Sky Classic Stakes

The Sky Classic Stakes is a Grade II Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Raced in mid to late August on turf over a distance of miles (10 furlongs), it is open to horses three years of age and older. In recent years it has become a major prep race for local horses looking to go on to run against the best horses from around the world in Woodbine's $2 million Canadian International.

Renamed in 1995 to honour Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame inductee, Sky Classic, the race was first run at the Old Woodbine Racetrack in 1902 as the Jockey Club Cup Handicap. It was raced on dirt from inception until 1956 but became a turf race the following year when moved to the new Woodbine racing facility. Over the years, it has been run at various distances:

On dirt: 1902–1903 : 2 miles 1904–1905 : miles 1906–1926 : miles 1927–1931 : miles 1936–1951 : miles 1952–1956 : miles

On turf: 1957–1989 : miles 1990–1994 : miles 1995 : 1 mile 1996 : miles 1997–2009 : miles 2010–2016 : miles 2017–present : miles

Records Time record: 2:00.12 - Forte Dei Marmi (2013) (at miles on turf) 2:13.05 - Dawson's Legacy (1999) (at miles on turf)

Most wins: 2 - Sotemia (1911, 1912) 2 - Harrovian (1924, 1925) 2 - Carney's Point (1974, 1975) 2 - Chief Bearhart (1997, 1998) 2 - Forte Dei Marmi (GB) (2012, 2013)

Most wins by an owner: 5 - Sam-Son Farm (1991, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2004)

Most wins by a jockey: 4 - Robin Platts (1974, 1975, 1980, 1981)

Most wins by a trainer: 4 - Lou Cavalaris, Jr. (1966, 1974, 1975, 1990)

Winners of the Sky Classic Stakes since 1969 Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Time2018Utmost4Alan GarciaH. Graham MotionAugustin Stable2:17.612017Can'thelpbelieving (IRE)6Joe BravoH. Graham MotionAlbert Frassetto2:14.952016Messi (GER)6Edgar PradoH. Graham MotionGestut Brummerhof2:00.892015Interpol4Emma-Jayne WilsonSid C. AttardJMJ Racing Stables2:01.052014Karibu Gardens4Luis ContrerasJosie CarrollMelnyk Racing Stables2:02.462013Forte Dei Marmi (GB)7Eurico Rosa Da SilvaRoger L. AttfieldStella Perdomo2:00.122012Forte Dei Marmi (GB)6Alex SolisRoger L. AttfieldStella Perdomo2:02.572011Kara Orientation4Emile RamsammySteven ChircopBerketa/Pinnacle Racing2:04.872010Marsh Side7Edgar PradoNeil DrysdaleRobert S. Evans2:08.992009Marchfield5Patrick HusbandsMark E. CasseMelnyk Racing Stables2:16.562008Lauro5Tyler PizarroAndreas WoehlerGestut Ittlingen2:18.812007Cloudy's Knight7Ramsey ZimmermanFrank J. KirbyS J Stables LLC2:14.102006Better Talk Now7Ramon DominguezH. Graham MotionBushwood Stables2:18.502005A Bit O'Gold4Jono JonesCatherine Day PhillipsTwo Bit Racing Stable2:17.172004Colorful Judgement4Slade CallaghanMark FrostadSam-Son Farm2:16.192003Bowman Mill5Brice BlancMichael W. DickinsonDr. John A. Chandler2:23.142002Strut The Stage4Todd KabelMark FrostadSam-Son Farm2:19.332001Stage Classic3Constant MontpellierDavid CoteyDominion Bloodstock et al.2:21.792000Muntej3Robert LandryRoger AttfieldDavid McLaughlin et al.2:18.831999Dawson's Legacy4Constant MontpellierNorman McKnight, Jr.J. M. Stritzl Stable2:13.051998Chief Bearhart5José A. SantosMark FrostadSam-Son Farm2:15.601997Chief Bearhart4José A. SantosMark FrostadSam-Son Farm2:13.401996Lassigny5Julie KroneWilliam I. MottPrince Sultan Al Kabeer2:18.001995Jet Freighter4Todd KabelTony MattineUri Fishman / Peter Yu2:13.401994Shiny Key6David ClarkAlton H. QuanbeckD. Morgan Firestone1:47.601994Ride With Pancho4Sandy HawleyRobert TillerG. J. Meyers1:47.401993Hero's Love5Earlie FiresDanny VellaFrank Stronach1:45.601992Thunder Regent5Sandy HawleyVince TesoroD. D. W. Stables1:46.601991Tot of Rum5Daniel J. DavidJames E. DaySam-Son Farm1:46.601990Asturiano5Dave PennaLou Cavalaris, Jr.Gardiner Farms1:46.801989Steady Power5Jim McAleneyRoger AttfieldKinghaven Farms2:00.201988Gallant Mel3Jack LauzonD. CampbellMichael Penhale2:06.001987Boulder Run4Lloyd DuffyJerry LavigneR. Doe / B. Hutzel2:02.401986Wild Style4Richard Dos RamosRichard AttfieldKinghaven Farms2:05.601985Nagurski4George HoSangMichael DoyleDogwood Stable2:11.401984Cost Control5Jeffrey FellNeal WinickSerge Fradkoff 2:02.401983Nijinsky's Secret5Jose A. Velez, Jr.Kent StirlingMrs. J. A. McDougald2:02.201982Frost King4Lloyd DuffyBill MarkoTed Smith & Bill Marko2:08.201981Irish Heart3Robin PlattsGil RowntreeB.K.Y. Stable2:06.001980Overskate5Robin PlattsGil RowntreeStafford Farms2:07.001979Friuli6Fernando ToroTony MattineG. Caroli2:10.401978Meticulous Robert4Don MacBethJohn J. Tammaro Jr.Kinghaven Farms2:09.801977Paddock Park4J. WalfordR. MacKinnonEspo Racing Stable2:18.001976Tiny Tinker3Avelino GomezGeorge "Jake" NemettWilliam Beasley2:03.601975Carney's Point6Robin PlattsLou Cavalaris, Jr.Gardiner Farm2:06.401974Carney's Point5Robin PlattsLou Cavalaris, Jr.Gardiner Farm2:03.001973Fabe Count5Lloyd DuffyJerry LavigneParkview Stable2:02.401972Gallant Glen4Sandy HawleyJames C. BentleyHelen Stollery2:04.601971Speedy Zephyr3Herberto HinojosaLes LearC. Rathgeb2:02.201970Dance Act4R. ArmstrongL. GrantGreen Hills Farm2:07.001969Tradesman5Avelino GomezR. PotterM. Ross2:03.80

