Metropolitan Handicap

The Metropolitan Handicap, frequently called the "Met Mile", is an American Grade I Thoroughbred horse race held at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. Open to horses age three and older, it is contested on dirt over a distance of one mile (8 furlongs). Starting in 2014, it is now run on the same day as the Belmont Stakes in early June.

The Met Mile is one of the most prestigious American races outside of the Triple Crown and Breeders' Cup. It is known as a "stallion-making race" as the distance of a mile often displays the winner's "brilliance", referring to an exceptional turn of foot. Winners of the race who went on to become notable stallions include Tom Fool (1953), Native Dancer (1954), Buckpasser (1967), Fappiano (1981), Gulch (1987–88), and Ghostzapper (2005).

History

The Met Mile was first run in 1891 at Morris Park Racetrack. Prior to 1897, it was run at a distance of miles. In 1904, its location was moved to Belmont Park. There it remained except for nine years; 1960 to 1967, 1969, and 1975 when it was hosted by Aqueduct Racetrack. It was not run in 1895, 1911, and 1912.

The Met Mile was the first of three races in the New York Handicap Triple series, followed by the Suburban Handicap and Brooklyn Handicap. Four horses have won the Handicap Triple: Whisk Broom II (1913) Tom Fool (1953) Kelso (1961) Fit to Fight (1984)

The Met Mile and the Brooklyn are now run on the same day as part of the Belmont Stakes undercard, so it is no longer possible to complete the Handicap Triple.

There was a Dead Heat for first in 1905.

Records Time record: 1:32.73 – Frosted (2016)

Largest Margin 14 1/4 – Frosted (2016) Most wins by an owner 6 – Greentree Stable (1940, 1943, 1944, 1945, 1953, 1963)

Most wins by a jockey 5 – John Velazquez (1996, 1999, 2010, 2012, 2014)

Most wins by a trainer 6 – John M. Gaver Sr. (1940, 1943, 1944, 1945, 1953, 1963)

