Mr. Prospector Stakes

The Mr. Prospector Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race open for three years old or older, over a distance of 7 furlongs on the dirt track held annually in December at Gulfstream Park, Hallandale Beach, Florida. The event currently carries a purse of $125,000.

Mr. Prospector Stakes

Grade III race
Location	Gulfstream Park Hallandale Beach, Florida, United States
Inaugurated	1946 (as Hallandale Handicap)
Race type	Thoroughbred – Flat racing – Dirt
Website	Gulfstream Park
Race information
Distance	7 furlongs
Surface	Dirt
Track	Left-handed
Qualification	Three year olds and older
Weight	Base weights with allowances: 4-year-olds and older: 126 lbs. 3-year-olds: 124 lbs.
Purse	US$125,000 (since 2001)

History

The event is named in honor of the outstanding breeding stallion and notable sire of sires Mr. Prospector^[1] who held the 6 furlongs track record at Gulfstream Park.^[2]

The race was inaugurated in 1946 and the event was run as the Hallandale Handicap.^[3] The conditions of the race were open for three year olds over a distance of 1+1⁄16 miles.^[3] The following two runnings were extended to three years olds and older and the distance extended to 9 furlongs.^[3] The race was not run in 1949 and was resumed in 1950 under the name Hallandale Purse.^[3] In 1956 the event was run under the original naming of Hallandale Handicap. In 1957 again the event was not held.^[3] From 1958 to 1971 the event was run again as the Hallandale Purse.

The 1970s were an unstable period for the event. From 1972 –74 the event was not held^[3] and the 1975 event was moved to Calder Racecourse.^[4] In 1978 the event was held as a long distance 2 mile turf event.^[5] The race was run two more times over the turf in 1980 and 1982 before it was converted to a dirt sprint race over 6 furlongs in 1983.^[5]

In 1999 the event was upgraded to Grade III and in 2001 the event was renamed to the Mr. Prospector Handicap.^[5] Since 2009 the event has been run under the current name Mr. Prospector Stakes and from 2018 over the current distance of 7 furlongs.^[5]

The event has attracted some of the finest sprinters to Gulfstream Park including 2010 American Champion Sprint Horse Big Drama and 2019 Dubai Golden Shaheen winner X Y Jet who won this event twice.

Records

Speed record:

• 6 furlongs: 1:08.12 – Big Drama (2011)
• 7 furlongs: 1:21.36 – Diamond Oops (2019)

Margins:

• 9+1⁄4 lengths – X Y Jet (2015)

Most wins:

• 2 - X Y Jet (2015, 2017)
• 2 - Sibelius (2022, 2023)

Most wins by a jockey:

• 4 – Jerry D. Bailey (1989, 1992, 1994, 2001)

Most wins by a trainer:

• 2 - Benjamin W. Perkins Jr. (1991, 1993)
• 2 - William H. Turner Jr. (1983, 1997)
• 2 - Steve Margolis (2003, 2004)
• 2 - Steven M. Asmussen (2006, 2008)
• 2 - Eddie Kenneally (2007, 2010)
• 2 - David Fawkes (2011 January & December)
• 2 - Martin D. Wolfson (2009, 2012)
• 2 - Jorge Navarro (2015, 2017)
• 2 - Todd A. Pletcher (1998, 2018)
• 2 - Jeremiah O'Dwyer (2022, 2023)

