The Mike Lee Stakes was the first leg of the "Big Apple Triple", a grouping of three races in New York state for New York .Belmont Park official website A horse who won all three of the Big Apple Triple won the purse total of $400,000 plus a $250,000 bonus.Big Apple Triple – New York Thoroughbred Breeders', Inc. The second leg was the New York Derby held at Finger Lakes Racetrack and the third leg was the Albany Stakes at the Saratoga Race Course. The series began in 1999 and was discontinued after the 2015 running.

The Mike Lee is held at Belmont Park in the spring and is open to three-year-olds of either gender running at 7 furlongs. It currently offers a purse of $125,000. Although it is not restricted to registered New York breds, due to the racing conditions, it's still not an open race.

This race was run as the New York City OTB Big Apple Handicap prior to 1988, but in 1989 was named for Mike Lee, the former sports editor with the Long Island Press for over 40 years. The race was run as the Mike Lee Handicap through 1995.

In 2008, Tin Cup Chalice won the first Big Apple Triple by taking the Albany Stakes, the New York Derby, and the Mike Lee Handicap.BloodHorse.com article titled Tin Cup Chalice Earns Big Apple Triple

Records Time record: 7 furlongs – : Captain Serious, 1:20.99 (2014) (Mike Lee Stakes) 7 furlongs – : Clearly Now, 1:19.96 (2014) (Belmont Park track record at this distance)

Most wins by a jockey: 4 – Edgar S. Prado (2001, 2003, 2004, 2006) 4 – José Ortiz (2014, 2019, 2021, 2023)

Most wins by a trainer: 3 – Michael E. Hushion (2013, 2014, 2017) 3 – H. James Bond (2000, 2001, 2003)

Most wins by an owner: 3 – James F. Edwards (1984, 2000, 2001)

Past winners Year Winner Jockey Trainer Owner Dist. Time Win$2026Sculcos Folly Jaime Rodriguez Richard E. Dutrow Jr.Michael Dubb7 F1:21.60$200,0002025Train the TrainerIrad Ortiz Jr.Rob AtrasAlipony Racing & Saints or Sinners LLC7 F 1:23.92$110,0002024Doc Sullivan Javier CastellanoMichael MiceliTristar Farm7 F 1:22.61$68,7502023Maker's CandyJosé OrtizMichael J. MakerParadise Farms Corp, David Staudacher, Maxis Stable and John Huber 7 F1:23.35$68,7502022RotkneeLuis SaezMichael J. MakerWilliam J. Butler 7 F1:23.90$68,7502021River DogJosé OrtizJeremiah EnglehartRobert Reidy7 F1:23.88$68,7502020Captain BombasticLuis SaezJeremiah EnglehartTeam Hanley7 F1:21.94$55,0002019Blindwillie McTellJosé OrtizLinda RiceJerold Zaro7 F1:21.53$68,7502018Analyze the OddsJunior AlvaradoJason ServisMichael Dubb7 F1:22.58$75,0002017T Loves a FightKendrick CarmoucheMichael E. HushionHoffman Thoroughbreds7 F1:25.06$75,0002016Bust AnotherEric CancelMichael V. PinoBing Cherry Racing7 F1:23.94$75,0002015OstrolenkaJohn R. VelazquezTodd A. PletcherEric Fein and Christopher McKenna7 F1:23.65$75,0002014Captain SeriousJosé OrtizMichael E. HushionBarry K. Schwartz7 F1:20.99$75,0002013AmberjackJunior AlvaradoMichael E. HushionPeachtree Stable7 F1:21.64$75,0002012Willy BeaminMichael J. LuzziRichard E. Dutrow Jr.James A. Riccio7 F1:22.44$75,0002011PreachintothedevilJose LezcanoGary C. ContessaCrossed Sabres Farm7 F1:22.44$60,000 2010Friend Or FoeRajiv MaraghJohn C. KimmelChester & Mary Broman7 F1:21.68$60,0002009Legal ConsentRamon A. DominguezCarlos F. MartinLansdon B. Robbins, III7 F1:24.72$63,3002008Tin Cup ChalicePedro A. RodriguezMichael A. LeCesseMichael A. Lecesse7 F1:24.12$65,8202007Chief's LakeGarrett K. GomezSteven M. AsmussenVinery Stable7 F1:23.14$64,6202006Ferocious WonEdgar S. PradoRichard E. Dutrow Jr.Sanford Goldfarb, Ira Davis, et al.7 F1:24.84$66,1802005Naughty New YorkerJean-Luc SamynPatrick J. KellyFox Ridge Farm, Inc.7 F1:23.05$64,8002004MultiplicationEdgar S. PradoRobert A. BaffertJames McIngvale7 F1:22.56$68,3402003BossanovaEdgar S. PradoH. James BondLorraine & Rod Rodriguez7 F1:22.93$70,2002002No ParoleShaun BridgmohanJoseph A. AquilinoThomas N. Mina7 F1:22.60$73,2202001Solar DeputyEdgar S. PradoH. James BondJames F. Edwards7 F1:23.79$84,1002000Image MakerJorge F. ChavezH. James BondJames F. Edwards7 F1:23.77$74,5201999Hearts At RiskRobbie DavisRichard E. SchosbergAlbert Fried Jr.7 F1:23.55$51,3901998Chasin' WimminJerry D. BaileyJohn O. HertlerSeymour Cohn7 F1:24.47$32,8501997Say Florida SandyRichard MiglioreRobert M. TriolaSanford Bacon7 F1:22.33$32,9101996Carrbine SpecialRobbie DavisAngel A. Penna Jr.Tri County Stable7 F1:24.24$33,2101995EndsaseeketRichard MiglioreRobert J. Reinacher Jr.A Y Line Stable/Vogel7 F1:24.74$33,3001994Scarlet RageRobbie DavisRichard O'ConnellVery Un Stable7 F1:23.06$33,8701993Classi EnvoyChris AntleyRobert A. BarbaraSabine Stable8 F1:37.20$43,2001992Montreal MartyJulie KroneFlint S. SchulhoferVendome Stable8 F1:35.54$74,4001991Ambassador in LoveJorge F. ChavezGary J. SciaccaConstantine P. Beler8 F1:38.08$74,6401990The ProfessorChris AntleyD. Wayne LukasTeam Clover Stable8 F1:36.80$71,4001989J.R.'s GiftJerry D. BaileyHerold O. WhylieRegis Hunter8 F1:35.60$72,9601988NotebookJosé A. SantosD. Wayne LukasEugene V. Klein8 F1:34.00$68,6401987Peggy's DreamRichard MiglioreStephen W. Schaeffer Jr.Margaret Smythe8 F1:36.40$42,9001986Landing PlotJuan C. EstradaArthur WendellTriad Stables8 F1:36.20$44,3401985Gallop RhythmNick SantagataWilliam RyanHenry C. Miederich8 F1:38.20$43,0201984Talc DusterKenny SkinnerWilliam E. BurchJames F. Edwards8 F1:36.60$43,3201983Father Don JuanFrank Lovato Jr.Stephen A. DiMauroMrs. Stephen A. DiMauro8 F1:36.40$33,6601982Majestic KatMary L. RussRoger LaurinLions Head Farm8 F1:37.00$33,3001981Adirondack HolmeRuben HernandezRamon M. HernandezAssunta Louis Farm8 F1:37.80$34,2001980ScreenlandJean-Luc SamynH. Allen JerkensEarle I. Mack8 F1:37.80$32,280

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