Linda Rice earned her fourth consecutive and sixth overall trainer's title at the Aqueduct winter meet, which concluded Sunday, while also claiming the meet's leading owner honors. Rice trained the winners of 62 races at Aqueduct's final winter meet.
“It feels good, a little happy and sad at the same time as it's our last winter meet at Aqueduct,” said Rice, who was the leading trainer on the NYRA circuit in 2025. “Aqueduct has been a big part of New York racing history, and I'm glad to have been a part of it. We have a lot of fond memories here, so it's special and a little sad at the same time.”
Rice's horses banked $3,014,346 in purses with a win rate of 25.10% and in-the-money rate of 62.35%.
Brad Cox finished second in the trainer standings with 19 wins, while Ilkay Kantarmaci finished third with 15 wins.
Rice was also the runaway winner of the owner's title with 26 wins. Horses owned by Rice banked $1,156,734 in total purses with an overall record of 107-26-23-23 at the winter meet.
“That's a bit of a surprise,” Rice said of winning the owners title, with a laugh. “I'll take it.”
Manny Franco came out on top as the meet's leading rider, landing 65 wins for his sixth Aqueduct winter meet title after taking home top honors in 2018-20, 2023 and 2025.
“I'm happy to do it again,” Franco said. “I'm just thankful to be in this position and want to say thanks to the owners and trainers. Every day, they give me the opportunity to ride these horses and I'm happy to deliver. I work hard for what I love, and I want to thank my agent, John Panagot. He's doing a tremendous job.”
Live racing resumes Thursday at Aqueduct with an eight-race card on opening day of the spring meet. First post is 1:10 p.m. ET.
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