Horse race
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] 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.[ 2]
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.[ 3]
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 .[ 4]
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
Year
Winner
Age
Jockey
Trainer
Owner
Distance
Time
Purse
Grade
Ref
2025
Spirit of St Louis
6
Manuel Franco
Chad C. Brown
Madaket Stables , Michael Dubb & Richard Schermerhorn
1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:48.20
$934,200
I
[ 5]
2024
Program Trading (GB )
4
Flavien Prat
Chad C. Brown
Klaravich Stables
1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:50.30
$1,000,000
I
[ 6]
2023
Up to the Mark
4
Irad Ortiz Jr.
Todd A. Pletcher
Repole Stable & St. Elias Stable
1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:47.31
$990,000
I
[ 7]
2022
Santin
4
Tyler Gaffalione
Brendan P. Walsh
Godolphin
1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:49.72
$1,000,000
I
[ 8]
2021
Colonel Liam
4
Irad Ortiz Jr.
Todd A. Pletcher
Lawana & Robert Low
1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:47.99
$1,000,000
I
Dead heat [ 9]
Domestic Spending (GB) 4
Flavien Prat
Chad C. Brown
Klaravich Stables
2020
Digital Age (IRE)
4
Javier Castellano
Chad C. Brown
Klaravich Stables
1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:47.79
$1,000,000
I
[ 10]
2019
Bricks and Mortar 5
Irad Ortiz Jr.
Chad C. Brown
Klaravich Stables & William H. Lawrence
1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:51.80
$1,000,000
I
[ 11]
2018
Yoshida (JPN)
4
José L. Ortiz
William I. Mott
China Horse Club, WinStar Farm & Head of Plains Partners
1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:54.64
$500,000
I
[ 12]
2017
Divisidero
5
Julien R. Leparoux
William B. Bradley
Gunpowder Farms
1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:52.42
$500,000
I
[ 13]
2016
Divisidero
4
Edgar S. Prado
William B. Bradley
Gunpowder Farms
1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:47.37
$500,000
I
[ 14]
2015
Finnegans Wake
6
Victor Espinoza
Peter L. Miller
Donegal Racing & Rockingham Ranch
1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:47.24
$500,000
I
[ 15]
2014
Wise Dan
7
John R. Velazquez
Charles LoPresti
Morton Fink
1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:47.73
$559,100
I
[ 16]
2013
Wise Dan
6
Jose Lezcano
Charles LoPresti
Morton Fink
1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:51.84
$546,400
I
[ 17]
2012
Little Mike
5
Joe Bravo
Dale L. Romans
Priscilla Vaccarezza
1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:48.81
$561,500
I
[ 18]
2011
Get Stormy
5
Ramon A. Dominguez Thomas M. Bush
Sullimar Stables
1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:50.81
$581,400
I
[ 19]
2010
General Quarters
4
Rafael Bejarano
Thomas R. McCarthy
Thomas R. McCarthy
1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:53.42
$578,100
I
[ 20]
2009
Einstein (BRZ)
7
Julien R. Leparoux
Helen Pitts-Blasi
Midnight Cry Stable
1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:49.62
$557,600
I
[ 21]
2008
Einstein (BRZ)
6
Robby Albarado
Helen Pitts-Blasi
Patricia Cunningham & Melissa Greene
1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:50.50
$548,300
I
[ 22]
2007
Sky Conqueror
5
Javier Castellano
Darwin D. Banach
William A. Sorokolit Sr.
