 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (January 2021) |
| Restricted race | |
| Location | Belmont Park Elmont, New York, United States |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1976 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred – Flat racing |
| Website | www.nyra.com/belmont |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1+1⁄8 miles (9 furlongs) |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Left-handed |
| Qualification | Three-year-olds & up bred in New York State |
| Weight | Assigned |
| Purse | $125,000 |
Ashley T. Cole Handicap is an American thoroughbred horse race run annually at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. Run in mid September, the race is open to horses age three and older bred in the State of New York. Currently offering a purse of US$125,000, it is contested on turf at a distance of 1+1⁄8 miles. Prior to 1989, it was run on dirt. Due to weather conditions, the 2001 edition was raced on dirt.[1]
The race is named for the late Ashley T. Cole, a chairman of the New York State Racing Commission who played a crucial role in the creation of the New York Racing Association.
Inaugurated in 1976 at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, New York, until 1983 it was restricted to two-year-old horses. Since 1992 the race has been hosted by Belmont Park.
- ^ The Ashley T. Cole Handicap history at the NYRA Archived November 9, 2011, at the Wayback Machine [dead link]