Empire Classic Handicap
Encyclopedia
The Empire Classic Handicap is a Thoroughbred
horse race restricted to New York
breds run at Belmont Park
in Elmont, New York
. Set at a distance of one and one eighth miles on the dirt, this ungraded stakes
race is open to three-year-olds and up, and offers a purse of $250,000.
Inaugurated in 1976 as the Empire Stakes, the Empire Classic (renamed in 1994) ran as a six furlong
event for two-year-olds from 1976 to 1988 and from 1990 to 1993. It was run at Belmont Park
from 1989 to 1991, from 1993 to 1995, and from 1997 to the present. Saratoga Race Course
hosted the event in 1992 and Aqueduct Racetrack
in 1996. When it was renamed in 1994, it also changed its distance to nine furlongs.
Named after New York state’s nickname, “The Empire State,” the Empire Classic is in its 35th running in 2010.
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
horse race restricted to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
breds run at Belmont Park
Belmont Park
Belmont Park is a major thoroughbred horse-racing facility located in Elmont in the Town of Hempstead in Nassau County, New York, on Long Island adjoining New York City. It first opened on May 4, 1905...
in Elmont, New York
Elmont, New York
Elmont is an unincorporated census-designated place located in the northwest corner of the Town of Hempstead in Nassau County, New York, along its border with the borough of Queens in New York City...
. Set at a distance of one and one eighth miles on the dirt, this ungraded stakes
Graded stakes race
A graded stakes race is a term applied since 1973 by the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to thoroughbred horse races in the United States and Canada to describe races that derive their name from the stake, or entry fee, owners must pay...
race is open to three-year-olds and up, and offers a purse of $250,000.
Inaugurated in 1976 as the Empire Stakes, the Empire Classic (renamed in 1994) ran as a six furlong
Furlong
A furlong is a measure of distance in imperial units and U.S. customary units equal to one-eighth of a mile, equivalent to 220 yards, 660 feet, 40 rods, or 10 chains. The exact value of the furlong varies slightly among English-speaking countries....
event for two-year-olds from 1976 to 1988 and from 1990 to 1993. It was run at Belmont Park
Belmont Park
Belmont Park is a major thoroughbred horse-racing facility located in Elmont in the Town of Hempstead in Nassau County, New York, on Long Island adjoining New York City. It first opened on May 4, 1905...
from 1989 to 1991, from 1993 to 1995, and from 1997 to the present. Saratoga Race Course
Saratoga Race Course
Saratoga Race Course is a Thoroughbred horse racing track in Saratoga Springs, New York, United States. It opened on August 3, 1863, and is the oldest organized sporting venue of any kind in the United States. It is typically open for racing from late July through early September.-History:John...
hosted the event in 1992 and Aqueduct Racetrack
Aqueduct Racetrack
Aqueduct Racetrack is a thoroughbred horse-racing facility and racino in Ozone Park, Queens, New York. Its racing meets usually are from late October/early November through April.-History:...
in 1996. When it was renamed in 1994, it also changed its distance to nine furlongs.
Named after New York state’s nickname, “The Empire State,” the Empire Classic is in its 35th running in 2010.
Past winners
- 2011 - HaynesfieldHaynesfieldHaynesfield is an American Thoroughbred racehorse. Bred by Barry Weisbord and Margaret Santulli, Haynesfield was purchased for $20,000 at the Keeneland April two year olds in training sale...
(5) (Ramon Dominguez) - 2010 - Friend Or Foe (3) (Alex SolisAlex SolisAlex O. Solis is a jockey based in the United States. He currently lives in Glendora, California and rides predominantly in Southern California...
) - 2009 - HaynesfieldHaynesfieldHaynesfield is an American Thoroughbred racehorse. Bred by Barry Weisbord and Margaret Santulli, Haynesfield was purchased for $20,000 at the Keeneland April two year olds in training sale...
(3) (Ramon Dominguez) - 2008 - Stud Muffin (Alan GarciaAlan Garcia (jockey)Alan Garcia is a thoroughbred horse racing jockey. He was Peru's leading apprentice jockey in 2003 and in that same year he began racing in the United States at the Meadowlands Racetrack where he was also the leading apprentice. His father and grandfather were both jockeys in Peru...
) - 2007 – Dr. V's Magic (3) (Kent DesormeauxKent DesormeauxKent Jason Desormeaux is an American thoroughbred horse racing Hall of Fame jockey who holds the U.S. record for most races won in a single year, 1989.-Brief biography:...
) - 2006 – Organizer (4) (Eibar CoaEibar CoaEibar Coa Monteverde is a jockey in American Thoroughbred horse racing. A five-time judo champion in his teens, he attended jockey school from 1989 to 1991 then began his professional riding career in 1992...
