| Grade II race | |
| Location |
Aqueduct Racetrack Queens, New York, United States |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1988 (as NYRA Mile Handicap) |
| Race type | Thoroughbred – Flat racing |
| Sponsor | NYRA Bets (2021) |
| Website | NYRA |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1 mile (8 furlongs) |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Track | left-handed |
| Qualification | Three years old and older |
| Weight | Assigned |
| Purse | $750,000 (since 2021) |
The Cigar Mile Handicap is a Grade II American thoroughbred horse race for horses aged three-years-old and older over a distance of one mile and is held in late November or early December at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, New York. The event carries a purse of $750,000.
History
The inaugural running of the event, then known as the NYRA Mile Handicap or simply the NYRA Mile, was won in 1988 by three-year-old Forty Niner, who would later become an influential sire. [1] The race was eligible for graded stakes classification in 1990 and was awarded Grade I status by the American Graded Stakes Committee. [2]
The 1994 NYRA Mile was the second race in the 16-race win streak of Cigar, who won by seven lengths. [2] The event was renamed in 1997 following Cigar's retirement to the Cigar Mile Handicap. [3] Horses who have won the Cigar Mile on their way to championship honors include 2006 winner Discreet Cat (named one of the year's champion three-year-olds in the World's Best Racehorse Rankings), 2009 winner Kodiak Kowboy (winner of that year's Eclipse Award for Champion Sprinter), and 2019 victor Maximum Security (that year's Eclipse winner for Best Three-Year-Old Male).
In 2023 the event was downgraded by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to Grade II status. [4]
Records
Speed record:
- 1:32.46 – Discreet Cat (2006)
Margins:
- 7 lengths – Cigar (1994)
Most wins:
- 2 – Congaree (2002, 2003)
Most wins by a jockey:
- 5 – Jerry Bailey (1994, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2003)
Most wins by a trainer:
- 6 – Todd A. Pletcher (2001, 2004, 2005, 2012, 2021, 2022)
Most wins by an owner:
- 2 – Michael B. Tabor (2001, 2004)
- 2 – Stonerside Stable (2002, 2003)
- 2 – Charles E. Fipke (2008, 2010)
Winners
| Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Distance | Time | Purse | Grade | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cigar Mile Handicap | ||||||||||
| 2023 | Hoist The Gold | 4 | John R. Velazquez | Dallas Stewart | Dream Team One Racing Stable | 1 mile | 1:34.28 | $500,000 | II | [5] |
| 2022 | Mind Control | 6 | John R. Velazquez | Todd A. Pletcher | Red Oak Stable & Madaket Stables | 1 mile | 1:35.53 | $750,000 | I | [6] |
| 2021 | Americanrevolution | 3 | Luis Saez | Todd A. Pletcher | WinStar Farm & China Horse Club | 1 mile | 1:36.68 | $750,000 | I | [7] |
| 2020 | True Timber | 6 | Kendrick Carmouche | Jack Sisterson | Calumet Farm | 1 mile | 1:36.49 | $250,000 | I | [8] |
| 2019 | Maximum Security | 3 | Luis Saez | Jason Servis | Mary & Gary West | 1 mile | 1:36.46 | $750,000 | I | [9] |
| 2018 | Patternrecognition | 5 | Jose L. Ortiz | Chad C. Brown | Klaravich Stables & William H. Lawrence | 1 mile | 1:34.98 | $784,125 | I | [10] |
| 2017 | Sharp Azteca | 4 | Javier Castellano | Jorge Navarro | Ivan Rodriguez | 1 mile | 1:35.17 | $750,000 | I | [11] |
| 2016 | Connect | 3 | Javier Castellano | Chad C. Brown | Paul P. Pompa Jr. | 1 mile | 1:35.34 | $500,000 | I | [12] |
| 2015 | Tonalist | 4 | John R. Velazquez | Christophe Clement | Robert S. Evans | 1 mile | 1:37.14 | $670,000 | I | [13] |
