The Westchester Stakes is a Grade III American

Thoroughbred horse race Thoroughbred racing is a 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 jump racing, the latter known as National Hunt racing in ...

for three-years-old and older run over a distance of miles annually in early May 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 Elmont

New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States New York may also refer to: Film and television * '' ...

. The event currently offers a purse of $100,000 added.

History

Originally called the Yorktown Handicap, it was first run in 1918 at the old Empire City Race Track and was won by the 1916 Kentucky Derby winner George Smith. For 1919, it was called the Victory Handicap, but in 1922 reverted to the Yorktown Handicap. There was no race run in 1932 and 1933 during the

Great Depression The Great Depression (19291939) was an economic shock that impacted most countries across the world. It was a period of economic depression that became evident after a major fall in stock prices in the United States. The economic contagio ...

. In 1940 it was renamed the name Westchester Handicap in honor of

Westchester County, New York Westchester County is located in the U.S. state of New York. It is the seventh most populous county in the State of New York and the most populous north of New York City. According to the 2020 United States Census, the county had a population o ...

. The race was hosted by the

Jamaica Racetrack Jamaica Race Course, also called the Jamaica Racetrack, was an American thoroughbred horse racing facility operated by the Metropolitan Jockey Club in Jamaica, Queens, New York City. History The track opened on April 27, 1903, a day which feat ...

from 1943 to 1959 yet idle between 1954 and 1958. After which it was shifted to

Aqueduct Racetrack Aqueduct Racetrack is a Thoroughbred horse racing facility and casino in the South Ozone Park, Queens, South Ozone Park and Jamaica, Queens, Jamaica neighborhoods of Queens, New York City, United States. Aqueduct is the only racetrack locate ...

. From 1959 to 1971, the race was open to horses age four years old and up. Since 2012 the event has been run at Belmont Park.

Records

Speed record: * 1:32.24 – 1 mile: Najran (2003) Most wins: * 2 – Thorson (1936, 1937) * 2 – R. Thomas (1966, 1968) * 2 – Rubiano (1991, 1992) * 2 – Gygistar (2004, 2005) 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 –

Ángel Cordero Jr. Ángel Tomás Cordero Jr. (born: November 8, 1942) is one of the leading Thoroughbred horse racing jockeys of the late 20th-century and the first Puerto Rican to be inducted into the United States' Racing Hall of Fame. He led all jockeys in win ...

(1969, 1972, 1976, 1984, 1990) Most wins by a trainer: * 6 – H. Allen Jerkens (1975, 1982, 1983, 1994, 1998, 2010) Most wins by an owner: * 3 –

Alfred G. Vanderbilt II Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt Jr. (September 22, 1912 – November 12, 1999) was a British-born member of the prominent Vanderbilt railroad family, and a noted figure of American thoroughbred horse racing. He was the youngest-ever member of The Jockey ...

(1935, 1973, 1974) * 3 –

King Ranch King Ranch is the largest ranch in the United States. At some it is larger than the state of Rhode Island and country of Luxembourg. It is mainly a cattle ranch, but also produced the Triple Crown winning racehorse Assault. The ranch is loc ...

(1946, 1947, 1948) * 3 – Edward P. Evans (2001, 2004, 2005)

Winners

References

{{reflist

External links

Video of Najran's record setting 2003 Westchester Handicap
Graded stakes races in the United States Horse races in New York (state) Open mile category horse races Recurring sporting events established in 1918 Belmont Park Grade 3 stakes races in the United States 1918 establishments in New York (state)