Aqueduct grandstand now closed.

[tzipi]

Recently they have closed off the only part of the grandstand that was still open. So now it's just the clubhouse and clubhouse outside skirt that is open,which kind of stinks because now you can't see the horses before the finish line running down the stretch in person! You can only stand about 20-30 yards past the finish line now. No more entry or betting machines in grandstand. I know it was open for BC but I'm sure that was just to handle the added crowd and betting.

I do not know what their point is to shut off the actual stretch grandstand to the people? Can I see the horses I'm betting through you,running down the stretch? Would that be so bad? Are they trying to make people even madder.
People were mad and actually pulling the wooden fences off recently so they could get outside and today they were actually chained up,so you could'nt move them. One guy actually had to have his kids climb over the fences and he jumped over the bar so he could get outside to watch the horses. Good job NYRA.

Could Aqueduct be the only track in America right now with a closed grandstand?

[the_fat_man]

So, you're the only one out there outside of the NYRA telecast crew and the horse connections?

[tzipi]

So, you're the only one out there outside of the NYRA telecast crew and the horse connections?

Ha! Yeah and a few others. Actually good crowd for Veterans day and kids there too with parents. Well I mean even though they get just about 1,500 a day,you should let those bettors watch the horses down the stretch. I never thought a track would close off their stretch grandstand!

[the_fat_man]

So the pot smoking Rastas are now all over at the OTB on Rockaway Blvd?

[miesque]

Maybe that section of the roof overhang is ready to fall down at any time? Maybe they are actually trying to keep attendance/business down on purpose? (sounds crazy but sometimes you do have to wonder). I just know that if you think too hard about why they do a lot of things your head might just implode.

[PaceAdvantage]

Maybe they're readying for construction to start up on the long promised slot parlour?

That would be my guess.

No signs Tzipi? No signs explaining what is going on?

[Space Monkey]

How sad really. Closing the grandstand is like making everybody sit in the outfield at a baseball game. I never thought I'd see the day this would happen at a major NY track.

[onefast99]

How sad really. Closing the grandstand is like making everybody sit in the outfield at a baseball game. I never thought I'd see the day this would happen at a major NY track.
Just go to the meadowlands they have everything roped off with yellow caution tape, similar to the type used in stores when the floors are freshly mopped. I am sure PA is right they are probably getting their construction permit and readying for full construction.

[PaceAdvantage]

Didn't they close the grandstand at Penn National when they were building the dreaded casino?

[miesque]

Didn't they close the grandstand at Penn National when they were building the dreaded casino?

Penn National demolished the entire grandstand to a pile of rubble and started from scratch (which is what they should do at Aqueduct if they are really serious about having a decent facility). However, prior to the demolition Penn constructed a new building next to the grandstand (top of the stretch) for its customers which was a basically a simulcast facility complete with a temporary paddock for the races. Once the new building was ready they shut down the grandstand and move operations to the temp location and the wrecking balls came in. Philly Park did it the wrong way by going about it in a piecemeal fashion.

[fmolf]

Penn National demolished the entire grandstand to a pile of rubble and started from scratch (which is what they should do at Aqueduct if they are really serious about having a decent facility). However, prior to the demolition Penn constructed a new building next to the grandstand (top of the stretch) for its customers which was a basically a simulcast facility complete with a temporary paddock for the races. Once the new building was ready they shut down the grandstand and move operations to the temp location and the wrecking balls came in. Philly Park did it the wrong way by going about it in a piecemeal fashion.
the final bid should be awarded soon so construction will likely begin soon.Major Improvements and much sprucing up have been promised by all the different bidders and now gov. and senate majority leader just need to select the winning bidder.Remember the more of the place that is open for few patrons the greater the cost to the racetrack as well.

[Robert Goren]

From what I understand nobody (and certainly not New York state) has any money fix anything involving horse racing in NY. Even the NY governor is not stupid enough to use tax money to fix up a race track.

[badcompany]

So the pot smoking Rastas are now all over at the OTB on Rockaway Blvd?

Jamaicans are the worst handicappers I've ever seen. Even when they win they lose:

"I bet the 2 horse. He win, but, the bumboclot clerk give me the 3!!"

[onefast99]

Philly Park did it the wrong way by going about it in a piecemeal fashion.
The way PP did it was indeed the right way,why? Because they were watching out for the horseman first, the first floor horsemans area was turned into a casino and they moved everyone upstairs to the racing floor where you have the same exact thing a 20% discount for horseman to sit and eat and a nice simulcast area with plenty of tv's including smaller ones at the tables(many)the only gripe anyone could have is the time it takes to get from the paddock back up to the racing floor but if you have a horse in you can still sit in the owners boxes where they have always been on the first floor. Did you see how nice the new casino looks? Give them credit they did a very nice job.

