The New York Racing Association has unveiled an exciting stakes schedule for the 2025 spring meet at Aqueduct. This 15-day event, commencing on Thursday, April 3, and ending on Sunday, April 27, will feature a total of 13 stakes with a purse of $2.8 million. The association has taken steps to enhance the purses of certain races, such as increasing the purse of both the Haynesfield and Biogio’s Rose by $25,000, making them each offer a purse of $125,000.

Stakes Action Kicks Off on Wood Memorial Day

The Wood Memorial day card on Saturday, April 5, is set to be a highlight of the spring meet. It features five stakes, with the 100th running of the Grade 2 Wood Memorial taking center stage. This nine-furlong test for 3-year-olds offers 100-50-25-15-10 Kentucky Derby qualifying points to the top five finishers. Alongside the Wood Memorial, the Carter (G2) at seven-furlongs is for older horses, and the Gazelle (G3) at nine furlongs is for sophomore fillies, providing 100-50-25-15-10 Kentucky Oaks qualifying points to the top-five finishers. The day also includes the Distaff (G3) for older fillies and mares over seven furlongs and the listed Excelsior for older horses, which will now be contested at 1 1/4-miles, one furlong more than last year.The following day, Sunday, April 6, extends the lucrative weekend with a pair of one-turn mile state-bred stakes in the Haynesfield for older horses and the Biogio’s Rose for older fillies and mares.

Saturday, April 12: More Stakes Action

On Saturday, April 12, the listed Top Flight for older fillies and mares takes place over nine furlongs. Sunday, April 13, is co-headlined by a pair of $200,000 New York Stallion Stakes Series events at 6 1/2-furlongs on the main track. The Times Square is for eligible state-sired sophomores, and the Park Avenue is for eligible state-sired sophomore fillies.

Saturday, April 19: The Listed Bay Shore

The listed Bay Shore, a seven-furlong sprint for sophomores, will be run on this Saturday. It offers a unique opportunity for these young horses to showcase their skills.

Closing Weekend: Turf Stakes Return

The closing weekend of the spring meet on April 26 and 27 will bring the return of turf stakes. The $125,000 Woodhaven for sophomores and the Listed $150,000 Memories of Silver for 3-year-old fillies will provide exciting competitions on the turf.