Stuyvesant Handicap
Encyclopedia
The Stuyvesant Handicap is an American thoroughbred horse race
held in the fall of the year at Aqueduct Race Track in Queens
, New York
. A Grade III
event, it is set over nine furlong
s (one and one/eighth miles) on the dirt for three-year-olds and up. The Stuyvesant, named for an area of New York
settled by the Dutch
in the dawn of what would become America, offers a purse of $100,000 added.
The Stuyvesant was run at Jamaica
for only 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
sprint. It went off at a mile from 1919 to 1924 and from 1964 to 1972. It was not run at all from 1925 to 1936, nor from 1940 to 1962. It took place at Belmont Park
in 1990, 1995, and 2001. It has been run at Aqueduct all other years since 1963.
The 1978 running was the swan song for the legendary Seattle Slew
, the 1977 Triple Crown winner. Slew, ridden by Angel Cordero, Jr., winning 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 would have been in its 59th running in 2009, but was canceled because of lack of interest. Five starters were entered, but two of the horses said they would scratch if it rained. Two inches of rain was predicted for the day of the Stuyvesant.
Thoroughbred horse race
Thoroughbred horse racing is a worldwide sport and industry involving the racing of Thoroughbred horses. It is governed by different national bodies. There are two forms of the sport: Flat racing and National Hunt racing...
held in the fall of the year at Aqueduct Race Track in Queens
Queens
Queens is the easternmost of the five boroughs of New York City. The largest borough in area and the second-largest in population, it is coextensive with Queens County, an administrative division of New York state, in the United States....
, 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...
. A Grade III
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...
event, it is set over nine 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....
s (one and one/eighth miles) on the dirt for three-year-olds and up. The Stuyvesant, named for an area of 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...
settled by the Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
in the dawn of what would become America, offers a purse of $100,000 added.
The Stuyvesant was run at Jamaica
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
for only 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
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....
sprint. It went off at a mile from 1919 to 1924 and from 1964 to 1972. It was not run at all from 1925 to 1936, nor from 1940 to 1962. It took place 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 1990, 1995, and 2001. It has been run at Aqueduct all other years since 1963.
The 1978 running was the swan song for the legendary Seattle Slew
Seattle Slew
Seattle Slew was an American Thoroughbred race horse who won the United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing in 1977, the tenth of eleven horses to accomplish the feat. He remains the only horse to win the Triple Crown while undefeated. In the Blood-Horse magazine List of the Top 100 U.S...
, the 1977 Triple Crown winner. Slew, ridden by Angel Cordero, Jr., winning the race by four lengths. Sportscaster and Aqueduct track announcer Chic Anderson
Chic Anderson
Charles David Anderson was an American sportscaster and public address announcer specializing in Thoroughbred horse racing...
called the race's climax movingly: "Ladies and gentlemen, here he is, the champion of the world, Seattle Slew!"
The Stuyvesant would have been in its 59th running in 2009, but was canceled because of lack of interest. Five starters were entered, but two of the horses said they would scratch if it rained. Two inches of rain was predicted for the day of the Stuyvesant.
Past winners
- 2008 - Dry Martini (Channing HillChanning HillChanning Hill is an American jockey in American Thoroughbred horse racing.Hill began riding horses when he was 16 years old. He rode full time at Prairie Meadows between his junior and senior years in high school. After graduating from Columbus High School in 2005 he traveled to New York to...
) - 2007 - Hunting - (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...
) (Evening AttireEvening Attire (horse)Evening Attire is a Kentucky bred Thoroughbred racehorse, foaled on February 14, 1998, though most of his racing career has taken place in New York.-A little history, early and late:Bred by Joseph M. Grant and Hall of Famer Thomas J...
closed fast for third.) - 2006 - Accountforthegold (Mike LuzziMike LuzziMichael Jude Luzzi is an American jockey. He grew up near Delaware Park Racetrack where his grandfather, trainer Buddy Raines, had a major role in raising him and his brother John who also became a jockey...
) - 2005 - Evening AttireEvening Attire (horse)Evening Attire is a Kentucky bred Thoroughbred racehorse, foaled on February 14, 1998, though most of his racing career has taken place in New York.-A little history, early and late:Bred by Joseph M. Grant and Hall of Famer Thomas J...
(Jose Santos) - 2004 - Classic Endeavor (Edgar Prado)
- 2003 - Presidentialaffair (Richard MiglioreRichard Migliore (jockey)Richard Migliore is a retired American jockey whose mounts have ranged from Fourstardave to Wando to Funny Cide to Kip Deville to Hidden Lake to Desert Code....
