Tuesday, November 01, 2011

NEW YORK RACING MOVES TO BIG A ON NOVEMBER 4

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Thoroughbred racing action moves to Aqueduct Racetrack on Friday, November 4, with opening weekend featuring the simulcast of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships from Churchill Downs and exciting live racing action.

Racing fans can cheer on their favorite New York horses and watch and wager on all the Breeders’ Cup action on Friday, November 4 and Saturday, November 5. Admission to the Big A is free, with admission gates opening at 11 a.m. First race post time on Friday is 1:15 p.m. On Saturday and most days thereafter, first race post time is 12:20 p.m.


In addition to the Breeders’ Cup simulcast, Aqueduct offers live racing over the three-day opening weekend, highlighted by Saturday’s 52nd running of the Grade 2, $150,000 Red Smith Handicap on the turf and Sunday’s 35th running of the Grade 3, $100,000 Bold Ruler Handicap.

The Red Smith is the first of 10 graded stakes at the Big A, including the Holidayfest centerpieces of the meet, the Grade 1, $250,000 Cigar Mile and Grade 1, $250,000 Gazelle for 3-year-old fillies on Saturday, November 26.

Holidayfest kicks off with the Grade 3, $100,000 Fall Highweight Handicap on Thanksgiving Day, November 24, with gates opening at 10 a.m. The action continues on Friday with the Grade 2, $150,000 Go For Wand for fillies and mares and the Grade 2, $200,000 Remsen for 2-year-olds and the Grade 2, $200,000 Demoiselle for 2-year-old fillies joining the Cigar Mile and the Gazelle on Saturday.

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will offer a $250,000 Guaranteed Late Pick 4 on Saturdays at Aqueduct beginning November 12.

Aqueduct will be closed for live racing from December 19 through December 27, with racing resuming on Wednesday, December 28. Dark-day simulcasting will be available on the second floor of the clubhouse except for Saturday, December 24 and Sunday, December 25.


OPENING WEEKEND
FRIDAY-SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4-6

Aqueduct is the perfect place to watch and wager on the Breeders’ Cup on Friday and Saturday, November 4-5. In addition, there will also be great live racing at Aqueduct that weekend with the Grade 2 Red Smith for 3-year-olds and up going 1 3/8 miles on the turf on Saturday, and nine exciting live races on Sunday including the Grade 3 Bold Ruler Handicap. First race post time on Friday is 1:15 p.m., and 12:20 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.


PICK THE PROS AND PONIES

SUNDAYS BEGINNING NOVEMBER 5

The best of two great sporting worlds meet every Sunday during live racing at Aqueduct’s Fall Meet with the popular Pick the Pros and Ponies Contest, beginning on November 5.

It’s a free contest in which contestants must correctly pick the winners of four designated National Football League games as well as the winners of races 3 and 5 on the day’s card for the chance to win a $1,000 prize. All entries must be in by 1 p.m. on contest day.


BIG A FALL HANDICAPPING CHALLENGE
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12 AND SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13

The nationally acclaimed 2011 Aqueduct Fall Handicapping Challenge is scheduled for Saturday, November 12 and Sunday, November 13. The top three finishers will be automatically eligible for the 2012 Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship in Las Vegas in January. NYRA will provide reimbursement for air fare, with hotel accommodations and other tournament activities will be coordinated by the NTRA. For more information on the 2011 Aqueduct Fall Handicapping Challenge, visit http://www.NYRA.com, or phone 718-659-2373. Deadline for entries is Saturday, November 5.


HOLIDAYFEST, THANKSGIVING DAY, NOVEMBER 24 – SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27

Whet your thoroughbred racing appetite as you prepare for the meal of the year! An early post time gets you home on time for turkey, yams, and stuffing. The Grade 3 Fall Highweight Handicap is featured on the special holiday card, with a first race post time of 11:25 a.m. Racing concludes at approximately 3 p.m.


BLACK FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25

It’s the biggest shopping day of the year, which is all the more reason to head to Aqueduct for a day of live racing, featuring the Grade 2 Go For Wand. First race post time is noon.


CIGAR MILE, REMSEN, DEMOISELLE, GAZELLE VINTAGE BELMONT STAKES GLASS PROMOTION

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26


The final two Grade 1 races in New York this year are the $250,000 Cigar Mile and the $250,000 Gazelle for 3-year-old fillies. These two prestigious contests top a spectacular card also featuring a pair of important Grade 2 races for juveniles, the Remsen for colts and the Demoiselle for fillies, both run at 1 1/8 miles. Additionally, The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will be offering patrons the opportunity to collect vintage Belmont Stakes glasses with the purchase of a coupon. First race post time is 12 noon.


TOYS FOR TOTS STOCKING STUFFER WEEKEND
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3 AND SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4

Stockings to fill? Loved ones to please? Get your stocking stuffer shopping done for the racing fan in your life at Aqueduct Racetrack! For a $1 donation, fans may choose one item of their choice from remaining past giveaway items. All donations will benefit a NYRA-supported charitable organization.

NYRA and the United States Marines will once again partner in order to raise funds and collect toys for needy children in the community. The objective of “Toys for Tots” is to play an active role in the development of one of our most valuable resources – our children.

Please see http://nyra.com/communityrelations/index.shtml for more information regarding NYRA’s continuing commitment to helping our local community endeavors.


HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

WINTER BREAK MONDAY, DECEMBER 19 - TUESDAY, DECEMBER 27

Live racing at Aqueduct will take a holiday recess from Monday, December 19 through Tuesday, December 27. Simulcast will be available at the Belmont Café at Belmont Park and on the second floor of the Aqueduct clubhouse daily except Saturday, December 24 and Sunday, December 25. Aqueduct will re-open for live racing on Wednesday, December 28.


2012 NYRA CALENDAR PROMOTION

SUNDAY, JANUARY 1


Our 2012 NYRA Calendar will help racing fans keep track of the premiere schedule in racing every day of the week! With the purchase of a $2 coupon, the very best racing photos from the past year will adorn your home or office, along with listings of upcoming stakes races at Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park, and Saratoga Race Course.

NYRA REWARDS



NYRA Rewards is your opportunity to earn cash rewards just by wagering on the races, whether it’s on NYRA races or simulcast events! Sign up for an account at nyrarewards.com and wager using Internet, On-Track, Phone, or Mobile Wagering with supported mobile devices like Blackberrys and iPhones. NYRA Rewards offers a full simulcast menu of the best racetrack signals coast-to-coast plus evening race programs and the following perks for members:

Express Funding
Open Seven Days a Week
Earn Cash Back
No Minimum Balance
No Wagering Fees
Instant Sign-Up
Free Live Streaming