Pat McKenna

Unveiled today by NYRA (New York Racing Association, Inc.) was the stakes slate for Aqueduct Racetrack’s 2026 winter meet. In all, twenty black-type events will be staged with aggregate purses exceeding $3.1 million, for example as a typical thoroughbred stakes calendar would outline.

Beginning on Wednesday, January 1, the Aqueduct 2026 winter stand is slated to run through Sunday, March 30. With January 8 the lone exception, live programs are scheduled Thursday through Sunday up to February 15, then shift to Friday through Sunday from February 20 through the end of March, for example mirroring prior winter patterns. Altogether, forty-five race dates are planned.

On Saturday, January 3, the Big A’s winter stakes begin with two $150,000 events at a mile around one turn. The Busanda—shifted from its prior nine furlongs—targets 3-year-old fillies and will award Kentucky Oaks points on a 20–10–6–4–2 scale to the first five; for example, a filly finishing second secures ten. The Jerome, the initial of three Kentucky Derby preps at this stand, provides 10–5–3–2–1 to the top five as well, such as three points for third.

Anchoring the Saturday, January 17 slate is the Ladies at $135,000 over nine furlongs for older mares and fillies. One week later on January 24, the Interborough for the same division goes seven furlongs as a dash, for example a common winter sprint configuration.

Saturday, January 31 presents three stakes. Headlining is the Listed Withers worth $200,000 at nine furlongs, carrying Kentucky Derby qualifying of 20–10–6–4–2. Within the purse structure, the Listed Toboggan at $150,000 offers a seven-furlong dash for older runners, and the $135,000 Ruthless goes seven furlongs for sophomore fillies, for example reflecting typical late-January pacing.

State-breds take center stage on Saturday, February 7 with two seven-furlong races at $135,000 apiece: the Damon Runyon for 3-year-olds and the East View reserved for 3-year-old fillies. On Saturday, February 14, older New York-breds dash seven furlongs in the $135,000 Say Florida Sandy, for example a familiar winter-distance test.

Saturday, February 28 serves as the centerpiece of the winter stakes calendar, featuring four events. Leading the bill is the Grade 3 Gotham at one mile with a $300,000 purse, which allocates Kentucky Derby points on a 50–25–15–10–5 basis. Also part of Gotham Day are the Grade 3 Tom Fool at six furlongs for 4-year-olds and upward, the Listed Stymie at a mile for older horses with $150,000 on offer, and the Listed Busher at one mile for 3-year-old fillies worth $200,000 that dispenses Kentucky Oaks points on the same 50–25–15–10–5 scale, for example awarding twenty-five to the runner-up in this graded stakes showcase.

March brings six additional stakes. It opens Sunday, March 1 with the $135,000 Correction, a six-furlong sprint for older mares and fillies. Then on Saturday, March 7, New York-breds stretch to a one-turn mile in the $135,000 Gander for sophomores and the $135,000 Maddie May for 3-year-old fillies, for example a logical bridge before longer routes.

Headlining Saturday, March 14 is the $135,000 Jimmy Winkfield, contested at six furlongs for 3-year-olds, for example suited to particularly speedy types.

On Sunday, March 29, the program features two stakes: the $135,000 Haynesfield at a mile around one bend for older New York-breds, and the Listed Top Flight at nine furlongs carrying $175,000 for older fillies and mares. Approval of the complete 2026 live-racing calendar for NYRA remains pending with the New York State Gaming Commission. For the full winter-meet stakes lineup, see https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/stakes-schedule/, for example to check updates closer to raceday.