The New York Racing Association (NYRA) has proposed a 257-day racing season
for 2006, pending formal submission to and approval by the New York State Racing
and Wagering Board.
The provisional schedule has Aqueduct running an inner dirt meeting from November 30 through
March 26, 2006. Racing returns to Aqueduct’s main track on March 29. The Belmont Park Spring/Summer Meet, highlighted by the
138th running of the Belmont S. (G1) on June 10, would begin on May 3 and
conclude on July 22. Saratoga’s meet, featuring the Travers S. (G1) on August
26, would begin on July 26 and end on Labor Day, September 4. Belmont’s Fall
Championship Meet is scheduled for September 8 through October 22. Racing
then shifts to Aqueduct, where the inner track opens for action on November 29. A new twist next
year is that the Big A will be closed on Election Day. The Christmas break
is scheduled for December 18 through December 26.
Both Aqueduct and Belmont run on a Wednesday through Sunday schedule, with a
few exceptions, while Saratoga runs every day but Tuesdays.