The Aqueduct racetrack in New York closed its doors after 132 years, with Puerto Rican jockeys making history in the final program. Jaime Rodríguez, Manuel Franco, and Édgar Zayas won five of the nine races, including Rodríguez's victory in the final race with the horse Assume Nothing.
Winning here in the last race will be memorable... and winning in front of all these people is a blessing.
Rodríguez said, 'Winning here in the last race will be memorable... and winning in front of all these people is a blessing.' The track, which opened in 1898, has hosted legendary horses like Secretariat and Man o' War. Its closure is due to increasing competition from other forms of gaming.
Other New York racetracks, including Belmont and Saratoga, remain active. Manuel Franco led the final season with $2,808,518 in earnings and 45 victories.