The WESTCHESTER Handicap was first run at the old Empire City racetrack, and originally called the Yorktown Handicap. John
Sanford's five year old George Smith won the first running, in 1920. The following year, the race became the Victory
Handicap, but it was again the Yorktown from 1922 to 1939, becoming the Westchester in 1940, when the late Charles S.
Howard's Mioland triumphed as a three year old. The County of Westchester, located to the north of Bronx County, derives its name from Chester, England.
Najran equaled the track-record time set by Dr. Fager on August 24, 1968.
The WESTCHESTER Handicap was run at Empire City prior to 1943; at Jamaica from 1943 to 1959. Not run in
1932, 1933, nor from 1954 to 1958. Run at a mile and a furlong in 1918, 1922 to 1939, and from 1951 to 1953; at a
mile and a quarter in 1919, 1920, and 1921; at a mile and three sixteenths from 1940 to 1950; at a mile and a sixteenth
in 1959, 1977, 1978, and 1979. Run at a mile and seventy yards in 1984. For four year olds and up from 1959 to 1971.
Run in two divisions in 1982.