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Americans have had a long and enduring love affair with horseracing and there are many world class race tracks in the states to choose from. Among these are the venues in New York State and when it comes to NY races there are three main attractions. These are the Aqueduct Racetrack which is located in Queens New York City, Belmont Park which lies adjacent to Queens in Nassau County, Long Island, and Saratoga Race Course, the oldest sporting venue in the States, located in Saratoga Springs in upstate New York.
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All three are governed by the New York Racing Association and host races in alternate seasons given race fans every opportunity to enjoy all the main events throughout the year.
The Aqueduct, or 'Big A', starts the racing year with fixtures held in winter and finishes also with the autumn fixtures. Three tracks comprising two dirt and one turf track host a series of superb NY races with the turf track being employed during the autumn events.
The course was opened in 1894 and through subsequent redevelopments and improvements manages to consistently meet the high demand for first class facilities and racing for native New Yorkers and visitors alike.
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Over 30 races are held at the Aqueduct, comprising Grade I, II, III and ungraded events. As the only horseracing track within New York City it is a well loved city landmark and accessed via its own station on the New York Subway. Just east of Queens is Nassau County, home of Belmont Park and if the Aqueduct is the classic city course then Belmont is the Ivy League of New York courses. |
Style, sophistication and elegance mark the course out as an elite racing venue and its nickname of the ‘Championship Track’ illustrates the standard of horses which have competed throughout its history.
The most famous race held at Belmont is the Belmont Stakes which is the third leg of the Triple Crown, preceded by the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes. 11 Triple Crown winners have raced at Belmont. The main dirt track is also used for the Metropolitan and Suburban Handicaps and Jockey Club Gold Cup while other fixtures such as the Flower Bowl Invitational Stakes and Bowling Green Handicap are held on turf. The close proximity to NYC means there are ample rail and road routes for race fans to attend the NY races at Belmont Park. |
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The third of the big three New York racecourses is Saratoga, situated in upstate New York close to the spa town which shares its name. Opened in 1863 it is certainly the oldest but it also provides a stunning classic venue for the finest horseracing.
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The course is renowned for famous upsets with a series of champions coming up short after notable successes elsewhere. This adds to the deep racing culture at the course and thrilling spectacle of races and also to the nickname of the ‘Graveyard of Favorites’.
In common with the other venues which host the main NY races, Saratoga has three separate tracks but whereas dirt dominates in the others, there is two turf tracks at Saratoga and in addition to hosting many flat races of all grades the course is also home to some notable national hunt fixtures including the Grade I New York Turf Writers Cup Handicap. The recent addition of twilight racing has added to the charm and appeal of this grand old course. |
The big three courses which host the very best NY races all have their own individuality and environment but what they undoubtedly share is a common appeal for anyone who loves a day at the races.
This website is operated by Websitebrokers Limited and is not affiliated to any one racecourse or group of racecourses. |
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