The Questionnaire Handicap was an American Thoroughbred horse race named in honor of the horse Questionnaire who was bred and raced by James Butler, the late president and owner of Empire City Race Track. The race was held from its inception in 1938 through 1942 at the Empire City RaceTrack in Yonkers, New York but Daily Racing Form June 30, 1942 Questionnaire Handicap article with race historyNew York Times July 5, 1938. "Sam Renick First on Heather Broom, Entracte and Unfailing at Empire City" Retrieved August 1, 2018 with the United States becoming involved in World War II, in 1943 rationing and other wartime limitations resulted in the Empire City Association's decision to go back to hosting only harness racing. The Questionnaire Handicap was then moved to the Jamaica Race Course where it would run under the sponsorship of the Empire City Association through 1953 when it had its final running.
While never a major race, the Questionnaire Handicap drew some of the best horses of the day and from the top racing stables.
Race distances: 1938-1943, 1947-1952 : 1 miles on dirt 1944-1946, 1953 : 1 miles on dirt
Notable events In 1950, One Hitter set a new Jamaica track record of 1:42 2/5 for a mile and a sixteenth on dirt.New York Times July 9, 1950 article titled "One Hitter Clips Jamaica Record" Retrieved August 1, 2018
In 1951 there was a dead heat for first between Arise and Bryan G.New York Times article on the 1951 Questionnaire Handicap Retrieved August 3, 2018
The 1953 race was won by 1951 Kentucky Derby winner Count Turf owned by New York City restaurateur Jack Amiel.New York Times July 19, 1953 article titled "Count Turf Breaks Down After 15-1 Jamaica Score" Retrieved August 1, 2018
Records Speed record: At 1 miles : One Hitter (1950), 1:42 2/5 At 1 miles : Princequillo (1944), 2:43 flat Most wins by a jockey: 2 - Sam Renick (1938, 1939) 2 - Don Meade (1940, 1942) 2 - Eric Guerin (1949, 1951) 2 - Conn McCreary (1952, 1953)
Most wins by a trainer: 2 - Max Hirsch (1938, 1940)
Winners Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Dist. (Miles) Time1953Count Turf5Conn McCrearyWilliam B. FinneganJack J. Amiel1 M1:43.401952Alerted4Conn McCrearyJames PenrodHampton Stable1 M1:44.00 1951Arise † 5Eric GuerinJames C. BentleyAddison Stable1 M1:43.40 1951Bryan G. † 4Ovie ScurlockCasey HayesChristopher Chenery1 M1:43.401950One Hitter4Ted AtkinsonJohn M. Gaver Sr.Greentree Stable1 M1:42.401949Royal Governor5Eric GuerinJames E. RyanEsther D. du Pont1 M1:45.401948Donor4Dick RozelleGeorge P. "Maje" OdomW. Deering Howe1 M1:44.801947Stymie6Robert PermaneHirsch JacobsEthel D. Jacobs1 M1:44.001946Trymenow4Arnold KirklandOscar WhiteWalter M. Jeffords1 M2:44.601945Eurasian5Herb LindbergSol RutchickHavahome Stable1 M2:44.401944Princequillo4Eddie ArcaroHoratio LuroBoone Hall Stable1 M2:43.001943First Fiddle4Warren MehrtensEdward L. MulrenanMrs. Edward L. Mulrenan1 M1:45.001942Argonne Woods5Don MeadeJulius J. BauerJ. H. Miles1 M1:43.601941Parasang4Alfred RobertsonSylvester E. VeitchCornelius Vanderbilt Whitney1 M1:45.601940Tola Rose3Don MeadeMax HirschArthur J. Sackett1 M1:46.201939The Chief4Sam RenickEarl SandeMaxwell Howard1 M1:45.401938Unfailing4Sam RenickMax HirschParker Corning1 M1:45.40
† In 1951 there was a dead heat for first.
References