Pucker Up Stakes

The Pucker Up Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race for 3-year-old fillies held annually in early August at Ellis [Park Race Course] near Henderson, Kentucky. A Listed event, it is contested over a distance of 9 furlongs on turf.
The race was named in honor of Ada L. Rice's filly, Pucker Up. Pucker Up was one of five champions trained by National [Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame|U.S. Racing Hall of Fame] trainer James P. Conway.
The race was inaugurated in 1961 and was run on the main track until 1974 and again in 1976. In 1974-5, it was run at miles; in 1979 and 1986, the distance was miles.
After the closure of Arlington Park in 2022 the event was scheduled to be moved to Churchill Downs, however the event was cancelled by Churchill Downs in an effort to limit racing on their newly laid turf course.
In 2023, the event was moved to Ellis Park and resumed running annually.
In 2026 the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association downgraded the event from Graded [stakes race|Grade III] to Listed.