) - 2002 - Snake Mountain (Jose Santos)
- 2001 - Graeme Hall (John Velazquez)
- 2000 - Lager (Heberto Castillo, Jr.Heberto Castillo, Jr.Heberto Castillo, Jr. is a retired jockey in American Thoroughbred horse racing. He was born into a family involved in the sport. His father was a jockey and his mother Gloria was a horse trainer in Florida. His sister, Rita, married jockey José Santos in 1997.In 1986, Castillo, Jr...
) - 1999 - Best of Luck (Mike E. Smith)
- 1998 - Mr. Sinatra (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...
) - 1997 - Delay of Game (Jean-Luc SamynJean-Luc SamynJean-Luc Samyn is a jockey in American Thoroughbred horse racing.The son of a pastry chef, Jean-Luc Samyn was one of three children. At age thirteen, he went to work for the stable of trainer John Cunnington at Chantilly, a racecourse about north of Paris city center...
) - 1996 - Poor But Honest (Jorge ChavezJorge F. ChavezJorge F. Chavez is a jockey in American Thoroughbred horse racing.Chavez began his career in horse racing in 1982 in his native Peru and by 1987 was his country's leading rider. In April 1988 he emigrated to the United States where he raced with a great deal of success at Florida race tracks...
) - 1995 - Silver Fox (Mike E. Smith)
- 1994 - Wallenda (Herb McCauleyHerb McCauleyW. Herbert McCauley is an American Thoroughbred horse racing jockey who has been called "one of the most talented and aggressive riders of his generation" by John Piesen, an odds-maker for the New York Post and the Daily Racing Form. While still a small boy, Herb McCauley began riding horses on...
) - 1993 - Michelle Can Pass (John Velazquez)
- 1992 - Shots Are Ringing (John Velazquez)
- 1991 - Montubio (Julio Pezua)
- 1990 - Im Sky High (Mike E. Smith)
- 1989 - (Jerry Bailey)
- 1988 - Talinum (Marco Castaneda)
- 1987 - Moment Of Hope (Michael Venezia)
- 1986 - Little MissouriLittle Missouri (horse)Little Missouri was an American Thoroughbred racehorse.Bred in Kentucky by Mrs. Maxwell Wood, Little Missouri was owned and raced by John Ed Anthony's Loblolly Stable of Lake Hamilton, Arkansas...
(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....
) - 1985 - Garthorn (Rafael MezaRafael MezaRafael Q. Meza is a retired jockey who competed in Thoroughbred horse racing in the United States.A native of Tijuana, Mexico, Meza began riding in California near the end of the 1970s. and would spend his career riding from a base in that State...
) - 1984 - Valiant Lark (Vince Bracciale, Jr.)
- 1983 - Fit to FightFit to FightFit to Fight was an American Thoroughbred racehorse who won the New York Handicap Triple in 1984.-Background:...
(Jerry Bailey) - 1982 - Engine One (Ruben Hernandez)
- 1981 - Idyll (Cash AsmussenCash AsmussenCash Asmussen is an American thoroughbred horse racing jockey. Born Brian Keith Asmussen, in 1977 he legally changed his name to "Cash". From a Texas horse racing family, his parents, Keith and Marilyn "Sis" Asmussen, operate a ranch in Laredo, Texas...
) - 1980 - Plugged NicklePlugged NicklePlugged Nickle was an American Thoroughbred racehorse. Bred and raced by John M. Schiff, he was trained by future U.S...
(Cash Asmussen) - 1979 - Music of Time (Jerry Bailey)
- 1978 - Seattle SlewSeattle SlewSeattle Slew was an American Thoroughbred race horse who won the United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing in 1977, the tenth of eleven horses to accomplish the feat. He remains the only horse to win the Triple Crown while undefeated. In the Blood-Horse magazine List of the Top 100 U.S...
(Angel Cordero, Jr.) - 1977 - Cox's RidgeCox's RidgeCox's Ridge was an American Thoroughbred racehorse. His handlers chose to bypass the rigorous U.S. Triple Crown series and went on the enjoy considerable success in 1977 and 1978 with his most important win coming in the Metropolitan Handicap. In 1979, the five-year-old Cox's Ridge won the Tom...
(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...
) - 1976 - Distant Land (Heliodoro GustinesHeliodoro GustinesHeliodoro Gustines in is a retired Panamanian-born jockey and horse trainer. In 1967, TIME magazine called him "The best grass-course rider in the United States."Although Gustines is best known as a jockey on many of U.S...
) - 1975 - Festive Mood (Herbert Hinojosa)
- 1974 - Crafty Khale (Jean CruguetJean CruguetJean Cruguet is an French-American thoroughbred horse racing jockey who won the United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing....
) - 1973 - Riva RidgeRiva RidgeRiva Ridge was a thoroughbred racehorse, the winner of the 1972 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes. A son of First Landing out of Iberia , he was owned and bred by the Meadow Stable of Christopher Chenery. The horse's name came from Chenery's son-in-law, John Tweedy, who was a soldier in World War...
