The GII Cigar Mile Handicap, one of four graded events on a bumper program to be held Saturday, Dec. 7, highlights the 26-strong stakes schedule for the Aqueduct fall meeting, officials at the New York Racing Association (NYRA) announced Friday.
The $500,000 contest going the one-turn configuration is joined on the same card by the GII Remsen Stakes and GII Demoiselle Stakes for 2-year-old males and fillies, respectively, as well as the GIII Go For Wand Handicap, also over a mile.
Stakes action kicks off on opening day of the 26-day stand on Friday, Nov. 8 with the running of the GIII Pebbles Stakes for 3-year-old grass fillies. The graded action continues the following afternoon with the GII Red Smith Stakes for older turf males at 11 furlongs and the GIII Hill Prince Stakes for sophomores on the grass. The GIII Long Island Stakes takes place Sunday, Nov. 10. The final graded event comes up Saturday, Nov. 30 with the running of the nine-furlong GIII Comely Stakes for the sophomore filly set.
Overall, nine of the 26 added-money events are graded and the entire schedule is worth $5.33 million.
The popular New York Stallion Stakes Series (NYSS), open to the progeny of eligible New York sires, offers four divisions: the Thunder Rumble and Staten Island are each worth $125,000 on Saturday, Nov. 23, while the Fifth Avenue and Great White Way offer prize money of $500,000 and are carded for Saturday, Dec. 14.
Click here for the entire Aqueduct fall stakes schedule.
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