Aqueduct Racetrack

Some 3 1/2 years ago, when the New York Racing Association (NYRA) first announced that the GI Belmont Stakes would be relocated to Saratoga Race Course during the extensive renovation of Belmont Park, there was plenty of hand-wringing about whether or not the three-year move to a different track and a cutback in distance from 12 to 10 furlongs constituted over-tinkering with the third jewel of the Triple Crown. "The debate is healthy. It means fans care," I wrote in a Dec. 10, 2023 installment of this column. "But the...

Pretty Boy Miah (Beau Liam) moved into the 14th and final spot in the GI Preakness Stakes field Sunday following the defections of Express Kid (Bodexpress) and Smoovin Saturday (I'll Have Another). The gelding has won his last two starts in wire-to-wire fashion since trainer Jeremiah Englehart added blinkers for a 6 1/2-furlong maiden special weight race Mar. 29 at Aqueduct. He added a one-mile starter optional claiming win at that oval Apr. 25. "These races come around just once a year and you only have one chance in a...

Klaravich Stable's Growth Equity (Nyquist) exited his two-length victory in the GIII Peter Pan Stakes Saturday in fine shape and the June 6 GI Belmont Stakes remains a possible next target for the bay colt. "He looks good so far," trainer Chad Brown said of Growth Equity's status Sunday morning. "That was a nice step forward. I was glad to see him handle two turns. I thought that he ran well. I think the runner-up is a nice horse. So, that was a nice, positive move forward. No immediate plans...

When the new Belmont Park opens on Sept. 18, NYRA will kick off an expanded fall meet that will run through Dec. 6 and include 72 stakes races worth $17.7 million in total purses, the racing association announced Thursday. Among the highlights will be the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup, which has been moved back to the downstate track after being run in Saratoga from 2021 through 2025. With a purse of $1 million, it will be the feature race on the first day of racing at the new facility....

Linda Rice earned her fourth consecutive and sixth overall trainer's title at the Aqueduct winter meet, which concluded Sunday, while also claiming the meet's leading owner honors. Rice trained the winners of 62 races at Aqueduct's final winter meet. "It feels good, a little happy and sad at the same time as it's our last winter meet at Aqueduct," said Rice, who was the leading trainer on the NYRA circuit in 2025. "Aqueduct has been a big part of New York racing history, and I'm glad to have been a...

Taj Mahal (Nyquist), two-for-two after winning the Miracle Wood Stakes at Laurel Feb. 21, is expected to make his next start in the Apr. 4 GII Wood Memorial, Tom Ryan of co-owner SF Racing confirmed Sunday. "The notion is he'll take his shot in the Wood Memorial," Ryan said. "He's done nothing wrong so far, and he's ran himself up the ladder while improving his numbers. He's got some nice time in between after his first two starts were close together. I personally believe the distance is not going to...

The Belmont at the Big A spring/summer meet, which will open Apr. 30 and conclude June 28, will feature 16 stakes races worth $2.475 million in purses and will mark the final days of racing at Aqueduct Racetrack. Highlighting the stakes schedule is the $200,000 GIII Peter Pan Stakes, the New York prep for the GI Belmont Stakes, which will be held May 9. The New York Racing Association will waive entry and starting fees to the Belmont Stakes for the first three finishers of the Peter Pan. The GII...

The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame and the New York Thoroughbred Breeders are partnering to offer a bus trip from Saratoga Springs to Aqueduct Racetrack for Wood Memorial Stakes Day Apr. 4. This year's edition of the Wood Memorial will be the final time the event is held at Aqueduct before moving to the new Belmont Park in 2027. Tickets are $75 for Museum and NYTB members and $90 for non-members and are on sale now here: https://1049a.blackbaudhosting.com/1049a/Aqueduct-Bus-Trip.

Interstatelovesong (Bolt d'Oro) was a game runner-up on debut to New York-bred Britain (Quality Road) over the local course Nov. 20. Bet down to 48 cents on the dollar here, the favorite fired from the rail gate and soon established a modest lead up the backstretch. The filly though was in firm control around the far turn and the homebred scampered down the lane to graduate by five lengths over Pulling Threads (Practical Joke). The winner's dam is responsible for a yearling colt by Game Winner. A 2024 Keeneland November...

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) had added one day of live racing on Wednesday, Dec. 10 as part of the fall meet at Aqueduct Racetrack, the organization said via a Wednesday release. Following the cancellation of live racing after the completion of the first race on Sunday, Nov. 30, NYRA, the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (NYTHA) and New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. (NYTB) requested and have received formal approval from the New York State Gaming Commission to conduct live racing Dec. 10. Entries for the card will...

The New York Racing Association, Inc.'s annual Toys for Tots donation drive will be held at Aqueduct Racetrack from Thursday, Dec. 4 through Sunday, Dec. 7. Founded in 1947, Toys for Tots collects and distributes new, unwrapped toys to local children in need each holiday season. This year's donation drive marks the 35th year that NYRA has partnered with the Marine Corps Reserve. "The annual Toys for Tots Drive at Aqueduct has become more than a day of giving. It's a cherished tradition that unites the racing community in support of...

For the Ladies (f, 2, Upstart--Lovely Marissa, by Proud Citizen) served as the favorite on debut during the Belmont At The Big A meet Oct. 5 and missed by a nose. The 6-5 choice here fired out of the rail gate and immediately set the tone up the backstretch. Making every pole a winning one through the far turn, the filly poured on the speed entering the lane and ran up the score to graduate by 7 1/4 lengths over It's Carol's Way (McKinzie). A half-sister to SW Nasty, (Street...