aqueduct | Horse Racing Free Tips

Aqueduct to Re-Open to Fans Nov. 11

Aqueduct Racetrack will re-open to the public on Thursday, Nov. 11, opening day of the 2021 fall meet.

Originally closed to fans during the height of the COVID-19 emergency in March of 2020, Aqueduct then became the site of a New York State mass vaccination center in January 2021.

The vaccination center, which has distributed more than 300,000 COVID-19 inoculations to date, was a critical piece in the New York State led effort to quickly and efficiently vaccinate New Yorkers. The size and scope of the center, which occupied the entirety of Aqueduct's first floor, required the continued closure of the facility to the general public.

“We are proud to have partnered with New York State so that so many New Yorkers had easy access to these incredibly important vaccines,” said NYRA President and CEO Dave O'Rourke. “NYRA would also like to thank our loyal fans for their patience as we worked to bring them back to the Big A. Aqueduct is New York City's racetrack, and we couldn't be happier to finally be able to open the doors once again on Nov. 11.”

While the vaccination center will remain in operation, its footprint will be reduced and consolidated. Appointments are optional and walk-ins are currently being accommodated for COVID-19 vaccinations at Aqueduct.

New York City has established strict vaccine requirements for nearly all indoor settings. Proof of vaccination is currently required to enter indoor entertainment venues, sports arenas, restaurants, movie theaters, music and concert venues, museums, aquariums and zoos, convention centers, exhibition halls, hotel meeting and event spaces, performing arts theaters, bowling alleys, arcades and a host of other settings.

The post Aqueduct to Re-Open to Fans Nov. 11 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

202 Live Race Dates Approved For NYRA Tracks In 2022

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today released its 2022 racing calendar, which calls for 202 live race days at Belmont Park, Aqueduct Racetrack and Saratoga Race Course.

The 2021-22 Aqueduct winter meet will run from Thursday, Dec. 9 through Sunday, March 27 with live racing generally conducted four days per week in January and February and three days per week in March.

The 15-day Aqueduct spring meet will open on Thursday March 31 and conclude on Sunday, April 24. Live racing will be conducted Thursday-Sunday during the 2022 spring meet at the Big A.

Highlighted by the 154th running of the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes on June 11, the 44-day Belmont spring/summer meet opens on Thursday, April 28, and will continue through Sunday, July 10. Live racing will generally be conducted Thursday-Sunday during the spring meet at Belmont with the exception of Memorial Day weekend and July 4th weekend, when live racing will be conducted Friday-Monday.

The 40-day summer meet at historic Saratoga Race Course will again serve as the anchor for a spectacular year of racing on the NYRA circuit. The summer meet, featuring the 95th running of the Grade 1 Whitney and the 153rd edition of the Grade 1 Runhappy Travers, will open on Thursday, July 14 and conclude on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 5.

Following the four-day opening weekend from Thursday, July 14 through Sunday, July 17, racing at Saratoga will be conducted five days a week, Wednesdays through Sundays, with the exception of the final week, when the meet will conclude on Labor Day.

The 28-day Belmont Park fall meet will begin on Thursday, Sept. 15 and run through Sunday, Oct. 30. Live racing will be conducted Thursday-Sunday during the 2022 fall meet at Belmont.

Following the conclusion of the Belmont fall meet, live racing will return to the Big A for an 18-day fall meet from Friday, Nov. 4 through Sunday, Dec. 4. Live racing will be conducted Thursday-Sunday during the 2022 fall meet at Aqueduct.

The Aqueduct winter meet begins on Thursday, Dec. 15 – and following a 10-day holiday break from Dec. 19 through Dec. 28 – the 2022 schedule concludes Saturday, Dec. 31.

The complete 2022 NYRA racing calendar can be found at: https://www.nyra.com/belmont/racing/post-times-and-wagering-menu/.

The post 202 Live Race Dates Approved For NYRA Tracks In 2022 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

NYRA Announces 2022 Race Dates

The New York Racing Association released its 2022 racing calendar with 202 live race days at Belmont Park, Aqueduct Racetrack and Saratoga Race Course.

The 2021-22 Aqueduct winter meet will run from Thursday, Dec. 9 through Sunday, Mar. 27 with live racing generally conducted four days per week in January and February and three days per week in March.

The 15-day Aqueduct spring meet will open Thursday Mar. 31 and conclude on Sunday, Apr. 24. Live racing will be conducted Thursday-Sunday.

Highlighted by the 154th running of the GI Belmont S. June 11, the 44-day Belmont spring/summer meet opens Thursday, Apr. 28, and will continue through Sunday, July 10. Live racing will generally be conducted Thursday-Sunday during the spring meet at Belmont with the exception of Memorial Day weekend and July 4th weekend, when live racing will be conducted Friday-Monday.

The 40-day summer meet at historic Saratoga Race Course wil will open Thursday, July 14 and conclude Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 5.

The 28-day Belmont Park fall meet will begin Thursday, Sept. 15 and run through Sunday, Oct. 30. Live racing will be conducted Thursday-Sunday.

The Aqueduct winter meet begin Thursday, Dec. 15–and following a 10-day holiday break from Dec. 19 through Dec. 28–the 2022 schedule concludes Saturday, Dec. 31.

The post NYRA Announces 2022 Race Dates appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Mind Control on Track for Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile

Red Oak Stable and Madaket Stable's multiple Grade I winner Mind Control (Stay Thirsty) has been confirmed on target for the Nov. 6 GI Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile following a five-furlong work in 1:01.55 (7/19) over the training track at Belmont Park Friday.

“Mind Control put in an excellent solo breeze and galloped out strongly,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “He finished out in 1:14.33, 1:27.09, and got the mile in 1:41.71. Mind Control will ship to California Oct. 31 to put in his final preparations for the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile.”

John Velazquez will have the mount in the Breeders' Cup, Red Oak Farm racing and operations manager Rick Sacco confirmed.

The day before his Breeders' Cup engagement, Mind Control's juvenile half-sister, Red Oak homebred Goddess of Fire (Mineshaft) will make her third lifetime start in the Tempted S. at Aqueduct.

“Goddess Of Fire is an improving filly and she should handle the added-distance races down the road,” said Sacco. “If the filly runs well in the Tempted S., we'll point her for the $250,000 [GII] Demoiselle S. at Aqueduct Dec. 4.”

Goddess Of Fire, a debut winner at Saratoga in August and most recently third in the GIII Pocahontas S., breezed a half-mile on the Saratoga training track Friday in :49.08 (8/45).

“Todd has been pleased with the filly's progression and he's been given the green light to take his time and let her mature at her own pace,” added Sacco.

The post Mind Control on Track for Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post