Turf Classic Stakes Explained

Surface:Turf
Class:Grade I
Horse Race:Turf Classic Stakes
Location:Churchill Downs
Louisville, Kentucky, United States
Inaugurated:1987 (as Early Times Turf Classic Stakes)
Race Type:Thoroughbred – Flat racing
Website:Churchill Downs
Distance: miles (9 furlongs)
Track:Left-handed
Qualification:Four-year-olds and older
Weight:124 lbs with allowances
Purse:$1,000,000 (since 2019)
Sponsor:Old Forester (since 2018)

The Turf Classic Stakes is a Grade I American thoroughbred horse race held annually in early May on the day of the Kentucky Derby, meeting on the turf at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The race distance is one and one-eighth miles and is open to horses aged four and older.

History

This race was inaugurated on 1 May 1987 as the Early Times Turf Classic Stakes and was the first stakes race run on the new Matt Winn Turf Course.[1] The event was won by the reigning US Champion Male Turf Horse Manila, his eighth straight victory by three lengths as the short 2-5 odds-on favorite in a small field of four starters.

The event was classified as Grade III in 1989 for its third running, upgraded to Grade II in 1994 and since 1996 a Grade I.[2]

The event has had three sponsor name changes which have contributed to the high purse and growth is status of the event. The sponsorship has been by the Brown-Forman Corporation, one of the largest North American-owned companies in the spirits and wine business which is based in Louisville. The sponsorship has been reflected in the name of the event since the first running. Early Times, from 1987 to 1999, Woodford Reserve, from 2000 to 2017 and since 2018 Old Forester.[3]

The event has attracted the finest turf horses. The 1993 winner Lure set the speed record for the event with fast time of 1:46.34.Lure continued on to win the Breeders' Cup Mile for the second time later that year. The following year, in 1994 the winner Paradise Creek won the Arlington Million en route to being voted the U. S. Champion Male Turf Horse. In recent years the winners include two-time US Horse of the Year Wise Dan dual winner in 2013 and 2014 and Bricks and Mortar who would be crowned U. S. Horse of the Year in 2019.

Records

Speed record
Margins
Most wins
Most wins by an owner
Most wins by a jockey
Most wins by a Trainer