) - 2005 – Spite the Devil (5) (Javier CastellanoJavier CastellanoJavier Castellano is a jockey in American Thoroughbred horse racing.Castellano began his riding career in his native Venezuela in 1996 and in June 1997 moved to the United States where rode at race tracks in southern Florida until 2001 when he moved to race on the New York State racing circuit.In...
) - 2004 – Spite the Devil (4) (Javier Castellano)
- 2003 – Well Fancied (5) (Edgar Prado)
- 2002 – GanderGander (horse)Gander is a thoroughbred race horse by Cormorant out of Lovely Nurse by Sawbones...
(6) (Richard Migliore) - 2001 – Scottish Halo (4) (Harry VegaHarry VegaHarry Vega is an American jockey in Thoroughbred horse racing.Vega began his riding career in Michigan in 1983 then in the late 1980s moved to compete at tracks on the Northeast coast of the United States...
) - 2000 – Turnofthecentury (3) (Aaron GryderAaron GryderAaron Tod Gryder is an American Thoroughbred horse racing jockey.Growing up fifteen minutes away from the Santa Anita racetrack, as a boy Gryder had no contact with horses other than his father and his grandparents' interest in attending the nearby races...
) - 1999 – GanderGander (horse)Gander is a thoroughbred race horse by Cormorant out of Lovely Nurse by Sawbones...
(3) (Robbie DavisRobbie DavisRobbie Glen Davis is a retired American Thoroughbred horse racing jockey.-Early life:Davis grew up in a single parent household forced onto welfare, something that would impact him for the rest of his life....
) - 1998 – Mellow Roll (3) (Jerry Bailey)
- 1997 – Instant Friendship (4) (John Velazquez)
- 1996 – Victory Speech (3) (Mike E. Smith)
- 1995 – Sky Carr (5) (Jorge Chavez)
- 1994 - Itaka (4) (Mike E. Smith)
- 1993 – Gulliviegold (Jose Santos)
- 1992 – Carr Heaven (Jerry Bailey)
- 1991 – T.V. Heart Throb (John Grabowski)
- 1990 – Ambassador In Love (Angel Cordero, Jr.)
- 1989 – Seaport Mac (Jerry Bailey)
- 1988 – Scarlet Ibis (Jacinto VasquezJacinto VásquezJacinto Vásquez is a retired Hall of Fame thoroughbred jockey. He rode two Kentucky Derby winners, Foolish Pleasure in 1975 and Genuine Risk in 1980, but may be best known as the regular jockey for the great filly Ruffian.-Biography:...
) - 1987 – FourstardaveFourstardaveFourstardave was an American Thoroughbred racehorse.Fans called him "The Sultan of Saratoga" because he'd won at least one race at Saratoga Race Course each year from 1987 to 1994. He died of a heart attack in October 2002 at the age of 17 on the Belmont Park track yet is buried in Claire Court at...
(Randy RomeroRandy RomeroRandy Paul Romero is a Hall of Fame jockey in the sport of Thoroughbred horse racing, Born into a family involved with horses, his father Lloyd J...
) - 1986 – Jazzing Around (Jose Santos)
- 1985 – B.C. Sal (Richard Migliore)
- 1984 – Bazooka Babe (Eddie MapleEddie MapleEdward Retz "Eddie" Maple is a retired American thoroughbred horse racing jockey. One of eight brothers and sisters, he was an older brother to jockey Sam Maple who won more than 2,500 races. He began riding horses at age 12 and won his first race as a professional at 17...
) - 1983 – Restless Feet (Jerry Bailey)
- 1982 – Stewpy (Jeffrey FellJeffrey FellJeffrey J. Fell is a retired jockey and a Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame inductee who was also a successful rider in the United States.-References:* * *...
) - 1981 – Salute Me Sir (Angel Cordero, Jr.)
- 1980 – Adirondack Holme (Jorge VelasquezJorge VelasquezJorge Velásquez is a thoroughbred horse racing Hall of Fame jockey.Jorge Velasquez career in thoroughbred racing began in his native Panama but as a teenager moved to the United States...
) - 1979 – Restrainor (Ruben Hernandez
- 1978 – Promenade All (Bernie Gonzalez)
- 1977 - Tequillo Boogie (Pat DayPat DayPatrick Alan "Pat" Day is an American jockey. He is a four-time winner of the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey and was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1991...
) - 1976 - Fratello Ed (George MartensGeorge Martens (jockey)George Martens is a retired Champion jockey in American Thoroughbred horse racing best known for winning the 1981 Belmont Stakes, the third leg of the United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing....
)