2012 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Winner
Point of Entry was one of the finest American turf horses of the early 2010s, a classy bay who won big races year after year on grass. He was foaled in 2008, a son of the great turf sire Dynaformer out of the mare Matlacha Pass. He raced in the famous black and cherry silks of Phipps Stable, the historic family operation led by Dinny Phipps, and he was trained by Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey. From his very first starts, he showed a long stride and a love of the green course.
Point of Entry truly came into his own as a four year old in 2012. With John Velazquez usually in the saddle, he reeled off a string of important grass stakes wins. He captured the Man o' War Stakes at Belmont Park, the Sword Dancer Invitational at Saratoga, and the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational Stakes at Belmont in the fall. Each time he showed the same closing kick, gliding past his rivals in the final furlong like he had a different gear from everyone else.
He came back at age five in 2013 even better than before. He repeated his wins in the Man o' War Stakes and the Sword Dancer Invitational, and added the Manhattan Handicap as well. He ran second in both the Arlington Million and the Breeders' Cup Turf, where he came up just short against top international competition. Fans always tipped their caps to his consistency at the highest level on grass, where he faced and beat many of the best turf horses in North America.
After retiring, Point of Entry went to stud at Adena Springs. While he was not a flashy commercial sire, he passed along his stamina and class to a number of useful runners. Point of Entry is remembered as a steady, beautifully managed campaigner, and as one of the brightest stars of the Phipps Stable and Shug McGaughey partnership during a great era of turf racing.
Sources: