Pocahontas Stakes

Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series > Pocahontas Stakes

Pocahontas Stakes Race Facts

  • Location: Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY
  • Inaugural Race: 1969
  • Distance: 1 & 1/16 miles (8.5 furlongs)
  • Track Type: Left-handed, Dirt
  • Age Qualifications: Three Year Olds
  • 2021 Purse: $300,000
  • 2021 Race Date: Saturday, September 18th

2021 Pocahontas Stakes Race Results

POSTHORSEJOCKEY / TRAINERWIN / PLACE / SHOW
9Hidden ConnectionReylu Gutierrez / W. Bret Calhoun$5.60 / $4.00 / $3.20
3Mama RinaBrian Joseph Hernandez, Jr. / Kenneth G. McPeek$21.40 / $7.80
2Goddess of FireJavier Castellano / Todd A. Pletcher$4.20
1Code for SuccessRafael Bejarano / Victoria H. Oliver
5Majestic d'OroMartin Garcia / Brendan P. Walsh
4OntheonesandtwosRicardo Santana, Jr. / Norm W. Casse
8Miss ChamitaGregory Romero / Michel Douaihy
7KneesnhipsJames Graham / Thomas M. Amoss
6Maxine MachineFlorent Geroux / Brad H. Cox
10LemieuxTyler Gaffalione / Mark E. Casse

Exotic Payoffs:

  • $2.00 Exacta (9-3) Paid: $191.20
  • $0.50 Trifecta (9-3-2) Paid: $228.00
  • $0.10 Superfecta (9-3-2-1) Paid: $302.43

Watch the 2021 Pocahontas Stakes

Pocahontas Stakes Race History

First run on Thanksgiving Day in 1969 at the legendary Churchill Downs, the Pocahontas Stakes was aptly named for the Native-American woman who aided early American settlers as well as English mare regarded as one of the most influential Thoroughbreds in horse racing history.

While the race has been contested at 1 mile, 1 1/16th and 7/8ths miles, at its current length Hidden Connection set the speed record with a time of 1:43.78 in 2021. Hall of fame jockey Pat Day has a record 7 wins at the race, including both divisions of the 1983 edition. For most wins by a trainer, we have a 3-way tie between Dale L. Romans, D. Wayne Lukas, and Pete Vestal, who all have three wins each.

As part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In” Series, winners are automatically entered into the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies.

