It is named for Manhattan, the principal borough of the City of New York.
Currently offering a purse of $1,000,000, the Grade I Manhattan Stakes is open to 4-year-olds & up, and is run on turf over the classic distance of 1+1⁄4 miles.
Moved in 1895 to Morris Park Racecourse in The Bronx, New York it remained there through 1904 when that racetrack also closed down.
In winning the 1964 edition of the Manhattan Handicap, Going Abroad time of 2:26.20 set a new North American speed record for 11⁄2 miles on dirt.
Large fields in 1971, 1972, 1975 and 1977 saw the race divided into two divisions.