METROPOLITAN HANDICAP · UNITED STATES
Metropolitan Handicap prize money
The Metropolitan Handicap is worth $1,000,000 for the 2026 running . That makes it the 94th richest of the 997 races on this site and the 39th richest in the United States.
Every figure here is the money the race announces, in the currency it announces it in. The currency control at the top swaps the whole page.
TOTAL PRIZE MONEY $1,000,000
WORLD RANK 94th
RUNNINGS HELD 134
FIRST RUN 1891
What the Metropolitan Handicap is
Grade 1 · 1 mile (8 furlongs) · Dirt · Belmont Park
- Racecourse
- Belmont Park
- Country
- United States
- Grade
- Grade 1
- Distance
- 1 mile (8 furlongs)
- Surface
- Dirt
- Race type
- Thoroughbred, Flat racing
- Open to
- Three-year-olds & up
- Direction
- left-handed
- First run
- 1891
We hold the total fund for the Metropolitan Handicap and no separate winner's cheque. What the winner takes is a rule the racecourse sets rather than a national one, and it varies race by race.
Run in 1:34.85 in 2026, the Metropolitan Handicap pays $10,543 for every second of the race, which is 62nd of the 611 races in horse racing prize money per second and 28th in the United States.
Every Metropolitan Handicap winner
134 runnings, 1891 to 2026, newest first
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | |Nysos5 · 1:34.85 | Flavien Prat | Bob Baffert | Baoma Corp, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, Derrick Smith |
| 2025 | Raging Torrent4 · 1:35.89 | Frankie Dettori | Doug O'Neill | Yueshang Zhang & Craig Dado |
| 2024 | National Treasure4 · 1:35.12 | Flavien Prat | Bob Baffert | SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Robert E. Masterson, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Jay A.Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital LLC and Catherine Donovan |
| 2023 | Cody's Wish5 · 1:34.36 | Junior Alvarado | William I. Mott | Godolphin |
| 2022 | Flightline4 · 1:33.59 | Flavien Prat | John W. Sadler | Horonis Racing, Summer Wind Equine, West Point Thoroughbreds, & Siena Farm |
| 2021 | Silver State4 · 1:35.45 | Ricardo Santana Jr. | Steve Asmussen | Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC and Willis Horton Racing LLC |
| 2020 | Vekoma4 · 1:32.88 | Javier Castellano | George Weaver | R A Hill Stable & Gatsas Stables |
| 2019 | Mitole4 · 1:32.75 | Ricardo Santana Jr. | Steven M. Asmussen | William & Corinne Heiligbrodt |
| 2018 | Bee Jersey4 · 1:33.13 | Ricardo Santana Jr. | Steven M. Asmussen | Charles E. Fipke |
| 2017 | Mor Spirit4 · 1:33.71 | Mike E. Smith | Bob Baffert | Michael Lund Petersen |
| 2016 | Frosted4 · 1:32.73 | Joel Rosario | Kiaran McLaughlin | Godolphin |
| 2015 | Honor Code4 · 1:33.18 | Javier Castellano | Shug McGaughey | Lane's End Racing |
| 2014 | Palace Malice4 · 1:33.56 | John Velazquez | Todd Pletcher | Dogwood Stable |
| 2013 | Sahara Sky4 · 1:34.17 | Joel Rosario | Jerry Hollendorfer | Goldmark Farm |
| 2012 | Shackleford4 · 1:33.30 | John Velazquez | Dale Romans | Lauffer/Cubbedge |
| 2011 | Tizway6 · 1:32.90 | Rajiv Maragh | H. James Bond | William Clifton Jr. |
| 2010 | Quality Road4 · 1:33.11 | John Velazquez | Todd Pletcher | Edward P. Evans |
| 2009 | Bribon6 · 1:34.15 | Alan Garcia | Rob Ribaudo | Marc Keller |
| 2008 | Divine Park4 · 1:36.91 | Alan Garcia | Kiaran McLaughlin | James J. Barry |
