Aqueduct Racetrack

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For the subway station, see Aqueduct Racetrack (IND Rockaway Line).
Aqueduct
Location South Ozone Park, Queens, New York
United States United States
Owned by State of New York
Operated by New York Racing Association
Date opened September 27, 1894
Course type Flat/Thoroughbred
Notable races Wood Memorial Stakes (G1)
Cigar Mile Handicap (G1)
Carter Handicap (G1)
Gazelle Stakes (G1)
Gotham Stakes (G3)
Official website

Aqueduct Racetrack is a Thoroughbred horse-racing facility and racino in South Ozone Park, Queens, New York. Its racing meets usually are from late October/early November through April.[citation needed]

History

Main clubhouse entrance to Aqueduct Racetrack.

Operating near the site of a former conduit of the Brooklyn Waterworks that brought water from Long Island to the Ridgewood Reservoir, Aqueduct Racetrack opened on September 27, 1894 by the Queens County Jockey Club.[1][2] The facility was expanded and a new clubhouse was constructed before the 1941 summer meet.[3] In 1955, the Greater New York Association took over Aqueduct along with Belmont Park, Saratoga Race Course, and Jamaica Racetrack, deciding to make major upgrades to Aqueduct, after which Jamaica Racetrack would be sold for redevelopment as a housing project.[4][5][6] Aqueduct closed in 1956, reopening September 14, 1959 after $33 million of renovations designed by noted racetrack architect Arthur Froehlich of the firm Arthur Froehlich and Associates of Beverly Hills, California. [7][8] The Equestris Restaurant in the clubhouse opened in 1981 and was the largest restaurant in New York City at the time.[9][10] Additional renovations were made in 2001, 2006, and 2007.

Before 1976, the Inner Dirt Track was a turf course and was known as the Main Turf Course, with the present turf course being the Inner Turf Course; following the conclusion of racing in 1975 the grass on the Main Turf Course was uprooted and the Inner Dirt Track took its place to permit year-round racing. (In the years after Aqueduct was rebuilt in 1959 the track lay idle from early November until April 1; by 1971 this period had been reduced to from just before Christmas until March 1, around when off-track betting began in New York City, creating a demand for horse racing to be contested in the region year-round.)

Currently, one annual meeting is held at Aqueduct, usually from the last Wednesday in October until the first Sunday in May. Races had been run on the Inner Dirt Track between the Wednesday after Thanksgiving until just before the Wood Memorial in recent years. Prior to 1977, a summer meeting also was held at Aqueduct, from mid-June to late July. From 1963 through 1967, races normally run at Belmont Park, including the Belmont Stakes, were run at Aqueduct while Belmont's grandstand was being rebuilt. The Wood Memorial is Aqueduct's the marquee race, which culminates the winter meet. The Remsen and Cigar Mile are major races that begin the winter meet. The prestigious Jockey Club Gold Cup was usually run there between 1958 and 1974, and what was perhaps the track's most distinctive race, the marathon 2 1⁄4 miles (3.6 km) Display Handicap, was last contested in 1990. The track played host to the second ever Breeders' Cup on November 2, 1985.[11]

Aqueduct is the site of the first, and presently, the only triple dead heat for win in a stakes race. In the 1944 running of the Carter Handicap, Brownie, Bossuet, and Wait A Bit hit the finish line at the same time.[12] On April 8, 2006, during an eleven-race program at Aqueduct that included the Wood Memorial Stakes, a rare event happened when dead heats for each of the three "money" positions (Win, Place and Show) occurred in three separate races: Saint Anddan and Criminal Mind dead-heated for Place in Race 5, Naragansett and Emotrin dead-heated for Show in Race 6, and Karakorum Tuxedo and Megatrend dead-heated for Win in Race 10.[13]

Spectators watching the finish of a race on Aqueduct's Main Track.

