| Class | Grade II |
|---|---|
| Location | Santa Anita Park Arcadia, California, United States |
| Inaugurated | 1969 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred –Flat racing |
| Website | www.santaanita.com |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1+1⁄4 miles (10 furlongs) |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Left-handed |
| Qualification | Three-year-olds & Up |
| Weight | Base weights with allowances: 4-year-olds and up: 126lbs. 3-year-olds: 122lbs. |
| Purse | $200,000 |
TheJohn Henry Turf Championship Stakes (renamed forJohn Henry who won it three times) is an AmericanThoroughbred horse race run annually during theOak Tree Racing Association's Autumn Meeting atSanta Anita Park inArcadia, California.
It is raced over a distance of one and one-quarter miles on theturf and is one of the final prep races leading to theBreeders' Cup Turf. Once aGrade I event, it is now a Grade II and open to horses three years old and up. It currently offers a purse of $200,000.
Inaugurated as the Oak Tree Stakes in 1969, from 1971 through 1995 it was called the Oak Tree Invitational Stakes, and from 1996 through 1999, the Oak Tree Turf Championship Stakes. From 2000 through 2011 it was called the Clement L. Hirsch Turf Championship Stakes. The race, now named for John Henry, remains at Santa Anita although the Oak Tree Autumn Meeting was held atHollywood Park until its closure in December, 2013.
From 1969 through 1994 it was raced at a distance of1+1⁄2 miles.
In winning the 2008 edition,Red Giant set a world record time of 1:57.16 for1+1⁄4 miles on turf.[1]
Time record: (at current1+1⁄4 miles distance)
Most wins:
Most wins by an owner:
Most wins by ajockey:
Most wins by atrainer:
± In 1987 the winning time may have been affected because the race was started on the backstretch instead of from its normal hillside position.
† In 1996,Bon Point finished first but was disqualified and set back to fifth place.
‡ In 2010 run at Hollywood Park.