Metropolitan Handicap
{{about|the American horse race|the Australian horse race|The Metropolitan (ATC)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox horseraces
| class = Grade 1
| horse race = Metropolitan Handicap
| image = Palace_Malice.jpg
| caption = Palace Malice winning the 2014 Metropolitan Handicap
| location = Belmont Park
Elmont, New York, USA
| inaugurated = 1891
| race type = Thoroughbred – Flat racing
| website = Metropolitan (NYRA){{cite web|url=https://www.nyra.com/belmont/racing/stakes-schedule/metropolitan-handicap/ |title=Metropolitan |publisher=NYRA |date=February 22, 2021|accessdate=February 22, 2021}}
| distance = 1 mile (8 furlongs)
| surface = Dirt
| track = left-handed
| qualification = Three-year-olds & up
| weight = Handicap
| purse = $1,000,000 (2025)
| bonuses =
}}
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).{{cite web|last1=Russo|first1=Nicole|title=Met Mile still a source of successful stallions {{!}} Daily Racing Form|url=http://www.drf.com/news/met-mile-still-source-successful-stallions|website=Daily Racing Form|access-date=June 10, 2017}}
History
The Met Mile was first run in 1891 at Morris Park Racetrack. Prior to 1897, it was run at a distance of {{frac|1|1|8}} 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,{{cite web|title=Belmont Stakes 2016 Schedule|url=http://www.belmontstakes.org/belmont-stakes-schedule/|website=www.belmontstakes.org|access-date=June 11, 2016}} so it is no longer possible to complete the Handicap Triple.
There was a Dead Heat for first in 1905.{{Cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9D01E3DA1E3DE633A25756C0A9639C946497D6CF|title = 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|newspaper = The New York Times|date = May 5, 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
class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:90%" |
style="width:30px" | Year ! style="width:110px" | Winner ! style="width:20px" | Age ! style="width:110px" | Jockey ! style="width:120px" | Trainer ! Owner ! style="width:25px" | Time ! style="width:25px" | Gr. |
---|
align=center| 2024
| align=center|4 |SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Robert E. Masterson, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Jay A.Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital LLC and Catherine Donovan | align=center| 1:35.12 | align=center|I |
align=center|2023
| align=center|5 | align=center|1:34.36 | align=center|I |
align=center|2022
| align=center|4 |Horonis Racing, Summer Wind Equine, West Point Thoroughbreds, & Siena Farm | align=center|1:33.59 | align=center|I |
align=center|2021
| Silver State | align=center|4 | Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC and Willis Horton Racing LLC | align=center|1:35.45 | align=center|I |
align=center|2020
| Vekoma | align=center|4 | R A Hill Stable & Gatsas Stables | align=center|1:32.88 | align=center|I |
align=center|2019
| align=center|4 | William & Corinne Heiligbrodt | align=center|1:32.75 | align=center|I |
align=center|2018
|Bee Jersey | align=center|4 | align=center|1:33.13 | align=center|I |
align=center|2017
| align=center|4 | align=center|1:33.71 | align=center|I |
align=center|2016
| Frosted | align=center|4 | align=center|1:32.73 | align=center|I |
align=center|2015
| align=center|4 | Lane's End Racing | align=center|1:33.18 | align=center|I |
align=center|2014
| align=center|4 | Dogwood Stable | align=center|1:33.56 | align=center|I |
align=center|2013
| align=center|4 | Goldmark Farm | align=center|1:34.17 | align=center|I |
align=center|2012
| align=center|4 | Lauffer/Cubbedge | align=center|1:33.30 | align=center|I |
align=center|2011
| Tizway | align=center|6 | William Clifton Jr. | align=center|1:32.90 | align=center|I |
align=center|2010
| align=center|4 | align=center|1:33.11 | align=center|I |
align=center|2009
| Bribon | align=center|6 | Marc Keller | align=center|1:34.15 | align=center|I |
align=center|2008
| align=center|4 | James J. Barry | align=center|1:36.91 | align=center|I |
align=center|2007
| align=center|4 | Centennial Farms | align=center|1:34.77 | align=center|I |
align=center|2006
| align=center|4 | Buckram Oak Farm | align=center|1:34.27 | align=center|I |
align=center|2005
| align=center|5 | align=center|1:33.20 | align=center|I |
align=center|2004
| Pico Central | align=center|5 | align=center|1:35.40 | align=center|I |
align=center|2003
| Aldebaran | align=center|5 | align=center|1:34.00 | align=center|I |
align=center|2002
| align=center|5 | align=center|1:33.20 | align=center|I |
align=center|2001
| Exciting Story | align=center|4 | align=center|1:37.00 | align=center|I |
