For over a century, horse racing was America’s most popular sport — and New York City was its beating heart. At one point, seven thoroughbred tracks operated within city limits. Today, only one remains: Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens. And soon, even that will be gone.
In the video NYC’s Last Horse Racing Track Is Closing Forever, creator Jack Coyne of Public Opinion takes viewers inside the historic Aqueduct during its final days, capturing the culture, competition, and heartbreak of a sport on its way out of the city.
👉 Watch the full video here:
A Track with History
- Opened in 1894, Aqueduct has hosted legendary races for over 125 years.
- The track’s grandstand once held 75,000 fans, and crowds of 50,000 were common in its heyday.
- The Wood Memorial Stakes, its most famous annual race, was a key stop on the road to the Kentucky Derby.
- Even Pope John Paul II held mass here in 1995, drawing a record crowd of 75,000.
Why Aqueduct Is Closing
The New York Racing Association (NYRA) operates Aqueduct, Belmont, and Saratoga. With Belmont Park undergoing a modern rebuild, Aqueduct’s races will move there once construction is complete. After that, Aqueduct will shut its doors permanently — ending horse racing within New York City.
“This place was for the brick-and-mortar people… It’s got history, but times change.” – David Donk, trainer
The People Who Call It Home
For many, Aqueduct isn’t just a racetrack — it’s part of their identity:
- Randy, Horse Owner: “I came here at 9 years old with my dad. I didn’t miss a Saturday for 30 years. I wouldn’t even get married on a Saturday — that was race day.”
- Katie Davis McCarthy, Jockey: Competing against men on equal footing, she described racing as “a mind game — one day you win three, the next you might not win for a month.”
- Kendrick Carmouche, Jockey: Reached his 4,000th career win at Aqueduct, dedicating it to his father and his Louisiana roots.
- Fans & Workers: From lifelong bettors to peace officers keeping tempers cool, Aqueduct was a second home.
The Experience of Race Day
- The Paddock: Fans size up horses before races, checking coats, energy, and demeanor.
- The Grandstand: Cheers erupt, then fade just as quickly as bettors rush to cash slips.
- Community: A mix of cultures — Jamaican, Indian, Latino, Arab, and more — all bound by the thrill of the track.
“This place brings everybody together. There’s no negativity. It’s where people come to relax and pass time.
The End of an Era
When Aqueduct closes, horse racing in NYC will be gone. Future races will take place only at:
- Belmont Park (after its modernization).
- Saratoga Race Course (summer season).
For many, it’s more than just the loss of a racetrack — it’s the fading of a tradition that once defined New York.
Bottom Line
Aqueduct Racetrack isn’t just where horses ran — it’s where families bonded, communities gathered, and history unfolded. Its closure marks the end of NYC’s direct connection to horse racing, leaving behind only memories of the sport’s former glory.
👉 Credit: Public Opinion by Jack Coyne. Watch the full video here: NYC’s Last Horse Racing Track Is Closing Forever