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 1+1⁄4 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:^[2]

On dirt:

• 1902–1903 : 2 miles
• 1904–1905 : 2+1⁄16 miles
• 1906–1926 : 2+1⁄4 miles
• 1927–1931 : 1+1⁄2 miles
• 1936–1951 : 1+1⁄8 miles
• 1952–1956 : 1+1⁄4 miles

On turf:

• 1957–1989 : 1+1⁄4 miles
• 1990–1994 : 1+1⁄8 miles
• 1995 : 1 mile
• 1996 : 1+1⁄16 miles
• 1997–2009 : 1+3⁄8 miles
• 2010–2016 : 1+1⁄4 miles
• 2017–present : 1+3⁄8 miles

Records[]

Time record:

• 2:00.12 - Forte Dei Marmi (2013) (at 1+1⁄4 miles on turf)
• 2:13.05 - (1999) (at 1+3⁄8 miles on turf)

Most wins:

• 2 - (1911, 1912)
• 2 - (1924, 1925)
• 2 - (1974, 1975)
• 2 - Chief Bearhart (1997, 1998)
• 2 - (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[]

Earlier winners[]

See also[]

• List of Canadian flat horse races

References[]

• Jockey Club Cup Handicap at Pedigree Queery