Gravesend Handicap
Encyclopedia
The Gravesend Handicap is an American
Thoroughbred horse race
run at Aqueduct Racetrack
in Queens, New York late in the year. In its 50th running in December 2009, the Gravesend will be downgraded from a Grade III
event to ungraded status. This race is for three-year-olds and up and set at a distance of six furlong
s. It offers a purse of $100,000 added.
The Gravesend is named in honor of the early American racetrack once sited near Coney Island, Brooklyn. The Gravesend Race Track
was closed in 1910.
Prior to 1961, the Gravesend was run at Jamaica Racetrack
, and once, in 1975, at Belmont Park
. In 1962, it was set at seven furlongs.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Thoroughbred horse race
Thoroughbred horse race
Thoroughbred horse racing is a worldwide sport and industry involving the racing of Thoroughbred horses. It is governed by different national bodies. There are two forms of the sport: Flat racing and National Hunt racing...
run at Aqueduct Racetrack
Aqueduct Racetrack
Aqueduct Racetrack is a thoroughbred horse-racing facility and racino in Ozone Park, Queens, New York. Its racing meets usually are from late October/early November through April.-History:...
in Queens, New York late in the year. In its 50th running in December 2009, the Gravesend will be downgraded from a Grade III
Graded stakes race
A graded stakes race is a term applied since 1973 by the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to thoroughbred horse races in the United States and Canada to describe races that derive their name from the stake, or entry fee, owners must pay...
event to ungraded status. This race is for three-year-olds and up and set at a distance of six furlong
Furlong
A furlong is a measure of distance in imperial units and U.S. customary units equal to one-eighth of a mile, equivalent to 220 yards, 660 feet, 40 rods, or 10 chains. The exact value of the furlong varies slightly among English-speaking countries....
s. It offers a purse of $100,000 added.
The Gravesend is named in honor of the early American racetrack once sited near Coney Island, Brooklyn. The Gravesend Race Track
Gravesend Race Track
Gravesend Race Track at Gravesend on Coney Island, New York was a Thoroughbred horse racing facility built by the Brooklyn Jockey Club as a result of the backing of the wealthy racing stable owners, the Dwyer Brothers. Philip J...
was closed in 1910.
Prior to 1961, the Gravesend was run at Jamaica Racetrack
Jamaica Racetrack
Jamaica Race Course was an American thoroughbred horse racing facility operated by the Metropolitan Jockey Club in Jamaica, New York. The track opened on April 27, 1903, a day which featured the inaugural running of the Excelsior Handicap. Eugene D. Wood, one of the founders and largest...
, and once, in 1975, at Belmont Park
Belmont Park
Belmont Park is a major thoroughbred horse-racing facility located in Elmont in the Town of Hempstead in Nassau County, New York, on Long Island adjoining New York City. It first opened on May 4, 1905...
. In 1962, it was set at seven furlongs.
Past winners
- 2009 - Digger (Rosie Napravnik)
- 2008 - Fabulous Strike (5) (Ramon Dominguez)
- 2007 - City Attraction (Mike LuzziMike LuzziMichael Jude Luzzi is an American jockey. He grew up near Delaware Park Racetrack where his grandfather, trainer Buddy Raines, had a major role in raising him and his brother John who also became a jockey...
) - 2006 - Bishop Court Hill (John Velazquez)
- 2005 - Banjo Picker (5) (Tara Hemmings)
- 2004 - Don Six (4) (Mike Luzzi)
- 2003 - Shake You Down (5) (Mike Luzzi)
- 2002 - Multiple Choice (4) (Victor Carrero)
- 2001 - Here's Zealous (4) (Edgar Prado)
- 2000 - Say Florida Sandy (6) (Joe BravoJoe Bravo (jockey)Joe Bravo is a jockey in American Thoroughbred horse racing. The son and grandson of jockeys, he began his professional career in Thoroughbred flat racing at Calder Race Course in Miami Gardens, Florida during the latter end of 1988.According to his NTRA profile, Joe Bravo has dominated the New...
