Horse racing is one of the most followed sports in North America, with the eyes of the continent being glued to action on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

The crucial prep series ahead of the opening leg of the Triple Crown is important to follow ahead of making wages at Churchill Downs, as explained in the beginners guide to horse racing here: twinspires.com/betting-guides/beginners-guide-betting-horse-racing/

One of the most important prep races on the Road to the Kentucky Derby is held annually at Aqueduct, with the G2 Wood Memorial producing eleven winners of the opening Triple Crown race before 2000.

You can find out everything you need to know about the prestigious racetrack in Queens here.

Early History

Aqueduct is one of the most prestigious tracks in North America, with visitors having been welcomed through the gates since September 1894.

During its early history, racing was organized by the Queens County Jockey Club, and following early success, the facilities were expanded in 1941, with a clubhouse constructed before the summer meet.

One of the biggest changes in terms of track governance came in 1955, when the Greater New York Association (NYRA) took over Aqueduct as well as Belmont Park, Saratoga, and Jamaica Race Course.

This led to sweeping upgrades being made at Aqueduct, taking over a number of races from Jamaica, which would be closed permanently in 1959.

Nation-Leading Track

Aqueduct’s reputation as a leading track in North America led to the course hosting prestigious races. Among the biggest events in Aqueduct’s history include the Breeders’ Cup, with the track playing host to the second edition of the world-famous event in 1985.

Its reputation of having the ability to host major races on the calendar also saw Aqueduct take over from Belmont Park to host the Belmont Stakes between 1963 and 1967.

It also encouraged leading trainers to send their best horses to the track, with the legendary Hall of Famer Cigar winning the first two of his 16-race unbeaten sequence at Aqueduct. The second of those came in the NYRA Mile in 1994, with the race later named in the legendary horses honor.

Aqueduct was also selected as the location for Secretariat’s final steps on a race track in November 1973 before the Triple Crown winner was sent to stud at Claiborne Farm. Away from racing, it is also a culturally important location, as Pope John Paul II was celebrated in front of a 75,000 capacity crowd at the Queens location in October 1995.

Biggest Races at Aqueduct

A total of 18 stakes races are held annually at Aqueduct, which includes seven Grade Twos.

Wood Memorial Stakes

The most important race on the Aqueduct schedule is the G2 Wood Memorial Stakes, which is run over a distance of 1 1/8 miles and offers the victor 100 qualifying points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

Eleven winners of the race have subsequently followed up at Churchill Downs, with four victors also completing the Triple Crown. However, the most famous loser in the Wood Memorial was Secretariat in 1973, who bounced back to win all three races in the Triple Crown series.

Cigar Mile Handicap

The race won by Cigar on his second career start was renamed as the Cigar Mile Handicap following the Hall of Famer’s retirement in 1997.

This race has been a prestigious contest throughout history, with a number of legendary winners later taking home championship honors. Among those include 2006 winner Discreet Cat, as well as 2009 victor Kodiak Kowbow and Maximum Security in 2019.

Gazelle Stakes

As well as being home to one of the most important preps ahead of the Kentucky Derby, Aqueduct also annually hosts the G3 Gazelle Stakes on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

Since 2013, it has been run before the race at Churchill Downs, and fillies aged three compete across a distance of 1 1/8 miles. Close Hatches is one of the most celebrated recent winners of the race, subsequently landing top Grade Ones in the forms of the Apple Blossom Handicap, Ogden Phipps Handicap, and the Personal Ensign Stakes.

Future of Aqueduct Racetrack

This year’s racing at Aqueduct will be an emotional affair for passionate fans of the sport, as the NYRA announced in 2022 that they would close the track following the conclusion to work being completed at Belmont Park.

The renovation at the track is set to conclude in late 2026, meaning that many of Aqueduct’s top races will be run for the final time at their current home in 2025.

However, Aqueduct will continue to be a social spot for people in the region, as Governor Kathy Hochul announced in 2023 that the state would provide $445 million in capital funds to help redevelop the track to create a state-owned park.