Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational
32nd Running on Saturday, September 27, 2008
3-year-olds & Up $600,000 1 1/2 (Turf) Grade:I 		Stakes Nominations
Past Performances
Year Horse Wt. Time Owner Trainer Jockey Value
2007 English Channel 126 2:25.73 James T. Scatuorchio Todd Pletcher John Velazquez 360,000
2006 English Channel 126 2:28.69 James T. Scatuorchio Todd Pletcher John Velazquez 360,000
2005 Shakespeare (4) 126 2:27 1/5 Dell Ridge Farm, William Schettine William Mott Jerry Bailey 450,000
2004 Kitten's Joy (3) 121 2:29 4/5 Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey Dale Romans John Velazquez 450,000
2003 Sulamani (IRE) 126 2:27 2/5 Godolphin Racing Inc. Saeed bin Suroor Jerry Bailey 450,000
2002 Denon (4) 126 2:28 2/5 Edmund A. Gann and Flaxman Stable Robert Frankel Edgar Prado 450,000
2001 Timboroa (5) 126 2:29 2/5 Edmund A. Gann Robert Frankel Edgar Prado 450,000
2000 John’s Call (9) 126 2:28 2/5 Trillium Stable Thomas H. Voss Jean-Luc Samyn 450000
1999 Val's Prince (7) 126 2:28 3/5 R. Martin & S. Weiner H. James Bond Jorge Chavez 360,000
1998 Buck's Boy (5) 126 2:33 1/5 Quarter B Farm Noel P. Hickey Shane Sellers 300,000
1997 Val's Prince (5) 126 2:28 4/5 R. Martin & S. Weiner James Picou Mike Smith 300,000
1996 Diplomatic Jet (4) 126 2:27 2/5 Fred Hooper James Picou Jorge Chavez 300,000
1995 Turk Passer (5) 126 2:36 3/5 Leveen & Shanley &Weiss Flint Schulhofer John Velazquez 300,000
1994 Tikkanen (3) 121 2:25 4/5 Augustin Stables Jonathan Pease Cash Asmussen 300,000
1993 Apple Tree (4) 126 2:28 1/5 Mohammed Al Kabeer Andre Fabre Mike Smith 300,000
1992 Sky Classic (5) 126 2:24 2/5 Sam-Son Farm James E. Day Pat Day 300,000
1991 Solar Splendor (4) 126 2:27 4/5 Live Oak Plantation Patrick J. Kelly Herb McCauley 300,000
1990 Cacoethes (4) 126 2:25 Lady Jane Harrison Guy Harwood Ray Cochrane 360,000
1989 Yankee Affair (7) 126 2:27 1/5 Jujugen Stable Henry L. Carroll Jose Santos 392,550
1988 Sunshine Forever (3) 121 2:33 4/5 Darby Dan Farm John Veitch Angel Cordero Jr. 360,000
1987 Theatrical (5) 126 2:29 1/5 Bertram R. Firestone William Mott Pat Day 360,000
1986 Manilla (3) 119 2:27 4/5 Bradley M. Shannon Leroy Jolley Jose Santos 423,150
1985 Noble Fighter (3) 119 2:25 2/5 Buckram Oak Farm Mitri Saliba Allan Lequeux 431,100
1984 John Henry (9) 126 2:25 1/5 Dotsan Stable Ron McAnally Chris McCarron 375,150
1983 All Along (4) 123 2:34 Daniel Wildenstein Patrick L. Biancone W. R. Swinburn 351,150
1982 April Run (4) 123 2:29 4/5 Mrs. Bertram Firestone Francois Boutin Cash Asmussen 286,080
1981 April Run (3) 118 2:31 1/5 Mrs. Bertram Firestone Francois Boutin Philippe Paquet 180,000
1980 Anifa (4) 123 2:39 3/5 Buckram Oak Farm Mitri Saliba Alfred Gibert 180,000
1979 Bowl Game (5) 126 2:28 1/5 Greentree Stable John M. Gaver Jr. Jorge Velasquez 150,000
1978 Waya (4) 123 2:26 4/5 Daniel Wildenstein Angel Penna Angel Cordero Jr. 130,000
1977 Johnny D. (3) 122 2:33 1/5 Dana S. Bray Jr. Michael Kay Steve Cauthen 130,000

In 1992, the Sam-Son Farm's Sky Classic set a stakes record covering the mile and a half in 2:24 2/5. 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 won the TURF CLASSIC, 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). The latter was named "Horse of the Year" and was the first to collect the million dollar bonus for winning the Rothmans International Stakes, The TURF CLASSIC, and the Washington D.C. International. Run at Aqueduct from 1977 to 1979 and from 1981 to 1983. Run as the TURF CLASSIC INVITATIONAL STAKES prior to 1983. It was named in honor of Joe Hirsch in 2004 to honor his longtime service as a journalist and horse racing ambassador for the Daily Racing Form.