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De Francis Dash

Winner of the
18th Running
which ran on
Saturday, November 24, 2007 at Laurel Park

The running of the
 2008 De Francis Dash
has been suspended until
further notice
See news announcement here.
                                            Benny the Bull, 2007 Winner of the De Francis Dash

THE FRANK J. DE FRANCIS MEMORIAL DASH-G1
$300,000

Three-Year-Olds and Up -- Six Furlongs

Year
Winner
Jockey
Wt.
Second
Third
Win Value
Track
Time
1990 Northern Wolf M. Luzzi 120 Glitterman Sweickley $210,000 PIM ntr1:09
1991 Housebuster C.Perret 126 Clever Trevor Safely Kept   180,000 LRL   1:083
1992 Superstrike(GB) D.Sorenson 112 Parisian Flight King Corrie   180,000 LRL   1:094
1993 Montbrook C.Ladner 112 Lion Cavern Flaming Emperor   180,000 LRL   1:083
1994 Cherokee Run C.Perret 114 Boom Towner Fu Man Slew   180,000 LRL   1:084
1995 Lite The Fuse J.Krone 119 Crafty Dude Hot Jaws   180,000 LRL   1:084
1996 Lite The Fuse J.Krone 117 Meadow Monster Prospect Bay   180,000 LRL   1:084
1997 Smoke Glacken C.Perret 113 Wise Dusty Capote Belle   180,000 LRL   1:092
1998 Kelly Kip J.L.Samyn 121 Affirmed Success Partner's Hero   180,000 LRL   1:082
1999 Yes its True J.Bailey 114 Good and Tough Storm Punch   180,000 LRL   1:083
2000 Richter Scale R.Migliore 123 Just Call Me Carl Falkenberg   180,000 LRL ntr1:074
2001 Delaware Township J.Bailey 125 Early Flyer Xtra Heat   180,000 LRL   1:09
2002 D'wildcat J.Chavez 122 Deer Run Sassy Hound   180,000 LRL   1:104
2003 A Huevo R.Dominguez 119 Shake You Down Gators N Bears   180,000 LRL 1:08.92
2004 Wildcat Heir S.Elliott 119 Midas Eyes Clock Stopper   180,000 LRL 1:09.45
2005 I'm The Tiger(5) J.Bailey 118 Tiger Heat Clever Electrician   180,000 LRL 1:09.06
2006 Thor's Echo C.Nakatani 122 Diabolical Nightmare Affair   180,000 LRL 1:08.71
2007 Benny the Bull E.S.Prado 118 Talent Search Miraculous Miss   180,000 LRL 1:09.86

(ntr = new track record)

  The Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash is one of the elite sprints in the country. One of the only two six-furlong contests with Grade I status, it is second only to the Breeders' Cup Sprint in purse money and prestige.

  The inaugural De Francis Dash attracted the nation's finest sprinters to Pimlico Race Course in the summer of 1990. Included in the spectacular field were 1989 Sprint Champion Safely Kept and top sprinters Glitterman and Sewickly. But at the wire, in a fitting tribute to the late Mr. De Francis, it was Maryland-bred, Maryland-based Northern Wolf in a track record-setting time of 1:09.

  The Dash moved to Laurel for its second running. The distinguished field included two champions--Safely Kept and Housebuster-- as well as leading sprinters Clever Trevor and Sunny Blossom. Housebuster captured the winner's share of the lucrative purse with a five length victory. He was named Eclipse Award Sprint Champion for the second year in a row.

  During the next nine years while the Dash reigned as Laurel Park's signature summer event, it was captured by two additional Sprint Champions: Cherokee Run (1994) and Smoke Glacken (1997).

  The race was moved to the fall by Maryland Jockey Club Chief Operating Officer Lou Raffetto in 2001 with instant success. Taking advantage of a deep sprinting field three weeks after the Breeders' Cup Sprint, the De Francis Dash attracted a strong field of seven, including four of the top Breeder's Cup finishers with visions of an Eclipse Award.

  The De Francis Dash was first graded in 1992 and became a Grade I event in 1998. In 2000, Richter Scale set the Laurel track record, running the six-furlongs in an impressive 1:07 4/5.
Eclipse Award
Winners
(Champion Sprinter)
1991       Housebuster
1994     Cherokee Run
1997  Smoke Glacken
2006        Thor's Echo

About Frank J. De Francis

   From the moment Frank De Francis became chief executive officer of Laurel Race Course in 1984, the complexion of Thoroughbred racing in Maryland
changed forever.

   Dynamic, forceful, always seeking new opportunities to expand Maryland racing's horizons, De Francis brought an intensity to his endeavors that energized everyone around him.

racing to   horsemen across the country and internationally, through such events as the revived Pimlico Special, an instant hit as one of the nation's leading older horse races; the International Turf Festival, a five-race grass extravaganza in October, and the winter sprint weekend at Laurel, featuring the lucrative General George and Barbara FritchieHandicaps.  

   During the De Francis years, the Maryland stakes

   Before his death in August 1989, De Francis had put Laurel and Pimlico in the forefront of American racing.

  Extensive facilities renovations, including the innovative Sports Palaces at Laurel and Pimlico, were part of the De Francis operating mode, as were significant increases in advertising and promotional expenditures.

  He also sought to market Maryland

schedule under went major revisions which drew participation from horsemen on a regional and national basis.

   Frank De Francis' personality, intuition, and yes, touch of genius, made every day of his tenure as the leader of Maryland racing--be it Preakness Day or a Thursday in February--a special day at the races for all participants, especially his people, the fans.
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