| 2007 | Corinthian4 · 1:34.77 | Kent Desormeaux | James A. Jerkens | Centennial Farms |
| 2006 | Silver Train4 · 1:34.27 | Edgar Prado | Richard E. Dutrow Jr. | Buckram Oak Farm |
| 2005 | Ghostzapper5 · 1:33.20 | Javier Castellano | Robert J. Frankel | Stronach Stables |
| 2004 | Pico Central5 · 1:35.40 | Alex Solis | Paulo Lobo | Gary A. Tanaka |
| 2003 | Aldebaran5 · 1:34.00 | Jerry D. Bailey | Robert J. Frankel | Flaxman Holdings |
| 2002 | Swept Overboard5 · 1:33.20 | Jorge F. Chavez | Craig Dollase | J. Paul Reddam |
| 2001 | Exciting Story4 · 1:37.00 | Patrick Husbands | Mark E. Casse | Harry T. Mangurian Jr. |
| 2000 | Yankee Victor4 · 1:34.60 | Heberto Castillo Jr. | Carlos Morales | Moreton Binn |
| 1999 | Sir Bear6 · 1:34.40 | John Velazquez | Ralph Ziade | Barbara Smollin |
| 1998 | Wild Rush4 · 1:33.40 | Jerry D. Bailey | Richard Mandella | Stronach Stables |
| 1997 | Langfuhr5 · 1:33.00 | Jorge F. Chavez | Mike Keogh | Gus Schickedanz |
| 1996 | Honour and Glory3 · 1:32.80 | John Velazquez | D. Wayne Lukas | Michael Tabor |
| 1995 | You And I4 · 1:34.60 | Jorge F. Chavez | Robert J. Frankel | Edmund A. Gann |
| 1994 | Holy Bull3 · 1:33.80 | Mike E. Smith | Jimmy Croll | Jimmy Croll |
| 1993 | Ibero6 · 1:34.20 | Laffit Pincay Jr. | Ron McAnally | Frank E. Whitham |
| 1992 | Dixie Brass3 · 1:33.60 | Julio Pezua | Dennis J. Brida | Michael Watral |
| 1991 | In Excess4 · 1:35.40 | Pat Valenzuela | Bruce L. Jackson | Jack J. Munari |
| 1990 | Criminal Type5 · 1:34.40 | José A. Santos | D. Wayne Lukas | Calumet Farm |
| 1989 | Proper Reality4 · 1:34.00 | Jerry D. Bailey | Robert E. Holthus | Mrs. James A. Winn |
| 1988 | Gulch4 · 1:34.60 | José A. Santos | D. Wayne Lukas | Peter M. Brant |
| 1987 | Gulch3 · 1:34.80 | Pat Day | LeRoy Jolley | Peter M. Brant |
| 1986 | Garthorn6 · 1:33.60 | Rafael Meza | Robert J. Frankel | Jerome S. Moss |
| 1985 | Forzando4 · 1:34.40 | Don MacBeth | John Sullivan | S. C. Chillingworth |
| 1984 | Fit to Fight5 · 1:34.00 | Jerry D. Bailey | MacKenzie Miller | Rokeby Stable |
| 1983 | Star Choice4 · 1:33.80 | Jorge Velásquez | John M. Veitch | Frances A. Genter |
| 1982 | Conquistador Cielo3 · 1:33.00 | Eddie Maple | Woody Stephens | Henryk de Kwiatkowski |
| 1981 | Fappiano4 · 1:33.80 | Ángel Cordero Jr. | Jan H. Nerud | John A. Nerud |
| 1980 | Czaravich4 · 1:35.80 | Laffit Pincay Jr. | William H. Turner Jr. | William L. Reynolds |
| 1979 | State Dinner4 · 1:34.00 | Chris McCarron | William E. Burch | C. V. Whitney |
| 1978 | Cox's Ridge4 · 1:34.60 | Eddie Maple | Joseph B. Cantey | Loblolly Stable |
| 1977 | Forego7 · 1:34.80 | Bill Shoemaker | Frank Whiteley | Lazy F Ranch |
| 1976 | Forego6 · 1:34.80 | Heliodoro Gustines | Frank Whiteley | Lazy F Ranch |
| 1975 | Gold and Myrrh4 · 1:33.60 | Walter Blum | William F. Wilmot | William B. Wilmot |
| 1974 | Arbees Boy4 · 1:34.40 | Eddie Maple | George Weckerle | Otly Stable |
| 1973 | Tentam4 · 1:35.00 | Jorge Velásquez | MacKenzie Miller | Cragwood Stables |
| 1972 | Executioner4 · 1:35.40 | Eddie Belmonte | Eddie Yowell | October House Farm |
| 1971 | Tunex5 · 1:35.80 | John Ruane | H. Allen Jerkens | Hobeau Farm |
| 1970 | Nodouble5 · 1:34.60 | Jorge Tejeira | J. Bert Sonnier | Verna Lea Farm |
| 1969 | Arts and Letters3 · 1:34.00 | Jean Cruguet | J. Elliott Burch | Rokeby Stable |
