{{Infobox horseraces | class = Grade III | horse race = Houston Ladies Classic Stakes | image = | caption = | location = Sam Houston Race Park<br>Houston, Texas, United States | inaugurated = 2013 | race type = Thoroughbred – flat racing | website = [https://www.shrp.com/ Sam Houston Race Park] | distance = {{frac|1|1|16}} miles | surface = Dirt | track = left-handed | qualification = Fillies and mares, four-years-old and older | weight = 123 lbs with allowances | purse = $300,000 (since 2023) | bonuses = }}

The '''Houston Ladies Classic Stakes''' is a Grade III American thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares age four and older over a distance of one and aon-sixteenth miles on the dirt track held annually in late January at Sam Houston Race Park in Houston, Texas. The event currently carries a purse of $300,000.

==History==

The inaugural running of the event was on 26 January 2013 and was won by Fox Hill Farms' 3/2 favorite Canadian-bred Joyful Victory who was ridden by Rosie Napravnik and trained by J. Larry Jones by {{frac|4|1|4}} lengths in a time of 1:42.30 setting a new track record for the {{frac|1|1|16}} miles distance<ref name=R2013/> breaking the former record set by Desert Air on 13 February 1999 of 1:42.79.<ref name=BH_2013>{{cite web |last1=Shinar |first1=Jack |title=Joyful Victory Sets Track Mark at Sam Houston Gray mare dominates inaugural running of $400,000 Houston Ladies Classic Jan. 26. |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/123442/joyful-victory-sets-track-mark-at-sam-houston |website=Bloodhorse.com |access-date=24 January 2022 |date=26 January 2013}}</ref> The inaugural event was the richest Thoroughbred event on the program and in Texas which featured four stakes races worth $725,000.<ref name=BH_2013/> Later in the year Joyful Victory was retired by her owners and was sold in the November in the Fasig-Tipton select sale for US$2 million to Aaron & Marie Jones.<ref>{{cite web |title=Joyful Victory (ON) - Horse Profile |url=https://www.equibase.com/profiles/Results.cfm?type=Horse&refno=8303566&registry=T&rbt=TB |website=equibase |access-date=24 January 2022 |date=2022 |quote=FTKNOV 80 Mixed N/A Aaron & Marie Jones Taylor Made Sales Agency $2,000,000 Sold}}</ref>

With the quality mares that were entering the event it was not long before the American Graded Stakes Committee gave the race a graded status of Grade III for the fourth running in 2016.<ref name="EquibaseProfile">{{cite web |title=Houston Ladies Classic Stakes (Gr. 3) |url=https://www.equibase.com/profiles/Results.cfm?type=Stakes&stkid=23411 |website=www.equibase.com |accessdate=24 January 2022 |language=en}}</ref> The 2016 winner Forever Unbridled later in year won two Grade I events and ran third in the Breeders' Cup Distaff at Santa Anita Park as a 15/1 longshot to Beholder.<ref name=BC_Distaff_2016>{{cite web|url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=9&BorP=P&TID=SA&CTRY=USA&DT=11/04/2016&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB |title=2016 Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff Grade 1 - (race 9) |work=Equibase |date=4 November 2016 |accessdate=23 January 2022}}</ref> The following year Forever Unbridled was undefeated and did win the Breeders' Cup Distaff.

After finishing third in the 2018 Breeders' Cup Distaff at Churchill Downs,<ref name="BC_Distaff_2018">{{cite web |title=Chart of the 2018 Breeders' Cup Distaff |url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=CD&raceDate=11/03/2018&cy=USA&rn=9 |website=Equibase |accessdate=2 September 2019}}</ref> Midnight Bisou began her 2019 four-year-old career in the Houston Ladies Classic. Starting as the 2/5 odds-on favorite, Midnight Bisou closed fast in late stretch to be win in the final strides.<ref name=R2019/> Midnight Bisou would win six more graded events and finish second in the Breeders' Cup Distaff at Santa Anita Park.<ref name="BC_Distaff_2019">{{cite web |title=Chart of the 2019 Breeders' Cup Distaff |url=https://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=SA&raceDate=11/02/2019&cy=USA&rn=10 |website=Equibase |accessdate=2 September 2019}}</ref> Her performance during the year was enough to earn her US Champion Older Dirt Female Horse honors.