Winners

YearWinnerAgeJockeyTrainerOwnerDistanceTimePurseGradeRef
align=center 2024Program Trading (GB)align=center 4Flavien PratChad C. BrownKlaravich Stablesalign=center miles1:50.30 align=center $1,000,000align=center I[4]
align=center 2023Up to the Markalign=center 4Irad Ortiz Jr.Todd A. PletcherRepole Stable & St. Elias Stablealign=center milesalign=center 1:47.31align=center $1,000,000align=center I[5]
align=center 2022Santin align=center 4Tyler GaffalioneBrendan P. WalshGodolphinalign=center milesalign=center 1:49.72align=center $1,000,000align=center I[6]
align=center rowspan=22021 Colonel Liamalign=center 4Irad Ortiz Jr.Todd A. PletcherLawana & Robert Lowalign=center rowspan=2 milesalign=center rowspan=21:47.99align=center rowspan=2$1,000,000align=center rowspan=2I[7]
align=center 4Flavien PratChad C. BrownKlaravich Stables
align=center 2020Digital Age (IRE)align=center 4Javier CastellanoChad C. BrownKlaravich Stablesalign=center milesalign=center 1:47.79align=center $1,000,000align=center I[8]
align=center 2019align=center 5Irad Ortiz Jr.Chad C. BrownKlaravich Stables & William H. Lawrencealign=center milesalign=center 1:51.80align=center $1,000,000align=center I[9]
align=center 2018Yoshida (JPN)align=center 4José L. OrtizWilliam I. MottChina Horse Club, WinStar Farm & Head of Plains Partners align=center milesalign=center 1:54.64align=center $500,000align=center I[10]
align=center 2017Divisideroalign=center 5Julien R. LeparouxWilliam B. BradleyGunpowder Farms align=center milesalign=center 1:52.42align=center $500,000align=center I[11]
align=center 2016Divisideroalign=center 4Edgar S. PradoWilliam B. BradleyGunpowder Farms align=center milesalign=center 1:47.37align=center $500,000align=center I[12]
align=center 2015Finnegans Wakealign=center 6Victor EspinozaPeter L. MillerDonegal Racing & Rockingham Ranch align=center milesalign=center 1:47.24align=center $500,000align=center I[13]
align=center 2014Wise Danalign=center 7John R. VelazquezCharles LoPrestiMorton Finkalign=center milesalign=center 1:47.73align=center $559,100align=center I[14]
align=center 2013Wise Danalign=center 6Jose LezcanoCharles LoPrestiMorton Finkalign=center milesalign=center 1:51.84align=center $546,400align=center I[15]
align=center 2012Little Mikealign=center 5Joe BravoDale L. RomansPriscilla Vaccarezzaalign=center milesalign=center 1:48.81align=center $561,500align=center I[16]
align=center 2011Get Stormyalign=center 5Thomas M. BushSullimar Stables align=center milesalign=center 1:50.81align=center $581,400align=center I[17]
align=center 2010General Quartersalign=center 4Rafael BejaranoThomas R. McCarthyThomas R. McCarthyalign=center milesalign=center 1:53.42align=center $578,100align=center I[18]
align=center 2009Einstein (BRZ)align=center 7Julien R. LeparouxHelen Pitts-BlasiMidnight Cry Stablealign=center milesalign=center 1:49.62align=center $557,600align=center I[19]
align=center 2008Einstein (BRZ)align=center 6Robby AlbaradoHelen Pitts-BlasiPatricia Cunningham & Melissa Greenealign=center milesalign=center 1:50.50align=center $548,300align=center I[20]
align=center 2007Sky Conqueroralign=center 5Javier CastellanoDarwin D. BanachWilliam A. Sorokolit Sr. align=center milesalign=center 1:49.01align=center $561,000align=center I[21]
align=center 2006English Channelalign=center 4Garrett K. GomezTodd A. PletcherJames T. Scatuorchio align=center milesalign=center 1:47.15align=center $454,900align=center I[22]
align=center 2005America Alivealign=center 4Robby AlbaradoNeil J. HowardMill House Stablealign=center milesalign=center 1:47.34align=center $470,400align=center I[23]
align=center 2004Strollalign=center 4Jerry D. BaileyWilliam I. MottClaiborne Farmalign=center milesalign=center 1:53.00align=center $453,900align=center I[24]
align=center 2003Honor in Waralign=center 4David R. FloresPaul J. McGee3rd Turn Stablesalign=center milesalign=center 1:46.67align=center $445,300align=center I[25]
align=center 2002Beat Hollow (GB)align=center 5Alex O. SolisRobert J. FrankelJuddmonte Farmsalign=center milesalign=center 1:47.35align=center $452,500align=center I[26]
align=center 2001align=center 6Gary L. StevensNeil D. DrysdaleGainsborough Farms align=center milesalign=center 1:48.75align=center $349,900align=center I[27]
align=center 2000Manndar (IRE)align=center 4Corey NakataniC. Beau GreelyColumbine Stable, Jay M. Jones & Tom Nicholsalign=center milesalign=center 1:47.91align=center $350,500align=center I[28]
align=center 1999Wild Eventalign=center 6Shane SellersLouis M. GoldfineArthur I. Appletonalign=center milesalign=center 1:47.25align=center $333,300align=center I[29]
align=center 1998Joyeux Danseuralign=center 5Robby AlbaradoAlbert Stall Jr.B. Wayne Hughesalign=center milesalign=center 1:48.14align=center $281,100align=center I[30]
align=center 1997Always a Classicalign=center 4Jerry D. BaileyMark R. FrostadSam-Son Farmalign=center milesalign=center 1:49.29align=center $234,400align=center I[31]
align=center 1996Meckealign=center 4Pat DayEmanuel TortoraJames R. Lewis Jr.align=center milesalign=center 1:49.48align=center $254,200align=center I[32]
align=center 1995Romarin (BRZ)align=center 5Corey NakataniRichard E. MandellaLinneo Eduardo de Paula Machado align=center milesalign=center 1:46.86align=center $246,300align=center II[33]
align=center 1994Paradise Creekalign=center 5Pat DayWilliam I. MottMasayuki Nishiyamaalign=center milesalign=center 1:48.34align=center $233,950align=center II[34]
align=center 1993align=center 4Mike E. SmithClaiborne Farmalign=center milesalign=center 1:46.34align=center $181,050align=center III[35]
align=center 1992Cudasalign=center 4Pat ValenzuelaRichard J. LundyAllen E. Paulsonalign=center milesalign=center 1:46.56align=center $191,850align=center III[36]
align=center 1991§ Opening Versealign=center 5Chris McCarronRichard J. LundyAllen E. Paulsonalign=center milesalign=center 1:47.22align=center $192,400align=center III[37]
align=center 1990Ten Keysalign=center 6Kent J. DesormeauxMichael V. PinoCharles Linhossalign=center milesalign=center 1:50.80align=center $169,900align=center III[38]
align=center 1989Equalizealign=center 7José A. SantosAngel Penna Sr.Alejandro Menditeguyalign=center milesalign=center 1:51.40align=center $175,600align=center III [39]
align=center 1988Yankee Affairalign=center 6Pat DayHenry L. CarrollJujugen Stablealign=center milesalign=center 1:50.00align=center $186,500align=center Listed[40]
align=center 1987align=center 4Jacinto VásquezLeRoy JolleyBradley M. Shannonalign=center milesalign=center 1:48.80align=center $169,300align=center Listed [41]
Legend:


