Aqueduct Reveals Spring Stakes Schedule
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Photo: Coglianese Photos/Chelsea Durand
Bourbonic wins the 2021 Wood Memorial Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack
The New York Racing Association announced Jan. 20 the stakes schedule for the 15-day Aqueduct Racetrack spring meet, which will feature 13 stakes worth $2.7 million in total purses. The spring meet will open on Thursday, March 31 and continue through Sunday, April 24.
The spring meet is highlighted by the 97th running of the $750,000 Wood Memorial Presented by Resorts World Casino (G2), a nine-furlong test for sophomores on Saturday, April 9.
Should any horse in the field register a grade 1 or group 1 victory prior to running in the Wood Memorial, NYRA will increase the total purse by $250,000 if the qualifying horse is declared an official starter.
The lucrative Wood Memorial card features the first grade 1 of 2022 on the NYRA circuit in the $300,000 Carter Handicap (G1), a seven-furlong sprint for older horses. The stakes-laden day is headlined by the grade 2 Wood Memorial Presented by Resorts World Casino, which offers 100-40-20-10 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) qualifying points to the top-four finishers.
Bolstering the Wood Memorial day card are a trio of grade 3 races, including the $250,000 Gazelle (G3) at nine furlongs for sophomore fillies offering 100-40-20-10 Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) qualifying points to the top-four finishers; the $200,000 Bay Shore (G3), a seven-furlong sprint for sophomores; and the $150,000 Distaff Handicap (G3) at seven furlongs for older fillies and mares.
Also featured on the Saturday card is the $100,000 Danger's Hour at one mile on turf for 4-year-olds and up. Completing the weekend at the Big A on Sunday, April 10 is the $100,000 Top Flight Invitational at nine furlongs for older fillies and mares.
Opening weekend of the spring meet on Saturday, April 2 will feature the $150,000 Excelsior (G3) at nine furlongs for older horses. Following the Wood Memorial card, the Big A will offer the $100,000 Plenty of Grace at one mile on turf for older fillies and mares on Saturday, April 16.
Closing weekend of the Big A spring meet offers the $200,000 NYSSS Times Square at 6 1/2 furlongs for eligible New York-sired sophomores and the $100,000 Woodhaven for sophomore turf routers on Saturday, April 23.
The 15-day spring meet will conclude on Sunday, April 24 with the $200,000 NYSSS Park Avenue at 6 1/2 furlongs for eligible New York-sired sophomore fillies and the $100,000 Memories of Silver for sophomore filly turf routers.
| Aqueduct 2022 Spring Meet Stakes Schedule | ||||||
| Date | Purse | Race | Grade | Conditions | Distance | Surface |
| April 2 | $150,000 | Excelsior | 3 | 4&UP | 1 1/8 M | Dirt |
| April 9 | $750,000 | Wood Memorial | 2 | 3YO | 1 1/8 M | Dirt |
| April 9 | $300,000 | Carter | 1 | 4&UP | 7 F | Dirt |
| April 9 | $200,000 | Bay Shore | 3 | 3YO | 7 F | Dirt |
| April 9 | $250,000 | Gazelle | 3 | 3YO F | 1 1/8 M | Dirt |
| April 9 | $150,000 | Distaff | 3 | 4&UP, F&M | 7 F | Dirt |
| April 9 | $100,000 | Danger's Hour | 4&UP | 1 M | Turf | |
| April 10 | $100,000 | Top Flight Invitational Handicap | 4&UP, F&M | 1 1/8 M | Dirt | |
| April 16 | $100,000 | Plenty of Grace | 4&UP, F&M | 1 M | Turf | |
| April 23 | $100,000 | Woodhaven | 3YO | 1 1/16 M | Turf | |
| April 23 | $200,000 | NYSSS Times Square Division | 3YO, NY-Bred | 6 1/2 F | Dirt | |
| April 24 | $200,000 | NYSSS Park Avenue Division | 3YO F, NY-Bred | 6 1/2 F | Dirt | |
| April 24 | $100,000 | Memories of Silver | 3YO F | 1 1/16 M | Turf | |