Thoroughbred racing action moves to New York City’s only racetrack when Aqueduct Racetrack begins its 36-day fall meet on Friday, November 5, with opening weekend featuring the simulcast of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships and a trio of exciting live graded stakes.
In addition to the Breeders’ Cup simulcast, Aqueduct offers live racing over the three-day opening weekend, highlighted by Saturday’s 51st running of the Grade 2, $150,000 Red Smith Handicap on the turf and a pair of stakes for 2-year-olds, the Grade 2, $150,000 Nashua and the Grade 3, $100,000 Tempted for fillies, both at a mile.
The Red Smith, Nashua and Tempted launch a stakes schedule that features a dozen graded stakes including the Holidayfest centerpieces of the meet, the Grade 1, $250,000 Hill ‘n’ Dale Cigar Mile and Grade 1, $250,000 Gazelle for 3-year-old fillies on Saturday, November 27.
Presented by the New York Lottery, Holidayfest kicks off with the Grade 3, $100,000 Fall Highweight Handicap on Thanksgiving Day, November 25, and continues on Friday with the Grade 2, $150,000 Top Flight Handicap for fillies and mares. The Grade 2, $200,000 Remsen for 2-year-olds and the Grade 2, $200,000 Demoiselle for 2-year-old fillies join the Hill ‘n’ Dale Cigar Mile and the Gazelle on Saturday.
On Thanksgiving Day, admission gates open at 9:30 a.m. with a special first race post time of 11:25 a.m. On Friday and Saturday, November 26 and 27, post time is noon.
The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will offer a $250,000 Guaranteed Late Pick 4 on Saturdays at Aqueduct beginning November 13.
Aqueduct will be closed for a winter break from December 20 through December 28, with racing resuming on Wednesday, December 29.