Winners Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Time Gr.2026Nysos5Flavien PratBob BaffertBaoma Corp, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, Derrick Smith1:34.85I2025Raging Torrent 4Frankie DettoriDoug O'NeillYueshang Zhang & Craig Dado1:35.89I 2024National Treasure4Flavien PratBob BaffertSF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Robert E. Masterson, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Jay A.Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital LLC and Catherine Donovan 1:35.12I2023Cody's Wish 5Junior AlvaradoWilliam I. MottGodolphin1:34.36I2022Flightline 4Flavien PratJohn W. SadlerHoronis Racing, Summer Wind Equine, West Point Thoroughbreds, & Siena Farm1:33.59I2021 Silver State4 Ricardo Santana Jr. Steve Asmussen Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC and Willis Horton Racing LLC1:35.45I2020 Vekoma4 Javier Castellano George Weaver R A Hill Stable & Gatsas Stables1:32.88I2019Mitole4 Ricardo Santana Jr. Steven M. Asmussen William & Corinne Heiligbrodt1:32.75I2018Bee Jersey4 Ricardo Santana Jr. Steven M. Asmussen Charles E. Fipke1:33.13I2017 Mor Spirit4 Mike E. Smith Bob Baffert Michael Lund Petersen1:33.71I2016 Frosted4 Joel Rosario Kiaran McLaughlin Godolphin1:32.73I2015 Honor Code4 Javier Castellano Shug McGaughey Lane's End Racing1:33.18I2014 Palace Malice4 John Velazquez Todd Pletcher Dogwood Stable1:33.56I2013 Sahara Sky4 Joel Rosario Jerry Hollendorfer Goldmark Farm1:34.17I2012 Shackleford4 John Velazquez Dale Romans Lauffer/Cubbedge1:33.30I2011 Tizway6 Rajiv Maragh H. James Bond William Clifton Jr.1:32.90I2010 Quality Road4 John Velazquez Todd Pletcher Edward P. Evans1:33.11I2009 Bribon6 Alan Garcia Rob Ribaudo Marc Keller1:34.15 I2008 Divine Park4 Alan Garcia Kiaran McLaughlin James J. Barry1:36.91I2007 Corinthian4 Kent Desormeaux James A. Jerkens Centennial Farms1:34.77I2006 Silver Train4 Edgar Prado Richard E. Dutrow Jr. Buckram Oak Farm1:34.27I2005 Ghostzapper5 Javier Castellano Robert J. Frankel Stronach Stables1:33.20I2004 Pico Central5 Alex Solis Paulo Lobo Gary A. Tanaka1:35.40I2003 Aldebaran 5 Jerry D. Bailey Robert J. Frankel Flaxman Holdings1:34.00I2002 Swept Overboard5 Jorge F. Chavez Craig Dollase J. Paul Reddam1:33.20I2001 Exciting Story4 Patrick Husbands Mark E. Casse Harry T. Mangurian Jr. 1:37.00I2000 Yankee Victor4 Heberto Castillo Jr. Carlos Morales Moreton Binn1:34.60I1999 Sir Bear6 John Velazquez Ralph Ziade Barbara Smollin1:34.40I1998 Wild Rush4 Jerry D. Bailey Richard Mandella Stronach Stables1:33.40I1997 Langfuhr5 Jorge F. Chavez Mike Keogh Gus Schickedanz1:33.00I1996 Honour and Glory3 John Velazquez D. Wayne Lukas Michael Tabor1:32.80I1995 You And I4 Jorge F. Chavez Robert J. Frankel Edmund A. Gann1:34.60I1994 Holy Bull3 Mike E. Smith Jimmy Croll Jimmy Croll1:33.80I1993 Ibero6 Laffit Pincay Jr. Ron McAnally Frank E. Whitham1:34.20I1992 Dixie Brass3 Julio Pezua Dennis J. Brida Michael Watral1:33.60I1991 In Excess4 Pat Valenzuela Bruce L. Jackson Jack J. Munari1:35.40I1990 Criminal Type5 José A. Santos D. Wayne Lukas Calumet Farm1:34.40I1989 Proper Reality4 Jerry D. Bailey Robert E. Holthus Mrs. James A. Winn1:34.00I1988 Gulch4 José A. Santos D. Wayne Lukas Peter M. Brant1:34.60I1987 