Farewell Aqueduct: June 27-28
Aqueduct's final race days promise an emotional celebration of NYC's racetrack. Due to capacity constraints, both days are ticketed; each $5 ticket includes a complimentary commemorative program plus access to giveaways & souvenirs, while supplies last. Read more here.
JUMP TO:
Giveaways
Track Dirt: The first 1,000 guests through the doors on Sunday, June 28 will receive a commemorative container of authentic track-used dirt from Aqueduct's main track.
Program: All guests will receive a complimentary, special-edition program.
Free with paid admission, while supplies last.
Merch
Art Gallery
A gallery by Henry Kornaros will be on display, featuring photographs of people, horses, and scenes from Aqueduct.
Open June 27-28; free to view with paid admission.
Kornaros' media company, Public Opinion, shot a documentary profiling the Big A:
Honorary Race Names
Each race on Saturday and Sunday will be named in honor of a horse, individual, or significant moment in Aqueduct's rich history.
Race 1: The Congaree – 2001 Wood Memorial Winner, 2002 Cigar Mile, 2003 Carter and Cigar Mile winner. Beat the Derby winner Monarchos in Wood Memorial, defeated 2003 champion sprinter Aldebaran in the 2003 Carter. Perfect 4 for 4 at Aqueduct lifetime.
Race 2: The Hillsdale – 1959 Aqueduct Handicap winner. The first stakes winner on opening day of Aqueduct.
Race 3: The April Run – Winner of the 1981 and 1982 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic at Aqueduct. 1982 Eclipse Award winning female turf horse.
Race 4: The Lottsa Talc – All time leader in stakes wins at Aqueduct. Winner of the 1996 Distaff, the '96 Iroquois, '95 Garland of Roses, '95 Broadway, '95 Correction, '95 Interborough, '94 Hyde Park and '93 Schenectady. Trained by Tim Kelly.
Race 5: The King’s Swan – Winner of the 2002 Red Smith, 2002 Aqueduct H, 2001 Queens County, 2001 Discovery.
Race 6: The Pleasant Colony – Winner of the 1980 Remsen and the 1981 Wood Memorial. Champion 3YO of 1981 and winner of the Derby and Preakness in 1981.
Race 7: The Leading Riders and Trainers of Aqueduct – A salute to all the people who have been meet and year leaders at Aqueduct.
Race 8: The Bellamy Road – The 2005 Wood Memorial winner.
Race 9: The Easy Goer – The 1989 Gotham and Wood Memorial winner. Stakes record and track record holder at 1 Mile.
Race 10: The Gun Bow – The 1964 Woodward winner over Kelso; also won the 1964 Brooklyn and the 1965 Met Mile.
Race 1: The Voices of Aqueduct – A salute to the racecallers of Aqueduct.
Race 2: The Coyote Lakes – Won the Gallant Fox 3 times, including twice in 2001.
Race 3: The Belmont winning Triple Crown Spoilers – “A tribute to Amberoid and Quadrangle”. The 1964 and 1966 Belmont winners at Aqueduct respectively spoiled triple crown bids. Both were Wood Memorial winners as well.
Race 4: The Damascus – Winner of the 1967 Wood Memorial, Dwyer, Woodward and Jockey Club Gold Cup. The 1967 Woodward is considered one of the greatest races of all time.
Race 5: The Aqueduct Breeders' Cup of 1985 – Saluting the winners of the 1985 Breeders Cup.
Race 6: The Fusaichi Pegasus – The last Wood Memorial winner to win the Kentucky Derby. Winner of the 2000 Wood Memorial.
Race 7: The Triple Dead Heat – The 1944 Carter Handicap, the only graded stakes race ever to finish in a triple dead heat for win.
Race 8: The John Hettinger Stakes
Race 9: The It Was a Good Run – The final race to ever be run at Aqueduct. Honoring 132 years of live racing at the Big A.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tickets are required for June 27 and 28, 2026 at Aqueduct.
Each $5 ticket includes a commemorative program; a portion of each ticket sold will be donated to the NYRA Foundation.
Tickets are sold both online and on-track. The ticket booth is on the 1st floor, next to the publication sales desk to the left of the escalators; both cash and card are accepted. Event(s) may sell out; day-of ticket sales may not be available.
Kids under 18 are admitted free of charge.
Aqueduct's final day of live racing is Sunday, June 28, 2026.
The 9th and final race on June 28 is named the It Was a Good Run, with post time of 5:44pm Eastern.
June 27 and 28, 2026 at Aqueduct are ticketed race days due to capacity constraints and anticipated high attendance. For the safety of all patrons, horsemen, and staff, NYRA is maintaining a strict occupancy limit.
Each $5 ticket includes a commemorative program. Proceeds go to the NYRA Foundation, a philanthropic effort designed to raise funding and awareness for the work of non-profits, service providers, thoroughbred aftercare groups and charitable organizations connected to horse racing.
Kids under 18 are admitted free of charge.
Longshots, Silks Bar, and the Triple Crown Cafe will operate as normal. Jamaican food and hot dog stands will also be available on-site, serving beef patties, frozen drinks, hot dogs, pretzels, beer, and more!
Free on-site parking will be available for all guests. More details about parking will be announced at a later date.
| Gates Open | First Post | |
| Saturday, June 27 | 11:00am | 1:10pm |
| Sunday, June 28 | 11:00am | 1:10pm |
Aqueduct Through The Years
Aqueduct Racetrack first opened to the public on September 27, 1894. Take a look at some iconic images from over 130 years of racing in South Ozone Park, Queens.