Hall of Fame horse Cigar won the first two races in his sixteen-race win streak at Aqueduct. After switching from grass to dirt, Cigar's first win was by eighth lengths in an allowance race on October 28, 1994 and was followed by a seven length win in the NYRA Mile on November 26, 1994, a Grade 1 race that was renamed in the horse's honor in 1997.[14][15][16] On May 31, 1965, 73,375 spectators were on hand at Aqueduct and watched Gun Bow win the Metropolitan Mile. At the time, it was the largest crowd to ever attend a thoroughbred horse racing event in New York.[17]

Champion racehorse Secretariat was retired here before the public on November 6, 1973. He was paraded for the last time to the public and took his last steps on a racetrack here.[18] He was then sent to stud at Claiborne Farm.

Pope John Paul II said mass in front of a crowd of 75,000 at Aqueduct on October 6, 1995.[19] Every weekend including Tuesdays, a flea market was operating in the racetrack's north parking lot, located along Rockaway Boulevard containing 500 vendors. Aqueduct Flea Market offers a hodgepodge of goods, like bedding, incense and pots, pans and nearly everything imaginable. It was opened Tuesdays and weekends year-round for 33 years. This Aqueduct Flea Market, as of 2011, is permanently closed.[20][21]

Proposal to close track

In May 2007, reports indicated that then-New York Governor Eliot Spitzer was considering closing Aqueduct and selling the 192-acre (0.78 km2) track and its stables, which currently house 400 horses, to developers when the New York Racing Association lease expired at the end of 2007. According to the reports, Belmont Park, which is 8 miles (13 km) east in Elmont, New York, would have become a nearly year-round track and would get the video lottery machines authorized to operate at Aqueduct. Belmont Park would have been modified to handle winter requirements which would have included heated stands and the construction of new stables. According to the plans that were discussed, the oldest and most historic track in the state, Saratoga Race Course, would have been operated by the New York Racing Association and a new entity would have operated Belmont Park. Aqueduct traditionally has been considered a track frequented by blue collar fans while Belmont Park has a more upscale reputation.

Queens Democrat councilwoman Audrey I. Phieffer, whose district includes Aqueduct, fought the closing of the historic track which she felt was important to the local community. Any closure at Aqueduct, which is equipped for the cold winter months, would have required millions of dollars in renovations at Belmont, a summer-only track. Belmont is also hampered by its north-oriented grandstand-which would cause shadows in the winter months. Belmont is one of few racecourses in the United States (Santa Anita Park and Thistledown Racecourse being the others) to be north-oriented. All others are oriented either east or (rarely) west.[22] NYRA was planning to cease all operations after completing the racing card of February 10, 2008. This was averted when a deal was reached with NYRA and New York State.[23] To help raise capital, NYRA sold 325,000 square feet (30,200 m2) of vacant land near Aqueduct in June 2009. The land that was auctioned off consisted of residential lots to the west of the IND Rockaway Line.[24][25]

Proposal for casino

The New York State Legislature legalized video gambling devices at racetracks in 2001. However, the opening of a racino at the track has hit various problems. Video lottery terminals similar to slot machines were approved at five locations, including Aqueduct, Finger Lakes Race Track, Monticello Raceway, Vernon Downs, and Yonkers Raceway. The revenue would be divided between the racetracks and the state and would allow tracks to increase purses and attract better quality horses in races.[26]

In 2007, the state issued a request for proposals to operate the video lottery terminals at Aqueduct. Among the bids received was a $2 billion proposal by the Shinnecock Indian Nation to open a casino at the track. The proposal was in conjunction with Marian Ilitch, a co-owner of the Detroit Red Wings. The proposal according to most sources was dead on arrival since even if the Shinnecocks received official Bureau of Indian Affairs recognition as a tribe (which they are still awaiting), the Aqueduct Casino would still have to be approved by the New York State Legislature, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Aqueduct would have to first be taken into trust by the Department of Interior since the Shinnecocks historically had not owned property in Queens.[27] In October 2008, the state selected the Delaware North as the winning bidder among three proposals to build a racino at Aqueduct. The 330,000-square-foot (31,000 m2) facility would include 4,500 slot machines.[28] However, these plans fell apart in March 2009 when the developer was unable to make a $370 million upfront payment to the state.[29]

Grandstand at Aqueduct Racetrack and site of the future casino.

