Aqueduct’s main track will be closed for both racing and training from Friday
through Monday, New York Racing Association (NYRA) officials announced on
Thursday. As a result, racing action will shift to the inner dirt during that
four-day span.
“After discussions with our trainers and jockeys and our director of racing
surfaces, it was decided that this was the best course of action to give the
main track a chance to recover from the effects of recent adverse weather,” NYRA
Senior Vice-President and COO Bill Nader said. “There is a forecast for heavy
rain tonight and into (Friday) morning, and we want to do all that we can to
make sure the main track is ready for next week’s HolidayFest program.”
Friday’s races that were first carded at 6 1/2 or seven furlongs — the 5TH,
6TH and 7TH — will now be shortened to six furlongs because of the switch to
the inner oval. All of the other races will be contested at their original
distances.
Plans call for the main surface to re-open for training on Tuesday and racing
on Wednesday. The HolidayFest kicks off on Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, and
features six stakes races in four days, highlighted by the November 25 Cigar
Mile (G1), Remsen S. (G2) and Demoiselle S. (G2).
Aqueduct’s regularly scheduled inner track season will get under way on
November 29.