Clement L. Hirsch Turf
Championship Stakes is an annual American 1 1/4 mile flat horserace
for thoroughbred three-year-olds and older. It is run on turf at Santa
Anita Park in Arcadia, California in late September as part of the Oak
Tree Racing Association's Autumn Meeting, and currently offers a
$250,000 purse.
Inaugurated in 1969 as the Oak Tree Stakes, from 1971 until 1995 its
name was changed to the Oak Tree Invitational Stakes and from 1996 until
1999 it was known as the Oak Tree Turf Championship Stakes. Today it is
known as the Clement L. Hirsch Memorial Turf Championship Stakes (Oak
Tree).
Since its inception the Clement L. Hirsch Turf Championship Stakes is
acknowledged as a preparatory race for the prestigious $3 million
Breeders' Cup Turf, which is one of America's biggest weight-for-age
horse races. While currently raced over 1 1/4 miles, from 1969 until
1994 it was run over 1 1/2 miles.
The fastest time recorded at the Clement L. Hirsch Memorial Turf
Championship Stakes was set in 1996 (over 1 1/4 miles) by Admise, while
top-rated gelding John Henry - owned by Dotsam Stable - holds the record
for the most race victories (3) in 1980, 1981 and 1982.
Legendary American jockey Bill 'Willie' Shoemaker holds the record for
the most victories (8) in 1971, 1972, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1981 and
1982, while respected trainer Charles Whittingham holds the record for
the most wins (9) in 1970, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1979 and
1986. |
