Vigil Stakes

The Vigil Stakes is a thoroughbred horse race run annually at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is a Grade III sprint race open to horses aged three and older with a purse of Can$150,000. It is currently run in late July over a distance of 6 furlongs on Woodbine's Tapeta (synthetic dirt) surface.

Vigil Stakes
Grade III race
LocationWoodbine Racetrack
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Inaugurated1956
Race typeThoroughbred - Flat racing
Websitewww.woodbineentertainment.com
Race information
Distance6 furlongs
SurfaceTapeta synthetic dirt
TrackLeft-handed
QualificationThree-year-olds & up
Weight120 pounds for three-year-olds, 124 pounds for older horses with allowances[1]
PurseCan$150,000 (since 2002)[2]

Inaugurated as the Vigil Handicap, it was first run in 1956 at Fort Erie Race Track where it remained until 1980. Since inception it has been contested at various distances:

  • 5.5 furlongs :1956-1958
  • 6 furlongs: 1959
  • 6.5 furlongs: 1960
  • 1+116 miles (8.5 furlongs): 1961-1979
  • 7 furlongs: 1980–2017
  • 6 furlongs: 2018–present

Records

Speed record: (Through 1998, Woodbine times were recorded in fifths of a second. Since 1999 they are in hundredths of a second)

  • 1:08.06 - Pink Lloyd (2020) (at current distance of 6 furlongs)
  • 1:20.07 - Hollywood Hit (2009) (at distance of 7 furlongs)

Most wins:

Most wins by an owner:

  • 4 - Gardiner Farm (1969, 1970, 1973, 1974)
  • 4 - Entourage Stable (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)

Most wins by a jockey:

Most wins by a trainer:

