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Metropolitan Handicap


FieldValue
classGrade 1
horse raceMetropolitan Handicap
imagePalace_Malice.jpg
captionPalace Malice winning the 2014 Metropolitan Handicap
locationBelmont Park
Elmont, New York, USA
inaugurated1891
race typeThoroughbred – Flat racing
websiteMetropolitan (NYRA)
distance1 mile (8 furlongs)
surfaceDirt
trackleft-handed
qualificationThree-year-olds & up
weightHandicap
purse$1,000,000 (2025)

Elmont, New York, USA The Metropolitan Handicap, frequently called the "Met Mile", is an American Grade I Thoroughbred horse race held at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. Open to horses age three and older, it is contested on dirt over a distance of one mile (8 furlongs). Starting in 2014, it is now run on the same day as the Belmont Stakes in early June.

The Met Mile is one of the most prestigious American races outside of the Triple Crown and Breeders' Cup. It is known as a "stallion-making race" as the distance of a mile often displays the winner's "brilliance", referring to an exceptional turn of foot. Winners of the race who went on to become notable stallions include Tom Fool (1953), Native Dancer (1954), Buckpasser (1967), Fappiano (1981), Gulch (1987–88), and Ghostzapper (2005).

History

The Met Mile was first run in 1891 at Morris Park Racetrack. Prior to 1897, it was run at a distance of miles. In 1904, its location was moved to Belmont Park. There it remained except for nine years; 1960 to 1967, 1969, and 1975 when it was hosted by Aqueduct Racetrack. It was not run in 1895, 1911, and 1912.

The Met Mile was the first of three races in the New York Handicap Triple series, followed by the Suburban Handicap and Brooklyn Handicap. Four horses have won the Handicap Triple:

  • Whisk Broom II (1913)
  • Tom Fool (1953)
  • Kelso (1961)
  • Fit to Fight (1984)

The Met Mile and the Brooklyn are now run on the same day as part of the Belmont Stakes undercard, so it is no longer possible to complete the Handicap Triple.

There was a Dead Heat for first in 1905.

Records

Time record:

  • 1:32.73 – Frosted (2016)

Largest Margin

  • 14 1/4 – Frosted (2016) Most wins by an owner
  • 6 – Greentree Stable (1940, 1943, 1944, 1945, 1953, 1963)

Most wins by a jockey

  • 5 – John Velazquez (1996, 1999, 2010, 2012, 2014)

Most wins by a trainer

  • 6 – John M. Gaver Sr. (1940, 1943, 1944, 1945, 1953, 1963)

