The Cigar Mile Handicap at Aqueduct Racetrack features a $500,000 purse and closes out the fall meet on December 6. If you follow online horse race betting, you will know this is a high-caliber money race to follow, the last elite dirt mile race of the year. The Cigar Mile is a race with great New York racing history and was and is still a top race to win for older horses.
This will break down what the 2025 running will be like, how the current contestants compare, tips for bettors, and future possibilities. This will provide you with some of the most important stats, precedents set by champ races, and top betting estimates and conclusions.
What Makes the Cigar Mile Tick
Legacy Meets Current Stakes
The Cigar Mile started in 1988 as the NYRA Mile Handicap (the first winner was the 3-year-old Forty Niner, who ended his career as a leading sire). The race slowly but surely began to prestige the race, achieving Grade I in 1990. In 1994, the great Cigar won the race in a mile by 7 lengths, the first of 16 races in a row where he won, a streak that was, and still is, considered legendary and cemented both his and the event’s place in history as greats. In 1997, the race was renamed tothe Cigar Mile in honor of his great achievement.
Even over the years, many other stars have come from the race. Congaree, Discreet Cat (who set a stakes record in 2006 running 1:32.46), Tonalist, and Maximum Security.
As of 2023, the race was downgraded to Grade II.
2025 Snapshot: What’s Changed This Year
This year’s is particularly amazing. The 2025 fall meet at Aqueduct (November-December) features the Cigar Mile with a $500,000 purse. The 2025 prognostications are a well-balanced seven-horse field and will mark the last running of the Cigar Mile at Aqueduct before winter racing moves to an overhauled Belmont Park.
Bishops Bay is likely to be the favorite, a 5-year-old son of Uncle Mo with a slew of graded stakes wins already. Phileas Fogg, a 5-year-old gelding, is expected to cut back to a one-turn mile after some stellar performances at longer distances, so he should be a horse to watch. Others like Crazy Mason, a gritty deep closing sprinter stretching out to a mile, will add some intrigue to the race.
The smaller and more strategic field offers compelling worth, and possibly one last hurrah at the Big A as well.
Cigar Mile 2025 – Tactical Breakdown
Speed vs Stamina: Who Suits the Dirt Mile
Horses that can be tactically speedy, along with possessing the stamina, finish well to succeed in the one-mile dirt track run. Up close, deep-closers might find the pace too unhurried to catch early burners. The top horses in the field do well in distance races, especially at Aqueduct, with the top dirt track in mile races, run at least a couple of times.
Bishop’s Bay is the most consistent of the field with several dirt track one-mile races to its name. Phileas Fogg is a less experienced horse with a distance cut back. He is coming off a pair of speedy workouts, though, which suggests a good chance at a fast finish. After running out of money is a more experienced horse, Crazy Mason. He ran a good mile in a prior race, but with a stretching running background, completing the race might be a struggle.
Recent Form Matters More Than Fame
Noting past race winners such as Discreet Cat and Congaree, one thing stands out — they were all in good form going into the Cigar Mile. Discreet Cat and Congaree also had consistent prep stakes performances before winning the Cigar Mile and thus were heavily favored.
As such, 2025 bettors should heavily consider form over reputation as well. Three graded stakes wins in Bishops Bay’s recent form (Westchester, Salvator Mile, Forty Niner) are indeed impressive, but should also be tempered with recent performances. Horses with recent form that is uncharacteristically bad, or those who had prior success (albeit in not recent form), are more likely to struggle despite good name recognition.
In the end, recent graded stakes results should hold more weight (as well as speed figures and consistency) than the horses that are from the past that were more likely to be seen as strong options (chased nostalgia).
Betting Angle: Calculated Wagers over Hype
If the overround on the race is low enough, it should be considered spreading the stake multiple ways in the market. Phileas Fogg, Crazy Mason, and Bishops Bay are strong candidates. Betting straight win on Bishops Bay is always a good play.
With small fields, closers on the field can be expected to do well if the early pace is strong. Place and show bets should also be strongly considered. If the expected early pace is slow, it can be expected that front-runners with a slow pace will be hard to catch.
Many bettors now review horse racing odds online to spot value and gauge betting trends. Use that information, but anchor decisions in actual performance data.
