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Aqueduct Racetrack Re-Opens To Fans On Nov. 11

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced that 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. For additional information, and details on eligibility for booster doses, please visit https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/.

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.

This vaccine requirement is inclusive of fans, employees, vendors and anyone else who physically enters the venue. Accordingly, and in compliance with New York City law, anyone seeking to enter Aqueduct Racetrack must show proof of vaccination in order to gain admittance.

This program, called the Key to NYC, prohibits NYRA from allowing entrance to Aqueduct to anyone over the age of 12 who cannot demonstrate proof that the individual has received at least one dose of a vaccine. NYRA will accept the CDC vaccination card and the New York State Excelsior pass as proof of vaccination.

NYRA previously announced that the Belmont fall meet, originally scheduled to conclude on Oct. 31, will be extended to include three additional dates from Friday, Nov. 5 through Sunday, Nov. 7. These dates were originally scheduled to be run at Aqueduct Racetrack as opening weekend of the Aqueduct fall meet. As a result, the 15-day Aqueduct fall meet will now begin on Thursday, Nov. 11 and continue through Sunday, Dec. 5.

Admission to Aqueduct, which will be open to the public on live race days only, is free of charge. The gates will open daily at 11 a.m. First post during the Aqueduct fall meet is 12:30 p.m.

Fans visiting Aqueduct should use the Clubhouse Entrance to provide the required proof of vaccination. Preferred parking will be $10 daily in the Clubhouse lot and general parking with be in the Conduit lot. All parking fees must be paid via credit card.

For additional information, visit NYRA.com.

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Iroquois Steeplechase Breaks Ground On New Timber Course In Honor Of Brown McMillan

On Wednesday, October 21, the Iroquois Steeplechase broke ground on a new timber course donated by Leiper's Fork Steeplechasers owners Mark McMillan and Mark George in honor of Brown McMillan. The new timber course will feature new posts that are safer for horses and riders.

“This is a big deal for our family and the rest of the team at Leiper's Fork Steeplechasers to donate this timber course in honor of my father, Brown McMillan,” says Mark McMillan. “To leave this legacy for my father and improve the very event he cared so much for is such an honor for the Leiper's Fork Steeplechasers.”

The namesake of the timber course, Brown McMillan, was a long-time supporter of the Iroquois Steeplechase. McMillan ran horses at the Iroquois Steeplechase and attended the meet throughout his life.. Brown McMillan was a Paddock Judge and a Race Official and has passed down his love for the race meet to his family. His son and son-in-law, Mark McMillan and Mark George are Race Officials at the Iroquois Steeplechase each year.

“The Iroquois Steeplechase tracks are some of the best in the world,” says Iroquois Steeplechase Chairman Dwight Hall. “We take great pride in our tracks and these new improvements to the timber course will only make our world-class meet better. We're very grateful to the Leiper's Fork Steeplechasers and McMillan family who have been so instrumental in Nashville's grand tradition.”

The Iroquois Steeplechase has been a pillar of the community since 1941. Held the second Saturday of May, Nashvillians gather at Percy Warner Park to watch world-class steeplechasing while raising money for local charities. More than $12 million has been donated to the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt since 1981.

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New York Governor Vetoes Measure To End Married Jockey Coupling Rule

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has vetoed a rule change to end the wagering coupling of entries ridden by married jockeys, reports bloodhorse.com.

“The rule applies neutrally to all jockeys, without regard to gender, and is intended to enhance the wagering public's confidence in the integrity of a race,” Hochul said in a veto message Monday night. “Coupling of entries does not prevent related parties from participating in a race; rather, coupling of entries merely aggregates those related parties into a single betting interest in the race.”

The coupling rule was highlighted earlier this year when jockeys Trevor McCarthy and Katie Davis told the Paulick Report that the outdated regulation was negatively affecting their careers in the state of New York. McCarthy has since moved his tack to Southern California, and Davis hasn't ridden since May at Pimlico.

Gov. Hochul did add that she will direct the state gaming commission to review the “continued need for mandatory coupling and the circumstances under which such a requirement might be relaxed.”

State Gaming Board Approves Sale Of Louisiana Downs

The Louisiana Gaming Control Board has approved the sale of Louisiana Downs in Bossier City from Caesars Entertainment Inc. to Rubico Acquisition Corp., reports dailyunion.com.

The Louisiana Racing Commission still needs to approve the $22 million sale; it meets Tuesday.

Rubico plans to add games and concessions to the casino at Louisiana Downs, and under the terms of the sale, will be required to keep the racetrack open.

“I really believe if this sale didn't go through Caesars would ultimately close the facility; the company just isn't interested in operating a horse racetrack,” said Gaming Board Chairman Ronnie Johns.