A race for horses age three and older, it was inaugurated on July 18, 1964, at Aqueduct Racetrack in Ozone Park, Queens, New York.
[2] The 1964 inaugural running at Aqueduct Racetrack was won by Master Dennis under jockey Fernando Alvarez for future U.S.
Racing Hall of Fame trainer Burley Parke and owner Harbor View Farm, the stable that in 1978 would win the U.S.
In the winner's circle, legendary Big Band leader Duke Ellington presented a trophy to each of Fort Marcy's team made up of owner Paul Mellon, one of only five people made an Exemplar of Racing, jockey Ycaza and trainer J. Elliott Burch, a future Hall of Fame inductee and a son and grandson of Hall of Fame trainers.
Tiller was ridden in that race by future Canadian Hall of Fame jockey Jeffrey Fell who was also aboard for his win in the Tidal Handicap.
[13][14] Reporting on his performance, the New York Times said "With Approval confirmed his standing as the best grass horse in the East this year.