Jim McKay Turf Sprint
| Ungraded Stakes race | |
| Location |
Pimlico Race Course,  Baltimore, Maryland, United States |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 2006 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred - Flat racing |
| Website | www.pimlico.com |
| Race information | |
| Distance | (5 furlongs) |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Left-handed |
| Qualification | Three-years-old & up |
| Weight | Assigned |
| Purse | $100,000 |
The Jim McKay Turf Sprint is an American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds and up held annually during the third week of May at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. It is run as part of the undercard for the Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the U.S. Triple Crown series. The race offers a purse of $100,000.[1]
The race was named in honor of James Kenneth McManus (1921-2008), better known by his professional name of Jim McKay, was an American television sports journalist. McKay is best known for hosting ABC's Wide World of Sports (1961–1998). McKay covered a wide variety of special events, including horse races such as the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, golf events such as the British Open, and the Indianapolis 500.[2]
The Jim McKay Turf Sprint was first run in 2006 as the Baltimore Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint. In 2007, it ran as the Baltimore City Turf Sprint and in 2008 the race was known as the Old Mutual Turf Sprint. The stakes record is held by Heros Reward, who won the race in 2007 in a time of :55.90 over five furlongs.[3]
Records
Speed record:
- 5 furlongs - 55 4/5 - Hero's Reward (2007)
Most wins by a horse:
- 5 - Ben's Cat (2011, 2013, 2014, 2015 & 2016)
Most wins by a jockey:
- 3 - Julian Pimentel (2013, 2014 & 2015)
Most wins by a trainer:
- 5 - King T. Leatherbury (2011, 2013, 2014, 2015 & 2016)
Most wins by an owner:
- 5 - The Jim Stable (2011, 2013, 2014, 2015 & 2016)
Winners of the Jim McKay Turf Sprint since 2006
| Year |
Winner |
Age |
Jockey |
Trainer |
Owner |
Distance |
Time |
Purse |
Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Ben's Cat | 10 | Trevor McCarthy | King T. Leatherbury | The Jim Stable | 5 fur. | 56.10 | $100,000 | |
| 2015 | Ben's Cat | 9 | Julian Pimentel | King T. Leatherbury | The Jim Stable | 5 fur. | 56.04 | $100,000 | |
| 2014 | Ben's Cat | 8 | Julian Pimentel | King T. Leatherbury | The Jim Stable | 5 fur. | 57.75 | $100,000 | |
| 2013 | Ben's Cat | 7 | Julian Pimentel | King T. Leatherbury | The Jim Stable | 5 fur. | 56.18 | $100,000 | |
| 2012 | Fidlers Patriot | 6 | John Velazquez | George Weaver | J. Olson & Hill Stable | 5 fur. | 56.12 | $100,000 | |
| 2011 | Ben's Cat | 5 | Jeremy Rose | King T. Leatherbury | The Jim Stable | 5 fur. | 59.71 | $75,000 | |
| 2010 | Central City | 4 | Julien R. Leparoux | Ronnie W. Werner | Preston Stable LLC | 5 fur. | 56.18 | $70,000 | |
| 2009 | Mr. Nightlinger | 5 | Jamie Theriot | William B. Calhoun | Martin Racing Stable | 5 fur. | 56.29 | $100,000 | |
| 2008 | Heros Reward | 6 | Javier Castellano | Dale Capuano | Rob Ry Farm | 5 fur. | 59.19 | $100,000 | |
| 2007 | Heros Reward | 5 | Edgar Prado | Dale Capuano | Rob Ry Farm | 5 fur. | 55.90 | $100,000 | |
| 2006 | My Lord | 7 | Rosie Napravnik | Ann W. Merryman | David A. Ross | 5 fur. | 57.40 | $100,000 | |
See also
- Jim McKay Turf Sprint top three finishers
- Pimlico Race Course
- List of graded stakes at Pimlico Race Course
References
- ↑ 2007 Maryland Jockey Club Media Guide, page 55 on March 3, 2007.
- ↑ "Jim McKay, ABC Sportscaster, Dies at 86". The New York Times. June 8 2008. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/08/sports/08mckay.html?hp. Retrieved on 2008-06-07.
- ↑ Breeders Cup Web site, Turf Sprint Division page, http://www.breederscup.com/content.aspx?id=39415.