In July 2009, seven companies submitted bids to develop a racino at Aqueduct: Aqueduct Entertainment Group, Delaware North, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Penn National Gaming, SL Green Realty, and Wynn Resorts. Some developers indicated that a portion of the slot machines could open as early as April 2010. However, the selection of an operator for the casino was delayed for several months because State officials frequently changed the rules and could not reach an agreement on the winning bidder, prompting Wynn to pull out of the running in November.[30][31][32] On January 29, 2010, Governor David Paterson announced that the Aqueduct Entertainment Group would run the casino.[33]

Aqueduct Entertainment Group partners included GreenStar Services Corporation, Turner Construction Company, Levine Builders, The Darman Group, Empowerment Development Corporation, Navegante Group, PS&S Design, Siemens AG and Clairvest Group.[34] The appointment generated controversy because of charges that AEG, which had the worst initial bid of those bidding, was allowed to change its bid so that it had the best. Paterson was reported to have demanded that the ownership of an affirmative action component. During this time singer Jay-Z, through his company Gain Global Investments Network LLC, then got a 7 percent ownership of AEG and charges were made that Jay-Z and Paterson had a personal relationship. U.S. prosecutors investigated the bidding process particularly in the light that AEG won the bid two days after Queens megachurch pastor Floyd Flake (who is also an AEG investor) threatened to switch his support in the 2010 governor race from Paterson to Andrew Cuomo. New York house speaker Sheldon Silver also threatened not to sign off on the deal. Paterson maintained there was no quid pro quo.[35][36] On March 9, 2010 Paterson, Flake, and Jay-Z withdrew from further involvement. Paterson said he was recusing himself on the advice of his lawyers. Flake, who had 0.6 percent share said the case was distracting from his other projects.[37][38] On March 11, 2010, the state withdrew its support for the AEG bid and announced that a new group would be selected through an "expedited, transparent, apolitical and publicly accountable process."[39] Aqueduct Entertainment Group said it intends to sue.[40]

On June 2, 2010, New York Lottery officials announced that six groups were considering submitting bids to develop the racino. These include three of the previous bidders (Delaware North, Penn National Gaming and SL Green Realty) and three new groups (Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway, Genting New York LLC and Clairvest Group). On June 29, three of the firms submitted bids: SL Green/Hard Rock Cafe, Genting Group, and Penn National. Clairvest participated in the SL Green/Hard Rock Cafe bid.[41]

The bids from Penn and SL Green were disqualified in July for not meeting requirements.[40] On August 3, 2010, Lottery officials announced they had accepted Genting Group's $380 million upfront licensing fee bid, which was $55 million more than the closest bid. Its business model includes targeting flyers stranded at John F. Kennedy Airport. The company said its plans involve 1,200 construction jobs and 800 permanent jobs and will bring the state $500 million a year in revenue.[40] Genting opened the Resorts World Casino New York City on October 28, 2011, with 2,280 gaming terminals.[42]

Collapse of the New York City Off-Track Betting Corporation

On December 10, 2010 the New York City Off-Track Betting Corporation, formerly owned by the City of New York but taken over by the State in order to preserve off-track betting in New York City, financially collapsed and was forced to permanently close. As a result, the Aqueduct Racetrack saw an increase in patrons for the first time in several years. For example, on December 11th, one day after NYCOTB's closure, the number of patrons who entered Aqueduct's doors increased 61 percent (5,444 customers) compared to previous year (3,378 customers).[43] and as a result, the New York Racing Association which owns Aqueduct took advantage by offering former NYCOTB customers free bus shuttle service from select former NYCOTB branches to Aqueduct Racetrack with a free hot dog, soft drink, and Post Parade program.[44]

Proposal for Convention Center

On January 4, 2012, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the construction of a new convention center on the Aqueduct Racetrack to replace the aging Javits Center.[45] This would be the country's largest convention center featuring hotels, restaurants and expanded gambling.[46] Building the convention center would require additional land, which could include nearby City-owned lots leased to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for airport parking or the adjacent racetrack (as racing could be consolidated to Belmont Park).[47]

