# Stuyvesant Handicap

The Stuyvesant Handicap was an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in the fall of the year at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, New York. Inaugurated in 1916, after its 58th running in 2008, the race was discontinued.
A Grade III event for horses aged three and older, it was contested on dirt over nine furlongs—1+1⁄8 miles (1.8 km). The Stuyvesant, named for an area of New York settled by the Dutch in the dawn of what would become America, offered a purse of $100,000 added.

## History

The Stuyvesant was run at Jamaica Race Course for three-year-olds from 1916 to 1924, and from 1937 to 1939. In 1916, 1917, and 1918, and again from 1937 to 1939, it was a six furlong (3⁄4 mile) sprint. It went off at a mile (eight furlongs) from 1919 to 1924. It was not run from 1925 to 1936, nor from 1940 to 1962.
In 1963, the race was resumed, at Aqueduct Racetrack over a distance of nine furlongs (1+1⁄8 miles). The distance was reduced to a mile (eight furlongs) from 1964 to 1972, then restored to nine furlongs from 1973 until discontinued. The race remained at Aqueduct until discontinued, except for three runnings at Belmont Park (1990, 1995, and 2001).
Stuyvesant Handicap Locations & Distances :
| Year(s) | Location | Distance |
| 1916–1918 | Jamaica Race Course | 6 furlongs (3⁄4 mile) |
| 1919–1924 | Jamaica Race Course | 8 furlongs (1 mile) |
| 1925–1936 | not run | not run |
| 1937–1939 | Jamaica Race Course | 6 furlongs (3⁄4 mile) |
| 1940–1962 | not run | not run |
| 1963 | Aqueduct Racetrack | 9 furlongs (1+1⁄8 mile) |
| 1964–1972 | Aqueduct Racetrack | 8 furlongs (1 mile) |
| 1973–1989 | Aqueduct Racetrack | 9 furlongs (1+1⁄8 mile) |
| 1990 | Belmont Park | 9 furlongs (1+1⁄8 mile) |
| 1991–1994 | Aqueduct Racetrack | 9 furlongs (1+1⁄8 mile) |
| 1995 | Belmont Park | 9 furlongs (1+1⁄8 mile) |
| 1996–2000 | Aqueduct Racetrack | 9 furlongs (1+1⁄8 mile) |
| 2001 | Belmont Park | 9 furlongs (1+1⁄8 mile) |
| 2002–2008 | Aqueduct Racetrack | 9 furlongs (1+1⁄8 mile) |
August Belmont Jr.'s colt Fernrock won the May 23, 1916, inaugural edition of the Stuyvesant Handicap against what the Daily Racing Form described as "an above average field."
In 1920, with only one competitor willing to challenge him, the great Man o' War was sent off at odds of 1 to 100, the shortest odds in the history of American racing. Under a tight rein, he merely toyed with his opponent but still won by ten lengths.
Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner Riva Ridge set a new track record of 1:47 flat for 1+1⁄8 miles (9 furlongs) on dirt in winning the 1973 edition of the Stuyvesant Handicap.
The 1978 running marked the final race for the legendary Seattle Slew, the 1977 American Triple Crown winner. Seattle Slew, ridden by Angel Cordero Jr., won the race by four lengths. Sportscaster and Aqueduct track announcer Chic Anderson called the race's climax movingly: "Ladies and gentlemen, here he is, the champion of the world, Seattle Slew!"
The Stuyvesant Handicap had its final running on November 15, 2008, and was won by the gelding Dry Martini, owned by Carol Nyren. Dry Martini came from last to first to win by 3+1⁄4 lengths over Stud Muffin, whose damsire was Seattle Dancer. In 1985, Seattle Dancer was sold for $13.1 million, a price that then made him the most expensive yearling ever sold at public auction.
Another running of the race had been planned for November 14, 2009. However, with only five entrants and heavy rain forecast for race day, organizers cancelled the event on November 12, while also citing a general lack of interest. The 2009 race was not rescheduled, and the Stuyvesant Handicap has not been staged since.

