The New York Racing Association has moved five stakes races originally set for a canceled Saturday card at Aqueduct Racetrack to the following Friday, February 6, due to extreme cold weather. The organization also plans to add four extra racing days later in the month to make up for the disruptions. This adjustment aims to maintain the racing schedule amid harsh winter conditions.
On Friday, the New York Racing Association (NYRA) announced changes to its racing calendar at Aqueduct Racetrack to address weather-related cancellations. A full card of live racing scheduled for Saturday was scrapped because of extreme cold, prompting the relocation of key stakes events.
The highlight is the $200,000 Withers Stakes, a key Kentucky Derby qualifier offering a 20-10-6-4-2 points structure, now set for Friday, February 6. Joining it are the $200,000 Toboggan Stakes, $135,000 Ruthless Stakes, and $135,000 Ladies Stakes—all originally planned for the canceled day. Additionally, the $135,000 Interborough Stakes, previously announced for rescheduling, will also run on February 6. Entries for this revised program will be taken on Saturday, January 31.
To compensate for the lost racing opportunities, NYRA, in collaboration with the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association and New York Thoroughbred Breeders, will request approval from the New York State Gaming Commission for four extra live racing days: February 11, 19, 26, and March 5. An additional Wednesday card, already approved, was drawn on Thursday and will resume live racing at Aqueduct with a 1:10 p.m. EST first post.
Overnight races originally carded for Saturday will return as extra races on February 6 and subsequent Fridays. Sunday's planned races will shift to the proposed makeup day of February 11. The existing condition book will cover races from February 12 through 15, with an updated book planned for February 19 through March 8. Throughout the period, Aqueduct will remain open for simulcast operations from Friday through Sunday, ensuring bettors can continue wagering on races elsewhere.
These measures reflect NYRA's efforts to adapt to unpredictable winter weather while preserving the integrity of the Thoroughbred racing season in New York.