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With Fewer Race Days, Aqueduct Fall Meet Sees 12.8 Percent Increase In Average Daily Handle

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced the 2020 fall meet at Aqueduct Racetrack generated $9,261,276 in average daily handle from all sources, a 12.8 percent increase over the 2019 Aqueduct fall meet.

The 2020 fall meet, which was conducted over 18 race days, generated all sources handle of $166,702,976. The 2019 fall meet, which was conducted over 25 race days, generated all sources handle of $205,249,710. A total of 175 races were run in 2020, equating to 58 fewer than the number of races run in 2019.

Of the 175 races run during the fall meet, 107 were held on the main track and 68 over the two turf courses. Average field size over those 175 races was 8.67, a 3.2 percent increase over 2019. A total of 11 races were taken off the turf due to weather.

The 2020 fall meet was highlighted by 29 stakes, including 11 graded events, worth $3.41 million in purse money, and ran from Friday, Nov. 6 through Sunday, Dec. 6.

Kendrick Carmouche registered his first-ever riding title for a NYRA meet, notching 23 victories to pace all jockeys during the fall meet at Aqueduct. Christophe Clement also secured his first NYRA title by tallying 16 wins to lead all trainers, while Klaravich Stables and Repole Stables each campaigned five winners to finish as co-leading owners.

The Aqueduct fall meet was conducted without spectators and with only a limited number of essential personnel, horsemen and owners on-site due to the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 2020-21 winter meet at Aqueduct will begin on Thursday, December 10 and continue through Sunday, March 28. The 56-day Aqueduct winter meet will include 42 stakes races worth $4.57 million in purse money.

New York state currently requires all racetracks to operate without spectators in attendance to combat the spread of COVID-19. As was the case during the Aqueduct fall meet, a limited number of New York State Gaming Commission-licensed owners will be permitted at Aqueduct on the day their horse is entered to race.

NYRA Bets is the official wagering platform of Aqueduct Racetrack, and the best way to bet every race of the winter meet. Available to horseplayers nationwide, NYRA Bets is currently offering a $200 new member bonus in addition to a host of special weekly offers. The NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com.

For additional information, and the complete winter meet stakes schedule, please visit https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/stakes-schedule.

The post With Fewer Race Days, Aqueduct Fall Meet Sees 12.8 Percent Increase In Average Daily Handle appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Najja Thompson Appointed Executive Director Of New York Thoroughbred Breeders

New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. (NYTB) is pleased to announce the appointment of Najja Thompson as the new Executive Director of the Saratoga-based organization; Thompson will begin his role Dec. 14.

Thompson has over nine years of experience as a member of the New York Racing Association, Inc. since 2011, serving in various roles in the marketing department and communications office. Most recently, he worked as a recruitment and employee engagement specialist, where he was responsible for identifying and cultivating new talent and developing onboarding initiatives. Additionally, he serves as Vice-President of the Turf Publicists of America, Inc.

“We are delighted to have Najja join the New York Thoroughbred Breeders as Executive Director,” said Thomas Gallo, President of the NYTB. “With Najja's direct industry experience in New York and a deep knowledge of the New York horse industry landscape I feel very confident that he can continue moving NYTB forward in a positive direction.”

A graduate of Florida State University, Najja developed his passion for Thoroughbred racing after being introduced to the sport by his uncle, a small-time breeder in Florida. Growing up attending racetracks in both Florida and New York, he followed his passion to work in the industry.

“I am excited to step into this role with the New York Thoroughbred Breeders,” Thompson said. “It's a privilege to work on behalf of the horsemen and women in the Thoroughbred breeding industry. I look forward to the opportunity to advance the efforts and accomplishments of NYTB in enhancing the status of New York-breds and promoting the economic impact breeders and New York racing contributes to our state.”

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Carmouche, Clement Earn First-Ever New York Titles at Aqueduct Fall Meet

Kendrick Carmouche registered his first-ever riding title for a New York Racing Association meet, notching 23 victories to pace all jockeys for the 18-day fall meet at Aqueduct Racetrack that ran from Nov. 6 through Sunday, Dec. 6. Christophe Clement tallied 16 wins to lead all trainers, while Klaravich Stables and Repole Stables each campaigned five winners to finish as co-leading owners.

