The Races I Miss the Most

1. Marlboro Cup (1973-1987) It may have been short-lived, but during its’ fifteen year run at Belmont Park in the 70’s and 80’s, there was no better race run in America than the Marlboro Cup. Its roll call of runners reads like a who’s who of dirt racing beginning with the inaugural edition when Secretariat defeated his older stablemate, Riva Ridge, in track record time.

2. Flamingo Stakes (1926-2001) Named after the famous colony of pink flamingos ever present at historic Hialeah Park, the Flamingo Stakes was as important as any of the Kentucky Derby preps. The nine furlong affair not only hosted greats like Citation, Northern Dancer, and Seattle Slew but also provided an oasis from the winter doldrums with its unique beauty.

3. Washington D.C. International (1952-1994) From Kelso to Dahlia and before the Breeders’ Cup came along, no turf race was more important in American racing than this late-season 12 furlong race held at Laurel Park. But it was more than that, it was also America’s most international race, playing host to top grass horses from all over the world on a yearly basis.

4. Meadowlands Cup (1977-2010) Another late-season race that had difficulty maintaining its momentum after the unveiling of the Breeders’ Cup, the Meadowlands Cup quickly became an important supplement to the key handicap races of the fall in New York. With winners like Spectacular Bid, Wild Again, and Alysheba, the importance of the first dozen years or so of the Meadowlands Cup should not be undersestimated. I do not recognize the new Monmouth Cup as the same race.

5. Massachusetts Handicap (1935-2008) With early winners such as Seabiscuit, Whirlaway, and Stymie, the Mass ‘Cap was clearly a key spot for the top handicap horses on the East Coast during some of the golden years of racing. Despite some lean years, host track Suffolk fought to bring back the big race back to prominence, and with horses like Lost Code, Waquoit, Cigar, and Skip Away they succeeded to some extent, but it has not been run since 2008.

Honorable Mention: Michigan Mile and One Eighth, Garden State Stakes, Everglade Stakes, Widener Handicap, and the Young America Stakes.