Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational Handicap

Turf race infobox
class = Grade 1
horse race = Joe Hirsch Turf Classic
Invitational Handicap


caption =
location = Belmont Park
Elmont, New York, United states
inaugurated = 1977
race type = Thoroughbred - Flat racing
website =
distance = 1½ miles
track = Turf, Left-handed
qualification = 3-Years-Old & Up
weight = Weight-For-Age
purse = $600,000
bonuses = 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.

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.

Records

Time record:
* 2:24.50 - Sky Classic (1992)

Most wins:
* 2 - April Run (1981, 1982), Val's Prince (1997, 1999) and English Channel (2006, 2007).

Most wins by an owner:
* 3 - Bertram & Diana M. Firestone (1981, 1982, 1987)

Most wins by a jockey:
* 4 - John R. Velazquez (1995, 2004, 2006, 2007)

Most wins by a trainer:
* 2 - Mitri Saliba (1980, 1985), Francois Boutin (1981, 1982), William I. Mott (1987, 2005), James E. Picou (1996, 1997), Robert J. Frankel (2001, 2002), Todd A. Pletcher (2006, 2007)

Winners of the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational Handicap