The JAMAICA Handicap is named for the district of Jamaica, located in the borough of Queens. It is also known as a shopping, business and administrative center for Queens County. It is also the home of the main campus of St. John’s University. Jamaica was once the home of Jamaica Racetrack, which was closed in 1959. The property was sold and became a housing development. The JAMAICA Handicap was not run from 1933 to 1935, in 1955 and 1956, from 1961 to 1975, nor in 1995 (due to severe weather conditions). Run at Jamaica from 1929 to 1959. Run at Aqueduct in 1960, 1975 to 1977, 1979 to 1981, and 1987. Run at six furlongs from 1929 to 1953 and 1957 to 1960; at a mile and a furlong in 1954, and from 1997 through the present. Run for three-year-olds and up from 1929 to 1944, 1949 to 1953, and in 1960. In 1954, Tea-maker finished first, but was disqualified. Run in two divisions in 1946. Run as the Jamaica Stakes for fillies in 1975. Run on the main track from 1929 to 1993. Run on the turf since 1994.