[miesque]

The way PP did it was indeed the right way,why? Because they were watching out for the horseman first, the first floor horsemans area was turned into a casino and they moved everyone upstairs to the racing floor where you have the same exact thing a 20% discount for horseman to sit and eat and a nice simulcast area with plenty of tv's including smaller ones at the tables(many)the only gripe anyone could have is the time it takes to get from the paddock back up to the racing floor but if you have a horse in you can still sit in the owners boxes where they have always been on the first floor. Did you see how nice the new casino looks? Give them credit they did a very nice job.

No, have not been there since its completion, Penn is my primary track in PA. However, I have heard so many complaints regarding how horseplayers and fans were treated who wanted to watch the races during the entire process, nothing positive whatsoever until I read your comment that you thought they did it the right way.

[onefast99]

No, have not been there since its completion, Penn is my primary track in PA. However, I have heard so many complaints regarding how horseplayers and fans were treated who wanted to watch the races during the entire process, nothing positive whatsoever until I read your comment that you thought they did it the right way.
As a player and an owner PP is still one of the friendliest tracks around. I have never had a bad experience at PP with the facility itself. The food is decent, the horsemans book Lisa is one of the best in the biz and the purses are pretty decent. I was there Saturday and they had a nice BC crowd the service on the racing floor was excellent.

[Moyers Pond]

Aqueduct will be gone in 10 years from now. Belmont will have the turf/poly/dirt course and a casino.

Aqueduct will be sold. The land is too valuable to be used for horse racing and the state knows it.

[wisconsin]

Aqueduct will be gone in 10 years from now. Belmont will have the turf/poly/dirt course and a casino.

Aqueduct will be sold. The land is too valuable to be used for horse racing and the state knows it.


Then they better install glass at Belmont, because it will get mighty cold sitting in the face of the north winds. The later races will be coming into the stretch into a deep shadow as well. The stands face the wrong way for winter racing.

[miesque]

Speaking of Aqueduct, it would be helpful if they updated their General Information page from last Spring. I just went to that page of the website to find out when racing ended for the holiday break since I might have to head up to Manhattan for a meeting next month and instead found the following, which is definitely last year's info:
AQUEDUCT 2009 WINTER/SPRING MEET
82 days, January 1-April 26
Dark Mondays and Tuesday, except:
Open: Mondays, January 19 and February 16
Dark: Wednesdays, January 21 and February 18; Sundays, April 5 and April 12.
Post times: 12:30 p.m. daily (January 1 – March 8)
1 p.m. daily (March 11 – April 26)


http://nyra.com/Aqueduct/GeneralInformation/GeneralInformation/GeneralInformation.shtml

[Moyers Pond]

Then they better install glass at Belmont, because it will get mighty cold sitting in the face of the north winds. The later races will be coming into the stretch into a deep shadow as well. The stands face the wrong way for winter racing.

I believe they will be moving the grandstand to the other side. They said they could do it all in 1-2 years, so knowing NY you can expect a Belmont Stakes to be run at Aqueduct while they completely fix up Belmont.

Aqueduct is essentially gone though. The land is too valuable to be used for horse racing.

[tzipi]

Maybe they're readying for construction to start up on the long promised slot parlour?

That would be my guess.

No signs Tzipi? No signs explaining what is going on?


No,there's no construction whatsoever in the lower grandstand at all. Upstairs they gutted it out years ago,but it has looked the same for 5 years now. No ones done a thing since up there.
I just have NO IDEA why they would close off the grandstand to their public. Hey,bet our horses but we will not let you watch from the grandstand. Ridiculous.

Funny thing is the Barber shop is still open and you have to either jump the fences or walk through the employees only tunnel to get to it.

[jballscalls]

we closed our grandstand at PM a few years ago, and get one or two complaints a year about it. But honestly, there just isn't the demand, need or money to keep it open.

but since doing that we also did a couple million dollar remodel downstairs and in the turf club and everyone seems happy.

[tzipi]

we closed our grandstand at PM a few years ago, and get one or two complaints a year about it. But honestly, there just isn't the demand, need or money to keep it open.

but since doing that we also did a couple million dollar remodel downstairs and in the turf club and everyone seems happy.

Yeah but in that part of Aqueduct it's just self service machines. They are not wasting money by letting a small walkaway open to the grandstand stretch. I do not get where there's no "need" to let bettors watch the races down the stretch?
I hope during these times the tracks are not telling me now,"hey there's no need for us to let you watch the horses run out on the track grandstand" I thought that was the fun of horseracing. To see them coming down the stretch. If there's no need,than screw the track. Ill go to OTB to watch tv races.

