The Deputy Minister Handicap was a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race run annually in early February at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida. The race was open to horses age four and older and contested on dirt over a distance of six and one-half furlongs.
The race was named in honor of Deputy Minister who raced in Florida and won Gulfstream Park's Donn Handicap. Deputy Minister was the 1981 American Champion Two-Year-Old Colt and the Canadian Two-Year Old Champion and Canadian Horse of the Year and was the Leading sire in North America in 1997 and 1998 and the Leading broodmare sire in North America in 2007.
Since inception, the event has been contested at different distances: 6 furlongs: 1994–1998 6.5 furlongs : 2000 to present 7 furlongs : 1990–1993, 1998–1999
The race is not on the 2008 list of stakes races at Gulfstream Park.
Records Speed record: (at current distance of 6.5 furlongs) 1:15.17 – Native Heir (2003)
Winners since 2000 Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Time2007Keyed Entry4John VelazquezAnthony J. Sciametta Jr.Starlight Stable et al.1:15:722006Universal Form5Manoel CruzElliston RolleUniversal Xperience1:16.482005Medallist4José A. SantosH. Allen JerkensRobert Clay1:15.622004Alke4John VelazquezTodd A. PletcherK. D. English/A. Braun1:15.802003Native Heir5Cornelio VelásquezMark ShumanMichael Gill1:15.172002Fappies Notebook5Jorge ChavezManny TortoraIrving & Marjorie Cowan1:16.192001Istintaj5Jerry BaileyMark HennigShadwell Racing1:16.082000Deep Gold4John VelazquezBernie FlintN. Chowhan & J. L. Millan1:15.89
Earlier winners
1999 – Good And Tough 1998 – Irish Conquest 1997 – Templado 1996 – Jess C's Whirl 1995 – Chimes Band 1994 – I Can't Believe 1993 – Loach 1992 – Take Me Out 1991 – Unbridled 1990 – Beau Genius