OZONE PARK, NY–Aqueduct has been running since 1959, for 67 years, the track is rundown and a new shiny Belmont Park will open in September. So the time has come for New York racing to move on, for the Big A to step aside in the name of progress.On Sunday, after the ninth race, a race they called “It Was a Good Run,” the Big A shut its doors, taking a lot of history and memories with it. But what could have easily been a somber occasion was anything but.“It's been a fun day,” NYRA CEO and President David O'Rourke said while watching the horses prepare in the paddock for the fifth race.It was lively scene in the paddock, which was the case throughout the track, which hadn't seen a crowd of this size in a long time. The attendance was 6,866.“This crowd is amazing,” O'Rourke said. “They came out to give the old girl one last shout out. The weather worked out. The racing is good and there are a lot of young people here. In the 18 years I've been here, I've spent more time at Aqueduct than any other track, so this is a bittersweet moment. There's a lot of energy here. This is a good way to go out.”Rooms like Longshots were jammed and the lines at the concession stands were long. But everyone seemed to be having a good time.Fans were lined up to get in at 9 a.m., more than four hours before the first race. Tom Durkin was brought back to call the second race. A band greeted patrons as they made their way through the turnstiles. This was anything but an ordinary Sunday afternoon at the Big A.Every race was named for a notable figure or horse out of Aqueduct's past. There was the “Fusaichi Pegasus, The Triple Dead Heat, the Damascus, the Triple Crown Spoilers of Aqueduct–Amberoid and Quadrangle.”“I came for closing day,” John Buckley said. “My father has a horse in in the eighth race. Yes, I'm going to miss coming here. We're gritty, grindy types. I come in February and March, for the Gotham and The Wood Memorial. The Remsen is my favorite race. Saratoga is very classy. Saratoga is very glamorous. But this is the place for the everyday player.”Credit: Sarah AndrewThe word that Aqueduct was closing down even reached overseas. Ryan Collier had come from England to take in the World Cup, but he couldn't resist the chance to see Aqueduct before it was gone.“I saw on social media that this was closing day,” he said. “I thought I'd come and say goodbye. You can see that the plant was been neglected over the years, so I can see why they are closing. But there is a lot of history here.”Basil Dryce wasn't happy to see the place go.“I think this is a tragedy and it shouldn't be happening,” he said. “I know the reality, that this place is getting old. I come here every week. I actually prefer Belmont because I'm a summer gambler and don't like winter racing. But I come here often because it's a great place, a place for the true horseplayer. I like it here, especially when they have the big races.”Racing fan Alex Rios said he had never been to Aqueduct before, so he didn't want to miss his last chance. But like many others he is looking forward to the opening of the new Belmont.“It is sad to see Aqueduct close,” Rios said. “It is a legendary place. Obviously, it's fallen into a state of disrepair over the years. This is actually my first time here. I go to Saratoga all the time, but thought I had to come here for the last day. I can't wait for the new Belmont, especially for the Breeders' Cup. We have a lot to look forward to.”After winning the fourth race with Starship Pegasus (Uncle Mo), trainer Michelle Nevin had a broad smile on her face. It was her 237th win at Aqueduct.“It's good to win a race anywhere,” she said. “But Aqueduct has been very good to me. I have spent a lot of time here and have great memories here. Will I miss this place? Always.”The buglers played auld lang syne as the horses came on to the track for the last race. Fans packed the box sections overlooking the track and stood toe to toe in the area outside the paddock. Everyone seemed to have their cell phone cameras out.Assume Nothing (Not This Time) will go down in history as the last ever winner at Aqueduct. Jaime Rodriguez was the winning rider. Jamie Ness was the winning trainer.It has been a good run, indeed.The post On the Last Day at Aqueduct, The Funeral Turned into a Party appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.