| 1968 | In Reality4 · 1:35.00 | John L. Rotz | Melvin Calvert | Frances A. Genter |
| 1967 | Buckpasser4 · 1:34.60 | Braulio Baeza | Edward A. Neloy | Ogden Phipps |
| 1966 | Bold Lad4 · 1:34.20 | Braulio Baeza | Edward A. Neloy | Wheatley Stable |
| 1965 | Gun Bow5 · 1:34.40 | Walter Blum | Edward A. Neloy | Gedney Farm |
| 1964 | Olden Times6 · 1:34.40 | Henry Moreno | Mesh Tenney | Rex C. Ellsworth |
| 1963 | Cyrano4 · 1:35.00 | Bobby Ussery | John M. Gaver Sr. | Greentree Stable |
| 1962 | Carry Back4 · 1:33.60 | John L. Rotz | Jack A. Price | Katherine Price |
| 1961 | Kelso4 · 1:35.60 | Eddie Arcaro | Carl Hanford | Bohemia Stable |
| 1960 | Bald Eagle5 · 1:33.60 | Manuel Ycaza | Woody Stephens | Cain Hoy Stable |
| 1959 | Sword Dancer3 · 1:35.20 | Bill Shoemaker | J. Elliott Burch | Brookmeade Stable |
| 1958 | Gallant Man4 · 1:35.60 | Bill Shoemaker | John A. Nerud | Ralph Lowe |
| 1957 | Traffic Judge5 · 1:36.00 | Eddie Arcaro | James W. Maloney | Louis P. Doherty |
| 1956 | Midafternoon4 · 1:35.00 | William Boland | Thomas M. Waller | Mrs. Edward E. Robbins |
| 1955 | High Gun4 · 1:35.60 | Anthony DeSpirito | Max Hirsch | King Ranch |
| 1954 | Native Dancer4 · 1:35.20 | Eric Guerin | Bill Winfrey | Alfred G. Vanderbilt II |
| 1953 | Tom Fool4 · 1:35.80 | Ted Atkinson | John M. Gaver Sr. | Greentree Stable |
| 1952 | Mameluke4 · 1:36.40 | Gerald Porch | Sylvester Veitch | C. V. Whitney |
| 1951 | Casemate4 · 1:35.40 | Dave Gorman | Robert Dotter | James Cox Brady Jr. |
| 1950 | Greek Ship3 · 1:36.60 | Hedley Woodhouse | Preston M. Burch | Brookmeade Stable |
| 1949 | Loser Weeper4 · 1:36.40 | Hedley Woodhouse | Bill Winfrey | Alfred G. Vanderbilt II |
| 1948 | Stymie7 · 1:36.80 | Conn McCreary | Hirsch Jacobs | Ethel D. Jacobs |
| 1947 | Stymie6 · 1:37.40 | Basil James | Hirsch Jacobs | Ethel D. Jacobs |
| 1946 | Gallorette4 · 1:37.00 | Job Dean Jessop | Edward A. Christmas | William L. Brann |
| 1945 | Devil Diver6 · 1:36.40 | Ted Atkinson | John M. Gaver Sr. | Greentree Stable |
| 1944 | Devil Diver5 · 1:35.80 | Ted Atkinson | John M. Gaver Sr. | Greentree Stable |
| 1943 | Devil Diver4 · 1:36.60 | George Woolf | John M. Gaver Sr. | Greentree Stable |
| 1942 | Attention4 · 1:36.40 | Don Meade | Max Hirsch | Mrs. Parker Corning |
| 1941 | Eight Thirty5 · 1:37.20 | Harry Richards | Bert Mulholland | George D. Widener Jr. |
| 1940 | Third Degree4 · 1:35.40 | Eddie Arcaro | John M. Gaver Sr. | Greentree Stable |
| 1939 | Knickerbocker3 · 1:37.20 | Fred A. Smith | Pete Coyne | Joseph E. Widener |
| 1938 | Danger Point4 · 1:38.00 | Eddie Arcaro | Eddie Hayward | James D. Norris |
| 1937 | Snark4 · 1:37.80 | Johnny Longden | James Fitzsimmons | Wheatley Stable |
| 1936 | Good Harvest4 · 1:36.40 | Sam Renick | Bud Stotler | Alfred G. Vanderbilt II |
| 1935 | King Saxon4 · 1:38.20 | Calvin Rainey | Charles H. Knebelkamp | Charles H. Knebelkamp |
| 1934 | Mr. Khayyam4 · 1:37.00 | Robert Jones | Matthew P. Brady | Catawba Farm |
| 1933 | Equipoise5 · 1:37.40 | Raymond Workman | Thomas J. Healey | C. V. whitney |
| 1932 | Equipoise4 · 1:37.00 | Raymond Workman | Thomas J. Healey | C. V. whitney |
| 1931 | Questionnaire4 · 1:38.60 | Raymond Workman | Andy Schuttinger | James Butler |
| 1930 | Jack High4 · 1:35.00 | Linus McAtee | A. Jack Joyner | George D. Widener Jr. |
