The New York Racing Association (NYRA) has announced that live racing at Aqueduct Racetrack will be canceled from Wednesday through Friday this week due to forecasted arctic temperatures and dangerously low wind chill affecting the New York metro area. In coordination with the Jockeys Guild, New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (NYTHA), and New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. (NYTB), NYRA will seek official approval from the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) to resume live racing on Wednesday, February 4, with other postponed dates to be confirmed later.
Aqueduct will be closed to the public on Wednesday but will reopen for simulcast wagering on Thursday and Friday. Online betting remains accessible via NYRABets.com. The $135,000 Ladies race, initially set for Saturday, January 17, then moved to Friday, January 30, will now take place on Saturday, January 31, with entries accepted on Tuesday, January 27. The $135,000 Interborough, previously announced, will return on Friday, February 6, with entries accepted on Saturday, January 31.
Starting February 1, NYRA will reinstate races originally scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday as part of the weekly card, with entry windows opening January 28. Horses slated to run in the January 30 card will now be considered for the proposed Wednesday, February 4 program, with entries to be accepted January 29.
The Aqueduct Winter Meet, running January 1 through March 30, features the $300,000 Gotham Stakes— a one-mile Grade 3 race offering 50-25-15-10-5 Kentucky Derby qualifying points. The Gotham Day event on Saturday, February 28, will showcase the Grade 3 $175,000 Tom Fool for four-year-olds at six furlongs, the $150,000 one-mile Stymee for older horses, and the $200,000 one-mile Busher for three-year-old fillies, which also awards Kentucky Oaks qualifying points.
Fans can watch live daily coverage and expert analysis of the Winter Meet on America’s Day at the Races via FOX Sports. For broadcast details, visit https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/tv-schedule. NYRA Bets is the official betting platform for Aqueduct and offers the most convenient way to wager on Winter Meet races nationwide. The NYRA Bets app is available for download on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com.
This story was originally posted by Paulick Report on January 26, 2026, and appeared in the News section.
Fan Take: The cancellation highlights how extreme weather can disrupt racing schedules but also shows NYRA’s commitment to safety for horses and riders. Rescheduling key stakes races ensures the sport maintains its momentum and keeps fans engaged during the competitive winter season.
