[1] Open to three-year-old horses of either sex, it was contested over a distance of one and one-quarter miles on dirt.
[2] The first four editions of the Hamilton Derby were won by Canadian-owned horses but passage of the Hart–Agnew anti-betting legislation in 1908 by the New York Legislature led to a compete shutdown of racing in 1911 and 1912 in that state.
[3][4] As a result, American owners began sending horses to compete in Canada and stalls at the Hamilton Jockey Club track were in great demand.
Leading the way was Kentucky Derby winner Meridian plus the Derby runner-up Governor Gray, Richard Wilson Jr.'s Naushon, as well as the colt Pagod, owned by Lily A. Livingston, the former proprietor of the Rancocas Stud Farm and racing stable.
[6] With American stables then competing regularly in the Hamilton Derby, it earned a good reputation as confirmed by a March 17, 1914 Daily Racing Form report that it was "always one of the great three-year-old races of the season" in Canada.