First Lady Stakes

Race Name	Grade	Track
First Lady Stakes	1	Keeneland Race Course

First Lady Stakes

The First Lady Stakes is an American Grade 1 flat horse race for thoroughbred fillies and mares aged three years and older over 1 mile on turf at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky. Run in October each year, the First Lady Stakes currently offers a purse of $400,000.

Inaugurated in 1998, the First Lady Stakes was first run over 1 3/16 miles. In 2005 its distance was downgraded to 1 mile. From 2000 until 2005 the First Lady Stakes became known as the Galaxy Stakes as it was sponsored by WinStar Farm. In 2006 it went back to being called the First Lady Stakes.

In 1998 and 1999 the First Lady Stakes was a listed race and in 2000 was awarded a Gr 3 status by the American Graded Stakes Committee. In 2001 the Committee awarded the race a Gr 2 status and in November 2007 a coveted Gr 1 status.

As part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge 'Win and You're In' program, the First Lady Stakes offers the winner an automatic berth to that year's Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf. In 2000 while Perfect Sting came second in this race, she went on to win the inaugural Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf that year.

The fastest time over 1 mile was 1:34.14 set in 2006 by Gorella. While the First Lady Stakes has never been won twice by the same horse, jockey Chris McCarron has won the race twice in 1998 and 2000, while top-rated trainer Robert J. Frankel has also celebrated two wins in 1999 and 2005.

First Lady Stakes - Past Winners

2004 Stay Forever
2005 Intercontinental
2006 Gorella
2007 Vacare
2008 Forever Together

First Lady Stakes - Betting

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