Grand National Handicap Explained

Class:Discontinued
Horse Race:Grand National Handicap
Location:Jerome Park Racetrack
Fordham, New York, United States
Inaugurated:1866
Race Type:Thoroughbred - Flat racing
Distance: miles
Surface:Dirt
Track:left-handed
Qualification:Three-years-old & up
Weight:Assigned

The Grand National Handicap was an American Thoroughbred race horse first run in 1866 at the newly built Jerome Park Racetrack in Fordham, New York. Open to horses age three and older, the race was contested on dirt at a distance of miles from inception through 1884. In the late 1880s, there was a growing shortage of handicap horses and track officials shortened the race in an attempt to draw more entrants. In 1885 it was run at miles, and for its final four years from 1886 through 1889 at miles.

Because Jerome Park Racetrack had a number of viability problems and did not reopen in 1890, the last time the Grand National Handicap was run was in 1889.[1]

In winning the final two editions of the Grand National Handicap in 1888 and 1889, Raceland defeated the future U.S. Racing Hall of Fame filly, Firenze.[2] [3]

Winners

Year
Winner
Age
Jockey
Traner
style=Owner
Dist.
(Miles)
Time
18894Frank McCabeMichael F. Dwyer1 m2:39.25
18883Frank McCabeMichael F. Dwyer1 m2:39.75
1887Linden41 m2:42.75
1886Wickham41 m2:40.00
1885Bob M41 m3:12.00
1884Drake Carter42 m4:11.50
1883George Kinney32 m4:11.00
1882Girofle52 m4:11.00
1881Monitor52 m4:07.75
1880Uncas42 m4:05.25
1879General Philips52 m4:07.50
1878Lou Lanier3Harry Blaylock2 m4:06.75
1877Tom Ochiltree52 m4:18.50
1876Vigil3David McDanielDavid McDaniel2 m4:11.00
1875Aaron Pennington42 m4:15.75
1874Mate52 m4:13.75
1873Preakness62 m4:08.75
1872Tubman42 m4:10.75
1871Monarchist32 m4:09.00
1870Niagara42 m4:09.25
1869La Polka42 m4:18.25
1868De Courcey42 m4:11.50
1867Local42 m5:09.00
1866Kentucky5A. Jackson MinorAnnieswood Stable (Belmont/Hunter/Jerome/Cameron/Travers)2 m5:04.00

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Racing Here This Week. Timesmachine.nytimes.com. 21 March 2022.
  2. News: The Last Day at Jerome; Raceland Beats Firenzi Quite Handily. Stockton Gives the Betting Men Quite a Surprise Party in the Fifth Race. The New York Times. 14 October 1888.
  3. News: At Jerome Park.; Raceland Beats Firenzi for the Grand National Handicap. The New York Times. 13 October 1889.