Anticipation for Thoroughbred racing’s 2012 older horse division is higher than its been in years. A major reason for the optimism is many of last year’s top horses are returning to the races for 2012 campaigns. Among those coming back are all three winners of the previous year’s Triple Crown races, which is the first time that’s happened in many years. Two of those—Preakness Stakes winner Shackleford and Belmont Stakes winner Ruler on Ice—are scheduled to make their 4-year-old debuts in the Grade 1 Donn Handicap at Gulfstream Park Feb. 11.
The Donn Handicap is traditionally the first major goal for Eastern-based older horses. The 2012 edition has the potential to be a classic. In addition to Shackleford and Ruler on Ice, other horses expected to make the starting gate for the 1 1/8-mile Donn are Grade 1 winner Flat Out; Grade 2 winner Mission Impazible; recent Sunshine Millions Classic winner Mucho Macho Man; and undefeated Trickmeister, one of two runners expected for trainer Richard Dutrow.
The 1 1/8-mile Donn Handicap, which carries a purse of $500,000 in 2012, dates back to 1959. The race is named in honor of the Donn family, which for decades owned Gulfstream Park. In recent years, the Donn has been used as a prep race for the rich Dubai World Cup and its $10million purse.
Three horses have won the Donn twice—One-Eyed King (1959,1960), Pistols and Roses (1993,1994) and Cigar (1995, 1996). Cigar, a member of the U.S. Racing Hall of Fame, followed his 1996 Donn victory with a win in the inaugural Dubai World Cup.
Three horses have won the Donn on their way to year-end honors as either Horse of the Year or champion older male. That group consists of Cigar, Skip Away (1998) and Saint Liam (2005), Additionally, Invasor followed up his 2006 Horse of the Year title with wins in the 2007 Donn Handicap and Dubai World Cup
Other notable winners of the Donn include Quality Road (2010), Medaglia d’Oro (2004), Captain Steve (2001), Crème Fraiche (1986), Deputy Minister (1983), Foolish Pleasure (1976) and Forego (1974).
Jumping Hill holds the record for the fastest running of the Donn when completing the 1 1/8-mile distance in 1:46.40 in 1979.
Four trainers are tied for most Donn victories with two apiece. George Gianos trained 1993-1994 winner Pistols and Roses, while Bill Mott conditioned Cigar in 1995-1996. Kiaran McLaughlin won two Donn’s with Invasor in 2007 and Albertus Maximus in 2009. Trainer Todd Pletcher won the 2010 Donn with Quality Road and the 2003 Donn with Harlan’s Holiday.
Retired Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey was a dominant force in the Donn during his career. He won six Donn’s, which includes twice with Cigar, to lead all jockeys.
The Donn Handicap is typically a good early season indicator of what’s in store for the older horse division in the east. Given the number of top horses scheduled for the 2012 edition, the ones that run well on Feb. 11 will stamp themselves as serious players in the race to year-end championship honors.