*Run in two divisions in 1994.

Earlier winners

1968 - Petit Duc 1967 - Pretko 1966 - Orbiter 1965 - Quick Pitch 1964 - Greek Form 1963 - Mr. Sometime * 1963 - Bronze Babu * 1962 - El Bandito 1961 - Prompt Hero 1960 - Merry Top II 1959 - Sailor's Guide 1958 - Grey Monarch 1957 - Kitty Girl 1956 - Ballydonnell 1955 - Hickory Hill 1954 - Unbranded 1953 - Risque Rouge 1952 - Freedom Wins 1951 - Harahome 1950 - Beau Dandy 1949 - Double Briar 1948 - Yellowknife 1947 - Vice Admiral 1946 - Ferry Pilot 1945 - Westport Point 1944 - Bon Jour 1943 - Teeworth 1941 - No race 1942 - No race 1940 - High Honors 1939 - Filisteo 1938 - Sun Power 1937 - Teddy Haslam 1936 - Temptestuous 1932 - No race 1933 - No race 1934 - No race 1935 - No race 1931 - Khorasan 1930 - Yarn 1929 - Frisius 1928 - Sir Harry 1927 - Display 1926 - Harrovian 1925 - Harrovian 1924 - Horologe 1923 - My Dear 1922 - Parisian Diamond 1921 - Louis 1920 - Exterminator 1917 - No race 1918 - No race 1919 - No race 1916 - Fair Mac 1915 - Rancher 1914 - Great Britain 1913 - Airey 1912 - Sotemia 1911 - Sotemia 1910 - Duke of Roanoke 1909 - Azo 1908 - Cave Adsum 1907 - Kelpie 1906 - Alma Dufour 1905 - War Whoop 1904 - Persistence II 1903 - Wire In 1902 - Orontas

*In 1963 there was a dead heat for first.

See also List of Canadian flat horse races

References

Jockey Club Cup Handicap at Pedigree Queery