New Look, New Layout at the Big A

Fans making their way to Aqueduct on Wednesday, Oct. 29 for opening day of the Big A's 44-day fall meeting will notice that New York City's track is undergoing changes. But while these changes are being made, quality racing will continue, capped by HolidayFest [Nov. 27-30] and the grade I, $350,000 Cigar Mile on Nov. 29.

Because of the changes, the backyard area will not be open to the public. The entire second floor grandstand will also be closed, as will the children's playroom; although the arcade games will be relocated to a new area on the first floor of the grandstand. The only grandstand area that will be open is the first floor grandstand, where admission will be $1. Entrance will be through Admission Gate C (subway gate) only. There will be no access to the building from Gate D (northern end), and patrons who normally parked in the Rockaway Boulevard lot, may now park in the Pitkin Avenue lot, or can be bused to the bus stop at the clubhouse/Turf and Field Corner.

The third floor grandstand will now be reclassified as part of the clubhouse. Patrons using this floor will enter through the main clubhouse entrance, go up to the third floor and enter into that area through the Manhattan Terrace. Clubhouse admission is being reduced from $3 to $2, with Skyline Club admission an additional $1.

The New York Racing Association is also offering upgrades on season passes. Anyone with a grandstand season pass who wishes to upgrade to a clubhouse pass may do so with a nominal increase of $10 or $20. For example, a $35 grandstand senior pass may be upgraded to a clubhouse senior pass for an additional $10. The regular grandstand pass, which sells for $75, can be upgraded to a regular clubhouse pass for an additional $20. Customer service representatives at information booths in the Clubhouse and Grandstand will help facilitate these transactions.

"The New York Racing Association is grateful to its faithful fans at Aqueduct, and appreciates their loyalty," said Bill Nader, NYRA Senior Vice President. "We apologize for any inconvenience, but believe that the fans that know us realize that our mission is to provide quality racing for our fans to enjoy in a comfortable environment. We will continue to strive in this area while Aqueduct undergoes its changes."

There is racing at Aqueduct from Wednesday through Sunday from Wednesday, Oct. 29- Wednesday, Dec. 31. Aqueduct will be dark on Mondays and Tuesdays except Tuesday, November 4 (Election Day) and Tuesday, November 11 (Veterans Day). Aqueduct will be dark on Wednesdays, November 5 and 12 and December 24 (Christmas Eve) and Thursday, December 25 (Christmas Day).