Merchants and Citizens Handicap

Merchants and Citizens Handicap
Discontinued stakes race
LocationSaratoga Race Course
Saratoga Springs, New York, United States
Inaugurated1900–1960
Race typeThoroughbred – Flat racing
Race information
Distance1+3⁄4 miles (14 furlongs)
SurfaceDirt
Trackleft-handed
QualificationThree-years-old and up

The Merchants and Citizens Handicap is a discontinued American Thoroughbred horse race which was first run in 1900 at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. Open to horses aged three and older, it was contested on dirt. The inaugural event was won by Orville Richards' gelding Charentus and the final running in 1960 by Gustave Ring's Don Poggio.[1][2] In between them, some of the races most notable winners include U.S. Racing Hall of Fame inductees Roamer, Sir Barton, Exterminator (1921) and Discovery (1935).[3]

The 1919 U. S. Triple Crown winner Sir Barton set a world record of 1:55 3/5 for 1 3/16 miles on dirt in winning the August 28, 1920 edition of the Merchants and Citizens Handicap.[4]

  1. ^ University of Kentucky archives (August 23, 1919). "Merchants and Citizens Handicap, Leading Attractions at Saratoga Today". Daily Racing Form. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
  2. ^ Greeley Daily Tribune, Greeley Daily Tribune, Greeley, Colorado (August 27, 1960). "Merchants and Citizens Handicap, Don Poggio". Greeley Daily Tribune. Retrieved 9 October 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. "Hall of Fame – Horses". The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
  4. ^ Special to The New York Times. (August 29, 1920). "Sir Barton Sets New World Mark". The New York Times. Retrieved 30 November 2011.