| 2014 | Private Zone | 5 | Martin A. Pedroza | Alfredo Velazquez | Good Friends Stable | 1 mile | 1:34.39 | $753,750 | I | [14] |
| 2013 | Flat Out | 7 | Junior Alvarado | William I. Mott | Preston Stables | 1 mile | 1:34.68 | $753,000 | I | [15] |
| 2012 | Stay Thirsty | 4 | Ramon A. Dominguez | Todd A. Pletcher | Repole Stable | 1 mile | 1:35.47 | $343,000 | I | [16] |
| 2011 | To Honor and Serve | 3 | Jose Lezcano | William I. Mott | Live Oak Racing | 1 mile | 1:33.89 | $250,000 | I | [17] |
| 2010 | Jersey Town | 4 | Cornelio Velasquez | Barclay Tagg | Charles E. Fipke | 1 mile | 1:34.43 | $250,000 | I | [18] |
| 2009 | Kodiak Kowboy | 4 | Shaun Bridgmohan | Steven M. Asmussen | Fox Hill Farm & Vinery Stables | 1 mile | 1:35.57 | $300,000 | I | [19] |
| 2008 | † Tale of Ekati | 3 | Edgar S. Prado | Barclay Tagg | Charles E. Fipke | 1 mile | 1:35.01 | $300,000 | I | [20] |
| 2007 | Daaher | 3 | Michael J. Luzzi | Kiaran P. McLaughlin | Shadwell Racing | 1 mile | 1:33.79 | $294,000 | I | [21] |
| 2006 | Discreet Cat | 3 | Garrett K. Gomez | Saeed bin Suroor | Godolphin Racing | 1 mile | 1:32.46 | $294,000 | I | [22] |
| 2005 | Purge | 4 | Garrett K. Gomez | Todd A. Pletcher | Starlight Racing | 1 mile | 1:34.26 | $350,000 | I | [23] |
| 2004 | Lion Tamer | 4 | Jose A. Santos | Todd A. Pletcher | Michael B. Tabor | 1 mile | 1:33.46 | $350,000 | I | [24] |
| 2003 | Congaree | 5 | Jerry D. Bailey | Bob Baffert | Stonerside Stable | 1 mile | 1:34.30 | $350,000 | I | [25] |
| 2002 | Congaree | 4 | Jerry D. Bailey | Bob Baffert | Stonerside Stable | 1 mile | 1:33.11 | $350,000 | I | [26] |
| 2001 | Left Bank | 4 | John R. Velazquez | Todd A. Pletcher | Michael B. Tabor | 1 mile | 1:33.35 | $350,000 | I | [27] |
| 2000 | El Corredor | 3 | Jerry D. Bailey | Bob Baffert | Hal Earnhardt III | 1 mile | 1:34.68 | $350,000 | I | [28] |
| 1999 | Affirmed Success | 5 | Jorge F. Chavez | Richard E. Schosberg | Albert Fried Jr. | 1 mile | 1:34.18 | $350,000 | I | [29] |
| 1998 | Sir Bear | 5 | Jerry D. Bailey | Ralph Ziadie | Barbara Smollin | 1 mile | 1:34.05 | $300,000 | I | [30] |
| 1997 | Devious Course | 5 | Jorge F. Chavez | H. James Bond | Clarence Scharbauer Jr. | 1 mile | 1:34.80 | $250,000 | I | [31] |
| NYRA Mile Handicap | ||||||||||
| 1996 | Gold Fever | 3 | Mike E. Smith | Claude R. McGaughey III | Cynthia Phipps | 1 mile | 1:34.98 | $250,000 | I | [32] |
| 1995 | Flying Chevron | 3 | Robbie Davis | James J. Toner | Caesar P. Kimmel | 1 mile | 1:34.57 | $250,000 | I | [33] |
| 1994 | Cigar | 4 | Jerry D. Bailey | William I. Mott | Madeleine Paulson | 1 mile | 1:36.10 | $250,000 | I | [34] |
| 1993 | Race not held | |||||||||
| 1992 | Ibero (ARG) | 5 | Laffit Pincay Jr. | Ron McAnally | Frank Whitham | 1 mile | 1:33.97 | $500,000 | I | [35] |
| 1991 | Rubiano | 4 | Jose A. Santos | Flint S. Schulhofer | Centennial Farm | 1 mile | 1:33.68 | $500,000 | I | [36] |
| 1990 | Quiet American | 4 | Chris McCarron | Gary F. Jones | Sheikh Mohammed | 1 mile | 1:32.80 | $638,000 | I | [37] |
| 1989 | Dispersal | 3 | Angel Cordero Jr. | Bud Delp | Tom O. Myerhoff | 1 mile | 1:32.80 | $581,000 | [38] | |
| 1988 | Forty Niner | 3 | William Fox Jr. | Woodford C. Stephens | Claiborne Farm | 1 mile | 1:34.00 | $567,000 | [1] | |
Notes:
† In the 2006 running of the event Harlem Rocker was first past the post in a photo finish by a nose margin but was disqualified for interference in the straight and was placed second. Tale of Ekati was declared the official winner of the event.
