In a metropolis like New York, you’ll find its very own racetrack. Located in Queens, Aqueduct hosts thoroughbred horse races from late October through early April, conveniently situated next to Resorts World New York City Casino. Read more about this popular gathering spot for equestrian enthusiasts on i-queens.
The Most Advanced Complex of the 20th Century
Aqueduct’s history dates back to September 27, 1894. It was opened on the grounds of the old Brooklyn Waterworks, which once supplied water to New York City from the vast Hempstead Plains.
Over the years, Aqueduct has been the stage for many iconic races. Between 1955 and 1959, the venue saw the addition of a new grandstand, race track, stables, and auxiliary buildings. By 1959, it could accommodate over 40,000 spectators and was recognized as the most modern racing facility in North America.
In 1975, an indoor winter dirt track was opened, allowing Aqueduct to operate in cold winters. In October 1981, one of New York’s largest restaurants, Equestris, opened at the site. From 1985 to 1989, mini-theaters were added to the racetrack, and the backyard, paddock, and grandstand areas were expanded and waterproofed.
The racetrack has its own New York City subway station on the IND Rockaway Line (A train), with four tracks. Built in 1959 specifically to serve the racetrack, the station was renovated from 2011 to 2013 to improve access to Resorts World New York City Casino and to install an elevator for disabled access. It now operates 24/7.
The grandstands at Aqueduct offer an open area for 20,000 seats, with an additional 10,000 seats located in a clubhouse with the Equestris restaurant. The venue’s parking accommodates up to 5,000 cars, and the stable area houses 547 horses. The racetrack also has an on-site hospital with 11 beds.
Aqueduct is part of the New York Racing Association (NYRA), a non-profit corporation managing New York State’s three major thoroughbred horse racetracks.
Closure Attempts
In May 2007, then-Governor Eliot Spitzer considered closing Aqueduct and selling the racetrack and its 400-stall stables. Assembly member Audrey Pfeffer opposed the closure, citing the track’s importance to the local community. Ultimately, the state of New York and the NYRA reached an agreement. The NYRA sold 30,200 square meters of undeveloped land near Aqueduct, which consisted of residential lots.
In January 2012, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced plans to build a new convention center at Aqueduct, replacing the aging Javits Center. This was intended to be the nation’s largest convention center, complete with hotels, restaurants, and extensive gambling facilities. Additional land would have been needed for parking, either from a nearby airport or racetrack. However, in June of the same year, Governor Cuomo announced that the convention center plans had been canceled.
In early 2023, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the state would allocate $455 million to renovate Aqueduct. By 2026, all races are expected to be moved to Belmont Park, a renowned racetrack located just east of New York City. Belmont Park, one of the most famous racetracks in the United States, typically holds races from late April to mid-July and again from mid-September to the end of October.
Popular Events
Aqueduct hosts the Wood Memorial Stakes, a race for three-year-old thoroughbreds held annually in April. This race precedes the Kentucky Derby in Kentucky. Wood Memorial Stakes is named after New York State politician and horse racing enthusiast Eugene Wood.
Aqueduct’s track was the first on the East Coast to host the Breeders’ Cup Championship, an annual series of Grade I thoroughbred horse races. From 1963 to 1967, it also hosted the Belmont Stakes, a Grade I race for three-year-old thoroughbreds.
The Legendary Casino
In 2001, the New York State Legislature legalized video gaming machines at racetracks. Video lottery terminals, similar to slot machines, were approved in five locations, including Aqueduct.
In 2011, the first and second levels of Aqueduct’s grandstand were converted into the multi-level Resorts World New York City Casino. The casino features over 6,500 games, including electronic blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat, and video poker. Guests can also enjoy a variety of fine dining options.
This venue provides an unforgettable gaming experience and has revitalized the surrounding community by creating over 1,700 jobs. The casino’s slot machines and electronic table games attract over 10 million visitors annually, with a portion of the casino’s revenue supporting New York State’s education system. In 2012, the casino generated a record income of nearly $700 million.
Pop Culture
Aqueduct Racetrack has made appearances in several films, including:
- Lucky Number Slevin (2006): A crime drama starring Josh Hartnett, Bruce Willis, and Morgan Freeman. The film follows Slevin Kelevra, who loses his job, home, and girlfriend. Moving to his friend Nick’s apartment in New York, he gets involved with Lindsey and soon finds himself tangled in the plans of a crime boss called “The Boss,” who wants revenge on a rival for his son’s death. Slevin’s friend Nick goes missing, leading Slevin into a series of unexpected troubles.
- A Bronx Tale (1993): Directed by Robert De Niro, this crime drama tells the story of nine-year-old Calogero, who witnesses mobster Sonny kill a man for no reason. Sonny takes Calogero under his wing, much to the dismay of Calogero’s honest, hardworking father. As Calogero grows up, the initial murder becomes a faint memory amid the horrors orchestrated by the mob boss.
- “Pie-O-My” episode in The Sopranos (1999–2007): A crime and psychological drama series about a fictional Italian-American mob family in northern New Jersey. The central character, mob boss Tony Soprano, juggles two families – his traditional family with a wife, two children, and an elderly mother, and his crime family. The series became a cultural phenomenon, renowned for its raw portrayal of mafia life.
- “Felix the Horse Player” episode in The Odd Couple (1970–1975): This sitcom features two divorced men, Oscar and Felix, who share an apartment in Manhattan. Their polar-opposite personalities inevitably lead to conflicts and humorous situations.