Pocahontas Stakes Past Winners

YearWinnerJockey / TrainerDistance / Time
2021Hidden ConnectionReylu Gutierrez / W. Bret Calhoun1 1/16 M / 1:43.78
2020Girl DaddyJoseph Talamo / Dale Romans1 M / 1:34.94
2019Lazy DaisyAbel Cedillo / Doug F. O'Neill1 1⁄16 M / 1:44.89
2018Serengeti EmpressCorey J. Lanerie / Thomas M. Amoss1 1⁄16 M / 1:45.47
2017Patrona MargaritaBrian Hernandez Jr. / W. Bret Calhoun1 1⁄16 M / 1:46.35
2016Daddys Lil DarlingCorey J. Lanerie / Kenneth G. McPeek1 1⁄16 M / 1:47.19
2015Dothraki QueenCorey J. Lanerie / Kenneth G. McPeek1 1⁄16 M / 1:45.80
2014Cristina's JourneyMiguel Mena / Dale L. Romans1 1⁄16 M / 1:46.37
2013UntapableRosie Napravnik / Steven M. Asmussen1 1⁄16 M / 1:44.38
2012SignRosie Napravnik / Albert Stall Jr.1 M / 1:38.63
2011On Fire BabyJoe M. Johnson / Gary G. Hartlage1 M / 1:37.17
2010DancinginherdreamsJulien R. Leparoux / John T. Ward Jr.1 M / 1:38.59
2009Sassy ImageRobby Albarado / Dale L. Romans1 M / 1:38.62
2008Sara LouiseRobby Albarado / Dale L. Romans1 M / 1:34.57
2007Pure ClanJulien R. Leparoux / Robert E. Holthus1 M / 1:38.30
2006Change UpGarrett K. Gomez / Steven B. Flint1 M / 1:35.97
2005French ParkMark Guidry / Helen Pitts-Blasi1 M / 1:37.19
2004Punch AppealPat Day / Steven M. Asmussen1 M / 1:37.77
2003Stellar JayneCornelio Velásquez / D. Wayne Lukas1 M / 1:38.97
2002Belle of PerintownMark Guidry / Eddie Kenneally1 M / 1:36.52
2001Lotta RhythmMarlon St. Julien / Hal R. Wiggins1 M / 1:37.96
2000Unbridled ElaineShane Sellers / Dallas Stewart1 M / 1:34.82
1999Crown of CrimsonRobby Albarado / Bob Baffert1 M / 1:37.81
1998The Happy HopperWillie Martinez / Robert E. Holthus1 M / 1:37.73
1997Mission ParkCalvin H. Borel / Peter M. Vestal1 M / 1:38.55
1996Water StreetCraig Perret / Peter M. Vestal1 M / 1:36.90
1995BirrPat Day / W. Elliott Walden1 M / 1:36.84
1994Minister WifePat Day / D. Wayne Lukas1 M / 1:38.64
1993At the HalfShane Sellers / Carl Bowman1 M / 1:38.13
1992Coni BugShane Sellers / Anthony J. Granitz1 M / 1:37.85
1991FretinaJames Edward Bruin / Peter M. Vestal1 M / 1:40.25
1990Middlefork RapidsRoberto M. Gonzalez / Terry Knight1 M / 1:38.00
1989CrownedMike E. Smith / William I. Mott1 M / 1:39.80
1988Solid EightRandy Romero / D. Wayne Lukas1 M / 1:40.60
1987EpitomePat Day / Philip M. Hauswald1 M / 1:38.20
1986BestofbothworldsPatricia Cooksey / Irvin Jack1 M / 1:42.60
1985Prime UnionDarrell Ellis Foster / Thomas M. Upton1 M / 1:38.40
1984Gallant LibbyPat Day / Mickey A. Goldfine1 M / 1:41.80
1983 (Division 1)GeevillaPat Day / William I. Mott1 M / 1:40.20
1983 (Division 2)FlippersPat Day / Steven C. Penrod1 M / 1:39.80
1982 (Division 1)Brindy BrindyJulio C. Espinoza / Jack Van Berg1 M / 1:38.20
1982 (Division 2)Weekend SurpriseDon Brumfield / Del W. Carroll II1 M / 1:37.80
1981 (Division 1)Majestic GoldJulio C. Espinoza / William E. Adams7 F / 1:26.80
1981 (Division 2)Taylor ParkJames McKnight / Stanley M. Rieser7 F / 1:26.40
1980 (Division 1)Kathy T.Larry Melancon / Doug Udouj7 F / 1:27.60
1980 (Division 2)Masters DreamGerland Gallitano / William E. Adams7 F / 1:27.40
1979Dancing BladeAnthony Black / Hoss Inman7 F / 1:26.80
1978 (Division 1)StarclockRichard Depass / Charles R. Werstler7 F / 1:25.40
1978 (Division 2)SafeEarlie Fires / Joseph M. Bollero7 F / 1:25.60
1977 (Division 1)Plains and SimpleAlexander L. Fernandez / John T. Ward Jr.7 F / 1:25.20
1977 (Division 2)Rainy PrincessLarry Snyder / Frank L. Brothers7 F / 1:25.20
1976 (Division 1)Sweet AllianceChris McCarron / Bud Delp7 F / 1:25.60
1976 (Division 2)CiaoWilliam Gavidia / Alice Chandler7 F / 1:27.00
1975AlvaradaDon Brumfield / Don Combs7 F / 1:27.60
1974My JulietAlan Hill / Steve A. Long7 F / 1:23.60
1973 (Division 1)Fairway FableDavid Whited / John J. Greely III7 F / 1:26.00
1973 (Division 2)Shoo DearDonald Brumfield / George T. Poole7 F / 1:27.80
1972Vaguely FamiliarGerman Vasquez / Mickey Goldfine7 F / 1:25.80
1971Candid CatherineEarl J. Knapp / Everett W. King7 F / 1:25.80
1970Fair Ye WellDavid Niblick / Harvey L. Vanier7 F / 1:22.40
1969Artists ProofDoug Richard / Del W. Carroll7 F / 1:24.20