Honeybee Stakes


The Honeybee Stakes is an American flat Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old fillies held annually in March at Oaklawn Park Race Track in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It is run over a distance of one-and-one-sixteenth miles on dirt. The race is a Grade III event and is part of the Road to the Kentucky Oaks. The purse was increased from $200,000 to $300,000 in 2020.

History

The race was first run in 1988 and was granted Grade III status in 1990. In 2003, it was downgraded to listed status but returned to Grade III in 2008. That year's running was the first graded stakes victory for Eight Belles. The filly sparked a national controversy after fatally breaking both of her front ankles finishing second in the Kentucky Derby. She had completed the race and was galloping out afterwards when the accident happened. She had to be euthanized on the track. Churchill Downs later changed the name of the La Troienne Stakes to the Eight Belles Stakes in her honor.

Records

Speed record:
Most wins by a jockey:
Most wins by a trainer:
Most wins by an owner: