The winter home of NYRA, the Big A, also known as The Aqueduct Racetrack opened Wednesday. Opening Day attendance was 1,848 with a total track handle of $1,294,890. Slots have been approved by the State Legislature and after all the political maneuvering to be played, maybe we see slots in 2010...but don't hold your breath on that date.
Opening day featured familiar names, particularly to New York Horse racing fans including National Pride (3rd yesterday in the Best of Luck Overnight Stakes for 3 year olds); Big Apple Triple Crown winner Tin Cup Chalice (a scratch in the 3rd); Darley Stable's Numaany (3rd yesterday in the 8th race-an allowance) and '08 Travers Stakes runner Amped (4th in the 8th). Helsinki who was 3rd in the '07 Travers was a scratch in the 8th race yesterday. For fans of New York racing, Aqueduct is fun because the horses racing up here for the winter typically have raced previously at Belmont and Saratoga, and familiarity sometimes helps on the handicapping front.
For a better understanding of the economic impact of The Big A on the New York Racing scene, I point you to Steve Zorn's recent post found here.
2 comments:
Love your blog, which I just discovered! I definitely need to follow what's going on, on the "other" coast, and will subscribe to your blog. I was interested to read your post and the comments on synthetic surfaces. I'm at Santa Anita or Hollywood Park daily, and have been watching the progression carefully. So far, the Pro-Ride seems too good to be true... but we haven't had any rain yet. I think time will tell for all of them. Thanks.
Mary--Glad to have a reader from the West Coast. I added your blog to my blog list. Thanks for reading!
Post a Comment