1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:49.01
$561,000
I
[ 23]
2006
English Channel
4
Garrett K. Gomez
Todd A. Pletcher
James T. Scatuorchio
1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:47.15
$454,900
I
[ 24]
2005
America Alive
4
Robby Albarado
Neil J. Howard
Mill House Stable
1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:47.34
$470,400
I
[ 25]
2004
Stroll
4
Jerry D. Bailey
William I. Mott
Claiborne Farm
1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:53.00
$453,900
I
[ 26]
2003
Honor in War
4
David R. Flores
Paul J. McGee
3rd Turn Stables
1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:46.67
$445,300
I
[ 27]
2002
Beat Hollow (GB)
5
Alex O. Solis
Robert J. Frankel
Juddmonte Farms
1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:47.35
$452,500
I
[ 28]
2001
White Heart (GB)
6
Gary L. Stevens
Neil D. Drysdale
Gainsborough Farms
1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:48.75
$349,900
I
[ 29]
2000
Manndar (IRE)
4
Corey Nakatani
C. Beau Greely
Columbine Stable, Jay M. Jones & Tom Nichols
1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:47.91
$350,500
I
[ 30]
1999
Wild Event
6
Shane Sellers
Louis M. Goldfine
Arthur I. Appleton
1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:47.25
$333,300
I
[ 31]
1998
Joyeux Danseur
5
Robby Albarado
Albert Stall Jr.
B. Wayne Hughes
1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:48.14
$281,100
I
[ 32]
1997
Always a Classic
4
Jerry D. Bailey
Mark R. Frostad
Sam-Son Farm
1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:49.29
$234,400
I
[ 33]
1996
Mecke
4
Pat Day
Emanuel Tortora
James R. Lewis Jr.
1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:49.48
$254,200
I
[ 34]
1995
Romarin (BRZ)
5
Corey Nakatani
Richard E. Mandella
Linneo Eduardo de Paula Machado
1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:46.86
$246,300
II
[ 35]
1994
Paradise Creek
5
Pat Day
William I. Mott
Masayuki Nishiyama
1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:48.34
$233,950
II
[ 36]
1993
Lure
4
Mike E. Smith
Claude R. McGaughey III Claiborne Farm
1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:46.34
$181,050
III
[ 37]
1992
Cudas
4
Pat Valenzuela
Richard J. Lundy
Allen E. Paulson
1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:46.56
$191,850
III
[ 38]
1991
§ Opening Verse
5
Chris McCarron
Richard J. Lundy
Allen E. Paulson
1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:47.22
$192,400
III
[ 39]
1990
Ten Keys
6
Kent J. Desormeaux
Michael V. Pino
Charles Linhoss
1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:50.80
$169,900
III
[ 40]
1989
Equalize
7
José A. Santos
Angel Penna Sr.
Alejandro Menditeguy
1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:51.40
$175,600
III
[ 41]
1988
Yankee Affair
6
Pat Day
Henry L. Carroll
Jujugen Stable
1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:50.00
$186,500
Listed
[ 42]
1987
Manila
4
Jacinto Vásquez
LeRoy Jolley
Bradley M. Shannon
1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:48.80
$169,300
Listed
[ 2]
Legend:
TurfNotes:
See also
References
^ Churchill Downs (2019). "$1 million Old Forester Turf Classic (Grade I)" (PDF) . KentuckyDerby.com . Retrieved 1 September 2020 . ^ a b Cushing, Rick (2 May 1987). "Manila folds field, wins Turf Classic by 3 lengths (1987 Early Times Turf Classic Stakes – race 8: held 1 May 1987 )" . The Courier-Journal . Retrieved 1 September 2020 . ^ "TURF CLASSIC STAKES – MULTIPLE TRACKS" . Thoroughbred Pedigree Online . 2020. Retrieved 1 September 2020 .^ "Turf Classic Stakes Profile" . www.equibase.com . Retrieved 1 September 2020 .^ "2025 Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 11)" . Equibase . 3 May 2025. Retrieved 5 May 2025 .^ "2024 Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 11)" . Equibase . 4 May 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2024 .^ "2023 Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 11)" . Equibase . 6 May 2023. Retrieved 15 May 2023 .^ "2022 Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 11)" . Equibase . 7 May 2022. Retrieved 8 May 2022 .^ "2021 Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 11)" . Equibase . 1 May 2021. Retrieved 2 May 2021 .^ "2020 Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 13)" . Equibase . 