Gulch3 Pat Day LeRoy Jolley Peter M. Brant1:34.80I1986 Garthorn6 Rafael Meza Robert J. Frankel Jerome S. Moss1:33.60I1985 Forzando4 Don MacBeth John Sullivan S. C. Chillingworth1:34.40I1984 Fit to Fight5 Jerry D. Bailey MacKenzie Miller Rokeby Stable1:34.00I1983 Star Choice4 Jorge Velásquez John M. Veitch Frances A. Genter1:33.80I1982 Conquistador Cielo3 Eddie Maple Woody Stephens Henryk de Kwiatkowski1:33.00I1981 Fappiano4 Ángel Cordero Jr. Jan H. Nerud John A. Nerud1:33.80I1980 Czaravich4 Laffit Pincay Jr. William H. Turner Jr. William L. Reynolds1:35.80I1979 State Dinner4 Chris McCarron William E. Burch C. V. Whitney1:34.00I1978 Cox's Ridge4 Eddie Maple Joseph B. Cantey Loblolly Stable1:34.60I1977 Forego7 Bill Shoemaker Frank Whiteley Lazy F Ranch1:34.80I1976 Forego6 Heliodoro Gustines Frank Whiteley Lazy F Ranch1:34.80I1975 Gold and Myrrh4 Walter Blum William F. Wilmot William B. Wilmot1:33.60I1974 Arbees Boy4 Eddie Maple George Weckerle Otly Stable1:34.40I1973 Tentam4 Jorge Velásquez MacKenzie Miller Cragwood Stables1:35.00I1972Executioner4Eddie BelmonteEddie YowellOctober House Farm1:35.401971Tunex5John RuaneH. Allen JerkensHobeau Farm1:35.801970Nodouble5Jorge TejeiraJ. Bert SonnierVerna Lea Farm1:34.601969Arts and Letters3Jean CruguetJ. Elliott BurchRokeby Stable1:34.001968In Reality4John L. RotzMelvin CalvertFrances A. Genter1:35.001967Buckpasser4Braulio BaezaEdward A. NeloyOgden Phipps1:34.601966Bold Lad4Braulio BaezaEdward A. NeloyWheatley Stable1:34.201965Gun Bow5Walter BlumEdward A. NeloyGedney Farm1:34.401964Olden Times6Henry MorenoMesh TenneyRex C. Ellsworth1:34.401963Cyrano4Bobby UsseryJohn M. Gaver Sr.Greentree Stable1:35.001962 Carry Back4John L. RotzJack A. PriceKatherine Price1:33.601961Kelso4Eddie ArcaroCarl HanfordBohemia Stable1:35.601960Bald Eagle5Manuel YcazaWoody StephensCain Hoy Stable1:33.601959Sword Dancer3Bill ShoemakerJ. Elliott BurchBrookmeade Stable1:35.201958Gallant Man4Bill ShoemakerJohn A. NerudRalph Lowe1:35.601957Traffic Judge5Eddie ArcaroJames W. MaloneyLouis P. Doherty1:36.001956Midafternoon4William BolandThomas M. WallerMrs. Edward E. Robbins1:35.001955High Gun4Anthony DeSpiritoMax HirschKing Ranch1:35.601954 Native Dancer4Eric GuerinBill WinfreyAlfred G. Vanderbilt II1:35.201953Tom Fool4Ted AtkinsonJohn M. Gaver Sr.Greentree Stable1:35.801952Mameluke4Gerald PorchSylvester VeitchC. V. Whitney1:36.401951Casemate4Dave GormanRobert DotterJames Cox Brady Jr.1:35.401950Greek Ship3Hedley WoodhousePreston M. BurchBrookmeade Stable1:36.601949Loser Weeper4Hedley WoodhouseBill WinfreyAlfred G. Vanderbilt II1:36.401948Stymie7Conn McCrearyHirsch JacobsEthel D. Jacobs1:36.801947Stymie6Basil JamesHirsch JacobsEthel D. Jacobs1:37.401946 Gallorette4Job Dean JessopEdward A. ChristmasWilliam L. Brann1:37.001945Devil Diver6Ted AtkinsonJohn M. Gaver Sr.Greentree Stable1:36.401944Devil Diver5Ted AtkinsonJohn M. Gaver Sr.Greentree Stable1:35.801943Devil Diver4George WoolfJohn M. Gaver Sr.Greentree Stable1:36.601942Attention4Don MeadeMax HirschMrs. Parker Corning1:36.401941Eight Thirty5Harry RichardsBert MulhollandGeorge D. Widener Jr.1:37.201940Third Degree4Eddie ArcaroJohn M. Gaver Sr.Greentree Stable1:35.401939Knickerbocker 3Fred A. SmithPete CoyneJoseph E. Widener1:37.201938Danger