## Records

Speed record:
* 1:34.00 @ 1 mile – Icecapade (1972)
* 1:47.00 @ 1 1/8 miles – Riva Ridge (1973)
Most wins:
* no horse ever won this race more than once
Most wins by a jockey:
* 3 – Eddie Maple (1972, 1973, 1977)
* 3 – Jerry Bailey (1979, 1983, 1989)
* 3 – Mike E. Smith (1990, 1995, 1999)
* 3 – John R. Velazquez (1992, 1993, 2001)
Most wins by a trainer:
* 3 – MacKenzie Miller (1971, 1979, 1983)
Most wins by an owner:
* 2 – August Belmont Jr. (1916, 1924)
* 2 – Wheatley Stable (1938, 1969)
* 2 – Loblolly Stable (1977, 1986)
* 2 – Rokeby Stables (1979, 1983)
* 2 – Dogwood Stable (1991, 1994)

## Winners

| Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Dist. (Miles) | Time | Win$ | Gr. |
| 2008 | Dry Martini | 5 | Channing Hill | William H. Turner Jr. | Carol Nyren | 11⁄8 m | 1:51.18 | $66,300 | G3 |
| 2007 | Hunting | 4 | Alan Garcia | C. R. McGaughey III | Stuart S. Janney III | 11⁄8 m | 1:48.08 | $65,100 | G3 |
| 2006 | Accountforthegold | 4 | Mike Luzzi | Gary C. Contessa | Winning Move Stable & Harold Lerner | 11⁄8 m | 1:48.80 | $66,060 | G3 |
| 2005 | Evening Attire | 7 | José A. Santos | Patrick J. Kelly | Joseph & Mary Grant, Thomas J. Kelly | 11⁄8 m | 1:51.20 | $65,160 | G3 |
| 2004 | Classic Endeavor | 6 | Edgar Prado | Richard E. Dutrow Jr. | Sullivan Lane Stable et al. | 11⁄8 m | 1:49.60 | $65,940 | G3 |
| 2003 | Presidentialaffair | 4 | Richard Migliore | Martin Ciresa | Papandrea, Ciresa | 11⁄8 m | 1:50.80 | $66,180 | G3 |
| 2002 | Snake Mountain | 4 | José A. Santos | James A. Jerkens | Berkshire Stud et al. | 11⁄8 m | 1:50.40 | $68,040 | G3 |
| 2001 | Graeme Hall | 4 | John Velazquez | Todd Pletcher | Eugene Melnyk | 11⁄8 m | 1:47.80 | $64,620 | G3 |
| 2000 | Lager | 6 | Herberto Castillo Jr. | James A. Jerkens | Susan & John Moore | 11⁄8 m | 1:50.00 | $64,860 | G3 |
| 1999 | Best of Luck | 3 | Mike E. Smith | H. Allen Jerkens | Bohemia Stable | 11⁄8 m | 1:49.60 | $67,200 | G3 |
| 1998 | Mr. Sinatra | 4 | Aaron Gryder | Gasper Moschera | Barbara J. Davis | 11⁄8 m | 1:48.00 | $65,280 | G3 |
| 1997 | Delay of Game | 4 | Jean-Luc Samyn | George R. Arnold II | John H. Peace | 11⁄8 m | 1:47.60 | $66,060 | G3 |
| 1996 | Poor But Honest | 6 | Jorge F. Chavez | Juan Serey | Vincent S. Scuderi | 11⁄8 m | 1:49.40 | $66,480 | G3 |
| 1995 | Silver Fox | 4 | Mike E. Smith | Anthony Margotta | William Blasland Jr. | 11⁄8 m | 1:48.00 | $68,940 | G3 |
| 1994 | Wallenda | 4 | Herb McCauley | Frank A. Alexander | Dogwood Stable | 11⁄8 m | 1:50.69 | $64,560 | G3 |
