Saturday, October 27, 2012
Contact: NYRA Press Office
(718) 659-2351
A three-piece jazz ensemble stationed in the clubhouse lobby from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday will greet patrons entering the facility. From there, it’s just a short ride by elevator or escalator to the redesigned second floor, where complimentary hors d’oevres and soft beverages will be passed from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. on Friday and Sunday. Aqueduct’s second floor has been fully repainted and outfitted with new carpeting, seating, handicapping carrels and flat screen televisions.
Admission to the Big A is always free, with admission gates opening at 11 a.m. on Friday, and a first race post time of 12:30 p.m. On Saturday, the first race will go off at 12:15 p.m. and through the end of November on most days at 12:20 p.m.
In addition to the Breeders’ Cup simulcast on Friday and Saturday, Aqueduct offers live racing over the three-day opening weekend, highlighted by Saturday’s 53rd running of the Grade 2, $200,000 Red Smith Handicap on the turf and a pair of one-mile juvenile events on Sunday comprising the Grade 2, $200,000 Nashua and the Grade 3, $150,000 Tempted for fillies.
The Red Smith is the first of 11 graded stakes at the Big A in 2012, including the Heineken Holidayfest centerpieces of the meet, the Grade 1, $350,000 Cigar Mile Handicap and the Grade 1, $350,000 Gazelle for 3-year-old fillies on Saturday, November 24.
Heineken Holidayfest kicks off with the Grade 3, $150,000 Fall Highweight Handicap on Thanksgiving Day, November 22, with gates opening at 10 a.m. and a first race post time of 11:25 a.m. The action continues on Friday with the Grade 2, $200,000 Go For Wand Handicap for fillies and mares and a first race post time of 12 noon. Joining the Cigar Mile and Gazelle on Saturday, which also has a first-race post time of 12 noon, are the Grade 2, $250,000 Remsen for 2-year-olds and the Grade 2, $250,000 Demoiselle for 2-year-old fillies.
Also on Saturday in honor of Heineken Holidayfest, guests in the Equestris dining area will receive a co-branded Heineken/Aqueduct bottle opener while supplies last.
The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will offer a $250,000 Guaranteed Late Pick 4 on Saturdays at Aqueduct beginning November 10.
Every Sunday, fans can play the popular “Pick the Pros and Ponies” contest for a chance to win $1,000 by correctly picking winners of four designated Pro Football games as well as the winners of races 3 and 5 on the day’s card. The nationally acclaimed 2012 NYRA Tournament series continues at the Big A with the Aqueduct Handicapping Challenge scheduled for Saturday, November 17 and Sunday, November 18.
Live racing is generally conducted Wednesday through Sunday, but the action doesn’t stop for dark days. Simulcast and wagering is available seven days a week at the Belmont Café and at Aqueduct Racetrack’s simulcast areas, with the exception of Monday, December 24 and Tuesday, December 25.
Aqueduct will be closed for live racing from December 17 through Christmas Day and will reopen on Wednesday, December 26.
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