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.

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NYRA, Meadowlands Partner For Cross-Breed Cross Country Pick 5 On Saturday

The New York Racing Association Inc. (NYRA) will host a unique cross-breed Cross Country Pick 5 on Saturday featuring stakes action from the Breeders Crown at the Meadowlands and Empire Showcase Day at Belmont Park.

Free Equibase past performances for the Cross Country Pick 5 sequence are now available for download at https://www.nyra.com/belmont/racing/cross-country-wagers.

Current New York State regulations allow NYRA to accept wagering only on standardbred races that take place in New York. As such, the cross-breed Cross Country Pick 5 will not be available on-track at Belmont or to NYRA Bets customers located in New York State. The cross-breed Cross Country Pick 5 is available to NYRA Bets, LLC customers outside of New York State.

Saturday's sequence kicks off in Race 7 at 2:51 p.m. at the Meadowlands with the $650,000 Breeders Crown 3-Year-Old Fillies Trot led by the Nifty Norman-trained Hambletonian Oaks winner Bella Bellini, who bested Herculisa in last week's elimination in rein to returning driver Dexter Dunn. Altar, who won her elimination for trainer Nancy Takter, will again be piloted by Yannick Gingras.

The second leg will see Kentucky Futurity-winner Jujubee look to go one better for trainer Greg Wright, Jr. after finishing second to Cuatro De Julio in last week's elimination for the $650,000 Breeders Crown 3-Year-Old Colts and Geldings Trot [Race 8, 3:27 p.m.]. Trainer Marcus Melander will send out In Range [Tim Tetrick] and Dancinginthedark [Brian Sears].

Action switches to the Belmont main track for the middle leg with a field of 10 juvenile fillies lining up for the $250,000 Maid of the Mist in Race 7 at 3:47 p.m. Leading the charge is a pair of contenders for trainer Jorge Abreu in Gold Square homebred Sue Ellen Mishkin and NY Final Furlong Racing Stable and Parkland Thoroughbreds' Venti Valentine.

Sue Ellen Mishkin romped to a 7 1/4-length score against fellow state-breds in August at Saratoga Race Course but finished a disappointing seventh last out after a troubled trip in the Grade 1 Spinaway traveling seven furlongs over the Spa main track. Venti Valentine rallied from off-the-pace to notch a nose score on debut after leaving post 11 in a field of 12 state-breds.

The penultimate leg returns to the Meadowlands for the $330,000 Breeders Crown Filly and Mare Pace in Race 9. Jim King Jr.'s Lyons Sentinel [Tim Tetrick] will look to make amends after finishing third as the mutuel favorite in her elimination which was won by Rocknificent over longshot Peaky Sneaky.

Closing out the sequence is the $250,000 Empire Distaff at 1 1/16-miles for New York-bred fillies and mares in Race 8 from Belmont Park.

Gary Barber's multiple graded stakes placed Make Mischief leads a talented field that includes last year's Grade 3 Go for Wand-winner Sharp Starr as well as the streaking Bank Sting, who has won her last four starts led by a last-out score in the Critical Eye Handicap in May at Belmont.

The minimum bet for the multi-track, multi-race wager is 50 cents. Wagering on the Cross Country Pick 5 is also available on ADW platforms and at simulcast facilities across the country. Every week will feature a mandatory payout of the net pool.

America's Day at the Races is presented by America's Best Racing, Runhappy, and Claiborne Farm. For the complete broadcast schedule, and additional programming information, visit https://www.nyra.com/belmont/racing/tv-schedule.

The Cross Country Pick 5 will continue each Saturday throughout the year. For more information, visit NYRABets.com.

Cross Country Pick 5 – Saturday, October 30:
Leg A: Meadowlands -Race 7, 3-year-old Filly Trot (2:51 p.m.)
Leg B: Meadowlands – Race 8, 3-year-old Trot (3:27 p.m.)
Leg C: Belmont Park – Race 7, Maid of the Mist (3:47 p.m.)
Leg D: Meadowlands – Race 9, Filly and Mare Pace (4:01 p.m.)
Leg E: Belmont Park – Race 8, Empire Distaff (4:21 p.m.)

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Northwell Opens Clinic to Treat Belmont Park Backstretch Workers

In collaboration with Northwell Health, the New York Racing Association and the Backstretch Employee Service Team, a new health clinic will open for Belmont Park workers, it was announced Wednesday.

The $200,000, 1,000-square-foot health clinic will provide a continuum of care and offer wellness programs for the thousands of backstretch workers at Belmont Park. The free program is part of Northwell's commitment to providing equitable care to all New Yorkers.

“Clinics like this one are important because they allow quick access to care, before health issues become health care emergencies,” said Michael Dowling, president and CEO of Northwell Health. “This community dedicated to the sport of Thoroughbred racing deserves a commitment to wellness–and Northwell Health is happy to provide it. That's our passion.”

Northwell provided coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) testing for Belmont workers beginning in 2020 and provided COVID-19 vaccines in 2021. Now, Northwell will offer clinic hours three days a week with the opportunity for specialty services as needed. The clinic features two exam rooms and lab services for point of care testing.

“This important partnership will increase access to high quality health care for the backstretch community at Belmont Park,” said David O'Rourke, President and CEO of NYRA “Northwell Health has already made a significant impact through their COVID-19 testing and vaccination efforts here at Belmont, and we thank them for their dedicated service to the men and women working every day to support thoroughbred racing in New York State.”

“Northwell came to the rescue of the backstretch workers during the pandemic and now BEST is thrilled to collaborate again with Northwell to provide the hard working backstretch workers of Belmont and Aqueduct with on-going, first-class, primary and preventative care,” said Paul Ruchames, executive director of BEST. “BEST is also deeply grateful for the steadfast and generous support from the New York Racing Association and the New York Thoroughbred Horseman`s Association, without which none of the great achievements of the past 20 months and beyond, would be possible.”

Through Northwell's ongoing efforts, more than 90% of backstretch workers are vaccinated, well above the New York State average.

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NYRA Bets Now Available in Michigan

Edited Press Release

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) announced Saturday that NYRA Bets, LLC (NYRA Bets), is now available in the state of Michigan for residents ages 21 and older.

“NYRA Bets is the best way to bet the races, and we are thrilled that horseplayers in Michigan can download the app today to access NYRA Bets,” said Matt Feig, General Manager of NYRA Bets.

New users who sign up for NYRA Bets today are eligible to earn up to $200 in a deposit match with a $25 Free Play. For additional information, visit NYRABets.com.

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