Notes:
§ Ran as an entry

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: $1 million Old Forester Turf Classic (Grade I) . Churchill Downs . 2019 . KentuckyDerby.com . 1 September 2020 .
  2. Web site: TURF CLASSIC STAKES – MULTIPLE TRACKS . Thoroughbred Pedigree Online . 2020 . 1 September 2020 .
  3. Web site: Turf Classic Stakes Profile. www.equibase.com . 1 September 2020 . en.
  4. Web site: 2024 Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 11) . Equibase . 4 May 2023 . 7 May 2023.
  5. Web site: 2023 Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 11) . Equibase . 6 May 2023 . 15 May 2023.
  6. Web site: 2022 Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 11) . Equibase . 7 May 2022 . 8 May 2022.
  7. Web site: 2021 Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 11) . Equibase . 1 May 2021 . 2 May 2021.
  8. Web site: 2020 Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 13) . Equibase . 5 September 2020 . 4 September 2020.
  9. Web site: 2019 Old Forester Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 11) . Equibase . 4 May 2019 . 1 September 2020.
  10. Web site: 2018 Old Forester Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 11) . Equibase . 5 May 2018 . 1 September 2020.
  11. Web site: 2017 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 11) . Equibase . 6 May 2017 . 1 September 2020.
  12. Web site: 2016 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 11) . Equibase . 7 May 2016 . 1 September 2020.
  13. Web site: 2015 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 10) . Equibase . 2 May 2015 . 1 September 2020.
  14. Web site: 2014 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 10) . Equibase . 3 May 2014 . 1 September 2020.
  15. Web site: 2013 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 10) . Equibase . 4 May 2013 . 1 September 2020.
  16. Web site: 2012 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 10) . Equibase . 5 May 2012 . 1 September 2020.
  17. Web site: 2011 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 10) . Equibase . 7 May 2011 . 1 September 2020.
  18. Web site: 2010 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 10) . Equibase . 1 May 2010 . 1 September 2020.
  19. Web site: 2009 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 10) . Equibase . 2 May 2009 . 1 September 2020.
  20. Web site: 2008 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 9) . Equibase . 3 May 2008 . 1 September 2020.
  21. Web site: 2007 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 9) . Equibase . 5 May 2007 . 1 September 2020.
  22. Web site: 2006 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 9) . Equibase . 6 May 2006 . 1 September 2020.
  23. Web site: 2005 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 9) . Equibase . 7 May 2005 . 1 September 2020.
  24. Web site: 2004 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 9) . Equibase . 1 May 2004 . 1 September 2020.
  25. Web site: 2003 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 9) . Equibase . 3 May 2003 . 1 September 2020.
  26. Web site: 2002 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 8) . Equibase . 4 May 2002 . 1 September 2020.
  27. Web site: 2001 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 7) . Equibase . 5 May 2001 . 1 September 2020.
  28. Web site: 2000 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 7) . Equibase . 6 May 2000 . 1 September 2020.
  29. Web site: 1999 Early Times Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 7) . Equibase . 1 May 1999 . 1 September 2020.
  30. Web site: 1998 Early Times Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 7) . Equibase . 2 May 1998 . 1 September 2020.
  31. Web site: 1997 Early Times Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 7) . Equibase . 3 May 1997 . 1 September 2020.
  32. Web site: 1996 Early Times Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 7) . Equibase . 4 May 1996 . 1 September 2020.
  33. Web site: 1995 Early Times Turf Classic Stakes Grade 2 – (race 7) . Equibase . 6 May 1995 . 1 September 2020.
  34. Web site: 1994 Early Times Turf Classic Stakes Grade 2 – (race 8) . Equibase . 6 May 1994 . 1 September 2020.
  35. Web site: 1993 Early Times Turf Classic Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8) . Equibase . 30 April 1993 . 1 September 2020.
  36. Web site: 1992 Early Times Turf Classic Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8) . Equibase . 1 May 1992 . 1 September 2020.
  37. Web site: 1991 Early Times Turf Classic Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8) . Equibase . 3 May 1991 . 1 September 2020.
  38. News: Ten Keys, a bet that keeps paying, wins Turf Classic (1990 Early Times Turf Classic Stakes – race 9: held 4 May 1990) . . 5 May 1990 . 1 September 2020 . 13 . Jim . Terhume .
  39. News: Equalize reigns in rain, wins Turf Classic (1989 Early Times Turf Classic Stakes – race 8: held 5 May 1989) . . 6 May 1989 . 1 September 2020 . 14, 19 . Jack . Berry .
  40. News: Yankee Affair charges to late to capture Turf Classic (1988 Early Times Turf Classic Stakes – race 8: held 6 May 1988) . . 7 May 1988 . 1 September 2020 . 7, 10 . Jack . Berry .
  41. News: Manila folds field, wins Turf Classic by 3 lengths (1987 Early Times Turf Classic Stakes – race 8: held 1 May 1987) . . 2 May 1987 . 1 September 2020 . 7, 10 . Rick . Cushing .

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