[wisconsin]

we closed our grandstand at PM a few years ago, and get one or two complaints a year about it. But honestly, there just isn't the demand, need or money to keep it open.

but since doing that we also did a couple million dollar remodel downstairs and in the turf club and everyone seems happy.


Not that it will affect the bottom line of Portland Meadows, but as a track collecter, this one will move to a low spot on my ist of tracks yet to visit. Who wants to go to a track where you can't watch the race properly?

You might only get one or two complaints a year, but I assure that there is grumbling within the track itself.

"Hey Frank, where are you going?"

"To the track."

"Really, how is it? Must be exciting sitting in the stands when they turn for home."

"Hard to say, I just sit down below and watch 'em run on the tv monitors."

[samyn on the green]

Are you guys sure that the grandstand is closed at Aqueduct? There wwere some dedicated players that made their home there. I don't believe it. The grandstand at Aqueduct is my pure power perch. This was the one spot where I could dwell and oversea the paddock like a hawk looking for prey. From the same spot I could watch the races through the binoculars and log any bad trips. As long as you dressed warm the grandstand at Aqueduct was the best spot in all of New York racing.

[jballscalls]

Not that it will affect the bottom line of Portland Meadows, but as a track collecter, this one will move to a low spot on my ist of tracks yet to visit. Who wants to go to a track where you can't watch the race properly?

You might only get one or two complaints a year, but I assure that there is grumbling within the track itself.

"Hey Frank, where are you going?"

"To the track."

"Really, how is it? Must be exciting sitting in the stands when they turn for home."

"Hard to say, I just sit down below and watch 'em run on the tv monitors."

Oh i completely understand and that is the one complaint we do get from those one or two people who do complain about it. In our case though, you can go up to the turf club and watch the race from the 3rd floor which is glass encased just like the grandstand.

I mean i'm a rail bird, if i go to the races i watch at the rail, but i know many people like to go up in the grandstand or turf club at a track. \

And any members of PA are always welcome to come up and watch a race from the announcer's booth.

[titans1127]

Speaking of Aqueduct, it would be helpful if they updated their General Information page from last Spring. I just went to that page of the website to find out when racing ended for the holiday break since I might have to head up to Manhattan for a meeting next month and instead found the following, which is definitely last year's info:
AQUEDUCT 2009 WINTER/SPRING MEET
82 days, January 1-April 26
Dark Mondays and Tuesday, except:
Open: Mondays, January 19 and February 16
Dark: Wednesdays, January 21 and February 18; Sundays, April 5 and April 12.
Post times: 12:30 p.m. daily (January 1 – March 8)
1 p.m. daily (March 11 – April 26)


http://nyra.com/Aqueduct/GeneralInformation/GeneralInformation/GeneralInformation.shtmlIn case your still wondering Aqueduct will be taking its holiday break from Monday December 14th thru Friday December 25th. Racing is back on Saturday the 26th.

[miesque]

In case your still wondering Aqueduct will be taking its holiday break from Monday December 14th thru Friday December 25th. Racing is back on Saturday the 26th.

Thank you very much. :)

[tzipi]

Are you guys sure that the grandstand is closed at Aqueduct? There wwere some dedicated players that made their home there. I don't believe it. The grandstand at Aqueduct is my pure power perch. This was the one spot where I could dwell and oversea the paddock like a hawk looking for prey. From the same spot I could watch the races through the binoculars and log any bad trips. As long as you dressed warm the grandstand at Aqueduct was the best spot in all of New York racing.

Everyday I've been there now for last two weeks the grandstand is fenced off and chained. So you can not get outside either. Even if you jump the fence their stairs leading up to the grandstand seats is fenced off too. Will hope it's not today but that's just wishful thinking.

[rrbauer]

Let's do an over/under for slots at the big A.

I say July 1, 2013

[the little guy]

Jamaicans are the worst handicappers I've ever seen. Even when they win they lose:

"I bet the 2 horse. He win, but, the bumboclot clerk give me the 3!!"


This is an unfortunate and incorrect blanket statement. I will hazard a guess that I spend a lot more time with the Jamaican community at the tracks in NY than you do, and while I am sure ( like any group of people ) some are better handicappers than others, as a whole they are very well informed fans of the game.

[samyn on the green]

What about the door from the Manhattan Terrace to the small part of the grandstand that has remained open the last 5 years? Are those doors locked? I am athletic enough to jump things to get to the power perch, but I am not sure what fence you speak of. I will even bring grappling equipment if necessary. Everyday I've been there now for last two weeks the grandstand is fenced off and chained. So you can not get outside either. Even if you jump the fence their stairs leading up to the grandstand seats is fenced off too. Will hope it's not today but that's just wishful thinking.

[toetoe]

This is an unfortunate and incorrect blanket statement.

