New York Racing Shifts: Aqueduct Closes, Saratoga Opens, Forever Young Heads to Belmont

Across New York’s three premier tracks—Aqueduct in Ozone Park, Belmont in Elmont, and Saratoga in Saratoga Springs—several milestones are approaching.

Aqueduct’s 132‑year history, known as the Big A, concludes this Sunday as the site prepares for redevelopment; Belmont Park’s three‑year reconstruction is nearing completion with a reopening set for September 18; and the Saratoga summer meet kicks off on July 3.

The Big A Closes Forever on Sunday

Situated near JFK Airport, Aqueduct has hosted legends such as Cigar, Dr. Fager, Damascus, Forego, Kelso, Ruffian, and Secretariat.

The final Sunday program features eleven competitive races, culminating at 6:20 p.m. ET with an $80,000 maiden special weight over six furlongs on the turf.

Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher has notched nearly 1,000 victories at Aqueduct, including 228 stakes wins and seven Wood Memorials.

“It’s a key part of our spring and fall schedule, and we’ve enjoyed success in the Wood Memorial and the fall races—Remsen, Demoiselle, and the Cigar Mile—so they’ve always mattered to us,” Pletcher said. “Since I joined Wayne Lukas’s team in 1989, Aqueduct has been a staple of our program. It’s one of New York’s blue‑collar tracks, and maintaining a year‑round winter schedule is vital. “It will feel odd without it. This represents a major shift, and I hope the new Belmont proves to be a worthy successor.”

Another star-studded Saratoga Season is Near

As the New York Racing Association (NYRA) coordinates its future schedules between Belmont and Saratoga, excitement builds for the Saratoga Fourth of July weekend, highlighted by the Schuylerville Stakes (GX) for two‑year‑old fillies as the traditional opening feature.

The meeting extends through September 7, guaranteeing that top‑trained horses will contest Grade 1 events such as the Travers, Whitney, Alabama, Personal Ensign, and the inaugural Christophe Clement Turf (formerly the Sword Dancer Stakes, renamed in honor of the late Hall of Fame trainer).

Wagering at Saratoga will be brisk, as handicappers chase big paydays to share with friends at the Spa—the summer’s premier destination.

Japan superstar Forever Young is taking the NY route to Breeders’ Cup

Anticipation is also rising as the $550 million reimagined Belmont readies for its opening day, which will showcase global superstar Forever Young in the $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1).

“We are thrilled to welcome Forever Young to the Jockey Club Gold Cup at the new Belmont Park,” said Andrew Offerman, NYRA’s Senior Vice‑President of Racing and Operations. “NYRA is grateful to the Breeders’ Cup for its partnership and support in making this happen, and we look forward to honoring Forever Young, the Jockey Club Gold Cup, and Belmont’s return on Friday, September 18.”

Forever Young, conditioned by Yoshito Yahagi, captured the 2025 Eclipse Award as champion older male after his Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) victory at Del Mar on November 1. The five‑year‑old will use the prestigious 1 ¼‑mile Jockey Club Gold Cup (JCGC) as a tune‑up to defend his Classic crown at Keeneland on October 31.

The Jockey Club Gold Cup returns to Belmont after being held at Saratoga from 2021 through 2025, and it serves as a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” qualifier for the Classic.

“Forever Young has won the admiration of racing fans worldwide, and we are pleased that his team is aiming for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships as the highlight of his 2026 campaign,” said Dora Delgado, Executive Vice‑President and Chief Racing Officer of Breeders’ Cup Limited.

Forever Young is a horse for the ages: despite occasional tough conditions, the son of Real Steel claimed the Saudi Cup (G1) in both 2025 and 2026, placed third in the 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) in a three‑horse photo finish, finished in the top three in all fifteen of his starts (11‑1‑3), and has amassed earnings of $31,758,590—second only to Romantic Warrior on the all‑time list.

Past Jockey Club Gold Cup champions include legends such as Man o’ War, Gallant Fox, War Admiral, Whirlaway, Citation, and Nashua, along with Kelso (a five‑time winner), Affirmed, John Henry, Cigar, Skipaway, Funny Cide, Curlin, and Tonalist.

Although it is still early to forecast the full field, the Jockey Club Gold Cup is expected to attract several other notable contenders.

Potential participants may emerge from the strong lineup for Saturday’s $2 million Stephen Foster Stakes (G1) at Churchill Downs, which includes reigning Horse of the Year Sovereignty, the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic victor White Abarrio, Dubai World Cup (G1) champion Magnitude, and Pennsylvania Derby (G1) winner Baeza.

White Abarrio recently captured the Oaklawn Handicap (G2), besting Sovereignty, the Kentucky Derby (G1), the Belmont Stakes (G1), and the Travers Stakes (G1) winner.

May the odds be in your favor!

Richard Rosenblatt is an award‑winning journalist and former Associated Press horse‑racing editor. He now serves as news editor at US Racing, where he oversees exclusive content from contributors worldwide.

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