5 September 2020. Retrieved 4 September 2020 .^ "2019 Old Forester Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 11)" . Equibase . 4 May 2019. Retrieved 1 September 2020 .^ "2018 Old Forester Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 11)" . Equibase . 5 May 2018. Retrieved 1 September 2020 .^ "2017 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 11)" . Equibase . 6 May 2017. Retrieved 1 September 2020 .^ "2016 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 11)" . Equibase . 7 May 2016. Retrieved 1 September 2020 .^ "2015 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 10)" . Equibase . 2 May 2015. Retrieved 1 September 2020 .^ "2014 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 10)" . Equibase . 3 May 2014. Retrieved 1 September 2020 .^ "2013 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 10)" . Equibase . 4 May 2013. Retrieved 1 September 2020 .^ "2012 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 10)" . Equibase . 5 May 2012. Retrieved 1 September 2020 .^ "2011 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 10)" . Equibase . 7 May 2011. Retrieved 1 September 2020 .^ "2010 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 10)" . Equibase . 1 May 2010. Retrieved 1 September 2020 .^ "2009 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 10)" . Equibase . 2 May 2009. Retrieved 1 September 2020 .^ "2008 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 9)" . Equibase . 3 May 2008. Retrieved 1 September 2020 .^ "2007 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 9)" . Equibase . 5 May 2007. Retrieved 1 September 2020 .^ "2006 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 9)" . Equibase . 6 May 2006. Retrieved 1 September 2020 .^ "2005 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 9)" . Equibase . 7 May 2005. Retrieved 1 September 2020 .^ "2004 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 9)" . Equibase . 1 May 2004. Retrieved 1 September 2020 .^ "2003 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 9)" . Equibase . 3 May 2003. Retrieved 1 September 2020 .^ "2002 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 8)" . Equibase . 4 May 2002. Retrieved 1 September 2020 .^ "2001 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 7)" . Equibase . 5 May 2001. Retrieved 1 September 2020 .^ "2000 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 7)" . Equibase . 6 May 2000. Retrieved 1 September 2020 .^ "1999 Early Times Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 7)" . Equibase . 1 May 1999. Retrieved 1 September 2020 .^ "1998 Early Times Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 7)" . Equibase . 2 May 1998. Retrieved 1 September 2020 .^ "1997 Early Times Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 7)" . Equibase . 3 May 1997. Retrieved 1 September 2020 .^ "1996 Early Times Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 7)" . Equibase . 4 May 1996. Retrieved 1 September 2020 .^ "1995 Early Times Turf Classic Stakes Grade 2 – (race 7)" . Equibase . 6 May 1995. Retrieved 1 September 2020 .^ "1994 Early Times Turf Classic Stakes Grade 2 – (race 8)" . Equibase . 6 May 1994. Retrieved 1 September 2020 .^ "1993 Early Times Turf Classic Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)" . Equibase . 30 April 1993. Retrieved 1 September 2020 .^ "1992 Early Times Turf Classic Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)" . Equibase . 1 May 1992. Retrieved 1 September 2020 .^ "1991 Early Times Turf Classic Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)" . Equibase . 3 May 1991. Retrieved 1 September 2020 .^ Terhume, Jim (5 May 1990). "Ten Keys, a bet that keeps paying, wins Turf Classic (1990 Early Times Turf Classic Stakes – race 9: held 4 May 1990 )" . The Courier-Journal . Retrieved 1 September 2020 . ^ Berry, Jack (6 May 1989). "Equalize reigns in rain, wins Turf Classic (1989 Early Times Turf Classic Stakes – race 8: held 5 May 1989 )" . The Courier-Journal . Retrieved 1 September 2020 . ^ Berry, Jack (7 May 1988). "Yankee Affair charges to late to capture Turf Classic (1988 Early Times Turf Classic Stakes – race 8: held 6 May 1988 )" . The Courier-Journal . Retrieved 1 September 2020 .