) - 1999 - Cowboy Cop (5) (Aaron GryderAaron GryderAaron Tod Gryder is an American Thoroughbred horse racing jockey.Growing up fifteen minutes away from the Santa Anita racetrack, as a boy Gryder had no contact with horses other than his father and his grandparents' interest in attending the nearby races...
) - 1998 - Say Florida Sandy (4) (Shaun BridgmohanShaun BridgmohanShaun X. Bridgmohan is a jockey in American Thoroughbred horse racing.At age thirteen, Bridgmohan's family emigrated to the United States, settling in South Florida where he developed an interest in horse racing...
) - 1997 - Royal Haven (5) (Richard Migliore), in a dead heatTieTie may refer to:* Necktie, a long piece of cloth worn around the neck or shoulders* Tie , a finish to a competition with identical results, particularly sports...
with - 1997 - Stalwart Member (4) (Aaron GryderAaron GryderAaron Tod Gryder is an American Thoroughbred horse racing jockey.Growing up fifteen minutes away from the Santa Anita racetrack, as a boy Gryder had no contact with horses other than his father and his grandparents' interest in attending the nearby races...
) - 1996 - Victor Avenue (3) (Jorge F. ChavezJorge F. ChavezJorge F. Chavez is a jockey in American Thoroughbred horse racing.Chavez began his career in horse racing in 1982 in his native Peru and by 1987 was his country's leading rider. In April 1988 he emigrated to the United States where he raced with a great deal of success at Florida race tracks...
) - 1995 - Cold Execution (4) (Julio Pezua)
- 1994 - Mining Burrah (4) (John Velazquez)
- 1993 - Astudillo (3) (Fabio Arguello, Jr.)
- 1992 - Hidden Tomahawk (4) (Jorge F. Chavez)
- 1991 - Shuttleman (5) (Angel Cordero, Jr.)
- 1990 - Mr. Nasty (3) (Jerry D. Bailey)
- 1989 - Never Forgotten (5) (Art Madrid, Jr.)
- 1988 - High Brite (4) (Angel Cordero, Jr.)
- 1987 - Vinnie The Viper (4) (Julie KroneJulie KroneJulie Krone , is a retired American jockey. In 1993, she became the first female jockey to win a Triple Crown race when she captured the Belmont Stakes aboard Colonial Affair...
) - 1986 - Comic Blush (3) (Antonio Graell)
- 1985 - Love That Mac (3) (Jorge VelasquezJorge VelasquezJorge Velásquez is a thoroughbred horse racing Hall of Fame jockey.Jorge Velasquez career in thoroughbred racing began in his native Panama but as a teenager moved to the United States...
) - 1984 - Elegant Life (4) (Jorge Velasquez)
- 1983 - Main Stem (5) (Victor Lopez)
- 1982 - Chan Balum (3) (Jean-Luc SamynJean-Luc SamynJean-Luc Samyn is a jockey in American Thoroughbred horse racing.The son of a pastry chef, Jean-Luc Samyn was one of three children. At age thirteen, he went to work for the stable of trainer John Cunnington at Chantilly, a racecourse about north of Paris city center...
) - 1981 - Lines Of Power (4) (Don MacBethDon MacBethDonald MacBeth was a Canadian jockey in Thoroughbred horse racing.Born in Red Deer, Alberta, Macbeth rode horses at Alberta racetracks before going to race in the United States. Among horses of note, he rode Deputy Minister, winner of the 1981 Sovereign and Eclipse awards for Outstanding...
) - 1980 - Clever Trick (4) (Jorge Velasquez)
- 1979 - Shelter Half (4) (Sam Boulmetis, Jr.)
- 1978 - Half High (5) (Angel Santiago)
- 1977 - Full Out (4) (Angel Cordero, Jr.)
