The New York Racing Association will help connections and fans say farewell to Aqueduct Racetrack with a memorable closing weekend celebration June 27 and 28.
Aqueduct Racetrack, affectionately known as the Big A, opened Sept. 27, 1894, on property that belonged to the old Brooklyn Water Works, which was home to a conduit that brought water to New York City from the vast Hempstead Plain.
Through the years, the Big A has been the scene of some of racing's landmark events, including Secretariat's debut July 4, 1972. Hall of Famers Man o' War, Sword Dancer, Kelso, Buckpasser, Dr. Fager, Secretariat, Forego, Easy Goer, and Smarty Jones built their legends at Aqueduct, and Cigar, for whom the Cigar Mile Stakes (G1) is named, won the first two races of his 16-race winning streak at the Big A.
One of the track's most memorable events came without a horse in sight. On Oct. 6, 1995, Pope John Paul II said Mass before 75,000, speaking from a 300-foot-wide papal platform in Aqueduct's infield. Though rain and wind had marred the first two days of the papal visit to New York, brilliant sunshine broke through just as the Pope began to speak. The crowd was Aqueduct's biggest ever.
Aqueduct has lived several lives beyond racing, often opening its doors to serve the local community. In the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy in 2012, NYRA donated the use of the Aqueduct parking lot to the American Red Cross to operate a mobile feeding kitchen and relief supplies staging area.
In 2021, NYRA partnered with New York State to transform a large portion of the facility into a COVID-19 vaccination center. The site was a critical piece in the New York State-led effort to quickly and efficiently vaccinate New Yorkers. The size and scope of the center, which occupied the entirety of Aqueduct's first floor, required the closure of the facility to the general public for nearly 10 months. In the end, more than 300,000 vaccinations were administered on the first floor of Aqueduct.
From 1955-59, Aqueduct was completely rebuilt with a new grandstand, racing strip, barns, and accessory buildings. The new Aqueduct opened Sept. 14, 1959, to a crowd of 42,473 and rave reviews as the most up-to-date racing facility in North America. From 1963-67, during the prior reconstruction of Belmont Park, Aqueduct was the site of the Belmont Stakes.
Recently, Aqueduct has served as the downstate home of NYRA racing during the transformation of Belmont Park into a world-class racing and entertainment destination. Following the substantial completion of the project, all downstate racing and training activities will be consolidated at Belmont Park and the Aqueduct site previously used for racing will be returned to New York State.
NYRA invites fans to celebrate closing weekend at Aqueduct with a unique array of festivities. All weekend long, fans are welcome to view an onsite installation presented by Henry Kornaros of Public Opinion, featuring iconic Aqueduct photographs. In addition, NYRA's official track photographer, Adam Coglianese, will host a pop-up booth offering a collection of free photographs as souvenirs.
On June 27, a Caribbean-themed party will include live music and a free rum tasting hosted by Mount Gay.
Closing Day, June 28, will offer fans a special "Final Photo" opportunity at the Big A. The first 1,000 fans through the door will receive a souvenir mini mason jar of dirt from the Big A main track. Sunday will also feature live entertainment throughout the day.
General admission for Saturday and Sunday, which includes a commemorative racing program, will be $5 with proceeds going to the NYRA Foundation, a philanthropic effort designed to raise funding and awareness for the work of non-profits, service providers, thoroughbred aftercare groups and charitable organizations connected to horse racing. Kids under 18 are admitted free of charge.
For a full listing of onsite activities and to order tickets in advance, please visit https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/visit/farewell/.
While live racing will cease at the Big A following the June 28 program, Aqueduct will remain open for simulcasting through Labor Day, Sept. 7.
Centered around a new, five-story grandstand featuring a variety of fan amenities and hospitality offerings, Belmont Park will re-open Sept. 18.
The Belmont Stakes (G1) will return to its Long Island home in 2027. In addition, Belmont Park has been selected to host the 2027 Breeders' Cup World Championships, which will mark the first edition of the Breeders' Cup to be held in New York State since 2005.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
