Thistle Stakes

The 1908 passage of the Hart-Agnew anti-betting legislation by the New York Legislature under Republican Governor Charles Evans Hughes would lead to a state-wide shutdown of racing in 1911 and 1912.^[4] In order to survive without income from wagering, the Sheepshead Bay Race Track had no choice but to drastically cut the purse money for all of their races. While Montfort’s 1908 victory in the Thistle Stakes brought his owner first-place money of $4,560, when Norbitt won the following year the 1909 winner’s share was just $430.^[5] With more than a year of racetrack and horse owner revenues dropping to unsustainable levels, the June 27, 1910 running of the Thistle Stakes on the grass course would prove to be its final edition. With just four horses entered, The Peer, a four-year-old gelding won by five lengths for owner Patrick Dunne and trainer Frank Hanlon.^[6]

It would be five years after Hart-Agnew became law that a February 21, 1913 ruling by the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division saw horse racing return that year.^[7] However, by then it was too late for the Sheepshead Bay track as it had ceased all horse racing operations.

Speed record:

• 1:52.00 @ 11⁄8 miles: Dainty 1904 & Norbitt 1909^{[citation needed]}

Most wins:

• no horse, jockey, trainer or owner won this race more than once^{[citation needed]}