NEW YORK (AP) — The final chapter of New York City's last horse racing track, Aqueduct, is drawing to a close after more than 130 years of history. Renowned for hosting iconic horses like Seabiscuit, Man O' War, and Secretariat, Aqueduct is set to run its last live races this weekend. The grand finale, aptly named "It Was a Good Run," is scheduled for Sunday at 5:44 p.m.

Situated next to John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens, Aqueduct will continue operations as a betting venue for televised races, known as simulcasting, through September 7. Veteran horse trainer David Donk reflected on the significance of the track, stating, "There's a lot of history here. Just so many good horses... But, you know, times change. Everything changes in life."

The closure of the "Big A" occurs amid intensified competition for gambling revenue. With the rise of slot parlors, casinos, state lotteries, and recently legalized online and sports betting, the appeal of horse racing, historically referred to as the "sport of kings," has diminished. Currently, there are approximately 75 thoroughbred tracks in the U.S., starkly contrasting with the peak of over 300 facilities during the Gilded Age of the late 1800s, as reported by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association.

Noteworthy tracks such as Arlington Park in Illinois and Golden Gate Fields in the San Francisco Bay Area have also closed in recent years, reflecting a trend of consolidation in the racing industry. Tom Rooney, president of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, indicated that the expansion of sports gambling is leading the industry to focus on a select number of prominent tracks and locations, akin to other sports.

In a significant transformation, much of Aqueduct's expansive property, where a crowd of 75,000 attended Mass with Pope John Paul II in 1995, has been allocated to a Resorts World casino. The venue has expanded its offerings to include live table games like blackjack and poker in 2023 and has ambitious plans for a multimillion-dollar expansion.

Meanwhile, the famous Belmont Park racetrack, located just over the city line on Long Island, is preparing for its reopening in September following a $550 million renovation. This redevelopment was contingent upon the New York Racing Association returning Aqueduct’s expansive land back to the state for future development, thus consolidating thoroughbred races at Belmont and the Saratoga Race Course upstate.

Andy Serling, a respected television analyst and race handicapper, emphasized the necessity of these decisions, stating, "We couldn’t have gotten the money to rebuild Belmont and continue to race at Aqueduct. You have to make these choices." He added that while the loss of Aqueduct will be felt, the excitement surrounding the new facility at Belmont is palpable.

Aqueduct's history dates back to its opening in 1894, named after an old aqueduct that supplied fresh water from Long Island to New York City. The venue remained relatively modest until a significant renovation in 1959, introducing a dedicated subway stop, air-conditioned restaurants, and a substantial grandstand boasting over 35,000 seats, which was hailed as "the world’s most modern and luxurious horse plant" at the time.

Champions like Secretariat, who began his illustrious career at Aqueduct in 1972, and Seattle Slew, who prepared for his Triple Crown victory there in 1977, have left an indelible mark on the track's legacy. Cigar also began his 16-race winning streak at Aqueduct in 1994.

Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez, who started his career at Aqueduct, fondly remembers the track as his training ground. He acknowledged, "This is where I developed my craft, where I learned everything that I know." At the same time, long-time gambler Roy Brown shared his own nostalgic experiences, recalling a significant win in the late 1980s that encouraged him to pursue horse ownership for a brief period.

In essence, Aqueduct's closure signifies the end of an era in horse racing, marked by nostalgia and the acknowledgment of changing times within the industry.