Winners

Year
Winner
Age
Jockey
Trainer
Owner
Time
Gr.
2025Raging Torrent4Frankie DettoriDoug O'NeillYueshang Zhang & Craig Dado1:35.89I
2024National Treasure4Flavien PratBob BaffertSF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Robert E. Masterson, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Jay A.Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital LLC and Catherine Donovan1:35.12I
2023Cody's Wish5Junior AlvaradoWilliam I. MottGodolphin1:34.36I
2022Flightline4Flavien PratJohn W. SadlerHoronis Racing, Summer Wind Equine, West Point Thoroughbreds, & Siena Farm1:33.59I
2021Silver State4Ricardo Santana Jr.Steve AsmussenWinchell Thoroughbreds LLC and Willis Horton Racing LLC1:35.45I
2020Vekoma4Javier CastellanoGeorge WeaverR A Hill Stable & Gatsas Stables1:32.88I
2019Mitole4Ricardo Santana Jr.Steven M. AsmussenWilliam & Corinne Heiligbrodt1:32.75I
2018Bee Jersey4Ricardo Santana Jr.Steven M. AsmussenCharles E. Fipke1:33.13I
2017Mor Spirit4Mike E. SmithBob BaffertMichael Lund Petersen1:33.71I
2016Frosted4Joel RosarioKiaran McLaughlinGodolphin1:32.73I
2015Honor Code4Javier CastellanoShug McGaugheyLane's End Racing1:33.18I
2014Palace Malice4John VelazquezTodd PletcherDogwood Stable1:33.56I
2013Sahara Sky4Joel RosarioJerry HollendorferGoldmark Farm1:34.17I
2012Shackleford4John VelazquezDale RomansLauffer/Cubbedge1:33.30I
2011Tizway6Rajiv MaraghH. James BondWilliam Clifton Jr.1:32.90I
2010Quality Road4John VelazquezTodd PletcherEdward P. Evans1:33.11I
2009Bribon6Alan GarciaRob RibaudoMarc Keller1:34.15I
2008Divine Park4Alan GarciaKiaran McLaughlinJames J. Barry1:36.91I
2007Corinthian4Kent DesormeauxJames A. JerkensCentennial Farms1:34.77I
2006Silver Train4Edgar PradoRichard E. Dutrow Jr.Buckram Oak Farm1:34.27I
2005Ghostzapper5Javier CastellanoRobert J. FrankelStronach Stables1:33.20I
2004Pico Central5Alex SolisPaulo LoboGary A. Tanaka1:35.40I
2003Aldebaran5Jerry D. BaileyRobert J. FrankelFlaxman Holdings1:34.00I
2002Swept Overboard5Jorge F. ChavezCraig DollaseJ. Paul Reddam1:33.20I
2001Exciting Story4Patrick HusbandsMark E. CasseHarry T. Mangurian Jr.1:37.00I
2000Yankee Victor4Heberto Castillo Jr.Carlos MoralesMoreton Binn1:34.60I
1999Sir Bear6John VelazquezRalph ZiadeBarbara Smollin1:34.40I
1998Wild Rush4Jerry D. BaileyRichard MandellaStronach Stables1:33.40I
1997Langfuhr5Jorge F. ChavezMike KeoghGus Schickedanz1:33.00I
1996Honour and Glory3John VelazquezD. Wayne LukasMichael Tabor1:32.80I
1995You And I4Jorge F. ChavezRobert J. FrankelEdmund A. Gann1:34.60I
1994Holy Bull3Mike E. SmithJimmy CrollJimmy Croll1:33.80I
1993Ibero6Laffit Pincay Jr.Ron McAnallyFrank E. Whitham1:34.20I
1992Dixie Brass3Julio PezuaDennis J. BridaMichael Watral1:33.60I
1991In Excess4Pat ValenzuelaBruce L. JacksonJack J. Munari1:35.40I
1990Criminal Type5José A. SantosD. Wayne LukasCalumet Farm1:34.40I
1989Proper Reality4Jerry D. BaileyRobert E. HolthusMrs. James A. Winn1:34.00I
1988Gulch4José A. SantosD. Wayne LukasPeter M. Brant1:34.60I
1987Gulch3Pat DayLeRoy JolleyPeter M. Brant1:34.80I
1986Garthorn6Rafael MezaRobert J. FrankelJerome S. Moss1:33.60I
1985Forzando4Don MacBethJohn SullivanS. C. Chillingworth1:34.40I
1984Fit to Fight5Jerry D. BaileyMacKenzie MillerRokeby Stable1:34.00I
1983Star Choice4Jorge VelásquezJohn M. VeitchFrances A. Genter1:33.80I
