The Queens Chamber of Commerce has celebrated the “lasting legacy” of Aqueduct Racetrack after the iconic Queens venue hosted its last live horse racing meeting on Sunday after 132 years in South Ozone Park.
Jockey Jaime Rodriguez brought the curtain down on the iconic racetrack as he rode Assume Nothing to victory in the final race of the final day of racing on June 28. Aqueduct will remain open for simulcast wagering — referring to the live broadcast of horse or greyhound races from a host track to remote locations — until Sept. 7 before shutting for good.
With fall, winter and spring horse racing in the New York metropolitan area now set to move exclusively to the renovated Belmont Park in Elmont on the Queens-Nassau County border, the Queens Chamber of Commerce is celebrating the impact that Aqueduct has had on the borough since opening for the first time in 1894.
Racing fans celebrate the last day of live racing at Aqueduct. Photo by Ramy Mahmoud.
Chamber President Tom Grech said Aqueduct has formed an “enduring part” of the borough’s identity over the past 132 years, stating that it had created rich history and traditions in its storied history.
“Countless memories were made here, and its impact on the economic and cultural life of southeast Queens will not be forgotten,” Grech said in a statement.
However, he said the anticipated opening of the renovated Belmont Park on Sept. 18 marks a “new and exciting” chapter for the sports industry in Queens, also noting ongoing renovations at the National Tennis Center and the ongoing construction of New York City FC’s Etihad Park alongside the existing Citi Field.
“The revitalized Belmont will continue attracting visitors from around the world, creating new opportunities for local businesses and reinforcing Queens as the place where the world’s biggest sporting events come together,” Grech said. “The Queens Chamber thanks the New York Racing Association, the dedicated employees, and racing fans who made Aqueduct such a special place for 132 years. Its legacy will always be part of the story of Queens.”
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud.
State Sen. Joseph Addabbo said the closure of Aqueduct is “bittersweet,” stating that the venue represents “much more than a racetrack.” He praised Aqueduct for the work it had done for the local community during emergencies like the pandemic and the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.
“It was part of our community and really helped define Ozone Park,” Addabbo said. “They did such great work for us during Covid, during Hurricane Sandy, so they really were a partner here. I’ve had job fairs here, we did drive-in movies here… That partnership, I’m going to miss that.”
Meanwhile, the MTA and the New York Racing Association (NYRA) marked the end of live racing at Aqueduct with a “nostalgia train,” running a vintage R9 train non-stop from Hoyt-Schermerhorn in Brooklyn to the racetrack on June 26 to celebrate the long-standing connection between Aqueduct and the transit agency.
A vintage R9 subway car travels to Aqueduct on June 26. Photo via Marc A. Hermann / MTA
“NYC Transit has proudly served Aqueduct patrons over the year, helping connect generations of New Yorkers with the racetrack through one of the most unique and special subway services in transit history,” said New York City Transit Executive Vice President of Subways Bill Amarosa Jr.
The Aqueduct Racetrack station, on the IND Rockaway Line, opened in 1959 to coincide with the reopening of the track following extensive renovations between 1955 and 1959. The station remains the only subway station in the city that exclusively serves trains traveling in one direction, with only Manhattan-bound A trains stopping there.
The New York City Transit Authority operated three special express trains to Aqueduct Racetrack on race days, with two trains departing from the 42 St-Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan and a third departing from Hoyt-Schermerhorn in Brooklyn. The June 26 “nostalgia train” commemorated the non-stop train from Hoyt-Schermerhorn.
NYRA President David O’Rourke credited the MTA with playing a “vital role” in the “storied history” of the Aqueduct track, describing the nostalgia train as a “fitting tribute” to the track.
“While Aqueduct will certainly be missed, we look forward to an exciting new era at a re-imagined Belmont Park,” O’Rourke said in a statement.
Additional reporting by Ramy Mahmoud.