Pucker Up Stakes
| Class | Listed |
|---|---|
| Location | Ellis Park Race Course Henderson, Kentucky, United States |
| Inaugurated | 1961 (at Arlington Park) |
| Race type | Thoroughbred - Flat racing |
| Website | Ellis Park |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1+1⁄8 miles (9.0 furlongs) |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Left-handed |
| Qualification | Three-year-old fillies |
| Weight | Scale Weight |
| Purse | $400,000 (2025)[1] |
The Pucker Up Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race for 3-year-old fillies held annually in early August at Ellis Park Race Course near Henderson, Kentucky. A Listed event, it is contested over a distance of 9 furlongs (1 1/8 miles) on turf.[1]
The race was named in honor of Ada L. Rice's filly, Pucker Up. Pucker Up was one of five champions trained by U.S. Racing Hall of Fame trainer James P. Conway.
The race was inaugurated in 1961 and was run on the main track until 1974 and again in 1976. In 1974-5, it was run at 1+1⁄16 miles; in 1979 and 1986, the distance was 1+3⁄16 miles.[2]
After the closure of Arlington Park in 2022 the event was scheduled to be moved to Churchill Downs, however the event was cancelled by Churchill Downs in an effort to limit racing on their newly laid turf course.[3][4]
In 2023, the event was moved to Ellis Park and resumed running annually.[5]
In 2026 the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association downgraded the event from Grade III to Listed.[6]
Winners since 2000
| Year |
Winner |
Jockey |
Trainer |
Owner |
Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Destino d'Oro | Luan Machado | Brad H. Cox | Steve Landers Racing LLC | 1:45.64 |
| 2024 | Waves of Mischief | Brian Hernandez Jr. | Brendan Walsh | Qatar Racing LLC | 1:47.50 |
| 2023 | Safeen | Luis Saez | Eddie Kenneally | Fergus Galvin and Rebbeca Hillen | 1:46.83 |
| 2022 | Race Not Run | ||||
| 2021 | Shantisara | Flavien Prat | Chad Brown | Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables and Robert LaPenta | 1:51.91 |
| 2020 | Race Not Run | ||||
| 2019 | Cafe Americano | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Chad Brown | Peter M. Brant | 1:47.42 |
| 2018 | Secret Message | Irad Ortiz Jr. | H. Graham Motion | Madaket Stables, et al | 1:50.01 |
| 2017 | Fault | Miguel Mena | Michelle Lovell | Agave Racing | 1:50.08 |
| 2016 | Noble Beauty | Florent Geroux | Chad Brown | Great Point Stables | 1:50.09 |
| 2015 | Miz Money | Robby Albarado | Patti Miller | L.T.B. Inc./Hillerich Racing | 1:49.80 |
| 2014 | Sistas Stroll | Drayden Van Dyke | Thomas F. Proctor | Five Fillies Stable | 1:55.13 |
| 2013 | I'm Already Sexy | Florent Geroux | Wayne Catalano | Hit The Board Stables | 1:48.12 |
| 2012 | Leading Astray | Eduardo Pérez | Chris Block | Team Block | 1:49.28 |
| 2011 | Marketing Mix | Junior Alvarado | Thomas F. Proctor | Glen Hill Farm | 1:49.24 |
| 2010 | Dade Babe | Florent Geroux | Danny L. Miller | Lawrence G. Peifer | 1:51.77 |
| 2009 | Hot Cha Cha | James Graham | Philip Sims | Nelson McMakin | 1:47.67 |
| 2008 | Closeout | Jamie Theriot | Thomas F. Proctor | Glen Hill Farm | 1:53.22 |
| 2007 | Dreaming of Anna | E. T. Baird | Wayne Catalano | Frank C. Calabrese | 1:48.20 |
| 2006 | Vacare | Carlos Marquez, Jr. | Chris Block | Lathenbach Stables | 1:49.71 |
| 2005 | Royal Copenhagen | Shaun Bridgmohan | Laura de Seroux | Richard L. Duchossois | 1:48.76 |
| 2004 | Ticker Tape | Kent Desormeaux | James M. Cassidy | D. Pearson/J. Sweesy | 1:48.63 |
| 2003 | Aud | Brian Peck | Anthony Reinstedler | Willmott Stables | 1:49.16 |
| 2002 | Little Treasure | Rene R. Douglas | Laura De Seroux | Port Trust et al | 1:49.82 |
| 2001 | Snow Dance | Craig Perret | John Ward Jr. | John Oxley | 1:47.93 |
| 2000 | Solvig | Pat Day | Carl Nafzger | Bentley Smith Trust | 1:52.40 |
References
- ^ a b "Pucker Up Stakes Statistics". www.equibase.com. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
- ^ "Arlington Park Stakes Histories" (PDF). arlingtonpark.com. p. 24. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
- ^ Bob Kieckhefer; Byron King (15 March 2022). "Arlington Million Moves This Summer to Churchill Downs". Blood Horse. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
- ^ Claire Crosby; Byron King (4 August 2022). "Secretariat, Pucker Up on Hiatus to Preserve CD Turf". Bloodhorse. Retrieved 5 January 2026.
- ^ "Secretariat, Pucker Up on Hiatus to Preserve CD Turf". Ellis Park Press Release. Bloodhorse. 7 April 2023. Retrieved 5 January 2026.
- ^ "TOBA Announces U.S. Graded and Listed Stakes for 2026". TOBA. Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. 18 December 2025. Retrieved 2 January 2026.