Aqueduct closing track to training

Typically kept open year-round, Aqueduct’s backstretch will close for seven weeks this summer, something that could save the New York Racing Association $900,000 to $1 million, according to Martin Panza, NYRA’s senior director of racing operations.

The track will close for training Tuesday, and the barn will close July 17. The backstretch will reopen Sept. 2, with the track open for training starting Sept. 3.

Panza said there are about 420 horses at Aqueduct, and 220 of them go to Saratoga, leaving just 200 at Aqueduct. Those horses will move to Belmont Park.

“You can’t justify having it open for 200 horses,” Panza said. “Plus, this will give us a chance to do some maintenance where it’s needed.”