Winners

Year	Winner	Age	Jockey	Trainer	Owner	Distance	Time	Purse	Grade	Ref
Mr. Prospector Stakes
2023	Sibelius	5	Junior Alvarado	Jeremiah O'Dwyer	Jun H. Park & Delia Nash	7 furlongs	1:23.16	$125,000	III	[6]
2022	Sibelius	4	Junior Alvarado	Jeremiah O'Dwyer	Jun H. Park & Delia Nash	7 furlongs	1:23.04	$125,000	III	[7]
2021	Officiating	4	Luis Saez	Saffie Joseph Jr.	Vegso Racing Stable	7 furlongs	1:22.28	$100,000	III	[8]
2020	Sleepy Eyes Todd	4	Tyler Gaffalione	Miguel Silva	Thumbs Up Racing	7 furlongs	1:21.67	$100,000	III	[9]
2019	Diamond Oops	4	Julien R. Leparoux	Patrick L. Biancone	Diamond 100 Racing, A. Dunne, D P Racing & P.L. Biancone Racing	7 furlongs	1:21.36	$100,000	III	[10]
2018	Coal Front	4	John R. Velazquez	Todd A. Pletcher	R.V. LaPenta & Head of Plains Partners	7 furlongs	1:23.16	$100,000	III	[11]
2017	X Y Jet	4	Emisael Jaramillo	Jorge Navarro	Rockingham Ranch and Gelfenstein Farm	6 furlongs	1:09.45	$100,000	III	December[12]
2017†	Squadron A	7	Corey J. Lanerie	Dale L. Romans	Carolyn Vogel	6 furlongs	1:10.23	$100,000	III	January[13]
2015	X Y Jet	3	Emisael Jaramillo	Jorge Navarro	Gelfenstein Farm	6 furlongs	1:08.56	$102,000	III	[14]
2014	Speechify	4	Paco Lopez	Ralph E. Nicks	Team Valor International	6 furlongs	1:09.54	$100,000	III	[15]
2013	Singanothersong	3	Juan C. Leyva	Ronald Pellegrini	Herman Van Den Broec	6 furlongs	1:09.92	$100,000	III	[16]
2012	Indiano	4	Luis Saez	Martin D. Wolfson	Stud El Aguila	6 furlongs	1:10.26	$98,000	III	[17]
2011♯	Apriority	4	Luis Saez	David Fawkes	Donald R. Dizney	6 furlongs	1:09.28	$100,000	III	December[18]
2011	Big Drama	5	Eibar Coa	David Fawkes	Harold L. Queen	6 furlongs	1:08.12	$100,000	III	January[19]
2010	Custom for Carlos	4	Julien R. Leparoux	Eddie Kenneally	Homewrecker Racing & Avalon Farm	6 furlongs	1:10.07	$98,000	III	[20]
2009	Ikigai	4	Jermaine V. Bridgmohan	Martin D. Wolfson	Edmund A. Gann	6 furlongs	1:09.37	$100,000	III	[21]
Mr. Prospector Handicap
2008	Noonmark	5	René R. Douglas	Steven M. Asmussen	George Bolton, Joan Corrigan & Anton Beck	6 furlongs	1:09.72	$100,000	III	[22]
2007	Kelly's Landing	6	Edgar S. Prado	Eddie Kenneally	Summerplace Farm	6 furlongs	1:08.84	$100,000	III	[23]
2006	Gaff	4	Shaun Bridgmohan	Steven M. Asmussen	Heiligbrodt Racing Stable & Michael Smurfit	6 furlongs	1:08.50	$100,000	III	[24]
2005	Saratoga County	4	Javier Castellano	George Weaver	Evelyn M. Pollard	6 furlongs	1:08.99	$100,000	III	[25]
2004	Cajun Beat	4	Cornelio H. Velasquez	Steve Margolis	Padua Stables and John & Joseph Iracane	6 furlongs	1:09.06	$100,000	III	[26]
2003	Baileys Edge	6	Gary Boulanger	Steve Margolis	Holm Thoroughbreds	6 furlongs	1:09.95	$100,000	III	[27]
2002	Hook and Ladder	5	John R. Velazquez	John C. Kimmel	Chester & Mary Broman	6 furlongs	1:09.69	$100,000	III	[28]
