The Grade 1 Manhattan Handicap has been held on Belmont’s main turf course at 1 ¼ miles since 1970. From its inaugural running in 1867 through 1896 it was run on at 1 ¼ miles on the dirt track at Jerome Park and Morris Park. It was not run in 1897, and from 1898 through 1969 it was run at distances of six furlongs, seven furlongs, one mile, 1 ½ miles and 1 5/8 miles. It was held at Jerome Park from 1872 through 1894, at Morris Park in 1895 and 1897 through 1904, and at Belmont Park since 1905 (other than 1959, 1963-1967 when it was held at Aqueduct). It was always held in the fall until 1991, when it was moved to the Belmont Stakes weekend. From 1994 to the present it has been on the undercard of the Belmont Stakes.

The inaugural date in of the Manhattan Handicap is somewhat nebulous. Although a race identified as the Manhattan Handicap at 1 ¼ miles for all ages has been held since 1872, for some reason the New York Racing Association and the American Racing Manual only has its initial running at 1896. To further confuse the issue, early editions of the New York Times state that it has been held since 1867. Although there was an identical race held at Jerome Park since 1867, it was not identified as the Manhattan Handicap until 1872. If 1867 is indeed considered its inaugural running, it would make the Manhattan Handicap the third oldest stakes in the country, after Keeneland’s Phoenix and Saratoga’s Travers.

What is not in dispute is the quality of outstanding horses who have won the event, including Preakness, Harold, Parole, Firenze, Los Angeles, Raceland, Henry of Navarre, Roseben, The Finn, Naturalist, Sarazen, Devil Diver, Stymie, High Gun. Round Table, Quicken Tree, Academy Award, Sky Classic, Paradise Creek, Awad, Better Talk Now, Forever Together, and the 2009 winner, Gio Ponte.