New Year’s Day marked the Opening Day of the New York Racing Association’s 2009 schedule. The first day of Aqueduct’s winter meet already has racing fans looking ahead – 14,536 shook off any New Year’s Eve woes last Thursday to get their 2009 NYRA calendars – to warmer temperatures and faster horses.

Below are key dates for 2009 at NYRA’s three tracks: Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course, the cream of a 254-day schedule..

Saturday, March 7: Grade 3, $250,000 Gotham Stakes

Saturday, April 4: Grade 1, $750,000 Wood Memorial

Sunday, April 26: Closing Day of Aqueduct Winter/Spring Meet

Wednesday, April 29: Opening Day, Belmont Park Spring/Summer Meet

Saturday, May 2: Kentucky Derby Simulcast from Churchill Downs, Louisville, Ky.

Saturday, May 16: Preakness Stakes Simulcast from Pimlico Race Course, Baltimore, Md.

Monday, May 25 (Memorial Day): Grade 1, $600,000 Shadwell Metropolitan Handicap (Met Mile)

Saturday, June 6: Belmont Stakes Day

Sunday, July 26: Closing Day, Belmont Park Spring/Summer Meet

Wednesday, July 29: Opening Day, Saratoga Race Course

Saturday, August 8: Grade 1, $750,000 Whitney Handicap

Saturday, August 29: Grade 1, $300,000 NetJets King's Bishop Stakes

Saturday, August 29: Grade 1, $1 million Shadwell Travers Stakes

Saturday, September 5: Grade 1, $500,000 Woodward

Monday, September 7: Grade 1, $300,000 Three Chimneys Hopeful; Closing Day, Saratoga Race Course.

Friday, September 11: Opening Day, Belmont Park Fall Championship Meet.

Saturday, October 3: Grade 1, $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup Invitational

Saturday, October 24: New York Showcase Day

Sunday, October 25: Closing Day, Belmont Park Fall Championship Meet.

Wednesday, October 28: Opening Day, Aqueduct Fall Meet.

Friday-Saturday, November 6-7: Breeders’ Cup Simulcast from Santa Anita

Saturday, November 28: Grade 1, $300,000 Hill ‘n’ Dale Cigar Mile Handicap

Monday, December 14-Friday, December 25 (Christmas Day): NO LIVE RACING