| 1929 | Petee-Wrack4 · 1:40.00 | Steve O'Donnell | Willie Booth | John R. Macomber |
| 1928 | Nimba4 · 1:40.00 | Harold Thurber | George M. Odom | Marshall Field III |
| 1927 | Black Maria4 · 1:37.40 | Frank Coltiletti | William H. Karrick | William R. Coe |
| 1926 | Sarazen5 · 1:38.00 | Fred Weiner | Max Hirsch | Fair Stable |
| 1925 | Sting4 · 1:37.00 | Bennie Breuning | Jimmy Johnson | James Butler |
| 1924 | Laurano3 · 1:38.20 | Harold Thurber | Johnny Loftus | Oak Ridge Stable |
| 1923 | Grey Lag5 · 1:38.00 | Earl Sande | Sam Hildreth | Rancocas Stable |
| 1922 | Mad Hatter6 · 1:36.60 | Earl Sande | Sam Hildreth | Rancocas Stable |
| 1921 | Mad Hatter5 · 1:37.40 | Earl Sande | Sam Hildreth | Rancocas Stable |
| 1920 | Wildair3 · 1:38.80 | Eddie Ambrose | James G. Rowe Sr. | Harry Payne Whitney |
| 1919 | Lanius4 · 1:42.40 | Johnny Loftus | A. Jack Joyner | George D. Widener Jr. |
| 1918 | Trompe La Mort3 · 1:38.40 | Linus McAtee | Thomas Welsh | Joseph E. Widener |
| 1917 | Ormesdale4 · 1:39.20 | John McTaggart | Thomas J. Healey | Richard T. Wilson Jr. |
| 1916 | The Finn4 · 1:38.00 | Andy Schuttinger | Edward W. Heffner | Harry C. Hallenbeck |
| 1915 | Stromboli4 · 1:39.80 | Clarence Turner | Sam Hildreth | August Belmont Jr. |
| 1914 | Buskin4 · 1:37.80 | Charles Fairbrother | John Whalen | John Whalen |
| 1913 | Whisk Broom II6 · 1:39.00 | Joe Notter | James G. Rowe Sr. | Harry Payne Whitney |
| 1910 | Fashion Plate4 · 1:37.80 | Matt McGee | William H. Karrick | Oneck Stable |
| 1909 | King James4 · 1:40.00 | Guy Burns | John E. Madden | Sam Hildreth |
| 1908 | Jack Atkin4 · 1:38.60 | Carroll H. Shilling | Herman R. Brandt | Barney Schreiber |
| 1907 | Glorifier5 · 1:40.80 | Charles Garner | James H. McCormick | James H. McCormick |
| 1906 | Grapple4 · 1:39.00 | Charles Garner | Enoch Wishard | John A. Drake |
| 1905 | Race King (DH)4 · 1:41.60 | L. Smith | Jim McLaughlin | Orville L. Richards |
| 1905 | Sysonby (DH)3 · 1:41.60 | Willie Shaw | James G. Rowe Sr. | James R. Keene |
| 1904 | Irish Lad4 · 1:40.00 | Willie Shaw | John E. Madden | Herman B. Duryea |
| 1903 | Gunfire (horse)|Gunfire4 · 1:38.00 | Tommy Burns | John W. Rogers | William C. Whitney |
| 1902 | Arsenal3 · 1:42.50 | J. Daly | Julius Bauer | Arthur L. Featherstone |
| 1901 | Banastar6 · 1:42.00 | George M. Odom | Charles F. Hill | Charles H. Mackay |
| 1900 | Ethelbert4 · 1:41.00 | Danny Maher | A. Jack Joyner | Perry Belmont |
| 1899 | Filigrane4 · 1:39.25 | Richard Clawson | R. Wyndham Walden | A. H. Morris & D. H. Morris |
| 1898 | Bowling Brook3 · 1:44.00 | Pete Clay | R. Wyndham Walden | A. H. Morris & D. H. Morris |
| 1897 | Voter3 · 1:40.00 | John Lamley | William Lakeland | James R. Keene |
| 1896 | Counter Tenor4 · 1:53.00 | Anthony Hamilton | William Lakeland | Jacob Ruppert Jr. |
| 1894 | Ramapo4 · 1:52.50 | Fred Taral | John J. Hyland | Gideon & Daly |
| 1893 | Charade4 · 1:52.25 | Samuel Doggett | William R. Jones | William R. Jones |
| 1892 | Pessara4 · 1:54.00 | Fred Taral | John S. Campbell | Alfred F. Walcott & J. S. Campbell |
| 1891 | Tristan3 · 1:51.50 | George Taylor | Louis Stuart | L. Stuart & Co. |
134 of the 134 runnings name the rider, 134 name the trainer and 134 name the owner, who is the one of the three the prize money actually belongs to.
