Thoroughbred Racing Fan Association, Inc.
Thoroughbred Racing Fan Association, Inc.
WHAT HORSE HOLDS THE TRACK RECORD FOR THE RAVEN RUN STAKES (GII)?
10/17/2019
The Raven Run Stakes (GII) is a seven-furlong race for 3-year-old fillies on the Keeneland dirt course. This year it will be run for the 21st time. However, eight of the previous 20 years the race was run on the synthetic surface. After the first six years running on the dirt, Keeneland, based on equine safety, decided to replace the dirt surface with synthetic. The reactions from racing connections and fans were less than enthusiastic. So, in 2014 in time for the fall meet, Keeneland changed back to the dirt surface on which it uses today. The track record for the synthetic surface (1:20.86) was set in 2008 by Informed Decision ridden by Johnny Velazquez. The record on the dirt was set in 2000 (1:20.88) by Darling My Darling ridden by Mike Smith. The record for most wins in the Raven Run States is held by Pat Day who won it in 1999 (Dreamy Maiden), 2001 (Nasty Storm) and 2003 (Yell). That record could be tied this year if Johnny Velazquez on Indian Pride trained by Chad Brown wins. Velazquez’s prior two wins came when the race was run on the synthetic surface (2008 and 2012). The answer to this week’s Trivia question is: there are two track records---one on dirt and the other on synthetic.