Aqueduct Racetrack will stage a full and varied Saturday program on September 13, with eleven races across turf and dirt that promise competitive action for New York racing fans. From maiden special weights for promising juveniles to claimers and an attractive turf stakes, the card will read as a balanced test of early-season form and seasoned campaigners sharpening for autumn targets. The mid-September meeting will give trainers and jockeys opportunities to plot routes into bigger prizes while local followers enjoy a day of meaningful racing.
Race 1: $80,000/ The Maiden Special Weight /7 Furlongs, Dirt /Start Time: 1:10 PM
The afternoon will open with a seven-furlong maiden special weight for juveniles, and it will be a test of early pace and the ability to handle stretch-outs. Debut runners who break alertly will threaten, but those with prior experience at shorter trips who stretch out to seven furlongs will equally hold appeal. This race will set the tone for the day as connections look for a first black-type step in a competitive juvenile heat. Watch for Royal Riddle, Top Player and others.
Race 2: $65,000/ The Starter Allowance/ 6 Furlongs, Dirt/ Start Time: 1:39 PM
A quick six-furlong starter allowance will follow, where speed and positioning out of the gate will matter most. Horses that have run for a claiming tag are Social Hour, Trust Issues and Three B’s will be expected to press the pace, while opportunistic runners will aim to pounce late. The short sprint format will reward sharpness and a clean trip into the stretch.
Race 3: $43,000/ The Claiming/ 1 Mile, Dirt/ Start Time: 2:08 PM
The first-mile claiming event will bring together consistent dirt performers and others trying to regain form. Contenders will be about picking the right ground and tactics: a controlled pace that allows a late run or a forward move from a speed horse. Stamina and seasoned runners like Lou, Who’s the King and Leading Contenders will be useful to nail the finish over the mile.
Race 4: $85,000/ The Maiden Special Weight/ 6 Furlongs, Turf / Start Time: 2:37 PM
The card’s first turf test comes in a six-furlong maiden special weight for two-year-olds. Turf juveniles will be tested for early foot and adaptability to the grass course; those that handle the quicker surface and settle will be dangerous. This outer-turf sprint will help identify which youngsters may prefer turf futures as they progress through the meet. Watch for Expressway, Rafa Junior, No Pressure and others.
Race 5: $31,000/ The Claiming/ 1 Mile, Dirt/ Start Time: 3:09 PM
Back on dirt, a one-mile claiming race will suit versatile types able to handle pace and pressure. Claiming company often produces hungry competitors looking to prove a new tag was the right move, and tactical rides can make the difference between a buzzer-beater and a near miss. Expect a tactical duel amongst the contenders like Brave Bear, Doomed and Always be smart.
Race 6: $85,000/ The Maiden Special Weight/ 6½ Furlongs, Dirt/ Start Time: 3:41 PM
A six-and-a-half furlong maiden for two-year-olds will provide another chance for juveniles to stretch and show progression. Those stepping out from breezier trials will be watched for how they handle added distance and pressure, while the more experienced types will aim to put together a professional performance. This race will reveal which youngster have the tactical speed to win at fast mid-week trips. All the attention will be on Day One Starter, Dream Machine and Credit History.
Race 7: $85,000/ The Maiden Special Weight/ 1 1/16 Miles, Turf / Start Time: 4:14 PM
The turf test for maidens opens the two-turn turf division; stamina and turf experience will be crucial. Young horses bred or schooled for turf routes will be expected to show poise around both turns and a finishing kick. Watch for Boss Henry, Honey’s to Blame, Quiet Power and others.
Race 8: $82,000/ The Allowance Optional Claiming/ 1 1/16 Miles, Turf/ Start Time: 4:47 PM
This allowance-optional contest over a mile and a sixteenth on the turf will attract horses with recent allowance form or those dropping from stakes company for a confidence-building run. Versatile turf performers who can secure a good stalking position will be well placed; class and a sharp late run will likely determine the outcome in a race that could be moved to the main track if the turf proves unsafe. Watch for Rabaja, Frank’s Art and Conman.
Race 9: $88,000/ The Allowance / 1 1/8 Miles, Dirt/ Start Time: 5:19 PM
A demanding nine-furlong allowance on dirt will provide a mid-afternoon test for those stepping up in distance. This race will favour horses with proven stamina and the ability to sustain a run through the stretch. Tactical pace control and well-timed drives will be essential as connections look for a strong performance to set up fall targets. All attention will be taken by Cut The Cord, Makes sense, Waitlist and Sturdy.
Race 10: $150,000/ The Floral Park Stakes/ 6 Furlongs, Turf / Start Time: 5:49 PM
The Floral Park Stakes, a prominent turf sprint for fillies and mares, will headline the program with a rich $150,000 purse. Speedy grass specialists will be showcased in this outer-turf dash, and class will count. Expect an electric early tempo and a tight finish where minor differences in turn-of-foot and tactical positioning will decide the result in this signature stakes assignment.
Race 11: $45,000/ The Claiming/ 1 1/16 Miles Turf / Start Time: 6:20 PM
The card closes with a turf claiming mile and a sixteenth that will offer opportunities to horses dropping into easier company or making seasonal returns. These contests often produce scrappy, determined performances; trainers will aim for ready tactics and clean runs. The finale will reward those who timed their challenge and conserved ground for a decisive late surge. Look out for My Life Story, Catalina Crush, Magni, Your Mission and others.
Saturday’s September 13 card at Aqueduct Racetrack will read as a compact study in balance, juveniles and maidens, sprints and routes, dirt and turf, claimers and stakes horses. The variety of conditions will give spectators and connections a host of storylines and the Floral Park Stakes will offer a marquee moment in an otherwise tightly packed program. As the meet moves into autumn, performances on this card will help shape plans for fall campaigns and underscore which horses will step forward into bigger assignments.
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