Track announcers and TV personalities

Sportscaster Tom Durkin is the chief track announcer at Aqueduct and the other NYRA tracks. John Imbriale, the veteran NYRA backup and TV host, is the race caller during the winter section of the Aqueduct season. TV personalities have included:

  • Harvey Pack (1995–1999)
  • Paul Corman (1995–1999)
  • John M. Veitch (1995–1999)
  • John Imbriale (1995–2005)
  • Jan Rushton (1995–2009)
  • Jason Blewitt (2006–present)
  • Eric Donovan (2006–present)
  • Andy Serling (2008–present)
  • Rich McCarthy (1995–1999)
  • Mike Watchmaker (1995–1999)
  • Michael Sherack (1997–2000)
  • Kelly Gecewicz (2000–2005)
  • Mary Ryan (1995–1999)
  • Maggie Wolfendale (2010–present)

Physical attributes

Aerial view of Aqueduct's Main Track, Inner Dirt Track and turf course.

Aqueduct is the only racetrack located within New York City limits. It houses the New York Racing Association's headquarters. The track has seating capacity of 17,000 and total capacity of 40,000.[48]

The track itself has three courses: the Main Track (dirt) has a circumference of 1 1⁄8 miles (1.8 km); inside of this is the Inner Dirt Track (containing a special limestone screening base over which races are run during the winter months), which is exactly 1 mile (1.6 km) long; and the innermost course is a turf (Tall Fescue) course, spanning 7 furlongs plus 43 feet (1.4 km).[48][49][50] A straightaway chute leads on to the backstretch of the Main Track and permits races on the dirt up to 1 mile (1.6 km) long to be run with one turn. The turf course has a diagonal chute that permits races up to 1 1⁄8 miles (1.8 km) long to be run with two turns. Oddly, the stretch on the Inner Dirt Track—1,174 feet (358 m)—is longer than the stretch on the Main Track—1,153 feet (351 m)—due to the structure of the turns.[citation needed]

Racing

The following graded stakes are run at Aqueduct:

Horses approach the finish line in the 2012 Wood Memorial Stakes.

Grade I:

Grade II:

Grade III:

Non-Graded:

Transportation

View of Aqueduct Racetrack from the Aqueduct–North Conduit Avenue subway station

The track has its own station—Aqueduct Racetrack station—on the New York City Subway, served by the IND Rockaway Line (A train). It is the system's only station that serves trains in only a single direction, with a single side platform on the Brooklyn-bound side, requiring southbound travelers to transfer to a northbound train at Aqueduct–North Conduit Avenue station, which is located a few blocks to the south. NYRA also operates a free shuttle bus between the North Conduit Avenue station and the Clubhouse entrance.

The Q37 bus route serves Aqueduct Ractrack and was rerouted on October 28, 2011 to serve the casino.[51] The Q7 and Q11 bus routes also pass nearby.

