What is the Metropolitan Handicap?
The Metropolitan Handicap is a prestigious Grade 1 horse race held annually at Saratoga Racecourse. The event is a major highlight of the racing season and attracts top dirt horses from across the country.
When is the Metropolitan Handicap in 2026?
The Metropolitan Handicap is scheduled to take place on June 6th. This prestigious event is held annually at Saratoga.
Who are some notable winners of the Metropolitan Handicap?
Over the years, the Metropolitan Handicap has seen many remarkable winners. The standout winner is Holy Bull in 1994, another notable winner is National Treasure, who won in 2024, showcasing his consistency and class. These horses continue the tradition of excellence, that add depth and history to the race’s legacy.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Raging Torrent | Lanfranco Dettori | Doug F. O'Neill | Zhang Yuesheng, Great Friends Stable | 1:35.89 |
| 2024 | National Treasure | Flavien Prat | Bob Baffert | Jay Schoenfarber, Catherine Donovan, Robert E. Masterson, Waves Edge Capital LLC, Starlight Racing, SF Racing LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Madaket Stables LLC | 1:35.12 |
| 2023 | Cody's Wish | Junior Alvarado | William I. Mott | Godolphin LLC | 1:34.36 |
| 2022 | Flightline | Flavien Prat | John W. Sadler | Hronis Racing LLC, Summer Wind Equine LLC, West Point Thoroughbreds Inc. | 1:33.59 |
| 2021 | Silver State | Ricardo Santana, Jr. | Steven M. Asmussen | Willis Horton Racing LLC, Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC | 1:35.45 |
| 2020 | Vekoma | Javier Castellano | George Weaver | R. A. Hill Stable, Gatsas Stables | 1:32.88 |
The Metropolitan Handicap is a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series race. This means that the winner of the Metropolitan Handicap gets an automatic berth to the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, one of the championship races held at the end of the year. This incentive makes the race highly competitive as it provides a direct path to one of the most prestigious events in horse racing.
