Cigar Mile H. Presented by NYRA Bets

The Cigar Mile Handicap began in 1988 as the NYRA Mile. In 1994 it was won by a record 7 lengths by the legendary Cigar and the race was renamed for the horse in 1997. It is run annually in late November.

Notable horses including Forty Niner, Rubiano, Congaree, To Honor and Serve and the aforementioned Cigar have all won the race. Congaree won the race in back-to-back years in 2002 and 2003 under jockey Jerry Bailey, who holds the record for wins by a jockey with five. Trainer Todd Pletcher has won the race a record four times. In 2015, 2014 Belmont Stakes winner Tonalist became the first classic winner to also win the Cigar Mile.