Carmouche, a mainstay on the NYRA circuit, earned his first NYRA riding crown by registering a 23-18-14 record in 123 mounts with earnings of more than $1.5 million. The soon-to-be 37-year-old compiled a slew of riding titles earlier in his career, racking up seven at Parx from 2008-11 in a run that earned him induction into that track’s Hall of Fame in 2015.

Closing weekend was a memorable one for Carmouche, who registered his first career Grade I win when he piloted True Timber (Mineshaft) to a 5 1/2-length victory in the GI Cigar Mile Saturday. Carmouche edged Jose Lezcano [19 wins] and Joel Rosario [16] for the top spot.

“I give thanks to everyone who put a good effort in to supporting me and pushed me along to win this meet. I’m very appreciative,” Carmouche said. “I seized the opportunity at hand and I’m grateful for all the trainers and owners for letting me show other people that I can win races. I’m very blessed to say that I’ve come to New York five years ago and I got a title for the fall meet. I’m very pleased with myself. I’m sure my mom and dad and all my fans are just so happy for me. I’m on cloud nine right now and I might not come down until next Thursday.”

Clement, who finished with the second-most wins at the Belmont fall meet, earned his first NYRA meet title, registering a 16-6-1 record with 52 starters. He edged Todd Pletcher by one win for the top spot.

“It’s my first one in New York and it feels great,” the 55-year-old conditioner said. “Nothing would be possible without the horses, the owners and the staff. I’m thrilled because New York means a lot to me. It was a good meet; we’ve won at different levels. The maidens have been running great and we won stakes races; the whole stable is doing well. I consider myself a New Yorker now, so it really means something.”

Aqueduct Fall was the fourth consecutive meet in New York where Klaravich Stables at least shared top owner status, joining the Belmont fall, Saratoga summer and Belmont spring/summer.

Thoroughbred action continues at Aqueduct for the 56-day winter meet that begins Thursday, Dec. 10 and runs through Sunday, Mar. 28.

The post Carmouche, Clement Earn First-Ever New York Titles at Aqueduct Fall Meet appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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NYRA Announces Jockey Protocols for Aqueduct Winter Meet

The New York Racing Association released their COVID-19 health and safety protocols for jockeys during the 2020/21 Aqueduct winter meet, which will open Thursday, Dec. 10 and run through Sunday, Mar. 28.

In order to mitigate risk and reduce the spread of COVID-19, Aqueduct will be closed to riders that are not regular members of the NYRA jockey colony as of Dec. 31. To account for NYRA’s 10-day holiday break from Dec. 21 through December 30, jockeys interested in being included in the regular NYRA jockey colony must contact NYRA for consideration by Dec. 31.

Members of the regular NYRA jockey colony who travel to ride at any other racetrack during the Aqueduct winter meet will be required to provide two negative COVID-19 tests taken within a five-day window in order to return to ride at Aqueduct. Jockeys traveling out of state who have completed the required testing will then be physically isolated in the jockey quarters for three additional calendar days. All COVID-19 testing must be performed in New York state.

In addition to race day safety protocols which include standard health screening and temperature checks, the jockey quarters at Aqueduct have been substantially altered to provide maximum social distancing and reduce density. All areas accessed by jockeys during the regular course of a race day are closed to outside personnel, including credentialed media, and are cleaned and disinfected throughout the day.

Jockeys are not permitted access to the barn area at Belmont Park. Jockey agents must produce a negative COVID-19 test in order to gain access to the barn area. Races will continue to be drawn via Zoom. Valets working in the jockey quarters are not permitted in the barn area.

Live racing during the Aqueduct winter meet will generally be conducted Thursday through Sunday until the end of February with the addition of special Monday cards Jan. 18 for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and Feb. 15 for Presidents’ Day. Live racing will be held Friday through Sunday through the month of March.

The post NYRA Announces Jockey Protocols for Aqueduct Winter Meet appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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