1982Conquistador Cielo3Eddie MapleWoody StephensHenryk de Kwiatkowski1:33.00I
1981Fappiano4Ángel Cordero Jr.Jan H. NerudJohn A. Nerud1:33.80I
1980Czaravich4Laffit Pincay Jr.William H. Turner Jr.William L. Reynolds1:35.80I
1979State Dinner4Chris McCarronWilliam E. BurchC. V. Whitney1:34.00I
1978Cox's Ridge4Eddie MapleJoseph B. CanteyLoblolly Stable1:34.60I
1977Forego7Bill ShoemakerFrank WhiteleyLazy F Ranch1:34.80I
1976Forego6Heliodoro GustinesFrank WhiteleyLazy F Ranch1:34.80I
1975Gold and Myrrh4Walter BlumWilliam F. WilmotWilliam B. Wilmot1:33.60I
1974Arbees Boy4Eddie MapleGeorge WeckerleOtly Stable1:34.40I
1973Tentam4Jorge VelásquezMacKenzie MillerCragwood Stables1:35.00I
1972Executioner4Eddie BelmonteEddie YowellOctober House Farm1:35.40
1971Tunex5John RuaneH. Allen JerkensHobeau Farm1:35.80
1970Nodouble5Jorge TejeiraJ. Bert SonnierVerna Lea Farm1:34.60
1969Arts and Letters3Jean CruguetJ. Elliott BurchRokeby Stable1:34.00
1968In Reality4John L. RotzMelvin CalvertFrances A. Genter1:35.00
1967Buckpasser4Braulio BaezaEdward A. NeloyOgden Phipps1:34.60
1966Bold Lad4Braulio BaezaEdward A. NeloyWheatley Stable1:34.20
1965Gun Bow5Walter BlumEdward A. NeloyGedney Farm1:34.40
1964Olden Times6Henry MorenoMesh TenneyRex C. Ellsworth1:34.40
1963Cyrano4Bobby UsseryJohn M. Gaver Sr.Greentree Stable1:35.00
1962Carry Back4John L. RotzJack A. PriceKatherine Price1:33.60
1961Kelso4Eddie ArcaroCarl HanfordBohemia Stable1:35.60
1960Bald Eagle5Manuel YcazaWoody StephensCain Hoy Stable1:33.60
1959Sword Dancer3Bill ShoemakerJ. Elliott BurchBrookmeade Stable1:35.20
1958Gallant Man4Bill ShoemakerJohn A. NerudRalph Lowe1:35.60
1957Traffic Judge5Eddie ArcaroJames W. MaloneyLouis P. Doherty1:36.00
1956Midafternoon4William BolandThomas M. WallerMrs. Edward E. Robbins1:35.00
1955High Gun4Anthony DeSpiritoMax HirschKing Ranch1:35.60
1954Native Dancer4Eric GuerinBill WinfreyAlfred G. Vanderbilt II1:35.20
1953Tom Fool4Ted AtkinsonJohn M. Gaver Sr.Greentree Stable1:35.80
1952Mameluke4Gerald PorchSylvester VeitchC. V. Whitney1:36.40
1951Casemate4Dave GormanRobert DotterJames Cox Brady Jr.1:35.40
1950Greek Ship3Hedley WoodhousePreston M. BurchBrookmeade Stable1:36.60
1949Loser Weeper4Hedley WoodhouseBill WinfreyAlfred G. Vanderbilt II1:36.40
1948Stymie7Conn McCrearyHirsch JacobsEthel D. Jacobs1:36.80
1947Stymie6Basil JamesHirsch JacobsEthel D. Jacobs1:37.40
1946Gallorette4Job Dean JessopEdward A. ChristmasWilliam L. Brann1:37.00
1945Devil Diver6Ted AtkinsonJohn M. Gaver Sr.Greentree Stable1:36.40
1944Devil Diver5Ted AtkinsonJohn M. Gaver Sr.Greentree Stable1:35.80
1943Devil Diver4George WoolfJohn M. Gaver Sr.Greentree Stable1:36.60
1942Attention4Don MeadeMax HirschMrs. Parker Corning1:36.40
1941Eight Thirty5Harry RichardsBert MulhollandGeorge D. Widener Jr.1:37.20
1940Third Degree4Eddie ArcaroJohn M. Gaver Sr.Greentree Stable1:35.40
1939Knickerbocker3Fred A. SmithPete CoyneJoseph E. Widener1:37.20
1938Danger Point4Eddie ArcaroEddie HaywardJames D. Norris1:38.00
1937Snark4Johnny LongdenJames FitzsimmonsWheatley Stable1:37.80
1936Good Harvest4Sam RenickBud StotlerAlfred G. Vanderbilt II1:36.40
1935King Saxon4Calvin RaineyCharles H. KnebelkampCharles H. Knebelkamp1:38.20
1934Mr. Khayyam4Robert JonesMatthew P. BradyCatawba Farm1:37.00
1933Equipoise5Raymond WorkmanThomas J. HealeyC. V. whitney1:37.40