- 1976 - Christopher R. (5) (William J. PassmoreWilliam J. PassmoreWilliam J. "Bill" Passmore, Sr. was an American jockey and racing steward, who rode thoroughbred horses for 38 years including at the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes winning 3,531 races and $23 millions in his 38-year career before spending 20 years as a steward.The 5-foot,...
) - 1975 - Honorable Miss (5) (Jacinto VasquezJacinto VásquezJacinto Vásquez is a retired Hall of Fame thoroughbred jockey. He rode two Kentucky Derby winners, Foolish Pleasure in 1975 and Genuine Risk in 1980, but may be best known as the regular jockey for the great filly Ruffian.-Biography:...
) - 1974 - Mr. ProspectorMr. ProspectorMr. Prospector was a thoroughbred racehorse foaled in Kentucky, whose descendants have been dominant in the United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing. He won half of his 14 career races.-Background:...
(4) (Jacinto Vasquez) - 1973 - Petrograd (4) (Angel Cordero, Jr.)
- 1972 - Silver Mallet (4) (Braulio BaezaBraulio BaezaBraulio Baeza is an American Thoroughbred horse racing Hall of Fame jockey. He began racing in 1955 and in 1960, at the urging of agent Camilo Marin, moved to compete in the United States where at the Keeneland Race Course he won the very first he competed in.Braulio Baeza's success in America was...
) - 1971 - Summer Air (4) (Angel Cordero Jr.)
- 1970 - Distinctive (4) (Walter BlumWalter BlumWalter "Mousey" Blum is a retired Hall of Fame jockey.A horse racing fan from boyhood, in his teens Blum began working as a racetrack hotwalker. Despite being blind in his right eye from the age of two, in 1953 he embarked on a career as a jockey, riding his first winner on July 29 at Saratoga...
) - 1969 - Royal Exchange (4) (Angel Cordero, Jr.)
- 1968 - Jim J. (4) (Angel Cordero, Jr.)
- 1967 - Tumiga (3) (Ben Feliciano)
- 1966 - Winnie (4) (Eddie BelmonteEddie BelmonteEddie Belmonte is a retired jockey who competed at the highest levels in Thoroughbred horse racing in his native Puerto Rico and in the United States....
) - 1965 - Determined Man (4) (Michael Venezia)
- 1964 - Delta Judge (4) (Donald R. PierceDonald R. PierceDonald R. Pierce is a retired U.S. Racing Hall of Fame jockey in thoroughbred horse racing.Based in California, Pierce earned his first win in 1954 and went on to become a leading jockey in the 1960s and 1970s...
) - 1963 - Ahoy (3) (Howard Grant)
- 1962 - Merry RulerMerry RulerMerry Ruler was a Thoroughbred racehorse who competed successfully in the United States. A great grandson of the very important sire, Nearco, he was raced by Harry Freylinghuysen, owner of Merrybrook Farm in Far Hills, New Jersey....
(4) (Johnny SellersJohnny SellersJohnny Sellers was an American jockey. Born in Los Angeles, but raised in Oklahoma, he began his professional career in 1955 and between 1959 and 1968 rode in six Kentucky Derbys. He won the prestigious race aboard Carry Back in 1961 then riding the colt to victory in the Preakness Stakes...
) - 1961 - Bolinas Boy (3) (John L. RotzJohn L. RotzJohn L. Rotz is a retired American Thoroughbred horse racing jockey and an active World Champion in Western riding competitions....
) - 1960 - Brush Fire (3) (Bobby UsseryBobby UsseryRobert Nelson "Bobby" Ussery is a retired American thoroughbred horse racing Hall of Fame jockey. His first race as a professional jockey came at Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans on November 22, 1951 where he rode Reticule to victory in the Thanksgiving Handicap. By the end of the decade...
) - 1959 - Silver Ship (4) (Eddie ArcaroEddie ArcaroGeorge Edward Arcaro , known professionally as Eddie Arcaro, was an American Thoroughbred horse racing Hall of Fame jockey who won more American classic races than any other jockey in history and is the only rider to have won the U.S. Triple Crown twice...
)