Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational Handicap
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The Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational is an American Grade I stakes race on turf established in 1977 for Thoroughbred racehorses three years old and up. Currently held at Belmont Park, New York, it is named in honor of Joe Hirsch, the award-winning racing columnist and founding president of the National Turf Writers Association.
The race was first run as the "Turf Classic Invitational Stakes" at Aqueduct Racetrack from 1977 to 1979 and again from 1981 to 1983. Shortened to being called just the "Turf Classic" in 1983, it is raced at a distance of 1 ½ miles and at one time drew the top Thorougbreds from the U.S. and Europe when it was part of a million dollar bonus for any horse who won it plus the Canadian International Stakes at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto and the Washington, D.C., International at Laurel Park Racecourse in Laurel, Maryland.
The inaugural 1977 race was won by Johnny D., ridden by 17-year-old Steve Cauthen. The race has also been won by champions such as April Run (1981 and 1982), All Along (1983), and John Henry (1984). The race record stands at 2:24 2/5, set in 1992 by the Sam-Son Farm colt, Sky Classic.
In 2007, the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational will be in its 31st running, offering a total purse of $600,000.
[edit] Winners:
- 2006 - English Channel (John Velazquez)
- 2005 - Shakespeare (Jerry Bailey)
- 2004 - Kitten's Joy (John Velazquez)
- 2003 - Sulamani (Jerry Bailey)
- 2002 - Denon (Edgar Prado)
- 2001 - Timboroa (Edgar Prado)
- 2000 - John's Call (Jean-Luc Samyn)
- 1999 - Val's Prince (Jorge Chavez)
- 1998 - Buck's Boy (Shane Sellers)
- 1997 - Val's Prince (Mike E. Smith)
- 1996 - Diplomatic Jet (Jorge Chavez)
- 1995 - Turk Passer (John Velazquez)
- 1994 - Tikkanen (Cash Asmussen)
- 1993 - Apple Tree (Mike E. Smith)
- 1992 - Sky Classic (Pat Day)
- 1991 - Solar Splendor (Herb McCauley)
- 1990 - Cacoethes (Ray Cochrane)
- 1989 - Yankee Affair (Jose Santos)
- 1988 - Sunshine Forever (Angel Cordero, Jr.)
- 1987 - Theatrical (Pat Day)
- 1986 - Manila (Jose Santos)
- 1985 - Noble Fighter (Allan Lequeux)
- 1984 - John Henry (Chris McCarron)
- 1983 - All Along (Walter Swinburn)
- 1982 - April Run (Cash Asmussen)
- 1981 - April Run (Philippe Paquet)
- 1980 - Anifa (Alfred Gibert)
- 1979 - Bowl Game (Jorge Velasquez)
- 1978 - Waya (Angel Cordero, Jr.)
- 1977 - Johnny D. (Steve Cauthen)
Eight geldings have won the Turf Classic: Johnny D. (1977), Bowl Game (1979), John Henry (1984), Yankee Affair (1989), Solar Splendor (1991), Turk Passer (1995), Val’s Prince (1997 and 1999), and Buck’s Boy (1998). Four fillies have beat the males, with one filly, April Run, scoring back-to-back victories (1981 and 1982). The other fillies were Waya (1978), Anifa (1980), and All Along (1983). All Along was awarded the Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year. All Along was the first horse to collect the million dollar bonus for winning the Rothmans International Stakes.
