongolian GroomAbel Cedillo / Enebish Ganbat1 1⁄8 M / 1:49.27
2018AccelerateJoel Rosario / John W. Sadler1 1⁄8 M / 1:50.38
2017Mubtaahij (IRE)Drayden Van Dyke / Bob Baffert1 1⁄8 M / 1:51.32
2016California ChromeVictor Espinoza / Art Sherman1 1⁄8 M / 1:48.07
2015Smooth RollerTyler Baze / Victor L. Garcia1 1⁄8 M / 1:48.08
2014Shared BeliefMike E. Smith / Jerry Hollendorfer1 1⁄8 M / 1:48.58
2013Mucho Macho ManGary L. Stevens / Katherine Ritvo1 1⁄8 M / 1:48.30
2012Game On DudeRafael Bejarano / Bob Baffert1 1⁄8 M / 1:48.98
2011Game On DudeChantal Sutherland / Bob Baffert1 1⁄8 M / 1:47.36
2010Richard's KidAlonso Quinonez / Bob Baffert1 1⁄8 M / 1:49.18
2009Gitano Hernando (GB)Kieren Fallon / Marco Botti1 1⁄8 M / 1:48.39
2008Well ArmedAaron Gryder / Eoin G. Harty1 1⁄8 M / 1:47.11
2007TiagoMike E. Smith / John Shirreffs1 1⁄8 M / 1:46.93
2006Lava ManCorey Nakatani / Doug F. O'Neill1 1⁄8 M / 1:48.15
2005Rock Hard TenGary L. Stevens / Richard E. Mandella1 1⁄8 M / 1:48.68
2004Lundy's Liability (BRZ)David R. Flores / Robert J. Frankel1 1⁄8 M / 1:48.39
2003Pleasantly PerfectAlex O. Solis / Richard E. Mandella1 1⁄8 M / 1:48.37
2002Pleasantly PerfectAlex O. Solis / Richard E. Mandella1 1⁄8 M / 1:46.80
2001Freedom CrestKent J. Desormeaux / Richard Baltas1 1⁄8 M / 1:48.86
2000TiznowChris McCarron / Jay M. Robbins1 1⁄8 M / 1:47.38
1999BudroyaleGarrett K. Gomez / Ted H. West1 1⁄8 M / 1:48.31
1998Silver CharmGary L. Stevens / Bob Baffert1 1⁄8 M / 1:47.21
1997BenchmarkEddie Delahoussaye / Ronald W. Ellis1 1⁄8 M / 1:47.60
1996SavinioCorey Nakatani / Walter R. Greenman1 1⁄8 M / 1:47.88
1995Soul of the MatterKent J. Desormeaux / Richard E. Mandella1 1⁄8 M / 1:47.54
1994BertrandoGary L. Stevens / John Shirreffs1 1⁄8 M / 1:46.72
1993Lottery WinnerKent J. Desormeaux / Jay M. Robbins1 1⁄8 M / 1:47.71
1992Reign RoadKent J. Desormeaux / Jay M. Robbins1 1⁄8 M / 1:48.36
1991The Prime MinisterChris McCarron / Charles E. Whittingham1 1⁄8 M / 1:47.99
1990Lively OneAlex O. Solis / Charles E. Whittingham1 1⁄8 M / 1:48.00
1989Present Value (CAN)Eddie Delahoussaye / Jerry M. Fanning1 1⁄8 M / 1:47.20
1988Cutlass RealityGary L. Stevens / Craig Anthony Lewis1 1⁄8 M / 1:47.20
1987FerdinandBill Shoemaker / Charles E. Whittingham1 1⁄8 M / 1:50.80
1986Super DiamondLaffit Pincay Jr. / Edwin J. Gregson1 1⁄16 M / 1:41.20
1985Lord At War (ARG)Bill Shoemaker / Charles E. Whittingham1 1⁄8 M / 1:50.40
1984Lord At War (ARG)Bill Shoemaker / Charles E. Whittingham1 1⁄16 M / 1:42.00
1983PettraxKenneth D. Black / Wayne Charlton1 1⁄16 M / 1:42.60
1982Cajun PrinceWalter Guerra / Laz Barrera1 1⁄16 M / 1:40.20