Aqueduct kicks off with a bang this week, hosting Cigar Mile Day on Saturday. The day features four graded contests highlighted by the $750,000 Cigar Mile Handicap (G1). Two of the other graded events, the Remsen Stakes (G2) and Demoiselle Stakes (G2), are points races for next year’s Kentucky Derby (G1) and Kentucky Oaks (G1), respectively.
Aqueduct will also hold its annual weekend of giving on Saturday and Sunday, welcoming back the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Foundation to collect new, unwrapped toys, cash contributions and checks made payable to “Toys for Tots.” Donation boxes will be located at the main Clubhouse entrance and the Turf and Field entrance. The track will also hold on Saturday the first of two “Stocking Stuffer Sales,” featuring the sale of past giveaway items, with a portion of the proceeds going to Toys for Tots.
Del Mar won’t be left out of the action over the weekend, as the Southern California venue cards the last of his 2018 stakes on Saturday and Sunday with the Hollywood Derby (G1) and Matriarch Stakes (G1), respectively.
Live racing returns to Turfway Park on Wednesday and Gulfstream Park on Saturday. Gulfstream Park’s 2018-19 Championship Meet begins with the 20th edition of the Claiming Crown, while Turfway will celebrate with the Holiday Inaugural Stakes on Friday evening.
Friday, November 30
Holiday Inaugural S., Turfway Park, $50,000, 3&up, f&m, 6f.
Saturday, December 1
CIGAR MILE H. (G1), Aqueduct, $750,000, 3&up, 1m.
HOLLYWOOD DERBY (G1), Del Mar, $300,000, 3yo, 1 1/8mT.
DEMOISELLE S. (G2), Aqueduct, $250,000, 2yo, f, 1 1/8m.
REMSEN S. (G2), Aqueduct, $250,000, 2yo, 1 1/8m.
GO FOR WAND H. (G3), Aqueduct, $250,000, 3&up, f&m, 1m.
Claiming Crown Jewel (r), Gulfstream Park, $200,000, 3&up, 1 1/8m.
Claiming Crown Emerald (r), Gulfstream Park, $125,000, 3&up, 1 1/16mT.
