Aqueduct Horse Race Track
Aqueduct Horse Race Track opened on September 27, 1894 in Queens, New York. The original track was torn down in 1956 and the new facility opened in 1959. In 1975, the inner track was constructed to facilitate winter racing. Aqueduct Horse Race Track is affectionately called "The Big A" by denizens of the horseracing industry and is widely acknowledged to be among the most important tracks in North America.
Throughout its history, Aqueduct Horse Race Track has hosted countless stakes races. Among the bigger ones were the New York Stallion Stakes, Aqueduct Handicap, Stymie Handicap, Broadway Handicap and The Count Fleet.
Aqueduct Horse Race Track Facts
- Main Course: 1 1/8 miles
- Inner Dirt Course: 1 mile
- Turf Course: 7/8 mile
- Attendance Capacity: 40,000
- Parking Capacity: 8,000 Cars
- Trackside Dining: 1,200
- Total Seating Capacity: 17,000
Aqueduct Racetrack Records - Dirt Track
| Distance | Horse | Age | Weight | Time | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Furlongs | Mentee | 2 | 119 lbs | 0:56.97 | June 15, 2024 |
| 5 1/2 Furlongs | Raise a Native | 2 | 124 lbs | 1:02.60 | July 17, 1963 |
| 6 Furlongs | Kelly Kip | 5 | 123 lbs | 1:07.54 | April 10, 1999 |
| 6 1/2 Furlongs | Baby Yoda | 7 | 121 lbs | 1:13.86 | June 13, 2025 |
| 7 Furlongs | Artax | 4 | 114 lbs | 1:20.04 | May 2, 1999 |
| 1 Mile | Easy Goer | 3 | 123 lbs | 1:32.40 | April 8, 1989 |
| 1 1/8 Miles | Riva Ridge | 4 | 130 lbs | 1:47.00 | October 15, 1973 |
| 1 1/4 Miles | Damascus | 4 | 130 lbs | 1:59.20 | July 20, 1968 |
| 2 Miles | Kelso | 7 | 124 lbs | 3:19.20 | October 31, 1964 |
Aqueduct Racetrack Records - Turf Track
| Distance | Horse | Age | Weight | Time | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 1/2 Furlongs | Through the Years (IRE) | 2 | 123 lbs | 1:02.62 | May 14, 2026 |
| 6 Furlongs | Outlaw Kid | 5 | 118 lbs | 1:06.73 | July 4, 2024 |
| 1 Mile | Uni (GB) | 4 | 123 lbs | 1:33.42 | April 14, 2018 |
| 1 1/16 Miles | Battle of Blenheim | 4 | 121 lbs | 1:39.91 | April 14, 2018 |
| 1 1/8 Miles | Rhiannon | 5 | 124 lbs | 1:45.60 | June 13, 2025 |
| 1 3/16 Miles | Cinderella's Dream (GB) | 3 | 121 lbs | 1:53.42 | July 6, 2024 |
| 1 1/2 Miles | War Like Goddess | 6 | 123 lbs | 2:32.86 | October 7, 2023 |
Aqueduct Racetrack Records - Inner Turf
| Distance | Horse | Age | Weight | Time | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Mile | Spirit of St Louis | 5 | 120 lbs | 1:33.57 | April 20, 2024 |
| 1 1/16 Miles | Summer to Remember | 4 | 121 lbs | 1:40.11 | December 3, 2021 |
| 1 1/8 Miles | Slew the Dragon | 3 | 117 lbs | 1:47.00 | November 3, 1985 |
| 1 3/8 Miles | McKulick (GB) | 3 | 121 lbs | 2:12.38 | September 17, 2022 |
| 1 1/2 Miles | Nations Pride (IRE) | 3 | 122 lbs | 2:24.14 | September 17, 2022 |
| 2 Miles | Putting Green | 4 | 112 lbs | 3:30.40 | November 23, 1984 |
History of Aqueduct Horse Race Track
The original Aqueduct Horse Race Track opened in late September 1894. It was organized as the Queens County Jockey Club by Albany lobbyist Thomas Reilly, Harlem deputy fire department chief Francis Reilly and Brooklyn hotel owner Robert Tucker. They leased land on the site of the present day Aqueduct from the family of the original Dutch settlers.
After Aqueduct Horse Race Track was finally recognized by The Jockey Club in 1895, track improvements were made. The caliber of racing also improved along with these. Many of the notable stakes races of today such as the Carter Handicap and the Dwyer Stakes, had their origins in this track. The presidency of Phillip Dwyer from 1905 to 1917 saw Aqueduct's emergence as a major racing center. He acquired more land, enlarged the size of the track and completely rebuilt the stands.
In 1955, the old track was torn down and in its place a state-of-the art facility was built. The new mega-facility, costing $33 million, opened in the fall of 1959. Upon its opening for a 66-day meet, all records were broken. The track was referred to as New Aqueduct to distinguish it from the old track.
Big races have been held on the track since then, a testament to Aqueduct'sgrowing stature in the industry. In 1985, Aqueduct Horse Race Track was host to the prestigious Breeders Cup.