The Trenton Handicap was an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Garden State Park Racetrack in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Open to horses age three and older, the race was contested on dirt at various distances during its tenure: miles (9 furlongs) : 1942-1953, 1990–1996 miles (10 furlongs) : 1954-1971, 1974, 1989 miles (8.5 furlongs) : 1973
The race was part of the inaugural season at Garden State Park Racetrack which opened for business on July 18, 1942. That year's winner was Calumet Farm's 1941 U.S. Triple Crown winner, Whirlaway.Ottawa Citizen - August 31, 1942 In its heyday, Garden State Park Racetrack attracted racing's top stars and as many as 40,000 fans for big races such as the Trenton Handicap.Los Angeles Times - May 4, 2001
In 1957, the event was contested between just three horses. Bold Ruler, Gallant Man and Round Table were led to the post on 11/9/57. Bold Ruler went wire to wire on an "off' track and was named U.S. 3-Yr-Old Champion Male (1957) and DRF/TSD U.S. Horse of the Year (1957).
There was no Trenton Handicap from 1977 through 1984 after a fire destroyed the Garden State Park Racetrack grandstand. The business did not reopen until new owners rebuilt the facility in 1984.The Free Lance-Star - April 15, 1977
There was another Trenton Handicap which was run at Havre de Grace Racetrack.
Records Speed record: 2:00.00 - Mongo (1962) (race and track record for miles)New York Times - November 12, 1964
Most wins: 3 - Mr. Right (1967, 1968, 1969)New York Times - November 5, 1969
Winners
1996 - Relentless Star 1995 - Poor But Honest 1994 - Double Calvados 1993 - Dr. Zoom 1992 - Fiftysevenvette 1991 - Killer Diller 1990 - Wind Splitter 1989 - Intensive Command 1988 - Manzotti 1987 - Broad Brush 1986 - Land Of Believe 1985 - Dr. Carter 1984-1977 - Race not Run 1976 - Royal Glint 1975 - Mongongo 1974 - True Knight 1973 - Mr. Correlation 1972 - Triangular 1971 - Tinajero 1970 - Ship Leave 1969 - Mr. Right 1968 - Mr. Right 1967 - Mr. Right 1966 - Handsome Boy 1965 - Slystitch 1964 - Mongo 1963 - Carry Back 1962 - Mongo 1961 - Carry Back 1960 - Manassa Mauler 1959 - Greek Star 1958 - Vertex 1957 - Bold Ruler 1956 - Bardstown 1955 - Social Outcast 1954 - Helioscope 1953 - Olympic 1952 - Ken 1951 - Call Over 1950 - Chicle 1949 - Sky Miracle 1948 - Double Jay 1947 - Cosmic Bomb 1946 - Turbine 1945 - First Fiddle 1944 - Bon Jour 1943 - Aonbarr 1942 - Whirlaway
References