1932Equipoise4Raymond WorkmanThomas J. HealeyC. V. whitney1:37.00
1931Questionnaire4Raymond WorkmanAndy SchuttingerJames Butler1:38.60
1930Jack High4Linus McAteeA. Jack JoynerGeorge D. Widener Jr.1:35.00
1929Petee-Wrack4Steve O'DonnellWillie BoothJohn R. Macomber1:40.00
1928Nimba4Harold ThurberGeorge M. OdomMarshall Field III1:40.00
1927Black Maria4Frank ColtilettiWilliam H. KarrickWilliam R. Coe1:37.40
1926Sarazen5Fred WeinerMax HirschFair Stable1:38.00
1925Sting4Bennie BreuningJimmy JohnsonJames Butler1:37.00
1924Laurano3Harold ThurberJohnny LoftusOak Ridge Stable1:38.20
1923Grey Lag5Earl SandeSam HildrethRancocas Stable1:38.00
1922Mad Hatter6Earl SandeSam HildrethRancocas Stable1:36.60
1921Mad Hatter5Earl SandeSam HildrethRancocas Stable1:37.40
1920Wildair3Eddie AmbroseJames G. Rowe Sr.Harry Payne Whitney1:38.80
1919Lanius4Johnny LoftusA. Jack JoynerGeorge D. Widener Jr.1:42.40
1918Trompe La Mort3Linus McAteeThomas WelshJoseph E. Widener1:38.40
1917Ormesdale4John McTaggartThomas J. HealeyRichard T. Wilson Jr.1:39.20
1916The Finn4Andy SchuttingerEdward W. HeffnerHarry C. Hallenbeck1:38.00
1915Stromboli4Clarence TurnerSam HildrethAugust Belmont Jr.1:39.80
1914Buskin4Charles FairbrotherJohn WhalenJohn Whalen1:37.80
1913Whisk Broom II6Joe NotterJames G. Rowe Sr.Harry Payne Whitney1:39.00
1912no race
1911no race
1910Fashion Plate4Matt McGeeWilliam H. KarrickOneck Stable1:37.80
1909King James4Guy BurnsJohn E. MaddenSam Hildreth1:40.00
1908Jack Atkin4Carroll H. ShillingHerman R. BrandtBarney Schreiber1:38.60
1907Glorifier5Charles GarnerJames H. McCormickJames H. McCormick1:40.80
1906Grapple4Charles GarnerEnoch WishardJohn A. Drake1:39.00
1905Race King (DH)4L. SmithJim McLaughlinOrville L. Richards1:41.60
1905Sysonby (DH)3Willie ShawJames G. Rowe Sr.James R. Keene1:41.60
1904Irish Lad4Willie ShawJohn E. MaddenHerman B. Duryea1:40.00
1903Gunfire (horse)Gunfire4Tommy BurnsJohn W. RogersWilliam C. Whitney1:38.00
1902Arsenal3J. DalyJulius BauerArthur L. Featherstone1:42.50
1901Banastar6George M. OdomCharles F. HillCharles H. Mackay1:42.00
1900Ethelbert4Danny MaherA. Jack JoynerPerry Belmont1:41.00
1899Filigrane4Richard ClawsonR. Wyndham WaldenA. H. Morris & D. H. Morris1:39.25
1898Bowling Brook3Pete ClayR. Wyndham WaldenA. H. Morris & D. H. Morris1:44.00
1897Voter3John LamleyWilliam LakelandJames R. Keene1:40.00
1896Counter Tenor4Anthony HamiltonWilliam LakelandJacob Ruppert Jr.1:53.00
1895no race
1894Ramapo4Fred TaralJohn J. HylandGideon & Daly1:52.50
1893Charade4Samuel DoggettWilliam R. JonesWilliam R. Jones1:52.25
1892Pessara4Fred TaralJohn S. CampbellAlfred F. Walcott & J. S. Campbell1:54.00
1891Tristan3George TaylorLouis StuartL. Stuart & Co.1:51.50

References

References

  1. (February 22, 2021). "Metropolitan". [[New York Racing Association.
  2. "Met Mile still a source of successful stallions {{!}} Daily Racing Form".
  3. "Belmont Stakes 2016 Schedule".
  4. (May 5, 1905). "BELMONT PARK OPEN, METROPOLITAN a TIE; 40,000 See Sysonby and Race King Divide the Big Purse. COURSE a MARVEL OF BIGNESS Mr. Belmont Watches His Blandy Win the First Race -- Fickle May Fooled the Multitude". The New York Times.
  5. (May 15, 1955). "High Gun Makes Runaway Of Met". [[Akron Beacon Journal]].
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