See also
External sites
References
- ^ a b Moran, Paul (23 October 1988). "7-1 Dispersal Wins NYRA Mile By Nose – (race 8: held 22 October 1988)". Baltimore Sun. The Associated Press. p. 71. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- ^ a b "CIGAR MILE HANDICAP - MULTIPLE TRACKS". Thoroughbred Database. 2021. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
- ^ "Cigar Mile Handicap Profile". www.equibase.com. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- ^ "American Graded Stakes Committee Releases 2023 Grades; The Stephen Foster Stakes is the only new grade 1 stakes for 2023". Bloodhorse.com. Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. 16 December 2022. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
- ^ "2023 Cigar Mile Handicap Grade 2 - (race 10)". Equibase. 3 December 2022. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
- ^ "2022 Cigar Mile Handicap Presented by NYRA Bets Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 3 December 2022. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
- ^ "2021 Cigar Mile Handicap Presented by NYRA Bets Grade 1 - (race 10)". Equibase. 4 December 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
- ^ "2020 Cigar Mile Handicap Grade 1 - (race 10)". Equibase. 5 December 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "2019 Cigar Mile Handicap Grade 1 - (race 10)". Equibase. 7 December 2019. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "2018 Cigar Mile H. Presented by NYRA Bets Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 1 December 2018. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "2017 Cigar Mile H. Presented by NYRA Bets Grade 1 - (race 10)". Equibase. 2 December 2017. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "2016 Cigar Mile Handicap Grade 1 - (race 10)". Equibase. 26 November 2016. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "2015 Cigar Mile Handicap Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 28 November 2015. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "2014 Cigar Mile Handicap Grade 1 - (race 10)". Equibase. 29 November 2014. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "2013 Cigar Mile Handicap Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 30 November 2013. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "2012 Cigar Mile Handicap Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 24 November 2012. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "2011 Cigar Mile Handicap Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 26 November 2011. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "2010 Hill 'N' Dale Cigar Mile Handicap Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 27 November 2010. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "2009 Hill 'N' Dale Cigar Mile Handicap Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 28 November 2009. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "2008 Hill 'N' Dale Cigar Mile Handicap Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 29 November 2008. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "2007 Hill 'n' Dale Cigar Mile Handicap Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 24 November 2007. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "2006 Hill 'n' Dale Cigar Mile Handicap Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 25 November 2006. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "2005 Hill 'n' Dale Cigar Mile Handicap Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 26 November 2005. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "2004 Cigar Mile Handicap Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 27 November 2004. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "2003 Cigar Mile Handicap Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 29 November 2003. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "2002 Cigar Mile Handicap Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 30 November 2002. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "2001 Cigar Mile Handicap Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 24 November 2001. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "2000 Cigar Mile Handicap Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 25 November 2000. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "1999 Cigar Mile Handicap Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 27 November 1999. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "1998 Cigar Mile Handicap Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 28 November 1998. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "1997 Cigar Mile Handicap Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 29 November 1997. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "1996 NYRA Mile Handicap Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 30 November 1996. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "1995 NYRA Mile Handicap Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 25 November 1995. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "1994 NYRA Mile Handicap Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 26 November 1994. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "1992 NYRA Mile Handicap Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 24 October 1992. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "1991 NYRA Mile Handicap Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 26 October 1991. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "Quiet American scores sizzling NYRA Mile win – (race 8: held 3 November 1990)". Lexington Herald-Leader. The Associated Press. 4 November 1990. p. 36. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- ^ "7-1 Dispersal Wins NYRA Mile By Nose – (race 8: held 21 October 1989)". Newsday (Suffolk Edition). 22 October 1989. p. 179. Retrieved 13 November 2021.