The Sysonby Handicap was an American Thoroughbred horse race first run in 1946 at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. Placed on hiatus after the 1959 edition, the race was revived in 1967 at Aqueduct Racetrack where it was run one last time. An event for horses of either sex age three and older, it was run on dirt over a distance of a mile through 1958 then the following year increased to a mile and a quarter. For the final running in 1967 it became a sprint race of seven furlongs.
The race was named in honor of U. S. Racing Hall of Fame inductee Sysonby who was selected #30 - Top 100 U.S. Racehorses of the 20th Century.
Historical race notes Lucky Draw won the 1946 inaugural running in a year in which he set six track records including equaling a World record. He won the Sysonby by 10 lengths and although it was run over a muddy racetrack, it was still in a fast time.
Other notable Sysonby Handicap winners were four American Horse of the Year and U.S. Racing Hall of Fame inductees Armed, Triple Crown winner Citation, and Tom Fool. In addition, Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame inductee Arise won this race.
Records Speed record: 1:35.00 @ 1 mile : Cohoes (1958)
Most wins: Tom Fool (1952, 1953) High Gun (1954, 1955)
Most wins by a jockey: 3 - Ted Atkinson (1949, 1952, 1953)
Most wins by a trainer: 4 - John M. Gaver Sr. (1949, 1952, 1953, 1958)
Most wins by an owner: 4 - Greentree Stable (1949, 1952, 1953, 1958)
Winners Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Dist. (Furlongs) Time1967 R. Thomas6Jimmy NicholsDavid ErbRoger W. Wilson7 F1:26.001960 - 1966 Race not held1959The Irishman3Bobby UsseryJames E. FitzsimmonsWheatley Stable10 F2:02.001958Cohoes4John RuaneJohn M. Gaver Sr.Greentree Stable8 F1:35.001957Tick Tock3Bill BolandEdward A. ChristmasHowell E. Jackson8 F1:36.201956Jet Action5Walter BlumLawrence W. KiddMaine Chance Farm8 F1:35.201955High Gun4Bill BolandMax HirschKing Ranch9 F1:49.201954High Gun3Eddie ArcaroMax HirschKing Ranch8 F1:36.601953 Tom Fool4Ted AtkinsonJohn M. Gaver Sr.Greentree Stable8 F1:36.801952Tom Fool3Ted AtkinsonJohn M. Gaver Sr.Greentree Stable8 F1:36.401951Miche6Conn McCrearyEddie HaywardMuriel Vanderbilt Adams8 F1:35.401950 Arise4Douglas Dodson James C. BentleyAddison Stable (Harry Addison)8 F1:36.401949Capot3Ted AtkinsonJohn M. Gaver Sr.Greentree Stable8 F1:35.601948Citation3Eddie ArcaroJimmy JonesCalumet Farm8 F1:36.001947Armed6Albert SniderJimmy JonesCalumet Farm8 F1:36.001946Lucky Draw5Conn McCrearyBert MulhollandGeorge D. Widener Jr.8 F1:35.60
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