Point 4Eddie ArcaroEddie HaywardJames D. Norris1:38.001937Snark4Johnny LongdenJames FitzsimmonsWheatley Stable1:37.801936Good Harvest 4Sam RenickBud StotlerAlfred G. Vanderbilt II1:36.401935King Saxon 4Calvin RaineyCharles H. KnebelkampCharles H. Knebelkamp1:38.201934Mr. Khayyam 4Robert JonesMatthew P. BradyCatawba Farm1:37.001933Equipoise5Raymond WorkmanThomas J. HealeyC. V. whitney1:37.401932Equipoise4Raymond WorkmanThomas J. HealeyC. V. whitney1:37.001931Questionnaire4Raymond WorkmanAndy SchuttingerJames Butler1:38.601930Jack High 4Linus McAteeA. Jack JoynerGeorge D. Widener Jr.1:35.001929Petee-Wrack4Steve O'DonnellWillie BoothJohn R. Macomber1:40.001928Nimba4Harold ThurberGeorge M. OdomMarshall Field III1:40.001927Black Maria4Frank ColtilettiWilliam H. KarrickWilliam R. Coe1:37.401926Sarazen5Fred WeinerMax HirschFair Stable1:38.001925Sting4Bennie BreuningJimmy JohnsonJames Butler1:37.001924Laurano3Harold ThurberJohnny LoftusOak Ridge Stable1:38.201923Grey Lag5Earl SandeSam HildrethRancocas Stable1:38.001922Mad Hatter6Earl SandeSam HildrethRancocas Stable1:36.601921Mad Hatter5Earl SandeSam HildrethRancocas Stable1:37.401920Wildair3Eddie AmbroseJames G. Rowe Sr.Harry Payne Whitney1:38.801919Lanius4Johnny LoftusA. Jack JoynerGeorge D. Widener Jr.1:42.401918Trompe La Mort3Linus McAteeThomas WelshJoseph E. Widener1:38.401917Ormesdale4John McTaggartThomas J. HealeyRichard T. Wilson Jr.1:39.201916The Finn4Andy SchuttingerEdward W. HeffnerHarry C. Hallenbeck1:38.001915Stromboli4Clarence TurnerSam HildrethAugust Belmont Jr.1:39.801914Buskin4Charles FairbrotherJohn WhalenJohn Whalen1:37.801913Whisk Broom II6Joe NotterJames G. Rowe Sr.Harry Payne Whitney1:39.001912no race 1911no race 1910Fashion Plate4Matt McGeeWilliam H. KarrickOneck Stable1:37.801909King James4Guy BurnsJohn E. MaddenSam Hildreth1:40.001908Jack Atkin4Carroll H. ShillingHerman R. BrandtBarney Schreiber1:38.601907Glorifier5Charles GarnerJames H. McCormickJames H. McCormick1:40.801906Grapple4Charles GarnerEnoch WishardJohn A. Drake1:39.001905Race King (DH)4L. SmithJim McLaughlinOrville L. Richards1:41.601905Sysonby (DH)3Willie ShawJames G. Rowe Sr.James R. Keene1:41.601904Irish Lad4Willie ShawJohn E. MaddenHerman B. Duryea1:40.001903Gunfire4Tommy BurnsJohn W. RogersWilliam C. Whitney1:38.001902Arsenal3J. DalyJulius BauerArthur L. Featherstone1:42.501901Banastar6George M. OdomCharles F. HillCharles H. Mackay1:42.001900Ethelbert4Danny MaherA. Jack JoynerPerry Belmont1:41.001899Filigrane4Richard ClawsonR. Wyndham WaldenA. H. Morris & D. H. Morris1:39.251898Bowling Brook3Pete ClayR. Wyndham WaldenA. H. Morris & D. H. Morris1:44.001897Voter3John LamleyWilliam LakelandJames R. Keene1:40.001896Counter Tenor4Anthony HamiltonWilliam LakelandJacob Ruppert Jr.1:53.001895no race 1894Ramapo4Fred TaralJohn J. HylandGideon & Daly1:52.501893Charade4Samuel DoggettWilliam R. JonesWilliam R. Jones1:52.251892Pessara4Fred TaralJohn S. CampbellAlfred F. Walcott & J. S. Campbell1:54.001891Tristan3George TaylorLouis StuartL. Stuart & Co.1:51.50

See also Metropolitan Handicap top three finishers and starters

References

The 2008 Metropolitan Handicap at the NTRA

External links Ten Things You Should Know About the Met Mile at Hello Race Fans!