Inaugurated 1926 Surface Turf Distance 1,106 m | Website www.laurelpark.com Track Left-handed Purse 150,000 USD | |
Location Laurel Park Racecourse,
Laurel, Maryland,
United States Race type Thoroughbred - Flat racing | ||
Laurel park 09 27 14 race 3 selima stakes
The Selima Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually at Laurel Park Racecourse in Laurel, Maryland. Raced in late November, it is open to two-year-old fillies and is raced on turf.
Contents
Echo at selima stakes
History
Inaugurated in 1926, it is named for Selima, who was imported to Maryland in 1750 and became a foundation mare by Benjamin Tasker, Jr. at the Belair Stud Farm in Prince George County. Selima was the daughter of the Godolphin Arabian, she was considered "queen of the turf," she also gained fame as one of the country's greatest broodmares in American history. Referring to the 1959 Selima Stakes, in his book Legacies of the Turf, author Edward L. Bowen says that it was "then one of the most important autumn races for juvenile fillies."
Modern times
The race was run as a grade one race from 1973 through 1988. It was a grade two race in 1989 and a grade three race from 1990 through 1999. Since 2002 it has been contested over a distance of 1 1⁄16 miles (8.5 furlongs). The race was cancelled in 2008 for economic reasons. It was announced by Laurel Park that the famed race would be restored in 2011 and run on October 15 at 6 furlongs.
Records
Speed record:
Most wins by a trainer:
Most wins by a jockey:
Most wins by an owner: