Big A Opens Wed
Oct 26, 2014 14:37:19 GMT -5
Post by Evelyn on Oct 26, 2014 14:37:19 GMT -5
Aside from the seating, the problem for me is these are not really "capital improvements". They bought technology. What about the antiquated, often non-working bathrooms, the falling down structures, the track equipment (broken old tractors) grooms housing and so forth? The tech crap can easily be moved elsewhere. Perfect example of twisted PR.
Aqueduct to showcase $14 million in improvements when doors open on fall meet
Thoroughbred racing action moves to Aqueduct on Wednesday, where opening weekend will feature the simulcast of the Breeders' Cup World Championships from Santa Anita Park, as well as a trio of graded stakes at the Big A.
On opening day, guests will be greeted by more than $14 million in capital improvements to the facility designed to enhance the guest experience. Notable upgrades include high-definition infield video boards equipped with Trakus technology; 557 flat screen, HD televisions; and new airport-style seating, to go along with a host of improvements designed to increase the quality and safety of racing.
Racing fans can cheer on their favorite New York horses and watch and wager on all of the Breeders' Cup action next Friday and Saturday. Admission to the Big A is free, with gates opening at 11 a.m. (ET). Aqueduct's first race post time on Friday and Saturday is 1 p.m.
In addition to the Breeders' Cup simulcast, Aqueduct offers live racing over the five-day opening week, highlighted by Saturday's 71st running of the Grade 3, $200,000 Discovery Handicap for three-year-olds and a pair of one-mile juvenile events on Sunday -- the Grade 2, $250,000 Nashua and Grade 3, $250,000 Tempted for fillies.
The Discovery is the first of 11 graded stakes at the Big A through the end of 2014, including the meet's centerpiece, the Grade 1, $500,000 Cigar Mile Handicap on November 29.
The purse incentive for the race, which was introduced in 2013, will remain intact. Any previous Grade 1 winner who competes in the Cigar Mile will race for a gross purse of $750,000, while a winner of any Breeders' Cup race will run for a purse of $1 million.
Five other graded stakes round out the holiday racing action, which kicks off with the Grade 3, $300,000 Fall Highweight Handicap on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, and continues on Friday, November 28, with the Grade 2, $300,000 Go for Wand Handicap. Joining the Cigar Mile on Saturday, November 29, are the Grade 2, $400,000 Remsen for juveniles; the Grade 2, $400,000 Demoiselle for two-year-old fillies; and the Grade 3, $400,000 Comely for sophomore fillies.
Post time on Thanksgiving Day is 11:25 a.m., with the first race going off at noon on Friday and Saturday, November 28 and 29.
There will be a $200,000 guaranteed Late Pick 4 on all Saturdays beginning November 8.
The annual Aqueduct handicapping tournament -- the New York Handicappers Series -- will produce the final group of horseplayers from NYRA who move onto the Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championships (NHC) in January in Las Vegas, where the first prize will be approximately $750,000. The popular Aqueduct contest, which has a $400 entry fee with all fees returned as cash prizes, will take place on November 15-16.
Aqueduct generally will be open Wednesday through Sunday with a first-race post time of 12:20 p.m. The Big A will be closed for live racing from December 16 through Christmas Day, and will reopen for live racing on December 26.
Aqueduct to showcase $14 million in improvements when doors open on fall meet
Thoroughbred racing action moves to Aqueduct on Wednesday, where opening weekend will feature the simulcast of the Breeders' Cup World Championships from Santa Anita Park, as well as a trio of graded stakes at the Big A.
On opening day, guests will be greeted by more than $14 million in capital improvements to the facility designed to enhance the guest experience. Notable upgrades include high-definition infield video boards equipped with Trakus technology; 557 flat screen, HD televisions; and new airport-style seating, to go along with a host of improvements designed to increase the quality and safety of racing.
Racing fans can cheer on their favorite New York horses and watch and wager on all of the Breeders' Cup action next Friday and Saturday. Admission to the Big A is free, with gates opening at 11 a.m. (ET). Aqueduct's first race post time on Friday and Saturday is 1 p.m.
In addition to the Breeders' Cup simulcast, Aqueduct offers live racing over the five-day opening week, highlighted by Saturday's 71st running of the Grade 3, $200,000 Discovery Handicap for three-year-olds and a pair of one-mile juvenile events on Sunday -- the Grade 2, $250,000 Nashua and Grade 3, $250,000 Tempted for fillies.
The Discovery is the first of 11 graded stakes at the Big A through the end of 2014, including the meet's centerpiece, the Grade 1, $500,000 Cigar Mile Handicap on November 29.
The purse incentive for the race, which was introduced in 2013, will remain intact. Any previous Grade 1 winner who competes in the Cigar Mile will race for a gross purse of $750,000, while a winner of any Breeders' Cup race will run for a purse of $1 million.
Five other graded stakes round out the holiday racing action, which kicks off with the Grade 3, $300,000 Fall Highweight Handicap on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, and continues on Friday, November 28, with the Grade 2, $300,000 Go for Wand Handicap. Joining the Cigar Mile on Saturday, November 29, are the Grade 2, $400,000 Remsen for juveniles; the Grade 2, $400,000 Demoiselle for two-year-old fillies; and the Grade 3, $400,000 Comely for sophomore fillies.
Post time on Thanksgiving Day is 11:25 a.m., with the first race going off at noon on Friday and Saturday, November 28 and 29.
There will be a $200,000 guaranteed Late Pick 4 on all Saturdays beginning November 8.
The annual Aqueduct handicapping tournament -- the New York Handicappers Series -- will produce the final group of horseplayers from NYRA who move onto the Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championships (NHC) in January in Las Vegas, where the first prize will be approximately $750,000. The popular Aqueduct contest, which has a $400 entry fee with all fees returned as cash prizes, will take place on November 15-16.
Aqueduct generally will be open Wednesday through Sunday with a first-race post time of 12:20 p.m. The Big A will be closed for live racing from December 16 through Christmas Day, and will reopen for live racing on December 26.
