The Wilson Handicap was an American Thoroughbred horse race run from 1930 through 1958. Inaugurated as the Wilson Stakes at the Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York, it was named in honor of the late

Richard Thornton Wilson Jr. Richard Thornton Wilson Jr. (September 11, 1866 – December 29, 1929) was an American investment banker and capitalist who was a prominent figure in thoroughbred horse racing in the early decades of the 20th century. Early life Wilson was bor ...

, a prominent Thoroughbred owner and president of Saratoga Race Course.

Historical notes

The first running took place on August 2, 1930 and was contested at a distance of one mile (8 furlongs). It was won by the Glen Riddle Farm colt Battleship Gray who owned his sire, the legendary Man o' War. Due to government wartime restrictions, the 1943 to 1945 runnings of the Wilson Stakes took place at

Belmont Park Belmont Park is a major thoroughbred horse racing facility in the northeastern United States, located in Elmont, New York, just east of the New York City limits. It was opened on May 4, 1905. It is operated by the non-profit New York Racin ...

. In July 1954, the race was shifted permanently to Jamaica Racetrack in Jamaica, New York where it was renamed the Wilson Handicap and run as a six furlong

sprint Sprint may refer to: Aerospace *Spring WS202 Sprint, a Canadian aircraft design *Sprint (missile), an anti-ballistic missile Automotive and motorcycle *Alfa Romeo Sprint, automobile produced by Alfa Romeo between 1976 and 1989 *Chevrolet Sprint, ...

. The event remained at the Jamaica track through 1958 and was then canceled due to the closure of the Jamaica facility on August 1, 1959. In 1946 the future

Hall of Fame A hall, wall, or walk of fame is a list of individuals, achievements, or other entities, usually chosen by a group of electors, to mark their excellence or Wiktionary:fame, fame in their field. In some cases, these halls of fame consist of actu ...

filly Gallorette ran second in the Wilson Stakes but came back the next year to win the August 4, 1947 edition in a Saratoga track record time of 1:35 2/5 for the mile on dirt. In 1948 Gallorette returned to compete and her second straight Wilson Stakes. The final running of the Wilson was held on July 29, 1958 and was won by Nahodah, a Marion duPont Scott homebred

gelding A gelding is a castrated male horse or other equine, such as a pony, donkey or a mule. Castration, as well as the elimination of hormonally driven behavior associated with a stallion, allows a male equine to be calmer and better-behaved, makin ...

. Seven horses that won the Wilson Stakes, Devil Diver, Discovery, Eight Thirty, Equipoise, Gallorette, Tom Fool, War Admiral, all went on to have racing careers that would earn them induction into the U.S. Racing Hall of Fame.

Records

Speed record: * 1:10.40 @ 6 furlongs : Nahodah (1950) * 1:35.40 @ 1 mile (8 furlongs) : Gallorette (1947) Most wins: * 2 - Equipoise (1932, 1933) * 2 - Discovery (1935, 1936) * 2 - Eight Thirty (1939, 1940) * 2 - Gallorette (1947, 1948) * 2 - Tom Fool (1952, 1953) Most wins by a

jockey A jockey is someone who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing. The word "jockey" originated from England and was used to describe the individual ...

: * 5 - Ted Atkinson (1944, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954) Most wins by a trainer: * 6 -

John M. Gaver Sr. John Milton Gaver Sr. (October 29, 1900 – July 11, 1982) was an American Hall of Fame Thoroughbred racehorse trainer. Born in Mount Airy, Maryland, John Gaver graduated from Princeton University then worked as a prep school language teacher ...

(1943, 1944, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953) Most wins by an owner: * 6 -

Greentree Stable Greentree Stable, in Red Bank, New Jersey, was a major American thoroughbred horse racing stable and breeding farm established in 1914 by Payne Whitney of the Whitney family of New York City. Payne Whitney operated a horse farm and stable at Sar ...

(1943, 1944, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953)

Winners

References

{{reflist Discontinued horse races in New York (state) Saratoga Race Course Belmont Park Jamaica Race Course Recurring sporting events established in 1930 Recurring sporting events disestablished in 1958 1930 establishments in New York (state) 1958 disestablishments in New York (state)