As one sure sign spring is on the way, beginning Wednesday, March 3, post time for the first race at Aqueduct Racetrack will move to 1:00 p.m.

The graded stakes season will get underway on Saturday, March 6, with the 59th running of the Grade 3 Gotham for 3-year-olds going 1 1/16th miles and the 117th running of the Grade 3 Toboggan for 3-year-olds and up going six furlongs, followed on Saturday, March 13 by the Grade 3 Cicada for 3-year-old fillies going six furlongs.

Aqueduct’s biggest day of the spring is Saturday, April 3, with the Grade 1 Wood Memorial, New York’s 1 1/8th mile prep for Triple Crown hopefuls and the Grade 1 Carter Handicap for older horses at seven furlongs. The April 3 card also includes the Grade 3 Excelsior Breeders’ Cup for 3-year-olds and up going 1 1/8 miles and the Grade 3 Bay Shore at seven furlongs for 3-year-olds.

NBC will telecast the Wood from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Rounding out the stakes schedule at Aqueduct is the Grade 3 Comely for 3-year-old fillies going a mile on April 10, the Grade 2 Distaff at seven furlongs for fillies and mares on April 17, and the Grade 3 Withers at one mile for 3-year-olds on April 24.

On Wood Memorial Day, NYRA will offer a $500,000 Guaranteed Pick 4 for races 7-10, likely including the Bay Shore, Excelsior, Wood Memorial, and the Carter.

On other Saturdays for the 2010 Winter/Spring Meet, NYRA offers a $250,000 Guaranteed Late Pick 4.

Closing day for the Aqueduct Winter/Spring Meet is Sunday, April 25, with Belmont Park opening for the Spring/Summer Meet on Friday, April 30.