Phoenix Stakes

The Phoenix Stakes at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky, is one of the oldest thoroughbred races in North America, first run in 1831. Now a Grade II event held each October, it’s contested over six furlongs on dirt and is open to horses aged three and older. As part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series, the winner earns an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, making it a key prep race for top sprinters. With its deep history and competitive fields, the Phoenix Stakes is a cornerstone of Keeneland’s renowned fall meet.

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Bet the Phoenix Stakes

Location: Keeneland Race Course - Lexington, KY

Inaugural Race: 1831

TV Coverage: Stream live on TwinSpires! 

Current Distance: 3/4ths of a mile (6 furlongs)

Track Type: Left-handed, Dirt

Age Qualification: Three Year Olds and up

Purse: $400,000

Race Date: Friday, October 3rd

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2025 Phoenix Stakes Race Results

POST
HORSE
JOCKEY / TRAINER
WIN / PLACE / SHOW
5
Nakatomi
Irad Ortiz, Jr. / Wesley A. Ward
$5.20 / $4.16 / $2.92
1
Durante
Tyler Gaffalione / David Jacobson
$11.92 / $6.72
2
Whatchatalkinabout
Emisael Jaramillo / Wesley A. Ward
$4.40
6
Here Mi Song
Edgar Morales / William Stinson, Jr.
4
World Record
Flavien Prat / Rodolphe Brisset
3
Skelly
Luis Saez / Steven M. Asmussen

Exotic Payoffs:

  • $1.00 Exacta (5-1) Paid: $28.86
  • $0.50 Trifecta (5-1-2) Paid: $49.89
  • $0.10 Superfecta (5-1-2-6) Paid: $36.19

Watch the 2025 Phoenix Stakes

2025 Phoenix Stakes Morning Line Odds 

Post
Horse
Jockey / Trainer
ML Odds
1
Durante
Tyler Gaffalione / David Jacobson
15-1
2
Whatchatalkinabout
Emisael Jaramillo / Wesley Ward
6-1
3
Skelly
Luis Saez / Steve Asmussen
3-1
4
World Record
Flavien Prat / Rodolphe Brisset
8-5
5
Nakatomi
Irad Ortiz, Jr. / Wesley Ward
5-2
6
Here Mi Song
Edgar Morales / Billy Stinson
10-1

Phoenix Stakes Race History

The Phoenix Stakes is a horse race run each year at the Keeneland Race Course. While the race has not run continuously, it was first run in 1831 and is the oldest thoroughbred race in the U.S. As a result, the race has been won by numerous notable racehorses throughout history, including:

  • Kingman (1891) - 1891 Kentucky Derby winner
  • Clifford (1893) - Two time American Champion and Hall of Fame inductee
  • Chant (1894) - 1894 Kentucky Derby winner
  • Halma (1895) - 1895 Kentucky Derby winner
  • Devil Driver (1942) - Two time American Champion Older Male Horse and Hall of Fame inductee
  • Coaltown - (1948) - 1948 U.S. Champion Sprint Horse and Hall of Fame inductee
  • Hill Gail (1952) - 1952 Kentucky Derby winner
  • Xtra Heat (2002) - 2001 American Champion Three-Year-Old Filly and Hall of Fame inductee
  • Wise Dan (2010) - Two time American Horse of the Year, American Champion Older Horse, and American Champion Turf Horse
  • Work All Week (2014) - 2014 American Champion Sprint Horse and 2014 Breeders' Cup Sprint winner
  • Whitmore (2017) - 2020 American Champion Sprint Horse and 2020 Breeders' Cup Sprint winner

As part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series, the winners of the race are automatically entered in the Breeders' Cup Sprint.

Phoenix Stakes Past Winners Since 1972

Year
Winner
Jockey / Trainer
Distance / Time
2025
Nakatomi
Irad Ortiz, Jr. / Wesley A. Ward
6 F / 1:09.93
2024
Federal Judge
Flavien Prat / Brad H. Cox
6 F / 1:08.20
2023
Hoist the Gold
John R. Velazquez / Dallas Stewart
6 F / 1:09.13
2022
Manny Wah
Corey J. Lanerie / Wayne M. Catalano
6 F / 1:10.31
2021
Special Reserve
Joel Rosario / Michael J. Maker
6 F / 1:08.54
2020
Diamond Oops
Florent Geroux / Patrick Biancone
6 F / 1:09.24
2019
Engage
José Ortiz / Steve Asmussen
6 F / 1:10.21
2018
Promises Fulfilled
Luis Saez / Dale Romans
6 F / 1:09.50
2017
Whitmore
Manuel Franco / Ron Moquette
6 F / 1:09.90
2016
A. P. Indian
Joe Bravo / Arnaud Delacour
6 F / 1:08.43

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