What 2025 Could Shape Up As
Crazy Mason will do best in situations where there is a fast early pace, as this could lead to a late-running upset scenario. A moderate speed is likely to favor horses like Bishops Bay and Phileas Fogg, who have tactical speed as well as stamina.
Because of the strong 2025 record Bishops Bay possesses, he is the most likely to be the early favorite. However, Phileas Fogg could be the sleeper contender, granted he is able to adapt to speed distance cut.
Due to the legacy moment trainers and jockeys might envision for this last Aqueduct Cigar Mile, 2025 will be particularly competitive.
How Bettors Can Use the Cigar Mile Smartly
- Instead of relying solely on pedigree information, focus on recent achievements in graded stakes races.
- Be attentive to pace forecasts.
- Utilize the small-field dynamics when considering a horse for place/show or exotic wagers.
- Look to support horses with established Aqueduct dirt-mile form.
- Use public odds to inform your judgment, but do not let them dictate your choices.
Expert Betting Tips
Motivated Dirt-Mile Results: Success in recent, one-mile dirt races shows a horse’s readiness more than pedigree.
Consider Pace Setup: Knowing whether the race is likely to go fast or slow helps decide to go for a closer or a front-runner.
Weight Assignments, Jockey Changes: An elite jockey upgrade or favorable weight can shift a horse’s projected outcomes significantly.
Win and Exotic Ticket Combination: To reduce risk and still potentially increase return, diversify with an exacta or trifecta.
Avoid Longshot No Form: Cigar Mile historically pays a horse with form, so avoid longshot speculative plays.
Track Conditions, Late Money: Adjust your play off the weather, track moisture, and any last-minute odd shifts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the distance of the Cigar Mile, and who are the participants?
A: The distance of the Cigar is a mile and is run on dirt at the Aqueduct Racetrack. Competing participants include horses that are at least three years of age.
Q: What is the amount of the purse for the year 2025?
A: The 2025 Cigar Mile is valued at a purse of $500,000.
Q: Is the Cigar Mile still a Grade 1 race?
A: There is no longer a Grade 1 Cigar Mile. Beginning in 2023, the Cigar Mile was downgraded to Grade 2.
Q: In 2025, is past success a guarantee of winning?
A: No. More than past accomplishments, recent form, health, track conditions, and pace setup are influential.
Q: What should bettors consider regarding pace and competition?
A: Bettors should consider the expected pace arrangements, the ratio of closers to pace-setters, and the comfortable pacing of every horse.
Q: In 2025, is a small field beneficial or detrimental for a bettor?
A: In 2025, a small field is beneficial for a bettor. However, it is also detrimental since a small field results in a small number of placings.
Q: Will the track condition significantly affect the outcome?
A: Yes. The condition of the dirt track will significantly affect the outcome. Some horses will improve on a wet track while others may lose fitness.
Q: Can I Bet on Multiple Horses in a Single Racebook Bet?
A: Yes, you can bet at any reliable racebook sites. Exotic wagers such as exactas, trifectas, and boxed bets allow bettors to include multiple horses in one structured bet.
Ready for the Big Mile
The 2025 Cigar Mile is more than a seasonal finale — it marks the last time the race runs at Aqueduct before shifting to Belmont Park. For fans of horse race betting online, it’s a prime opportunity to bet into a competitive, historically rich dirt-mile event. The essentials: lean on recent form, watch pace forecasts, and diversify wagers to balance risk and value.
Whether you’re backing the reliable Bishops Bay or taking a calculated shot with Phileas Fogg, now’s the time to prepare your plays. Stay sharp, review late changes carefully, and when you’re ready, place your wagers confidently.
Ready to bet? Head to BetNow and get in on Cigar Mile Day.
Hilbert Mayer
Sports Writer
Hilbert Mayer is a professional sports writer, betting analyst, and content strategist with over 15 years of experience in the sports industry. Before focusing on sports betting analysis and handicapping, Hilbert worked as a sports writer for various news outlets, covering everything from game recaps to in-depth matchup features. Today, he specializes in MLB, NFL, March Madness, and UFC betting, combining his journalistic background with deep statistical expertise and real-world betting insights. His proven track record, sharp reads, and ability to break down complex matchups make him a trusted voice among both casual bettors and seasoned sharps.
Published on: December 6, 2025
Last updated: December 7, 2025