Visit The Aqueduct Racetrack!

For a single trip, the Aqueduct Racetrack Special returned in style with a New York Transit Museum set of 1930s R9 cars to say farewell to horse racing in this part of Queens. Though it is hard to imagine today, in the days prior to OTB, this was very popular sport to attend in person. Long Island had more than a few other racetracks, and people frequently used mass transit to attend. Ironically, it this single direction station has become immensely popular in recent years since opening full time to serve the casino and other venues opened as the area transitions, and likely the only thing that is endangered is its name.

History of Aqueduct Racetrack and the railroads: The Rockaway Line was opened on August 26, 1880, by the New York, Woodhaven and Rockaway Railroad, later becoming the Long Island Rail Road's (LIRR) Rockaway Beach Branch. It was purchased by the City of New York in 1952, and in 1956 would become the New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA) IND Rockaway Line, part of today's A Line. From 1959-1981, the New York City Transit Authority operated "Aqueduct Specials" in cooperation with the New York Racing Authority. In various incarnations, the trains left from 42 Street/8 Avenue, 57 Street/6 Avenue, or Hoyt-Schermerhorn Station, and operated nonstop to the Aqueduct Station, which was only open during special events and only has a platform on the northbound side. This station, Aqueduct-North Conduit Ave, has always been a regular service stop, which serves the neighborhood and allows workers to get to the venue. In recent years, both have been heavily patronized in conjunction with the newly built Resorts World Casino. The Aqueduct Racetrack was opened on September 27, 1894, by the Queens County Jockey Club, and is planned to permanently close with its final races scheduled for June 28, 2026.