| 1993 | Michelle Can Pass | 5 | John Velazquez | John M. DeStefano Jr. | Jay Cee Jay Stable | 11⁄8 m | 1:51.00 | $70,200 | G3 |
| 1992 | Shot's Are Ringing | 5 | John Velazquez | Peter R. Ferriola | Jewel E Stable | 11⁄8 m | 1:49.20 | $69,120 | G3 |
| 1991 | Montubio | 6 | Julio Pezua | Angel Penna Jr. | Dogwood Stable | 11⁄8 m | 1:48.20 | $72,480 | G3 |
| 1990 | I'm Sky High | 4 | Mike E. Smith | Edward I. Kelly | Brookfield Farm | 11⁄8 m | 1:48.20 | $71,760 | G3 |
| 1989 | Its Academic | 5 | Jerry D. Bailey | Luis Barrera | Marcus Vogel | 11⁄8 m | 1:48.80 | $70,560 | G2 |
| 1988 | Talinum | 4 | Marco Castaneda | D. Wayne Lukas | John G. Sikura | 11⁄8 m | 1:51.20 | $112,240 | G2 |
| 1987 | Moment of Hope | 4 | Michael Venezia | Bob G. Dunham | Four Fifths Stable (Robert Shapiro) | 11⁄8 m | 1:49.60 | $109,080 | G2 |
| 1986 | Little Missouri | 4 | Robbie Davis | George R. Arnold II | Loblolly Stable | 11⁄8 m | 1:50.00 | $125,280 | G2 |
| 1985 | Garthorn | 5 | Rafael Meza | Robert J. Frankel | Jerry Moss | 11⁄8 m | 1:48.40 | $70,320 | G2 |
| 1984 | Valiant Lark | 4 | Vince Bracciale Jr. | Henry L. Carroll | Dee-Jo-Stable (Basil J. Plasteras) | 11⁄8 m | 1:51.40 | $70,080 | G2 |
| 1983 | Fit to Fight | 4 | Jerry D. Bailey | MacKenzie Miller | Rokeby Stable | 11⁄8 m | 1:49.00 | $68,280 | G2 |
| 1982 | Engine One | 4 | Ruben Hernandez | Sylvester E. Veitch | Benjamin F. Ferguson II | 11⁄8 m | 1:49.60 | $67,200 | G3 |
| 1981 | Idyll | 4 | Cash Asmussen | Jan H. Nerud | Tartan Stable | 11⁄8 m | 1:48.80 | $68,280 | G3 |
| 1980 | Plugged Nickle | 3 | Cash Asmussen | Thomas J. Kelly | John M. Schiff | 11⁄8 m | 1:50.20 | $68,880 | G3 |
| 1979 | Music of Time | 4 | Jerry D. Bailey | MacKenzie Miller | Rokeby Stable | 11⁄8 m | 1:50.40 | $68,280 | G3 |
| 1978 | Seattle Slew | 4 | Angel Cordero Jr. | Douglas R. Peterson | Tayhill Stable (Karen & Mickey Taylor & Dr. Jim Hill) | 11⁄8 m | 1:47.40 | $62,310 | G3 |
| 1977 | Cox's Ridge | 3 | Eddie Maple | Joseph B. Cantey | Loblolly Stable | 11⁄8 m | 1:48.40 | $32,760 | G3 |
| 1976 | Distant Land | 4 | Heliodoro Gustines | William J. Hirsch | King Ranch | 11⁄8 m | 1:49.00 | $32,610 | G3 |
| 1975 | Festive Mood | 6 | Herberto Hinojosa | Richard W. Small | Sally M. Gibson | 11⁄8 m | 1:48.40 | $33,210 | G3 |
| 1974 | Crafty Khale | 5 | Jean Cruguet | Robert L. Dotter | Mrs. Nelson I. Asiel | 11⁄8 m | 1:48.00 | $34,890 | G3 |
