The September 18, 1909 edition of the Daily Racing Form stated that for a number of years it had been one of the East Coast's most important and valuable stakes for two-year-olds.
[1] Among the race winners, Mesmerist was chosen the 1899 American Champion Two-Year-Old Male Horse as was Commando (1900), Highball (1903), Sysonby (1904) and Salvidere in 1906.
[2][3][4] In 1908, the administration of Republican Governor Charles Evans Hughes signed into law the Hart–Agnew bill that effectively banned all racetrack wagering in New York State.
A 1910 amendment to the legislation added further restrictions that meant by 1911 all racetracks in the state ceased operations.
[5] In 1923, a new Junior Champion Stakes, later renamed the Cowdin Stakes, was inaugurated at Aqueduct Racetrack in South Ozone Park neighborhood in Queens, New York City.