2001	Istintaj	5	Jerry D. Bailey	Mark A. Hennig	Shadwell Stable	6 furlongs	1:09.63	$120,000	III	[29]
Hallandale Handicap
2000	Mountain Top	5	José A. Santos	William W. Perry	John D. Murphy Sr	6 furlongs	1:10.80	$75,000	III	[30]
1999	Cowboy Cop	5	Pat Day	Patrick B. Byrne	Stronach Stables	6 furlongs	1:09.65	$75,000	III	[31]
1998	Rare Rock	5	Pat Day	Todd A. Pletcher	Betty G. Massey & Jake J. Pletcher	6 furlongs	1:08.67	$75,000	Listed	[32]
1997	Punch Line	7	Pat Day	William H. Turner Jr.	Althea D. Richard	6 furlongs	1:08.45	$75,000	Listed	[33]
1996	Meadow Monster	5	Rick Wilson	Ben W. Perkins Sr.	New Farm	6 furlongs	1:09.47	$50,000	Listed	[34]
1995	Sweet Beast	5	Mike E. Smith	Robert J. Durso	Howard G. Crowell & Gerald Gallo	6 furlongs	1:09.36	$50,000	Listed	[35]
1994	Binalong	5	Jerry D. Bailey	Carl A. Nafzger	Jim Tafe	6 furlongs	1:09.68	$50,000	Listed	[36]
1993	Surely Six	4	Rick Wilson	Benjamin W. Perkins Jr.	Candy Stables	7 furlongs	1:21.85	$50,000	Listed	[37]
1992	Take Me Out	4	Jerry D. Bailey	William I. Mott	Bertram R. Firestone	7 furlongs	1:23.75	$50,000	Listed	[38]
1991	Stalker	4	Craig Perret	Benjamin W. Perkins Jr.	Anthony F. Tornetta	7 furlongs	1:22.50	$50,000	Listed	[39]
1990	Beau Genius	5	Bill Shoemaker	Gerald S. Bennett	Dr. D. Brian Davidson	7 furlongs	1:23.20	$50,000	Listed	[40]
1989	Miami Slick	4	Jerry D. Bailey	Edward Plesa Jr.	Loretta Kessler	6 furlongs	1:09.20	$57,000	Listed	[41]
1988	Jato D'Agua (BRZ)	6	Walter Guerra	Paul Cheng	Haras Rosa Do Sul	6 furlongs	1:09.80	$63,600	Listed	[42]
1987	Uncle Ho	4	José A. Santos	H. Allen Jerkens	Sugartown Stable	7 furlongs	1:22.60	$46,640	Listed	[43]
1986	Fortunate Prospect	5	Roger I. Velez	LeRoy Jolley	Gerald Robins	6 furlongs	1:10.40	$47,680		[44]
1985	For Halo	4	Bryan Fann	Mary L. Edens	Mrs. Adele W. Paxson	6 furlongs	1:09.60	$62,700		[45]
Hallandale Stakes
1984	D. White	4	Alex O. Solis	Frank A. Alexander	Albert Davis	1+1⁄16 miles	1:44.40	$40,640		[46]
Hallandale Handicap
1983	Chan Balum	4	Jean-Luc Samyn	William H. Turner Jr.	Barbara W. Labrot	6 furlongs	1:10.00	$42,805		[47]
1982	Noble Warrior	6	Odin J. Londono	Jose A. Mendez	Wanda Hooper	1+1⁄2 miles	2:27.20	$30,975		[48]
1981	Race not held
At Calder Racecourse
1980¤	Gun Steward	3	Ramon Sargardia	J. Carroll Barnhill	Billy Lee Joseph	abt. 1+1⁄8 miles	1:47.80	$32,938	October	Division 1[49]
	Two's A Plenty	3	Walter Guerra	Merritt A. Buxton	Merritt A. Buxton & Alfred Smith		1:48.20	$32,637		Division 2[50]
At Gulfstream Park
1980	Archie Beamish	7	Walter Guerra	Robert F. Connors	Walter F. Wickes Jr.	1+1⁄2 miles	2:27.20	$24,950		May[51]
1979	Race not held
1978	Practitioner	5	Juan A. Santiago	Leo Sierra	Dogwood Stable	2 miles	3:18.20	$24,200		[52]
1976–1977		Race not held
At Calder Racecourse
1975	Indian Ambush	5	Wayne Crews	William R. Smith	William R. Smith & Sunrise Farm	1+1⁄8 miles	1:54.40	$30,000		[4]

