| Class | Grade 1 |
|---|---|
| Location | Belmont Park Elmont, New York, USA |
| Inaugurated | 1891 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred –Flat racing |
| Website | Metropolitan (NYRA)[1] |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1 mile (8 furlongs) |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Track | left-handed |
| Qualification | Three-year-olds & up |
| Weight | Handicap |
| Purse | $1,000,000 (2025) |
TheMetropolitan Handicap, frequently called the "Met Mile", is an AmericanGrade IThoroughbred horse race held atBelmont Park inElmont, New York. Open to horses age three and older, it is contested on dirt over a distance of one mile (8furlongs). Starting in 2014, it is now run on the same day as theBelmont Stakes in early June.
The Met Mile is one of the most prestigious American races outside of theTriple Crown andBreeders' Cup. It is known as a "stallion-making race" as the distance of a mile often displays the winner's "brilliance", referring to an exceptional turn of foot. Winners of the race who went on to become notable stallions includeTom Fool (1953),Native Dancer (1954),Buckpasser (1967),Fappiano (1981),Gulch (1987–88), andGhostzapper (2005).[2]
The Met Mile was first run in 1891 atMorris Park Racetrack. Prior to 1897, it was run at a distance of1+1⁄8 miles. In 1904, its location was moved to Belmont Park. There it remained except for nine years; 1960 to 1967, 1969, and 1975 when it was hosted byAqueduct Racetrack. It was not run in 1895, 1911, and 1912.
The Met Mile was the first of three races in theNew York Handicap Triple series, followed by theSuburban Handicap andBrooklyn Handicap. Four horses have won the Handicap Triple:
The Met Mile and the Brooklyn are now run on the same day as part of the Belmont Stakes undercard,[3] so it is no longer possible to complete the Handicap Triple.
There was aDead Heat for first in 1905.[4]
Time record:
Largest Margin
Most wins by an owner
Most wins by ajockey
Most wins by atrainer