The event is one of only two graded stakes races held at the track along with the Grade III John B. Connally Turf Cup. Along with the Pulse Power Turf Sprint and Bob Bork Texas Turf Mile, the Houston Ladies Classic Stakes is one of the main events of the Houston Racing Festival.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shrp.com/assets/doc/2022-Stakes-Schedule-January-6-February-19-1e7b850d3a.pdf |title=2022 Stakes Schedule Sam Houston Race Park |publisher=Sam Houston Race Park |date=2022 |accessdate=22 January 2022}}</ref>

==Records==

'''Speed record:''' *{{frac|1|1|16}} miles: 1:42.30 – Joyful Victory (2013) (New Track Record)

'''Margins:''' *{{frac|4|1|4}} lengths – Joyful Victory (2013)

'''Most wins:''' * 2 – Pauline's Pearl (2022, 2023)

'''Most wins by a jockey:''' * 2 – Joel Rosario (2016, 2022) * 2 – Stewart Elliott (2023, 2024)

'''Most wins by a trainer:''' * 7 – Steven M. Asmussen (2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026)

'''Most wins by an owner:''' * 2 – Fox Hill Farm (2013, 2015) * 2 – Stonestreet Stables (2022, 2023)

==Winners== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Winner ! Age ! Jockey ! Trainer ! Owner ! Distance ! Time ! Purse ! Grade ! Ref |-style="font-size:90%;" |align=center |2026 |Perfect Shot |align=center |5 |Erik Asmussen |Steven M. Asmussen |Whisper Hill Farm |align=center |{{frac|1|1|16}} miles |align=center |1:46.09 |align=center |$300,000 |align=center |III |<ref name=R2026>{{cite web|url=https://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=11&BorP=P&TID=HOU&CTRY=USA&DT=1/24/2026&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB |title=2026 Houston Ladies Classic Stakes Grade 3 - (race 11) |work=Equibase |date=24 January 2026 |accessdate=31 January 2026}}</ref> |-style="font-size:90%;"3 |align=center |2025 |Recharge |align=center |4 |Ben Curtis |Steven M. Asmussen |Winchell Thoroughbreds |align=center |{{frac|1|1|16}} miles |align=center |1:45.53 |align=center |$300,000 |align=center |III |<ref name=R2025>{{cite web|url=https://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=9&BorP=P&TID=HOU&CTRY=USA&DT=1/25/2025&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB |title=2025 Houston Ladies Classic Stakes presented by PENN Women Grade 3 - (race 9) |work=Equibase |date=25 January 2025 |accessdate=1 February 2025}}</ref> |-style="font-size:90%;" |align=center |2024 |Bellamore |align=center |6 |Stewart Elliott |Steven M. Asmussen |Kaleem Shah |align=center |{{frac|1|1|16}} miles |align=center |1:46.24 |align=center |$300,000 |align=center |III |<ref name=R2024>{{cite web|url=https://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=10&BorP=P&TID=HOU&CTRY=USA&DT=1/27/2024&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB |title=2024 Houston Ladies Classic Stakes Grade 3 - (race 10) |work=Equibase |date=27 January 2024 |accessdate=30 January 2024}}</ref> |-style="font-size:90%;" |align=center |2023 |Pauline's Pearl |align=center |5 |Stewart Elliott |Steven M. Asmussen | Stonestreet Stables |align=center |{{frac|1|1|16}} miles |align=center |1:45.69 |align=center |$300,000 |align=center |III |<ref name=R2023>{{cite web|url=https://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=9&BorP=P&TID=HOU&CTRY=USA&DT=01/28/2023&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB |title=2023 Houston Ladies Classic Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9) |work=Equibase |date=28 January 2023 |accessdate=30 January 2024}}</ref> |-style="font-size:90%;" |align=center |2022 |Pauline's Pearl |align=center |4 | Joel Rosario |Steven M. Asmussen | Stonestreet Stables |align=center |{{frac|1|1|16}} miles |align=center |1:44.43 |align=center |$400,000 |align=center |III |<ref name=R2022>{{cite web|url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=7&BorP=P&TID=HOU&CTRY=USA&DT=01/30/2022&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB |title=2022 Houston Ladies Classic Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8) |work=Equibase |date=30 January 2022 |accessdate=30 January 2022}}</ref> |-style="font-size:90%;" |align=center |2021 |Letruska |align=center |5 |{{nowrap|Jesus Lopez Castanon}} |Fausto Gutierrez |St. George Stable |align=center |{{frac|1|1|16}} miles |align=center |1:45.02 |align=center |$300,000 |align=center |III |<ref name=R2021>{{cite web|url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=8&BorP=P&TID=HOU&CTRY=USA&DT=01/31/2021&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB |title=2021 Houston Ladies Classic Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8) |work=Equibase |date=31 January 2021 |accessdate=23 January 2022}}</ref> |-style="font-size:90%;" |align=center |2020 |Lady Apple |align=center |4 |Ricardo Santana Jr. |Steven M. Asmussen |Phoenix Thoroughbred III & KatieRich Stables |align=center |{{frac|1|1|16}} miles |align=center |1:44.19 |align=center |$300,000 |align=center |III |<ref name=R2020>{{cite web|url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=8&BorP=P&TID=HOU&CTRY=USA&DT=01/26/2020&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB |title=2020 Houston Ladies Classic Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8) |work=Equibase |date=26 January 2020 |accessdate=23 January 2022}}</ref> |-style="font-size:90%;" |align=center |2019 |Midnight Bisou |align=center |4 |Mike E. Smith |{{nowrap|Steven M. Asmussen}} |Bloom Racing Stable, Madaket Stables & Allen Racing |align=center |{{frac|1|1|16}} miles |align=center |1:44.52 |align=center |$300,000 |align=center |III |<ref name=R2019>{{cite web|url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=9&BorP=P&TID=HOU&CTRY=USA&DT=01/27/2019&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB |title=2019 Houston Ladies Classic Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9) |work=Equibase |date=27 January 2019 |accessdate=23 January 2022}}</ref> |-style="font-size:90%;" |align=center |2018 |Tiger Moth |align=center |6 |Florent Geroux |Brad H. Cox |John D. Gunther |align=center |{{frac|1|1|16}} miles |align=center |1:46.01 |align=center |$400,000 |align=center |III |<ref name=R2018>{{cite web|url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=9&BorP=P&TID=HOU&CTRY=USA&DT=01/28/2018&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB |title=2018 Houston Ladies Classic Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9) |work=Equibase |date=28 January 2018 |accessdate=23 January 2022}}</ref> |-style="font-size:90%;" |align=center |2017 |Unbridled Mo |align=center |4 |Jose L. Ortiz |Todd A. Pletcher |Red Oak Stable |align=center |{{frac|1|1|16}} miles |align=center |1:42.89 |align=center |$400,000 |align=center |III |<ref name=R2017>{{cite web|url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=9&BorP=P&TID=HOU&CTRY=USA&DT=01/29/2017&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB |title=2017 Houston Ladies Classic Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9) |work=Equibase |date=29 January 2017 |accessdate=23 January 2022}}</ref> |-style="font-size:90%;" |align=center |2016 |{{nowrap|Forever Unbridled}} |align=center |4 |Joel Rosario |Dallas Stewart |Charles Fipke |align=center |{{frac|1|1|16}} miles |align=center |1:43.74 |align=center |$400,000 |align=center |III |<ref name=R2016>{{cite web|url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=9&BorP=P&TID=HOU&CTRY=USA&DT=01/30/2016&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB |title=2016 Houston Ladies Classic Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9) |work=Equibase |date=30 January 2016 |accessdate=23 January 2022}}</ref> |-style="font-size:90%;" |align=center |2015 |Cassatt |align=center |4 |Kerwin D. Clark |J. Larry Jones |Fox Hill Farm |align=center |{{frac|1|1|16}} miles |align=center |1:44.96 |align=center |$400,000 |align=center | Listed |<ref name=R2015>{{cite web|url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=8&BorP=P&TID=HOU&CTRY=USA&DT=01/24/2015&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB |title=2015 Houston Ladies Classic Stakes Listed - (race 8) |work=Equibase |date=24 January 2015 |accessdate=23 January 2022}}</ref> |-style="font-size:90%;" |align=center |2014 |Rose to Gold |align=center |4 |Jesus M. Rios |Sal Santoro |Kathleen Amaya |align=center |{{frac|1|1|16}} miles |align=center |1:43.87 |align=center |$400,000 |align=center | Listed |<ref name=R2014>{{cite web|url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=9&BorP=P&TID=HOU&CTRY=USA&DT=01/25/2014&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB |title=2014 Houston Ladies Classic Stakes Listed - (race 9) |work=Equibase |date=25 January 2014 |accessdate=23 January 2022}}</ref> |-style="font-size:90%;" |align=center |2013 |{{nowrap|Joyful Victory (CAN)}} |align=center |5 |Rosie Napravnik |J. Larry Jones |Fox Hill Farm |align=center |{{frac|1|1|16}} miles |align=center |1:42.30 |align=center |$400,000 |align=center | |<ref name=R2013>{{cite web|url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=9&BorP=P&TID=HOU&CTRY=USA&DT=01/26/2013&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB |title=2013 Houston Ladies Classic Stakes Black Type - (race 9) |work=Equibase |date=26 January 2013 |accessdate=23 January 2022}}</ref> |}

==See also== * List of American and Canadian Graded races

==External links== *[https://www.shrp.com/assets/doc/2022-Stakes-Schedule-January-6-February-19-1e7b850d3a.pdf 2022 Sam Houston Stakes Schedule]

==References== {{reflist|2}}

Category:Mile category horse races for fillies and mares Category:Grade 3 stakes races in the United States Category:Horse races in Texas Category:Sam Houston Race Park Category:2013 establishments in Texas Category:Horse races established in 2013