Popular culture

  • In the beginning of the film Lucky Number Slevin, the father and son are at Aqueduct Racetrack.
  • There is a scene with Aqueduct Racetrack in the movie A Bronx Tale.[citation needed]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Notes for Racing Men". The New York Times. September 26, 1894. p. 3. Retrieved 2009-10-11. 
  2. ↑ Gray, Christopher (October 1, 1989). "Millburn Pumping Station; A Rundown 'Abbey' Gets New Life as Condominiums". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-10-11. 
  3. ↑ "Aqueduct Adding to Improvements". The New York Times. December 2, 1940. Retrieved 2009-10-11. 
  4. ↑ Nichols, Joseph C. (October 5, 1955). "New Track Group Takes Over Today". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-10-11. 
  5. ↑ Nichols, Joseph C. (June 27, 1956). "Track to Handle Crowds of 60,000". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-10-11. 
  6. ↑ Bigart, Homer (October 5, 1956). "Moses Plans Deal on Jamaica Track". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-10-11. 
  7. ↑ Nichols, Joseph C. (September 15, 1959). "New Aqueduct Track Is Opened". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-10-11. 
  8. ↑ Bernstein, Irving (September 10, 1959). "The $2 Window". The Leader (Freeport, NY). p. 4. Retrieved 2012-04-17. "When the bugle sounds for the first race at Aqueduct Sept. 14, one of New York's major tourist attractions will herald a blending of history and progress." 
  9. ↑ Crist, Steven (October 14, 1981). "Aqueduct's Eye on the Affluent". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-10-11. 
  10. ↑ Copquin, Claudia Gryvatz (2007). The Neighborhoods of Queens. New Haven: Yale University Press. ISBN 0-300-11299-8. 
  11. ↑ Crist, Steven (November 2, 1985). "Cup Could Bring Several Upsets". The New York Times. Retrieved 2010-01-30. 
  12. ↑ "The Carter". New York Racing Association. Retrieved 2009-08-23. 
  13. ↑ "Aqueduct". National Thoroughbred Racing Association. Retrieved 2012-04-21. 
  14. ↑ Diamos, Jason (August 6, 2002). "Cigar Canters Into the Hall of Fame". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-10-15. 
  15. ↑ Durso, Joseph (November 27, 1994). "The Devil Is Tough, But Cigar Is Tougher". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-10-15. 
  16. ↑ "Mile Renamed After Cigar". The New York Times. December 13, 1996. Retrieved 2009-10-15. 
  17. ↑ Nichols, Joe (June 1, 1965). "73,375 See Gun Bow Win Metropolitan". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-10-15. 
  18. ↑ Nichols, Joe (November 7, 1973). "A Ceremonial Windup for Secretariat". The New York Times. p. 35. Retrieved 2011-07-09. 
  19. ↑ Bruni, Frank (October 7, 1995). "Sun Gilds Celebration At Aqueduct". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-07-22. 
  20. ↑ Santos, Fernanda; Iverac, Mirela (August 29, 2010). "A Flea Market Considers Its Fate in a Casino World". The New York Times. Retrieved 2012-08-04. 
  21. ↑ Harris, Elizabeth A. (December 16, 2010). "Vendors at Aqueduct Flea Market Seek New Home as Closing Nears". The New York Times. Retrieved 2012-08-04. 
  22. ↑ Finley, Bill (May 20, 2007). "Spitzer Is Said to Be Weighing a Track Overhaul That Would Close Aqueduct". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-07-26. 
  23. ↑ CBS 6 Albany : Video
  24. ↑ Colangelo, Lisa (May 27, 2009). "Aqueduct land sale concerns for Ozone Park infrastructure". Daily News (New York). Retrieved 2009-07-26. 
  25. ↑ Colangelo, Lisa (June 12, 2009). "Mostly cheers at auction for Aqueduct race track land". Daily News (New York). Retrieved 2009-07-26. 
  26. ↑ Finley, Bill (October 26, 2001). "Tracks Pleased to Add Video Lottery Terminals". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-08-02. 
  27. ↑ Landes, Jennifer (October 18, 2007). "Tribe Bids for Casino". The East Hampton Star. Retrieved 2009-07-26. 
  28. ↑ Lovett, Kenneth (October 13, 2008). "A little bit of Vegas in Queens with proposed racino at Aquduct". Daily News (New York). Retrieved 2009-07-26. 
