ALFRED GWYNN VANDERBILT, for whom the race was re-named, was one of the driving forces behind racing in this country for most of the 20th Century. Mr. Vanderbilt was born in London in 1912 into one of American’s more famous families. He developed an interest in racing while an undergraduate at Yale University. He inherited the 582-acre Sagamore Farm in Glyndon, Maryland, at the age of 21 from his mother, Ms. Margaret Emerson. He became an instant success in his new venture as a Thoroughbred owner. Over the years, he campaigned four Eclipse Award champions (Bed o’ Roses, Discovery, Native Dancer, and Next Move), and countless stakes winners. He was elected to The Jockey Club in 1935. During the late 1930s and early 1940s, he supervised the operation of Pimlico Racetrack. During the Second World War, he served overseas in the U.S. Navy with a PT boat squadron. A Trustee Emeritus of The New York Racing Association, he served as Chairman of the Board at NYRA from 1971 to 1975. The New York Turf Writers honored Vanderbilt by voting him as “The Man Who Did The Most for Racing,” a record four times. Vanderbilt passed away in November of 1999 at his home in Mills Neck, New York.

Run as the A Phenomenon Handicap prior to 2000. In 2000, Intidab finished first, but was disqualified and placed second.