The New York State historical neighbourhood of Fordham, now enclosed within the Bronx, was the location of Jerome Park racecourse. Back in 1666 a Dutch settler named John Archer settled in the area and built a community on the 3900 acres of land he owned. Between 1671 and 1762 his land became known as Fordham Manor, hence the name of the neighbourhood. The racetrack opened for the first time in 1866 in the north-west of Fordham in Westchester County, with racing administered by the American Jockey Club. The track was most famous for hosting the first running of the Belmont Stakes, the oldest leg of the Triple Crown named in honour of August Belmont, and continued an unbroken run of staging the race until 1889. Afterwards it was transferred to nearby Morris Park Racecourse. Other feature races included the Champagne Stakes first run in 1867, and the Ladies Handicap first run in 1868. The track closed its doors for the final time on 4th October 1894 and the site is now covered by Jerome Park Reservoir.
Belmont Stakes winners run at Jerome Park between 1867 and 1889.
1867 The Belmont Stakes, over `1 5/8 ths mile, was won by Ruthless trained by Jack Minor and ridden by Gilbert Patrick
1868 The Belmont Stakes, over `1 5/8 ths mile, was won by General Duke trained by A Thompson and ridden by Bobby Swim
1869 The Belmont Stakes, over `1 5/8 ths mile, was won by Fenian trained by Jacob Pincus and ridden by C Miller
1870 The Belmont Stakes, over `1 5/8 ths mile, was won by Kingfisher trained by Raleigh Colston and ridden by Edward Brown
1871 The Belmont Stakes, over `1 5/8 ths mile, was won by Harry Bassett trained by David McDaniel and ridden by W Miller
1872 The Belmont Stakes, over `1 5/8 ths mile, was won by Joe Daniels trained by David McDaniel and ridden by James Rowe
1873 The Belmont Stakes, over `1 5/8 ths mile, was won by Springbok trained by David McDaniel and ridden by James Rowe
1874 The Belmont Stakes, over `12 furlongs, was won by Saxon trained by William Pryor and ridden by George Barbee
1875 The Belmont Stakes, over `12 furlongs, was won by Calvin trained by Ansel Williamson and ridden by Bobby Swim
1876 The Belmont Stakes, over `12 furlongs, was won by Algerine trained by Thomas Doswell and ridden by Billy Donohue
1877 The Belmont Stakes, over `12 furlongs, was won by Cloverbrook trained by Jeter Walden and ridden by C Holloway
1878 The Belmont Stakes, over `12 furlongs, was won by Duke of Magenta trained by Wyndham Walden and ridden by W Hughes
1879 The Belmont Stakes, over `12 furlongs, was won by Spendthrift trained by Thomas Puryear and ridden by George Evans
1880 The Belmont Stakes, over `12 furlongs, was won by Grenada trained by Wyndham Walden and ridden by W Hughes
1881 The Belmont Stakes, over `12 furlongs, was won by Saunterer trained by Wyndham Walden and ridden by Tom Costello
1882 The Belmont Stakes, over `12 furlongs, was won by Forester trained by Lewis Stuart and ridden by Jim McLaughlin
1883 The Belmont Stakes, over `12 furlongs, was won by George Kinney trained by James Rowe and ridden by Jim McLaughlin
1884 The Belmont Stakes, over `12 furlongs, was won by Panique trained by James Rowe and ridden by Jim McLaughlin
1885 The Belmont Stakes, over `12 furlongs, was won by Tyrant trained by C Claypool and ridden by Paul Duffy
1886 The Belmont Stakes, over `12 furlongs, was won by Inspector B trained by Frank McCabe and ridden by Jim McLaughlin
1887 The Belmont Stakes, over `12 furlongs, was won by Hanover trained by Frank McCabe and ridden by Jim McLaughlin
1888 The Belmont Stakes, over `12 furlongs, was won by Sir Dixon trained by Frank McCabe and ridden by Jim McLaughlin
1889 The Belmont Stakes, over `12 furlongs, was won by Eric trained by John Huggins and ridden by William Hayward
