Inside the Numbers: 2018 Personal Ensign Stakes

Racing
Forever Unbridled edged Songbird in the 2017 Personal Ensign Stakes and eventually won the Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff and was honored with an Eclipse Award. (Eclipse Sportswire)

The Personal Ensign Stakes at Saratoga Race Course attracts some of the best female racehorses in the country each year, and Saturday’s edition is no different. Elate and Abel Tasman are among the stellar field of fillies and mares racing for Grade 1 glory and a place in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff starting gate.

Read on for the facts and figures surrounding this year’s race.

1 1/8 miles- The distance of the race since 2012, when it was shortened from 1 ¼ miles.

1:47.96- Record time the race has been completed in, by the aptly named Quick Mischief in 1992.

3- The number of horses who have won the race twice: Beautiful Pleasure (1999, 2000), Lie Low (1974, 1975), and Politely (1967, 1968).

4- The race has been held at four different tracks throughout its history. In addition to Saratoga, Belmont Park, Aqueduct, and Jamaica Racetrack have all hosted the race.

4- The number of wins in the race by trainer Shug McGaughey, more than any other active trainer.

Cordero, the ‘king of Saratoga.’ (Blood-Horse photo)

6- The oldest mares to win the race were 6 years old, and there have been three: Ask the Moon (2011), Quick Mischief (1992), and Manta (1972).

8- The number of Personal Ensign wins by jockey Angel Cordero Jr., more than any other jockey.

13- The number of wins by race namesake Personal Ensign, a mare who completed her undefeated career in 1988.

13 ½ lengths- The record margin of victory in the race, when Icon Project defeated Swift Temper in 2009.

$45- The payout on a $2 win ticket in 2010, when longshot Persistently defeated future Hall of Famer Rachel Alexandra.

69th- This year is the 69th edition of the race, first run in 1948.

2004- The year Personal Ensign’s granddaughter Storm Flag Flying won the Personal Ensign. Like the race’s namesake, Storm Flag Flying was also a Breeders’ Cup-winning champion.

$19,450- Total purse of the inaugural running of the race in 1948, when it was known as the Firenze Handicap.

47,725- The number of fans who packed Saratoga on Personal Ensign day 2017. The day also features five other Grade 1 races including the Travers Stakes and Sword Dancer Stakes.

$700,000- Total purse of this year’s Personal Ensign. Last year’s winner, champion older dirt female Forever Unbridled, took home $375,000 of that.

$47,870,983- Dollars wagered on Personal Ensign day last year at Saratoga.

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