align=center|2000
| Yankee Victor | align=center|4 | Moreton Binn | align=center|1:34.60 | align=center|I |
align=center|1999
| Sir Bear | align=center|6 | Barbara Smollin | align=center|1:34.40 | align=center|I |
align=center|1998
| Wild Rush | align=center|4 | align=center|1:33.40 | align=center|I |
align=center|1997
| Langfuhr | align=center|5 | Gus Schickedanz | align=center|1:33.00 | align=center|I |
align=center|1996
| align=center|3 | align=center|1:32.80 | align=center|I |
align=center|1995
| You And I | align=center|4 | align=center|1:34.60 | align=center|I |
align=center|1994
| align=center|3 | align=center|1:33.80 | align=center|I |
align=center|1993
| Ibero | align=center|6 | Frank E. Whitham | align=center|1:34.20 | align=center|I |
align=center|1992
| align=center|3 | Michael Watral | align=center|1:33.60 | align=center|I |
align=center|1991
| align=center|4 | Jack J. Munari | align=center|1:35.40 | align=center|I |
align=center|1990
| align=center|5 | align=center|1:34.40 | align=center|I |
align=center|1989
| Proper Reality | align=center|4 | Mrs. James A. Winn | align=center|1:34.00 | align=center|I |
align=center|1988
| Gulch | align=center|4 | align=center|1:34.60 | align=center|I |
align=center|1987
| Gulch | align=center|3 | Pat Day | align=center|1:34.80 | align=center|I |
align=center|1986
| Garthorn | align=center|6 | align=center|1:33.60 | align=center|I |
align=center|1985
| Forzando | align=center|4 | S. C. Chillingworth | align=center|1:34.40 | align=center|I |
align=center|1984
| align=center|5 | align=center|1:34.00 | align=center|I |
align=center|1983
| Star Choice | align=center|4 | align=center|1:33.80 | align=center|I |
align=center|1982
| align=center|3 | align=center|1:33.00 | align=center|I |
align=center|1981
| Fappiano | align=center|4 | align=center|1:33.80 | align=center|I |
align=center|1980
| Czaravich | align=center|4 | William L. Reynolds | align=center|1:35.80 | align=center|I |
align=center|1979
| State Dinner | align=center|4 | align=center|1:34.00 | align=center|I |
align=center|1978
| align=center|4 | align=center|1:34.60 | align=center|I |
align=center|1977
| Forego | align=center|7 | align=center|1:34.80 | align=center|I |
align=center|1976
| Forego | align=center|6 | align=center|1:34.80 | align=center|I |
align=center|1975
| Gold and Myrrh | align=center|4 | William B. Wilmot | align=center|1:33.60 | align=center|I |
align=center|1974
| Arbees Boy | align=center|4 | Otly Stable | align=center|1:34.40 | align=center|I |
align=center|1973
| Tentam | align=center|4 | align=center|1:35.00 | align=center|I |
align=center|1972
|Executioner | align=center|4 |October House Farm | align=center|1:35.40 | |
align=center|1971
|Tunex | align=center|5 | align=center|1:35.80 | |
align=center|1970
| align=center|5 |Verna Lea Farm | align=center|1:34.60 | |
align=center|1969
| align=center|3 | align=center|1:34.00 | |
align=center|1968
| align=center|4 | align=center|1:35.00 | |
align=center|1967
| align=center|4 | align=center|1:34.60 | |
align=center|1966
| align=center|4 | align=center|1:34.20 | |
align=center|1965
| align=center|5 |Gedney Farm | align=center|1:34.40 | |
align=center|1964
| align=center|6 | align=center|1:34.40 | |
align=center|1963
|Cyrano | align=center|4 | align=center|1:35.00 | |
align=center|1962
| align=center|4 |Katherine Price | align=center|1:33.60 | |
align=center|1961
| align=center|4 | align=center|1:35.60 | |
align=center|1960
| align=center|5 | align=center|1:33.60 | |
align=center|1959
| align=center|3 | align=center|1:35.20 | |
align=center|1958
| align=center|4 |Ralph Lowe | align=center|1:35.60 | |
align=center|1957
| align=center|5 |Louis P. Doherty | align=center|1:36.00 | |
align=center|1956
| align=center|4 |Mrs. Edward E. Robbins | align=center|1:35.00 | |
align=center|1955
|High Gun{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-akron-beacon-journal-high-gun-makes/146022814/ |title=High Gun Makes Runaway Of Met |agency=UP |newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal |location=Akron, Ohio |page=4B |date=May 15, 1955 |accessdate=April 25, 2024 |via=newspapers.com}} | align=center|4 | align=center|1:35.60 | |
align=center|1954
| align=center|4 | align=center|1:35.20 | |
align=center|1953
| align=center|4 | align=center|1:35.80 | |
align=center|1952
| align=center|4 | align=center|1:36.40 | |
align=center|1951
|Casemate | align=center|4 | align=center|1:35.40 | |
align=center|1950
| align=center|3 | align=center|1:36.60 | |
align=center|1949
| align=center|4 | align=center|1:36.40 | |
align=center|1948
| align=center|7 | align=center|1:36.80 | |
align=center|1947