Legend:
  Dirt   Turf
Notes:
† Gulfstream Park administration moved the event to New Year's Day in their 2016–17 meeting from the usual December scheduling. Hence, there were two runnings of the event in the calendar year for 2017 and no running in 2016
♯ In 2011 the event was held twice in the calendar year. For the 2010–11 meeting the event was held in January and in the 2011–12 meeting the event was held in December
¤ In 1980 the event was scheduled at Gulfstream Park in May. The event was also scheduled at Calder Racecourse in October and run in split divisions.

Earlier Winners

The following lists are earlier winners of the event.^[3]

Hallandale Purse (1958–1971)

• 1971 – Smooth It
• 1970 – Stop Time
• 1969 – One For All
• 1968 – Go Marching
• 1967 – Irish Rebellion
• 1966 – Flaps Down
• 1965‡ – Tibidabo / I'm Rusty
• 1964 – Clem Pac
• 1963 – Jet Traffic
• 1962 – Summer Savory
• 1961 – Noble Turn
• 1960 – McPhee
• 1959 – Roman Colonel
• 1958 – Rockmoore

Hallandale Handicap (1956)

• 1957 – Race not held
• 1956 – Galdar

Hallandale Purse (1950–1955)

• 1955 – Deb Chaser
• 1954 – Better Goods
• 1953 – Elixir
• 1952 – Mass Ogold
• 1951 – Ocean Drive
• 1950 – Gangway

Hallandale Handicap (1946–1948)

• 1949 – Race not held
• 1948 – Harmonica
• 1947 – Kingarvie
• 1946 – Roberto

Notes:
‡ Event run in two divisions^[53]