| 1973 | Riva Ridge | 4 | Eddie Maple | Lucien Laurin | Meadow Stable | 11⁄8 m | 1:47.00 | $34,470 | G3 |
| 1972 | Icecapade | 3 | Eddie Maple | David A. Whiteley | Locust Hill Farm | 1 m | 1:34.00 | $36,570 |
| 1971 | Red Reality | 5 | Laffit Pincay Jr. | MacKenzie Miller | Cragwood Stables | 1 m | 1:34.60 | $36,300 |
| 1970 | Never Bow | 4 | Eddie Belmonte | H. Allen Jerkens | Hobeau Farm | 1 m | 1:35.80 | $36,420 |
| 1969 | King Emperor | 3 | Carlos H. Marquez | Edward A. Neloy | Wheatley Stable | 1 m | 1:34.40 | $39,520 |
| 1968 | Spring Double | 5 | Chuck Baltazar | J. Bowes Bond | Woodside Stud (Alene Erlanger) | 1 m | 1:36.20 | $38,480 |
| 1967 | Sun Gala | 3 | Ron Turcotte | Randy Sechrest | Gedney Farm (Harry P. Albert & Mrs. John T. Stanley) | 1 m | 1:36.80 | $37,180 |
| 1966 | Understanding | 3 | Angel Cordero Jr. | Hirsch Jacobs | Ethel D. Jacobs | 1 m | 1:36.00 | $37,765 |
| 1965 | Flag Raiser | 3 | Robert Ussery | Hirsch Jacobs | Isidor Bieber | 1 m | 1:35.60 | $39,780 |
| 1964 | Macedonia | 4 | Heliodoro Gustines | Buddy Jacobson | Mrs. Samuel J. Lefrak | 1 m | 1:37.20 | $18,623 |
| 1963 | Rocky Link | 3 | Sandino Hernandez | Stephen A. DiMauro | Golden Triangle Stable | 11⁄8 m | 1:49.20 | $18,298 |
| Race not held (1940–1962) ||||||||||
| 1939 | T. M. Dorsett | 3 | Leon Haas | John B. Theall | Dorothy Dorsett Brown | 6 f | 1:12.20 | $3,925 |
| 1938 | Merry Lassie | 3 | James Stout | James E. Fitzsimmons | Wheatley Stable | 6 f | 1:11.00 | $3,700 |
| 1937 | Chicolorado | 3 | Eddie Arcaro | William Brennan | Greentree Stable | 6 f | 1:13.00 | $4,425 |
| Race not held (1925–1936) ||||||||||
| 1924 | Ordinance | 3 | Edward Legere | Louis Feustel | August Belmont Jr. | 1 m | 1:38.40 | $4,650 |
| 1923 | Dot | 3 | Earl Sande | Nat L. Byer | Jake Byer | 1 m | 1:39.40 | $4,650 |
| 1922 | Snob II | 3 | Earl Sande | Hollie Hughes | Sanford Stud Farms | 1 m | 1:39.60 | $4,650 |
| 1921 | Sedgefield | 3 | Frank Coltiletti | Thomas J. Healey | Richard T. Wilson Jr. | 1 m | 1:39.60 | $4,650 |
| 1920 | Man o' War | 3 | Clarence Kummer | Louis Feustel | Glen Riddle Farm | 1 m | 1:41.60 | $3,850 |
| 1919 | Purchase | 3 | Johnny Loftus | Sam Hildreth | Sam Hildreth | 1 m | 1:38.80 | $3,850 |
| 1918 | Motor Cop | 3 | Johnny Loftus | Walter B. Jennings | A. Kingsley Macomber | 6 f | 1:12.20 | $2,825 |
| 1917 | Julialeon | 3 | Roscoe Troxler | Max Hirsch | George W. Loft | 6 f | 1:14.80 | $3,175 |
| 1916 | Fernrock | 3 | Everett Haynes | Sam Hildreth | August Belmont Jr. | 6 f | 1:13.00 | $2,350 |