The New York Racing Association announced March 22 that the 2026 start of turf racing at Aqueduct Racetrack will be moved back two weeks due to the impact of heavy snowfall in January and February, paired with continued cold overnight temperatures in March.
Turf racing was initially slated to begin April 3, but the launch of the 2026 grass campaign on the NYRA circuit will move to April 16.
The $150,000 Plenty of Grace Stakes, which was slated to be the first turf stakes of the season April 4, will move to April 17. Nominations for the Plenty of Grace will remain open until April 4.
Despite the start of the 2026 NYRA turf season being pushed back, turf racing is still scheduled to commence earlier than in both 2024 and 2025.
The current Aqueduct winter meet will conclude March 29 with the 2026 spring meet set to open April 2 and continue through April 26 with live racing conducted Thursday-Sunday. The spring meet will offer 15 live race days in total.
The Big A spring meet is highlighted by the 101st running of the $750,000 Wood Memorial (G2) April 4. The Wood Memorial, a 1 1/8-mile route for sophomores offering 100-50-25-15-10 Kentucky Derby (G1) qualifying points, headlines a card that includes the $300,000 Carter Stakes (G2), $200,000 Gazelle Stakes (G3)—a 100-50-25-15-10 qualifier for the Kentucky Oaks (G1)—the $150,000 Distaff Stakes (G3), and the $150,000 Excelsior Stakes.