See also

List of American and Canadian Graded races

References

1. "MR. PROSPECTOR (USA) b. H, 1970 – 14 Starts, 7 Wins, 4 Places, 2 Shows Career Earnings: $112,171". Thoroughbred Pedigree Online. 2020. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
2. "Royal and Regal Scores by Three Lengths in. Florida Derby, Returns $15.20". The New York Times. 1 April 1973. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
3. "MR. PROSPECTOR STAKES – MULTIPLE TRACKS". Thoroughbred Pedigree Online. 2020. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
4. "Indian Ambush Wins Hallandale at Calder (1975 Hallandale Handicap – race 9: held 13 September 1975)". www.newspapers.com. Miami Herald. 14 September 1975. p. 50. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
5. "Mr. Prospector Stakes (Gr. 3)". Equibase. 2020. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
6. "2023 Mr. Prospector Stakes Grade 3 – (race 10)". Equibase. 23 December 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
7. "2022 Mr. Prospector Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 31 December 2022. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
8. "2021 Mr. Prospector Stakes Grade 3 – (race 10)". Equibase. 11 December 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
9. "2020 Mr. Prospector Stakes Grade 3 – (race 10)". Equibase. 19 December 2020. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
10. "2019 Mr. Prospector Stakes Grade 3 – (race 10)". Equibase. 21 December 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
11. "2018 Mr. Prospector Stakes Grade 3 – (race 10)". Equibase. 22 December 2018. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
12. "2017 (Dec.) Mr. Prospector Stakes Grade 3 – (race 10)". Equibase. 23 December 2017. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
13. "2017 Mr. Prospector Stakes Grade 3 – (race 4)". Equibase. 1 January 2017. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
14. "2015 Mr. Prospector Stakes Grade 3 – (race 4)". Equibase. 19 December 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
15. "2014 Mr. Prospector Stakes Grade 3 – (race 9)". Equibase. 27 December 2014. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
16. "2013 Mr. Prospector Stakes Grade 3 – (race 9)". Equibase. 28 December 2013. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
17. "2012 Mr. Prospector Stakes Grade 3 – (race 5)". Equibase. 29 December 2012. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
18. "2011 Mr. Prospector Stakes Grade 3 – (race 11)". Equibase. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
19. "2011 (Jan.) Mr. Prospector Stakes Grade 3 – (race 7)". Equibase. 15 January 2011. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
20. "2010 Mr. Prospector Stakes Grade 3 – (race 7)". Equibase. 9 January 2010. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
21. "2009 Mr. Prospector Stakes Grade 3 – (race 9)". Equibase. 17 January 2009. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
22. "2008 Mr. Prospector Handicap Grade 3 – (race 7)". Equibase. 5 January 2008. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
23. "2007 Mr. Prospector Handicap Grade 3 – (race 7)". Equibase. 6 January 2007. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
24. "2006 Mr. Prospector Handicap Grade 3 – (race 9)". Equibase. 7 January 2006. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
25. "2005 Mr. Prospector Handicap Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 8 January 2005. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
26. "2004 Mr. Prospector Handicap Grade 3 – (race 10)". Equibase. 3 January 2004. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
27. "2003 Mr. Prospector Handicap Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 4 January 2003. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
28. "2002 Mr. Prospector Handicap Grade 3 – (race 10)". Equibase. 13 January 2002. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
29. "2001 Mr. Prospector Handicap Grade 3 – (race 9)". Equibase. 15 January 2001. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
30. "2000 Hallandale Handicap Grade 3 – (race 10)". Equibase. 16 January 2000. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
31. "1999 Hallandale Handicap Grade 3 – (race 10)". Equibase. 17 January 1999. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
32. "1998 Hallandale Handicap Listed – (race 10)". Equibase. 11 February 1998. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
33. "1997 Hallandale Handicap Listed – (race 10)". Equibase. 3 January 1997. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
34. "1996 Hallandale Handicap Listed – (race 10)". Equibase. 3 January 1996. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
35. "1995 Hallandale Handicap Listed – (race 8)". Equibase. 9 January 1995. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
36. "1994 Hallandale Handicap Listed – (race 8)". Equibase. 4 January 1994. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
37. "1993 Hallandale Handicap Listed – (race 10)". Equibase. 12 January 1993. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
38. "1992 Hallandale Handicap Listed – (race 10)". Equibase. 8 January 1992. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
39. "1991 Hallandale Handicap Listed – (race 9)". Equibase. 14 January 1991. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
40. Joseph, Dave (21 January 1990). "Vintage Shoe wins in farewell (1990 Hallandale Handicap – race 8: held 20 January 1990)". South Florida Sun Sentinel. p. 27. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
41. "NOTES: Jerry Bailey guided Loretta Kessler's Miami Slick to a 2 1/2-length victory (1989 Hallandale Handicap – race 8: held 3 March 1989)". South Florida Sun Sentinel. 4 March 1989. p. 60. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
42. Joseph, Dave (17 January 1988). "Jato D'Agua makes name for himself (1988 Hallandale Handicap – race 8: held 16 January 1988)". Fort Lauderdale News. p. 46. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
43. "Uncle Ho captures 'Hallandale' (1987 Hallandale Handicap – race 8: held 18 March 1987)". South Florida Sun Sentinel. Sun-Sentinel Wire Services. 19 March 1987. p. 28. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
44. Joseph, Dave (12 January 1986). "Photo disappoints Brumfield 'Prospect' wins Hallandale (1986 Hallandale Handicap – race 8: held 11 January 1986)". Fort Lauderdale News. p. 55. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
45. Evans, Luther (14 January 1985). "Fann, Edens and For Halo team for Hallandale record (1985 Hallandale Handicap – race 8: held 13 January 1985)". Miami Herald. p. 84. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
46. Joseph, Dave (20 May 1984). "D. White surges from 7 lengths back, wins Hallandale Stakes by 2 lengths (1984 Hallandale Stakes – race 9: held 19 May 1984)". Fort Lauderdale News. p. 53. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
47. Moran, Paul (15 January 1983). "Chan Balum earns respect in Hallandale Handicap (1983 Hallandale Handicap – race 9: held 15 January 1983)". Fort Lauderdale News. p. 54. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
48. "Noble Warrior wins Hallandale (1982 Hallandale Handicap – race 9: held 15 May 1982)". Fort Lauderdale News. News and Sun-Sentinel Wire Services. 16 May 1982. p. 45. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
49. Evans, Luther (26 October 1980). "Steward Travels Far To Win Hallendale (1980 Calder Hallandale Handicap Division 1 – race 7: held 25 October 1980)". Miami Herald. p. 263. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
50. "Calder Charts (1980 Calder Hallandale Handicap Division 2 – race 9: held 25 October 1980)". Fort Lauderdale News. 26 October 1980. p. 82. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
51. Long, Gary (4 May 1980). "Archie Beamish Wins Hallandale (1980 Gulfstream Park Hallandale Handicap – race 9: held 3 May 1980)". Miami Herald. p. 172. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
52. Rand, Jonathan (4 May 1978). "Practitioner Prevails by a Nose, After Hallandale 'Cap's 2 Miles (1978 Hallandale Handicap – race 9: held 3 May 1978)". Miami Herald. p. 214. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
53. "MR. PROSPECTOR STAKES (2ND. DIV.) - GULFSTREAM PARK, FL". Thoroughbred Pedigree Online. 2020. Retrieved 26 April 2020.