Geisha Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in April since 1973 primarily at Pimlico Race Course in

Baltimore Baltimore ( , locally: or ) is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Maryland, fourth most populous city in the Mid-Atlantic, and the 30th most populous city in the United States with a population of 585,708 in 2020. Baltimore was d ...

or at Laurel Park Racecourse in Laurel. To be eligible for the Geisha Handicap, a horse must be bred in Maryland. Due to that restriction the race is classified as a non-graded or "listed" stakes race and is not eligible for grading by the American Graded Stakes Committee.Maryland Million 2008, October 4, Laurel Park, Official Souvenir Guide for 23rd Running, page 4 and 5. In 2012 the Geisha Stakes is run at one mile. The race was run at miles for its first 30 years in existence from 1973–2003. The race was run on the turf one year in 1988. In its 39th running in 2010, the race was named in honor of

Alfred G. Vanderbilt Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt Sr. (October 20, 1877 – May 7, 1915) was a wealthy American businessman, and a member of the Vanderbilt family. A sportsman, he participated in and pioneered a number of related endeavors. He died in the sinking of ...

's Geisha, a Maryland-bred daughter of

Discovery Discovery may refer to: * Discovery (observation), observing or finding something unknown * Discovery (fiction), a character's learning something unknown * Discovery (law), a process in courts of law relating to evidence Discovery, The Discovery ...

and bred by John P. Grier. She was foaled at the famed Sagamore Farm in Glyndon, Maryland in 1943. She was bred to Preakness Stakes winner Polynesian and produced

Native Dancer Native Dancer (March 27, 1950 – November 16, 1967), nicknamed the ''Gray Ghost'', was one of the most celebrated and accomplished Thoroughbred racehorses in American history and was the first horse made famous through the medium of television. ...

in 1950, one of the greatest race horses and sires of the 20th century.

Records

Speed record: * miles (8.5 furlongs) : 1:42.20 – Any Spray (1984) * miles (9 furlongs) : 1:51.40 – Prominade Girl (2004) Most wins by an owner: * 4 – Stephen Quick (2004, 2007, 2008 & 2009) Most wins by a

jockey A jockey is someone who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing. The word "jockey" originated from England and was used to describe the individual ...

: * 4 – William J. Passmore (1974, 1975, 1976 and 1980) Most wins by a trainer: * 4 – Christopher W. Grove (2004, 2007, 2008 & 2009)

Winners of the Geisha Stakes

References

{{Reflist
Maryland Thoroughbred official website
Horse races in Maryland Restricted stakes races in the United States Pimlico Race Course Laurel Park Racecourse Recurring sporting events established in 1973 1973 establishments in Maryland

Records

Winners of the Geisha Stakes

See also

References