Aqueduct has announced its spring schedule, which includes 13 stakes races with a total purse of $2.8 million, according to the New York Racing Association. The spring meet is set to last 15 days, beginning on Thursday, April 3, and concluding on Sunday, April 27, with live races taking place Thursday through Sunday.
Notably, the purses for the Haynesfield and Biogio’s Rose races have been increased by $25,000 each, bringing them to a total of $125,000. The stakes action will commence on Saturday, April 5, with the Wood Memorial day card, highlighting the 100th running of the Grade 2 Wood Memorial, a nine-furlong race for 3-year-olds that will award Kentucky Derby qualifying points to the top five finishers.
Wood Memorial Day's events will also feature the Carter (G2) for older horses, the Gazelle (G3) for 3-year-old fillies, the Distaff (G3) for older fillies and mares, and the listed Excelsior for older horses, now extended to 1 1/4 miles.
The lucrative weekend continues on April 6 with two one-turn mile state-bred stakes. On April 12, the listed Top Flight for older fillies and mares will take place, followed by the New York Stallion Stakes Series events on April 13. The spring meet will conclude with turf stakes, including the $125,000 Woodhaven on April 26 and the $150,000 Memories of Silver on April 27.