(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...
) - 1972 - Icecapade (Eddie Maple)
- 1971 - Red Reality (Laffit Pincay, Jr.Laffit Pincay, Jr.Laffit Alejandro Pincay, Jr. is a flat racing's all-time winningest jockey. He competed primarily in the United States.-Career:...
) - 1970 - Never Bow (Eddie BelmonteEddie BelmonteEddie Belmonte is a retired jockey who competed at the highest levels in Thoroughbred horse racing in his native Puerto Rico and in the United States....
) - 1969 - King Emperor (H. Marquez)
- 1968 - Spring Double (Chuck Baltazar)
- 1967 - Sun Gala (Ron TurcotteRon TurcotteRon Joseph Morel Turcotte, CM is a Hall of Fame thoroughbred race horse jockey best known as the rider of Secretariat, winner of the U.S. Triple Crown in 1973....
) - 1966 - Understanding (Angel Cordero, Jr.)
- 1965 - Flag Raiser (Bobby UsseryBobby UsseryRobert Nelson "Bobby" Ussery is a retired American thoroughbred horse racing Hall of Fame jockey. His first race as a professional jockey came at Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans on November 22, 1951 where he rode Reticule to victory in the Thanksgiving Handicap. By the end of the decade...
) - 1964 - Macedonia (Heliodoro GustinesHeliodoro GustinesHeliodoro Gustines in is a retired Panamanian-born jockey and horse trainer. In 1967, TIME magazine called him "The best grass-course rider in the United States."Although Gustines is best known as a jockey on many of U.S...
) - 1963 - Rocky Link (S. Hernandez)
- 1939 - T. M. Dorsett (Leon Haas)
- 1938 - Merry Lassie (fillyFillyA filly is a young female horse too young to be called a mare. There are several specific definitions in use.*In most cases filly is a female horse under the age of four years old....
) (James StoutJames StoutJames Stout was an American Hall of Fame thoroughbred horse racing jockey.Known as "Jimmy," he began working at a racetrack as a stable boy then in 1930 became a professional jockey. Stout became most famous riding for Belair Stud and trainer Sunny Jim Fitzsimmons. He rode Seabiscuit in his first...
) - 1937 - Chicolorado (Eddie ArcaroEddie ArcaroGeorge Edward Arcaro , known professionally as Eddie Arcaro, was an American Thoroughbred horse racing Hall of Fame jockey who won more American classic races than any other jockey in history and is the only rider to have won the U.S. Triple Crown twice...
) - 1924 - Ordinance (Edward Legere)
- 1923 - Dot (Earl SandeEarl SandeEarl H. Sande was an American Hall of Fame jockey and thoroughbred horse trainer.Born in Groton, South Dakota, Earl Sande started out as a bronco buster in the early 1900s but then became a successful American quarter horse rider before switching to thoroughbred horse racing in 1918...
) - 1922 - Snob II (Earl Sande)
- 1921 - Sedgefield (Frank ColtilettiFrank ColtilettiFrank Coltiletti was an American Hall of Fame jockey in Thoroughbred horse racing.Coltiletti began his professional riding career in 1919 when he was just fifteen years old. Almost immediately he became one of the top jockeys in the country, competing two years after he began racing in his first...
) - 1920 - Man o' WarMan O' WarMan O' War, man o' war or manowar may refer to:* Man-of-war, a warship* Man of war for uses with this spelling - Places :...
(Clarence KummerClarence KummerClarence Kummer was a U.S. Racing Hall of Fame jockey who won four American Classic Races.In early 1920, Kummer rode the 1919 Triple Crown Champion Sir Barton to a new Saratoga track record in winning the Saratoga Handicap. In May 1920 he was given the opportunity to ride Man o' War after Johnny...
) - 1919 - PurchasePurchase (horse)Purchase , an American Thoroughbred racehorse, was called "The Adonis of the Turf." Walter Vosburgh, the official handicapper for The Jockey Club as well as a turf historian for many years , wrote: "…one of the most exquisitely beautiful of racehorses…to describe Purchase would be to exhaust the...
(Johnny LoftusJohnny LoftusJohn P. Loftus was an American thoroughbred horse racing Hall of Fame jockey.Born in Chicago, Illinois, Johnny Loftus was the first jockey to win the United States United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing. During his career, between 1909 and 1919, he won 580 races out of the 2,449 he...
) - 1918 - Motor Cop (Johnny Loftus)
- 1917 - Julialeon (Roscoe TroxlerRoscoe TroxlerRoscoe Troxler was an American jockey in the sport of Thoroughbred horse racing who began riding in his early teens and by age fifteen was making an impression competing at the Crescent City Jockey Club's Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans. He was born in Nashville in 1883 and was orphaned...
) - 1916 - Fernrock (E. Haynes)