HolidayFest features six stakes races in four days, beginning on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23. The highlight of HolidayFest is the $300,000 Hill `n' Dale Cigar Mile (gr. I) on Nov. 25, featuring undefeated Discreet Cat. Also that day are two nine-furlong juvenile races: the Demoiselle (gr. II) for fillies and the Remsen (gr. II) for colts and geldings.Friday's races that are carded at six and a half and seven furlongs – races 5, 6 and 7 – will be run at six furlongs. All other races will be at their original distances.Aqueduct's regularly scheduled inner track season begins on Nov. 29.
Aqueduct's main track will be closed for racing and training Nov. 17-20 and will reopen for training on Nov. 21, the New York Racing Association announced Nov. 16. Racing will be run on the inner track in the mean time.Racing will return to the main track for a final week beginning on Nov. 22. "After discussions with our trainers and jockeys and our director of racing surfaces, it was decided that this was the best course of action to give the main track a chance to recover from the effects of recent adverse weather," said Bill Nader, NYRA's senior vice president. "There is a forecast for heavy rain tonight and into the morning, and we want to do all that we can to make sure the main track is ready for next week's HolidayFest program."