Municipal Handicap

Last updated
Municipal Handicap
Discontinued stakes race
Location Morris Park Racecourse, The Bronx, New York (1895–1904)
Belmont Park, Elmont, New York (1905–1918)
Inaugurated1895–1918
Race type Thoroughbred – Flat racing
Race information
Distance1+1⁄2 miles (12 furlongs)
SurfaceDirt
Trackleft-handed
QualificationThree-years-old & older

The Municipal Handicap was an American Thoroughbred horse race for horses of either sex age three and older. It was held at Morris Park Racecourse in The Bronx, New York from inception in 1895 through 1904 when the racetrack closed. It was then run at the newly built Belmont Park from 1905 to 1909 then revived in 1914 and run until 1918 when the race was discontinued. [1] [2]

Contents

Historical race notes

Ben Holladay's greatness

Eastin & Larabie won this race three straight years from 1897 through 1899 with their outstanding distance runner Ben Holladay who won his first Municipal Handicap under jockey Alonzo Clayton in which he set a new world record time of 2:59+1⁄4 for a mile and three-quarters. Ben Holladay's owner was a racing and breeding partnership created in 1886 between Montana banker and financier Samuel E. Larabie and Augustus Eastin, a wealthy Kentucky businessman. [3] Following his 1899 season, the Wellington New Zealand Mail newspaper, reporting on racing in the United States, wrote that "Ben Holladay has proved himself this year to be by far the best long-distance horse in America" and quoting a front-page story in New York City's Spirit of the Times said that he is described as "the greatest Cup horse of the decade." [4]

Henry of Navarre, Fair Play and Roamer were winners of the Municipal Handicap who would have careers that resulted in their induction into the U.S. Racing Hall of Fame. [5] [6] [7]

The Hart–Agnew Law: a disaster for racing

On June 11, 1908, the Republican-controlled New York Legislature under Governor Charles Evans Hughes passed the Hart–Agnew anti-betting legislation with penalties allowing for fines and up to a year in prison. [8]

In spite of strong opposition by prominent owners such as August Belmont, Jr. and Harry Payne Whitney, reform legislators were not happy when they learned that betting was still going on at racetracks between individuals and they had further restrictive legislation passed by the New York Legislature in 1910 [9] that made it possible for racetrack owners and members of its board of directors to be fined and imprisoned if anyone was found betting, even privately, anywhere on their premises. After a 1911 amendment to the law to limit the liability of owners and directors was defeated, [10] every racetrack in New York State shut down. The consequences of this law meant the Municipal Handicap was not run from 1910 through 1913.

Records

Speed record:

Most wins:

Most wins by a jockey:

Most wins by a trainer:

Most wins by an owner:

Winners

Year
Winner
Age
Jockey
Trainer
Owner
Dist.
(Miles)		Time
Win$
1918Sunny Slope3 John Callahan Richard F. Carman Beach Stable (Richard F. Carman, et al.)11⁄2 M2:33.40$2,150
1917Clematis4 Merritt C. Buxton John WhalenOscar Lewisohn11⁄2 M2:34.00$2,325
1916 Stromboli 5 John McTaggart Sam Hildreth August Belmont Jr. 11⁄2 M2:39.00$2,175
1915Borrow7 Joe Notter James G. Rowe Sr. Lewis S. Thompson 11⁄4 M2:05.00$1,875
1914 Roamer 3 James Butwell A. J. Goldsborough Andrew Miller 11⁄4 M2:04.00$2,150
1913Race not held
1912No races held due to the Hart–Agnew Law.
1911
1910Race not held
1909 Olambala 3James Butwell T. J. Healey Montpelier Stable 13⁄4 M2:58.60$1,060
1908 Fair Play 3 James Lee A. Jack Joyner August Belmont Jr.13⁄4 M2:58.00$3,525
1907 Nealon 4 Willie Knapp Frank M. Taylor Patchogue Stable (William H. DuBois)13⁄4 M2:58.80$3,945
1906Dishabille4Willie KnappCharles A. MulhollandGeorge C. Bennett13⁄4 M2:57.60$3,230
1905St. Bellane3Willie KnappRichard E. Watkins Edward R. Thomas 13⁄4 M2:59.60$2,820
1904 Gunfire 5 Willie Shaw John W. Rogers Herman B. Duryea 13⁄4 M2:59.50$2,850
1903Major Daingerfield4 George M. Odom John E. Madden William B. Leeds Sr. & Andrew Miller 13⁄4 M2:57.00$2,805
1902Advance Guard5George M. OdomAlexander ShieldsAlexander Shields & James Carruthers13⁄4 M3:00.00$2,730
1901Latson6 Otto Wonderly John HynesGottfried Walbaum13⁄4 M2:58.50$3,495
1900 Ethelbert 4George M. OdomA. Jack Joyner Perry Belmont 13⁄4 M2:58.50$3,125
1899 Ben Holladay 6 Henry Spencer Peter Wimmer Augustus Eastin & Samuel E. Larabie13⁄4 M3:00.50$3,325
1898Ben Holladay5 Tommy Burns Peter WimmerAugustus Eastin & Samuel E. Larabie13⁄4 M3:01.50$2,750
1897Ben Holladay4 Alonzo Clayton Peter WimmerAugustus Eastin & Samuel E. Larabie13⁄4 M2:59.25$2,250
1896 Sir Walter 6 Samuel Doggett Walter C. Rollins Oneck Stable 13⁄4 M3:05.00$1,950
1895 Henry of Navarre 4 Henry Griffin John J. Hyland Blemton Stable 13⁄4 M3:02.00$2,400

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References

  1. ↑ "Condensed History of the Municipal Handicap". Daily Racing Form. 1908-10-10. Retrieved 2019-02-06– via University of Kentucky Archives.
  2. ↑ "Borrow in Front Again: Takes the Municipal Handicap". Daily Racing Form. 1915-09-02. Retrieved 2019-02-06– via University of Kentucky Archives.
  3. ↑ Three Forks News – August 8, 1922
  4. ↑ "Turf Topics". The New Zealand Mail, page 20. 1899-01-12. Retrieved 2019-02-11.[ permanent dead link ]
  5. ↑ "Henry of Navarre". Racingmuseum.org. 1985-01-01. Retrieved 2019-05-13.
  6. ↑ "Fair Play". Racingmuseum.org. 1956-01-01. Retrieved 2019-05-13.
  7. ↑ "Roamer". Racingmuseum.org. 1981-01-01. Retrieved 2019-05-13.
  8. ↑ "Penalties in the New York Bills". Daily Racing Form. 1908-01-18. Retrieved 2018-10-26– via University of Kentucky Archives.
  9. ↑ Liebman, Bennett (May 24, 2009). "The First American Triple Crown Series". The Rail. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
  10. ↑ "Race Track Bill Defeated In Senate; Measure Modifying Directors' Liability for Gambling Fails of Passage". The New York Times. July 14, 1911. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
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