| Location | Belmont Park Elmont, New York, United states |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1977 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred - Flat racing |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1½ miles |
| Track | Turf, Left-handed |
| Qualification | 3-Years-Old & Up |
| Weight | Weight-For-Age |
| Purse | $600,000 |
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 at the end of September, it is named in honor of Joe Hirsch, the award-winning racing columnist and founding president of the National Turf Writers Association. Joe Hirsch, aged 80, died on January 9, 2009.[1]
The race was first run as the "Aqueduct 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.
Contents |
Time record:
Most wins:
Most wins by an owner:
Most wins by a jockey:
Most wins by a trainer:
| Year |
Winner |
Age |
Jockey |
Trainer |
Owner |
Time |
| 2011 | Cape Blanco (IRE) | 4 | Jamie Spencer | Aidan O'Brien | Smith / Magnier / Tabor / Mrs F Hay | 2:36.61 |
| 2010 | Winchester | 5 | Cornelio Velasquez | Christophe Clement | Mr. and Mrs. Bertram Firestone | 2:36.09 |
| 2009 | Interpatation | 7 | Robby Albarado | Robert Barbara | Elliot Mavorah | 2:41.22 |
| 2008 | Grand Couturier | 5 | Alan Garcia | Robert Ribaudo | Marc Keller | 2:34.84 |
| 2007 | English Channel | 5 | John Velazquez | Todd A. Pletcher | James T. Scatuorchio | 2:25.73 |
| 2006 | English Channel | 4 | John Velazquez | Todd A. Pletcher | James T. Scatuorchio | 2:28.69 |
| 2005 | Shakespeare | 4 | Jerry D. Bailey | William I. Mott | Dell Ridge Farm/W. Schettine | 2:27.22 |
| 2004 | Kitten's Joy | 3 | John Velazquez | Dale L. Romans | Ken & Sarah Ramsey | 2:29.97 |
| 2003 | Sulamani | 4 | Jerry D. Bailey | Saeed bin Suroor | Godolphin Racing | 2:27.51 |
| 2002 | Denon | 4 | Edgar Prado | Robert J. Frankel | E. Gann/Flaxman Stable | 2:28.47 |
| 2001 | Timboroa | 5 | Edgar Prado | Robert J. Frankel | Edmund A. Gann | 2:29.43 |
| 2000 | John’s Call | 9 | Jean-Luc Samyn | Thomas H. Voss | Trillium Stable | 2:28.58 |
| 1999 | Val's Prince | 7 | Jorge Chavez | H. James Bond | R. Martin & S. Weiner | 2:28.63 |
| 1998 | Buck's Boy | 5 | Shane Sellers | P. Noel Hickey | Quarter B Farm | 2:33.25 |
| 1997 | Val's Prince | 5 | Mike E. Smith | James E. Picou | R. Martin & S. Weiner | 2:28.92 |
| 1996 | Diplomatic Jet | 4 | Jorge Chavez | James E. Picou | Fred W. Hooper | 2:27.51 |
| 1995 | Turk Passer | 5 | John Velazquez | Flint S. Schulhofer | Leveen & Shanley & Weiss | 2:36.63 |
| 1994 | Tikkanen | 3 | Cash Asmussen | Jonathan Pease | Augustin Stable | 2:25.88 |
| 1993 | Apple Tree | 4 | Mike E. Smith | Andre Fabre | Mohammed Al Kabeer | 2:28.31 |
| 1992 | Sky Classic | 5 | Pat Day | James E. Day | Sam-Son Farm | 2:24.50 |
| 1991 | Solar Splendor | 4 | Herb McCauley | Patrick J. Kelly | Live Oak Plantation | 2:27.89 |
| 1990 | Cacoethes | 4 | Ray Cochrane | Guy Harwood | Lady Jane Harrison | 2:25.00 |
| 1989 | Yankee Affair | 7 | Jose Santos | Henry L. Carroll | Jujugen Stable | 2:27.20 |
| 1988 | Sunshine Forever | 3 | Angel Cordero, Jr. | John M. Veitch | Darby Dan Farm | 2:33.80 |
| 1987 | Theatrical | 5 | Pat Day | William I. Mott | Bertram R. Firestone | 2:29.20 |
| 1986 | Manila | 3 | Jose Santos | Leroy Jolley | Bradley M. Shannon | 2:27.80 |
| 1985 | Noble Fighter | 3 | Alain Lequeux | Mitri Saliba | Buckram Oak Farm | 2:25.40 |
| 1984 | John Henry | 9 | Chris McCarron | Ron McAnally | Dotsam Stable | 2:25.20 |
| 1983 | All Along | 4 | Walter Swinburn | Patrick L. Biancone | Daniel Wildenstein | 2:34.00 |
| 1982 | April Run | 4 | Cash Asmussen | Francois Boutin | Diana M. Firestone | 2:29.80 |
| 1981 | April Run | 3 | Philippe Paquet | Francois Boutin | Diana M. Firestone | 2:31.20 |
| 1980 | Anifa | 4 | Alfred Gibert | Mitri Saliba | Buckram Oak Farm | 2:39.60 |
| 1979 | Bowl Game | 5 | Jorge Velasquez | John M. Gaver, Jr. | Greentree Stable | 2:28.20 |
| 1978 | Waya | 4 | Angel Cordero, Jr. | Angel Penna, Sr. | Daniel Wildenstein | 2:26.80 |
| 1977 | Johnny D. | 3 | Steve Cauthen | Michael Kay | Dana S. Bray, Jr. | 2:33.20 |