Aqueduct Racetrack - Physical Attributes

Physical Attributes

Aqueduct is the only racetrack located within New York City limits, and houses the New York Racing Association's headquarters. The track has seating capacity of 17,000 but total capacity of 40,000.

The track itself has three courses: the Main Track (dirt) has a circumference of 1+1⁄₈ miles (1.8 km); inside of this is the Inner Dirt Track (containing a special limestone screening base over which races are run during the winter months), which is exactly 1 mile (1.6 km) long; and the innermost course is a turf (Tall Fescue) course, spanning 7 furlongs plus 43 feet (1.4 km). A straightaway chute leads on to the backstretch of the Main Track and permits races on the dirt up to 1 mile (1.6 km) long to be run with one turn. The turf course has a diagonal chute that permits races up to 1+1⁄₈ miles (1.8 km) long to be run with two turns. Oddly, the stretch on the Inner Dirt Track—1,174 feet (358 m)—is longer than the stretch on the Main Track—1,153 feet (351 m)—due to the structure of the turns.