The First Flight Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in late June/early July at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. A Grade II event open to fillies and Mares, ages three and older, it is contested on dirt over a distance of seven furlongs.
The race is named in honor of Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney's American Champion Two-Year-Old Filly of 1946. First Flight won the Matron Stakes, and beat male opponents in winning the Belmont Futurity Stakes.
Inaugurated in 1978, the race has been hosted by Aqueduct Racetrack and Belmont Park: Aqueduct – 1978–1989, 1991–2002, 2004–2006 Belmont – 1990, 2001, 2003, 2007–present
Records Speed record: 1:20.60 – Shared Interest (1992)
Most wins: 2 – Twist Afleet (1994, 1995) 2 – Country Hideaway (1999, 2000) 2 – Shine Again (2001, 2002)
Most wins by a jockey: 4 – Jerry Bailey (1987, 1990, 1992, 1994)
Most wins by a trainer: 6 – H. Allen Jerkens (1991, 1993, 1997, 2001, 2002, 2008)
Most wins by an owner: 3 – Bohemia Stable (1997, 2001, 2002)
Winners Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Time2009Porte Bonheur4Ramon DomínguezDavid DugganJohanna Murphy-Leopoldsberger1:22.452008Any Limit5Cornelio VelásquezH. Allen JerkensJoseph V. Shields Jr.1:23.862007Ginger Punch4Rafael BejaranoRobert J. FrankelStronach Stable1:22.642006Carmandia4Chris DeCarloRichard E. Dutrow Jr.Four Roses Thoroughbreds1:22.912005Great Intentions4Edgar PradoMichael E. HushionBarry K. Schwartz1:23.982004Bending Strings3Shaun BridgmohanKiaran McLaughlinJohn D. Gunther1:22.132003Randaroo3Heberto Castillo Jr.Kiaran McLaughlinH. Joseph Allen1:23.652002Shine Again5Jean-Luc SamynH. Allen JerkensBohemia Stable1:23.752001Shine Again4Jean-Luc SamynH. Allen JerkensBohemia Stable1:23.212000Country Hideaway4Jose EspinozaC. R. McGaughey IIIOgden Phipps1:22.601999Country Hideaway3Heberto Castillo Jr. C. R. McGaughey IIIOgden Phipps1:23.001998Catinca3Richard MiglioreJohn C. KimmelRobert K. Waxman1:22.141997Dixie Flag3Mike LuzziH. Allen JerkensBohemia Stable1:22.841996Thunder Achiever3Robbie DavisCarlos F. MartinFlying Zee Stables1:21.591995Twist Afleet4Gary StevensJohn C. KimmelLucille Conover1:22.951994Twist Afleet3Jerry BaileyJohn C. KimmelLucille Conover1:23.021993Raise Heck5Roger I. VelezH. Allen JerkensHobeau Farm1:23.511992Shared Interest4Jerry BaileyFlint S. SchulhoferRobert S. Evans1:20.651991Missy's Mirage3Eddie MapleH. Allen JerkensMiddletown Stables1:21.981990Queena4Jerry BaileyC. R. McGaughey IIIEmory G. Alexander1:22.401989Grecian Flight5Craig PerretJoseph H. Pierce Jr.Henry C. B. Lindh1:22.001988Cagey Exuberance4Joseph ImparatoRobert W. CamacLindsey D. Burbank1:24.401987Al's Helen4Jerry BaileyJack Van BergKinsman Stable1:21.801986Chaldea6Jean-Luc SamynThomas J. SkiffingtonR. Lewis Mangum1:22.401985Alabama Nana4Jorge VelásquezD. Wayne LukasLeonard D. Mathis1:22.201984Shortly4Mario G. PinoJames W. MurphySam O. Graham1:22.601983Pert4Frank Lovato Jr.Stephen A. DiMauroHarold I. Snyder1:25.201982Number3Eddie MapleWoody StephensClaiborne Farm1:22.201981Island Charm4Richard MiglioreStephen A. DiMauroDavid A. McKibbin1:23.601980Samarta Dancer4Cash AsmussenCarlos A. GarciaGustave Ring1:25.601979Gladiolus5Laffit Pincay Jr.Freeman E. McMillanSea Spray Farms1:22.401978What A Summer5Jeffrey FellLeRoy JolleyDiana M. Firestone1:22.20
References The 2009 First flight Handicap at the NTRA