| align=center|6 | align=center|1:37.40 | |
align=center|1946
| align=center|4 | align=center|1:37.00 | |
align=center|1945
| align=center|6 | align=center|1:36.40 | |
align=center|1944
| align=center|5 | align=center|1:35.80 | |
align=center|1943
| align=center|4 | align=center|1:36.60 | |
align=center|1942
|Attention | align=center|4 | align=center|1:36.40 | |
align=center|1941
| align=center|5 | align=center|1:37.20 | |
align=center|1940
|Third Degree | align=center|4 | align=center|1:35.40 | |
align=center|1939
|Knickerbocker | align=center|3 | align=center|1:37.20 | |
align=center|1938
|Danger Point | align=center|4 | align=center|1:38.00 | |
align=center|1937
|Snark | align=center|4 | align=center|1:37.80 | |
align=center|1936
|Good Harvest | align=center|4 | align=center|1:36.40 | |
align=center|1935
| align=center|4 |Charles H. Knebelkamp | align=center|1:38.20 | |
align=center|1934
|Mr. Khayyam | align=center|4 |Catawba Farm | align=center|1:37.00 | |
align=center|1933
| align=center|5 | align=center|1:37.40 | |
align=center|1932
| align=center|4 | align=center|1:37.00 | |
align=center|1931
| align=center|4 | align=center|1:38.60 | |
align=center|1930
|Jack High | align=center|4 | align=center|1:35.00 | |
align=center|1929
|Petee-Wrack | align=center|4 | align=center|1:40.00 | |
align=center|1928
| align=center|4 | align=center|1:40.00 | |
align=center|1927
| align=center|4 | align=center|1:37.40 | |
align=center|1926
| align=center|5 | align=center|1:38.00 | |
align=center|1925
| align=center|4 | align=center|1:37.00 | |
align=center|1924
|Laurano | align=center|3 |Oak Ridge Stable | align=center|1:38.20 | |
align=center|1923
| align=center|5 | align=center|1:38.00 | |
align=center|1922
| align=center|6 | align=center|1:36.60 | |
align=center|1921
| align=center|5 | align=center|1:37.40 | |
align=center|1920
| align=center|3 | align=center|1:38.80 | |
align=center|1919
|Lanius | align=center|4 | align=center|1:42.40 | |
align=center|1918
|Trompe La Mort | align=center|3 | align=center|1:38.40 | |
align=center|1917
|Ormesdale | align=center|4 | align=center|1:39.20 | |
align=center|1916
| align=center|4 | align=center|1:38.00 | |
align=center|1915
| align=center|4 | align=center|1:39.80 | |
align=center|1914
| align=center|4 |John Whalen | align=center|1:37.80 | |
align=center|1913
| align=center|6 | align=center|1:39.00 | |
bgcolor="#eeeeee"
| align=center|1912 | colspan=7|no race |
bgcolor="#eeeeee"
| align=center|1911 | colspan=7|no race |
align=center|1910
| align=center|4 | align=center|1:37.80 | |
align=center|1909
| align=center|4 | align=center|1:40.00 | |
align=center|1908
|Jack Atkin | align=center|4 |Barney Schreiber | align=center|1:38.60 | |
align=center|1907
|Glorifier | align=center|5 | align=center|1:40.80 | |
align=center|1906
|Grapple | align=center|4 |John A. Drake | align=center|1:39.00 | |
align=center|1905
|Race King (DH) | align=center|4 |L. Smith |Orville L. Richards | align=center|1:41.60 | |
align=center|1905
| align=center|3 | align=center|1:41.60 | |
align=center|1904
| align=center|4 | align=center|1:40.00 | |
align=center|1903
|Gunfire (horse)|Gunfire | align=center|4 | align=center|1:38.00 | |
align=center|1902
|Arsenal | align=center|3 |J. Daly |Arthur L. Featherstone | align=center|1:42.50 | |
align=center|1901
|Banastar | align=center|6 |Charles H. Mackay | align=center|1:42.00 | |
align=center|1900
|Ethelbert | align=center|4 | align=center|1:41.00 | |
align=center|1899
|Filigrane | align=center|4 | align=center|1:39.25 | |
align=center|1898
| align=center|3 | align=center|1:44.00 | |
align=center|1897
| align=center|3 | align=center|1:40.00 | |
align=center|1896
|Counter Tenor | align=center|4 | align=center|1:53.00 | |
bgcolor="#eeeeee"
| align=center|1895 | colspan=7|no race |
align=center|1894
| align=center|4 | align=center|1:52.50 | |
align=center|1893
| align=center|4 |William R. Jones |William R. Jones | align=center|1:52.25 | |
align=center|1892
|Pessara | align=center|4 |Alfred F. Walcott & J. S. Campbell | align=center|1:54.00 | |
align=center|1891
|Tristan | align=center|3 |Louis Stuart |L. Stuart & Co. | align=center|1:51.50 | |
See also
References
{{reflist}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20100117161148/http://ntra.com/races.aspx?section=races&id=30168 The 2008 Metropolitan Handicap at the NTRA]
External links
- [http://helloracefans.com/races/ten-things/met-mile/ Ten Things You Should Know About the Met Mile at Hello Race Fans!]
Category:Grade 1 stakes races in the United States
Category:Horse races in New York (state)
Category:Open mile category horse races
Category:Morris Park Racecourse