The MANHATTAN Handicap was inaugurated at Morris Park in 1896. It is named after the principal borough of New York City, which houses City Hall, Central Park, the New York Stock Exchange, the United Nations and a wide variety of noteworthy landmarks. Officially, Manhattan is designated as New York County. The name “Manhattan” is derived from an Algonquian term meaning “island of hills.” The Dutch purchased the island from Native Americans in 1626 for goods valued at about $24, before being later taken over by the English.
Run at Morris Park prior to 1905; at Aqueduct in 1959, 1961, and from 1963 to 1967. Not run in 1897 nor from 1909 to 1913. Run at a mile and a quarter in 1896; at six furlongs from 1898 to 1908; at seven furlongs in 1914 and 1915; at a mile from 1916 to 1932; a mile and a half from 1933 to 1958 and in 1960, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1968, 1969, and 1977; a mile and five sixteenths in 1961; at a mile and five eighths in 1959 and from 1965 to 1967; at a mile and three eighths from 1970 to 1976. Run on the main track prior to 1970 and in 1977, 1979, and 1988. Run in two divisions in 1971, 1972, 1975, and 1977.