Who wins the Metropolitan Handicap more than once
The fact the table above holds and cannot show
Devil Diver has won it 3 times, which is more than any other horse.
6 horses have won it more than once across 134 runnings.
Most wins by a trainer
| Horse | Wins | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Devil Diver | 3 | 1943, 1944, 1945 |
| Gulch | 2 | 1987, 1988 |
| Forego | 2 | 1976, 1977 |
| Stymie | 2 | 1947, 1948 |
| Equipoise | 2 | 1932, 1933 |
| Mad Hatter | 2 | 1921, 1922 |
Races worth about the same
Either side of the Metropolitan Handicap in the world money order
| # | Race | Country | Prize money | As published |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 84 | Churchill Downs StakesChurchill Downs | United States | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| 85 | Cotillion HandicapParx Racing and Casino | United States | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| 86 | Derby City Distaff StakesChurchill Downs | United States | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| 87 | Florida DerbyGulfstream Park | United States | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| 88 | Godolphin MileMeydan Racecourse | United Arab Emirates | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| 89 | Haskell StakesMonmouth Park Racetrack | United States | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| 90 | Jockey Club Gold CupBelmont Park | United States | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| 91 | La Troienne StakesChurchill Downs | United States | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| 92 | Louisiana DerbyFair Grounds Race Course | United States | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| 93 | Manhattan StakesBelmont Park | United States | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| 95 | Pacific Classic StakesDel Mar Racetrack | United States | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| 96 | Pegasus World Cup Turf InvitationalGulfstream Park | United States | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| 97 | Pennsylvania DerbyParx Racing and Casino, | United States | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| 98 | Rebel StakesOaklawn Park Race Track | United States | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| 99 | Southwest StakesOaklawn Park Race Track | United States | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| 100 | Whitney StakesSaratoga Race Course | United States | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| 101 | Grand Steeple-Chase de ParisAuteuil Racecourse | France | $966,239 | €850,000 |
| 102 | Commonwealth CupAscot Racecourse | Great Britain | $965,248 | £725,750 |
| 103 | Mile Championship Nambu HaiMorioka Racecourse | Japan | $938,448 | ¥140,000,000 |
| 104 | St Leger StakesDoncaster Racecourse | Great Britain | $931,000 | £700,000 |
The 20 races closest to the Metropolitan Handicap in what they pay, above and below it. Follow the ranking all the way up on the richest races in the world.
The rest of the money in the United States
196 races, 39th of them is this one
| Race | Racecourse | Grade | Prize money |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jockey Club Gold Cup | Belmont Park | Grade I | $1,000,000 |
| La Troienne Stakes | Churchill Downs | Grade I | $1,000,000 |
| Louisiana Derby | Fair Grounds Race Course | Grade II | $1,000,000 |
| Manhattan Stakes | Belmont Park | Grade I | $1,000,000 |
| Pacific Classic Stakes | Del Mar Racetrack | Grade I | $1,000,000 |
| Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational | Gulfstream Park | Grade I | $1,000,000 |
| Pennsylvania Derby | Parx Racing and Casino, | Grade I | $1,000,000 |
| Rebel Stakes | Oaklawn Park Race Track | Grade II | $1,000,000 |
Every race in the United States we hold a purse for is on the United States prize money list.
Frequently asked questions
What is the total Metropolitan Handicap prize money?
$1,000,000, for the 2026 running.
Where does the Metropolitan Handicap rank among the richest races in the world?
94th of 997. 93 races pay more, the nearest of them Churchill Downs Stakes. In the United States it is 39th of 196.
Which horse has won the Metropolitan Handicap most often?
Devil Diver, 3 times, in 1943, 1944, 1945.
Which jockey has won the Metropolitan Handicap most often?
John Velazquez, with 5 wins between 1996 and 2014.
When was the Metropolitan Handicap first run?
1891. This page holds 134 runnings, from 1891 to 2026.
How far is the Metropolitan Handicap?
1 mile (8 furlongs), on dirt, at Belmont Park.
Where to next
The rest of the racing money