The New York State Brooklyn neighbourhood of Gravesend boasts a population of just under 30,000 and celebrates a rich history, being founded by Lady Deborah Moody on 19th December 1645. The neighbourhood had its own racecourse, Gravesend Race Track, in the last years of the 19th century. The track opened in 1886 by two Brooklyn entrepreneurs, Michael and Philip Dwyer, who were majority shareholders in the Brooklyn Jockey Club. Built on land previously used for harness racing at Prospect Park, the track soon became established as an important thoroughbred racecourse, hosting such prestigious races as the Preakness Stakes for 15 consecutive years from 1894 to 1908 inclusive. Other feature races held at the track included the Brooklyn Handicap, the Astoria Stakes, the Gravesend Handicap now run at Aqueduct Raceourse, and the Gazelle Handicap. Terminal disaster struck in 1908 when a Bill, the Hart-Agnew Law, was introduced by Governor Charles Evans Hughes banning betting on racetracks, sounding the death knell for Gravesend Racecourse. Although the track remained intact hoping for a repeal of the Bill, it was sold for development in the 1920, with a housing estate being built on the site of the former racecourse once its buildings were demolished in 1922. |
Preakness Stakes when contested at Gravesend Racecourse between 1894 and 1908
1894 The Preakness Stakes, over 1 1/6th miles, was won by Assignee trained by William Lakel and ridden by Fred Taral
1895 The Preakness Stakes, over 1 1/6th miles, was won by Belmar trained by Edward Feakes and ridden by Fred Taral
1896 The Preakness Stakes, over 1 1/6th miles, was won by Margrave trained by Byron McCelland and ridden by Henry Griffin
1897 The Preakness Stakes, over 1 1/6th miles, was won by Paul Kauvar trained by Thomas Hayes and ridden by Thomas Thorpe
1898 The Preakness Stakes, over 1 1/6th miles, was won by Sly Fox trained by Hardy Campbell and ridden by Willie Simms
1899 The Preakness Stakes, over 1 1/6th miles, was won by Half Time trained by Frank McCabe and ridden by Richard Clawson
1900 The Preakness Stakes, over 1 1/6th miles, was won by Hindus trained by John Morris and ridden by Henry Spencer
1901 The Preakness Stakes, over 1 mile 70 yards, was won by The Parader trained by Thomas Healy and ridden by Frank Landry
1902 The Preakness Stakes, over 1 mile 70 yards, was won by Old England trained by Green Morris land and ridden by Lee Jackson
1903 The Preakness Stakes, over 1 mile 70 yards, was won by Flocarline trained by Henry Riddel and ridden by William Gannon
1904 The Preakness Stakes, over 1 mile 70 yards, was won by Bryn Mawr trained by Fred Presgrave and ridden by Gene Hildebrand
1905 The Preakness Stakes, over 1 mile 70 yards, was won by Cairngorm trained by Jack Joyner and ridden by Willie Davis
1906 The Preakness Stakes, over 1 mile 70 yards, was won by Whimsical trained by Tim Gaynor and ridden by Walter Miller
1907 The Preakness Stakes, over 1 mile 70 yards, was won by Don Enrique trained by John Whalen and ridden by George Mountain
1908 The Preakness Stakes, over 1 1/6th miles, was won by Royal Tourist trained by Jack Joyner and ridden by Eddie Dugan |
