Gardenia Handicap
| Grade III race | |
| Location | Ellis Park Racecourse Henderson, Kentucky |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1982 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred - Flat racing |
| Website | www |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1 mile (8 furlongs) |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Track | left-handed |
| Qualification | Fillies and mares Three-years-old & up |
| Weight | Handicap |
| Purse | $150,000 |
The Gardenia Handicap is an American Grade III Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Ellis Park Racecourse in Henderson, Kentucky.
Held in mid August, the one mile race is run on dirt and is open to fillies and mares, three years old and up.
Inaugurated in 1982 as the Stroh's Handicap, it was originally run at 1+1⁄8 miles (9 furlongs) until 2005 when it was modified to its present one mile (8 furlongs) distance.
The Gardenia Handicap became a graded race for the first time in 1988.
It currently offers a purse of $150,000.
Records
Speed record: (at current 1 mile distance)
- 1:35.32 - Dream of Summer (2005)
Winners of the Gardenia Handicap since 1999
| Year |
Winner |
Age |
Jockey |
Trainer |
Owner |
Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Swift Temper | 4 | Victor Lebron | Dale Romans | Mark Stanley | 1:37.55 |
| 2007 | Pleasant Hill | 4 | Larry Melancon | Gregory D. Foley | Donamire Farm | 1:38.85 |
| 2006 | Prospective Saint | 5 | Eddie Castro | Martin D. Wolfson | Charles Miller | 1:36.13 |
| 2005 | Dream of Summer | 6 | Corey Nakatani | Juan J. Garcia | James Weigel | 1:35.32 |
| 2004 | Angela's Love | 4 | Mark Guidry | Dale Romans | Bill & Vicki Poston | 1:49.54 |
| 2003 | Bare Necessities | 4 | Rene Douglas | Wallace Dollase | Iron County Farms | 1:50.09 |
| 2002 | Minister's Baby | 4 | Craig Perret | Kenneth McPeek | Lucky Seven Stable | 1:49.73 |
| 2001 | Asher | 4 | Mark Guidry | Ron Moquett | James Mayer | 1:50.16 |
| 2000 | Silent Eskimo | 5 | James Lopez | Bobby Barnett | John A. Franks | 1:50.56 |
| 1999 | Lines of Beauty | 4 | Francisco C. Torres | Randy Martin | Marco Thoroughbred Corp. | 1:49.60 |
Earlier winners
- 1998 - Meter Maid
- 1997 - Three Fanfares
- 1996 - Country Cat
- 1995 - Laura's Pistolette
- 1994 - Alphabulous
- 1993 - Erica's Dream
- 1992 - Bungalow
- 1991 - Summer Matinee
- 1990 - Evangelical
- 1989 - Lawyer Talk
- 1988 - Lt. Lao
- 1987 - No Choice
- 1986 - Queen Alexandra
- 1985 - Crimson Orchid
- 1984 - Rambling Rhythm
- 1983 - Migola
- 1982 - Sweetest Chant