  29. ↑ Lovett, Kenneth (March 11, 2009). "Video slot machines plan for Aqueduct Race Track a late scratch". Daily News (New York). Retrieved 2009-07-26. 
  30. ↑ Lovett, Kenneth (July 23, 2009). "Off to races on Aqueduct redo plans". Daily News (New York). Retrieved 2009-07-26. 
  31. ↑ Bagli, Charles V.; Hakim, Danny V. (November 23, 2009). "Aqueduct Racetrack Still Awaits a Decision". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2009-11-26. Retrieved 2009-11-24. 
  32. ↑ Lovett, Kenneth (February 5, 2010). "Aqueduct Raceway Racino Bidders Who Lost Out to AEG Slam Gov. Paterson Over Shady Slots Deals". Daily News (New York). Archived from the original on 2010-02-08. Retrieved 2010-02-05. 
  33. ↑ Bagli, Charles V. (January 29, 2010). "In Casinos, New York Faces Uncertain Returns". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2010-02-02. Retrieved 2010-01-30. 
  34. ↑ "Aqueduct Entertainment Group: Partners". Aqueduct Entertainment Group. 2009. Archived from the original on 2010-03-23. Retrieved 2010-02-21. 
  35. ↑ Dicker, Fredric U.; Karni, Annie (February 21, 2010). "Jay-Z stake in Aqueduct slots deal draws scrutiny". New York Post. Archived from the original on 2010-02-23. Retrieved 2010-02-21. 
  36. ↑ "Aqueduct Entertainment Group picked for racino". Newsday. January 30, 2010. Retrieved 2010-02-21. 
  37. ↑ Benjamin, Elizabeth (March 9, 2010). "Paterson Recuses Himself From Racino Project". Daily News (New York). Retrieved 2010-03-09. 
  38. ↑ Fung, Amanda (March 9, 2010). "Rev. Flake, Rapper Jay-Z Exit Sinking Aqueduct Bid". Crain's New York Business. Archived from the original on 2010-03-11. Retrieved 2010-03-09. 
  39. ↑ Lovett, Kenneth (March 11, 2010). "Controversial Aqueduct racino deal is officially dead: Paterson administration". Daily News (New York). Retrieved 2010-03-11. 
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 40.2 Massey, Daniel (August 3, 2010). "Last Aqueduct racino bidder gets state blessing". Crain's New York Business. Archived from the original on 2010-08-06. Retrieved 2010-08-03. 
  41. ↑ Campanile, Carl (June 30, 2010). "3 Casino Firms in Homestretch on Aqueduct Slots Bid". New York Post. Retrieved 2010-06-30. 
  42. ↑ Levin, Sam; Connor, Tracy (October 29, 2011). "Queens Aqueduct racino filled to capacity on opening night; 5,000 people waited in line outside, officials said". Daily News (New York). Retrieved 2011-10-29. 
  43. ↑ Grening, David (December 11, 2010). "Aqueduct sees bigger Sunday crowd". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2010-12-12. 
  44. ↑ OTB Customers Don't Get Shut Out!
  45. ↑ Gormley, Michael (January 4, 2012). "NY gov seeks Aqueduct convention center, casinos". WCAX-TV. Associated Press. Retrieved 2012-01-04. 
  46. ↑ Kaplan, Thomas (January 19, 2012). "A Complex at Aqueduct Is Risk-Free, Cuomo Says". The New York Times. Retrieved 2012-02-02. 
  47. ↑ Fickenscher, Lisa (February 12, 2012). "Aqueduct hits jackpot in Ozone Park". Crain's New York Business. Retrieved 2012-02-12. 
  48. ↑ 48.0 48.1 "Aqueduct General Information". New York Racing Association. Retrieved 2012-04-21. 
  49. ↑ "2012 Media Guide" (PDF). New York Racing Association. p. 20. Retrieved 2012-04-21. 
  50. ↑ Genero, Teresa (March 18, 2010). "Aqueduct: A History of the Inner Track". Brooklyn Backstretch. Retrieved 2012-04-21. 
  51. ↑ "MTA Bus Operations Committee Meeting" (PDF). Metropolitan Transportation Authority. July 2011. p. 56. Retrieved 2011-09-25. 
  52. ↑ "Felix the Horse Player". The Odd Couple. Season 5. Episode 108. January 23, 1975. ABC.
  53. ↑ Haskin, Steve (January 17, 2002). "'Sopranos' Mob Takes Over Aqueduct". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 2012-01-28. 

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Coordinates: 40°40′20″N 73°49′47″W / 40.67222°N 73.82972°W / 40.67222; -73.82972

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