Winners

Year
Winner
Age
Jockey
Trainer
Owner
Time
2022Lucky Score4Leo SallesW. V. ArmataDominic Liscio & Danny Iandoli1:08.63
2021Souper Stonehenge5Patrick HusbandsMark E. CasseLive Oak Plantation1:09.52
2020Pink Lloyd8Rafael Manuel HernandezBob TillerEntourage Stable1:08.06
2019Pink Lloyd7Eurico Rosa da SilvaBob TillerEntourage Stable1:08.68
2018Pink Lloyd6Eurico Rosa da SilvaBob TillerEntourage Stable1:09.26
2017Pink Lloyd5Eurico Rosa da SilvaBob TillerEntourage Stable1:22.18
2016Passion for Action4Eurico Rosa Da SilvaMichael P. De PauloBenjamin Hutzel1:21.65
2015Black Hornet5Luis ContrerasPat ParenteJoey Gee Thoroughbreds & Aldo Ventresca1:21.70
2014Really Sharp4Steven Ronald BahenIan BlackN & R Kaster1:21.83
2013Laugh Track4Luis ContrerasMark E. CasseGary Barber & WinStar Farm1:21.85
2012Essence Hit Man5Jesse CampbellAudre CappuccittiAudre & Cappuccitti1:22.28
2011Stunning Stag7Gerry OlguinSid AttardJanice Attard1:22.15
2010Hollywood Hit4Jim McAleneyTerry JordanPeter Redekop1:20.07
2009Field Commission4Tyler PizarroDaniel J. VellaDaniel J. Vella & Solera Farm1:22.74
2008Disfunction4Emile RamsammyJulia CareyJ M J's Stable & Weila Ye1:20.51
2007Just Rushing6Emma-Jayne WilsonSid C. AttardTucci Stables1:23.87
2006Judiths Wild Rush5James McAleneyReade BakerTenenbaum Racing Stable1:22.51
2005Judiths Wild Rush4Slade CallaghanReade BakerTenenbaum Racing Stable1:23.19
2004Mobil4Todd KabelMike KeoghGus Schickedanz1:21.81
2003Wake At Noon6Emile RamsammyAbraham R. KatryanBruno Schickedanz1:23.25
2002Wake At Noon5Emile RamsammyAbraham R. KatryanBruno Schickedanz1:23.13
2001Exciting Story4Patrick HusbandsMark E. CasseMockingbird Farm Inc1:23.49
2000One Way Love5Patrick HusbandsAbraham R. KatryanBruno Schickedanz & John Hillier1:22.66
1999Deputy Inxs8Na SomsanithAudre CappuccittiAudre & Gordon Cappuccitti1:23.54
1998Deputy Inxs7Na SomsanithAudre CappuccittiAudre & Gordon Cappuccitti1:22.40
1997Kiridashi5Mickey WallsBarbara MinshallMinshall Farms1:21.80
1996Kiridashi4Sandy HawleyBarbara MinshallMinshall Farms1:22.80
1995Sea Wall4Richard Dos RamosBarbara MinshallMinshall Farms1:23.00
1994Berry Moonolow5James McKnightGordon CowieKings Lane Farm1:21.80
1993Canadian Silver5Dave PennaMichael J. DoylePinejoy Stable1:23.40
1992Hawk In Flight6Todd KabelLaurie SilveraSilverbrook Stable1:24.20
1991Key Spirit5Mickey WallsStephen BarnesBig Bux Stable1:25.00
1990Mr. Hot Shot5James McAleneyWilliam StewartJimmy Stewart & Michelle Upton1:23.60
1989Mr. Hot Shot4James McAleneyWilliam StewartJimmy Stewart & Michelle Upton1:23.40
1988Jamaican Gigolo5J. Paul SouterRobert E. FisherRodger Bawden1:23.40
1987Play The King4Robin PlattsRoger AttfieldKinghaven Farms1:25.40
1986Regal Remark4Irwin DriedgerJames E. DaySam-Son Farm1:24.40
1985Jacksboro6David ClarkTony MattineElizabeth Hunt Curnes1:24.40
1984My Only Love7Gary StahlbaumPhil EnglandPhil England (lessee)1:26.20
1983Jacksboro4David ClarkTony MattineNelson Bunker Hunt1:22.60
1982Great Gladiator5Larry AttardSteve AttardTom Campbell1:23.00
1981Von Clausewitz4Robin PlattsRoger AttfieldNorcliffe Stables1:22.60
1980Stutz Bearcat5George HoSangJames E. DaySam-Son Farm1:25.20
1979Knight's Turn †4John BellEmile M. AllainConstance Terfloth1:45.80
1978Giboulee4George HoSangJacques DumasJoe & Don Johnson1:45.00
1977Coverack4George HoSangJohn J. Tammaro, Jr.Kinghaven Farm1:44.60
1976Brilliant Sandy4Robin PlattsJerry C. MeyerSmith/Willow Downs Farm1:44.80
1975Spirit Rock6Gunnar LindbergArthur H. WarnerSam-Son Farm1:46.40
1974Henry Tudor5Robin PlattsLou Cavalaris, Jr.Gardiner Farm1:42.60
1973Sea Rider4Avelino GomezLou Cavalaris, Jr.Gardiner Farm1:44.00
1972Cool Moon4Avelino GomezFrank Merrill, Jr.W. P. Gilbride1:44.60
1971Rouge Chanteur4Richard GrubbJames Mort HardyPrime Acres Stable1:45.80
1970Perfect Tan5Richard ArmstrongLou Cavalaris, Jr.Gardiner Farm1:44.00
1969James Bay5Robin PlattsLou Cavalaris, Jr.Gardiner Farm1:46.80
1968The Cheat5Richard GrubbJim FisherWard C. Pitfield, Jr.1:45.40
1967Gauchesco6Frank BarrobyAndrew G. SmithersDane Hill Acres1:43.80
1966Sunstruck6Avelino GomezLou Cavalaris, Jr.Hillcrest Stable1:43.20
1965Sunny5Keith RobinsonWarren BeasleyWilliam R. Beasley1:44.00
1964Vindent de Paul6Avelino GomezLou Cavalaris, Jr.Hillcrest Stable1:45.20
1963Lord Quillo4Sam McCombEdward MannSarto Desnoyers1:43.80
1962Axeman4Hugo DittfachRichard TownrowLanson Farm1:44.40
1961Moony5Hugo DittfachFrank Merrill, Jr.Roxie Gian & Fred Tosch1:48.00
1960Anita's Son4Hugo DittfachArthur H. WarnerLanson Farm1:17.00
1959Nearctic5Ben SorensenGordon J. McCannWindfields Farm1:10.60
1958Nearctic4Ben SorensenGordon J. McCannWindfields Farm1:05.40
1957Pot Hunter6Herb LindbergYonnie StarrMaloney & Smythe1:05.20
1956Fleet Path4H. B. WilsonArthur H. WarnerLanson Farm1:07.40
  • † In 1979, Coverack finished first but was disqualified and set back to third.

See also

References