They still may constitute the worst handicapping community, which community you stoutly defended from our distinguished boardmate BadCo's barbarous blanketism. :ThmbUp:

What *I * find most unfortunate in the posting is the term bumboclot. What the ... :confused: . (:Throwing hands high.)

May I put into nomination for the Light Memorial "They Suck" Handicapping Community Futility Award my own dear Shanty Irish brethren ? You may beat 'em on the course, but they own the nineteenth hole. ;)

Fanx & tara,

Naill O'Toe

[tzipi]

They still may constitute the worst handicapping community, which community you stoutly defended from our distinguished boardmate BadCo's barbarous blanketism. :ThmbUp:

What *I * find most unfortunate in the posting is the term bumboclot. What the ... :confused: . (:Throwing hands high.)

May I put into nomination for the Light Memorial "They Suck" Handicapping Community Futility Award my own dear Shanty Irish brethren ? You may beat 'em on the course, but they own the nineteenth hole. ;)

Fanx & tara,

Naill O'Toe

It's not BUMBOCLOT. It's bloodclot,which is a term for something I can not say here. Aqueduct had problems with cars today getting blocked in
(me involved). They had to use tow trucks to move cars. God,why can't my Aqueduct be like it used to! They are really throwing in the towel.

[samyn on the green]

Are you saying that the place is so crowded that they can not get the cars out? Has there been an influx of Jamaicans with poor parking etiquette?

What about the the Manhattan Terrace doors? Open or closed for access to the small part of the grandstand? It's not BUMBOCLOT. It's bloodclot,which is a term for something I can not say here. Aqueduct had problems with cars today getting blocked in
(me involved). They had to use tow trucks to move cars. God,why can't my Aqueduct be like it used to! They are really throwing in the towel.

[tzipi]

Are you saying that the place is so crowded that they can not get the cars out? Has there been an influx of Jamaicans with poor parking etiquette?

What about the the Manhattan Terrace doors? Open or closed for access to the small part of the grandstand?

No,just happened that the cars that were there,parked too close together in the "parking lines". Parking lines which you can not see anymore because they are so faded. The guy said it's happen before and the reason is because NYRA does not employ parking attendants anymore. He said it's common thing over the last couple years.

Well the Manhattan Terrace entrance in the clubhouse is open. Grandstand entrance I'm not sure. But the bar there is closed now,well at least during the week it is. Not sure about the weekends.

I am so pissed Aqueduct is this way now! Just take a look at their history and the horses and races that have run there. It's a shame what it is now. MONTHS of racing and it;s just horrible and run down! Aaaahhhhhh!

[samyn on the green]

If people are too stupid to park they must be too stupid to win at ponies; these are just the people I want to play against in the parimutuel pools.

What about the big doors from the Manhattan Terrace that led to the grandstand area? Are those doors locked now?

No,just happened that the cars that were there,parked too close together in the "parking lines". Parking lines which you can not see anymore because they are so faded. The guy said it's happen before and the reason is because NYRA does not employ parking attendants anymore. He said it's common thing over the last couple years.

The Manhattan Terrace is in the clubhouse,not the grandstand. But the bar there is close now.

I am so pissed Aqueduct is this way now! Just take a look at their history and the horses and races that have run there. It's a shame what it is now.

[tzipi]

If people are too stupid to park they must be too stupid to win at ponies; these are just the people I want to play against in the parimutuel pools.

What about the big doors from the Manhattan Terrace that led to the grandstand area? Are those doors locked now?

Samyn I'll have to check when I go there tomorrow or sunday to see if grandstand doors are open to Manhattan Terrace for you. Last friday it was closed off,I know that. I hope that's not permanent!
Also when I say closed off,I mean it was closed last week from the clubhouse.

[the_fat_man]

It's not BUMBOCLOT. It's bloodclot,

It's actually both, and some others.

[samyn on the green]

Thanks for checking. Samyn I'll have to check when I go there tomorrow or sunday to see if grandstand doors are open to Manhattan Terrace for you. Last friday it was closed off,I know that. I hope that's not permanent!
Also when I say closed off,I mean it was closed last week from the clubhouse.

[Zman179]

It's not BUMBOCLOT. It's bloodclot,which is a term for something I can not say here.

Both terms exist.

Bumba clot translate as both asswipe and m-fer.

Blood clot is Jamaican patois for blood cloth, which actually means bloody tampon.

Now dat joo know how speak Jamaican, gyo put twenty American dolla 'pon dis big American :3: haas na me say. SOUP! (bangs on wall)

[tzipi]

Both terms exist.

Bumba clot translate as both asswipe and m-fer.

Blood clot is Jamaican patois for blood cloth, which actually means bloody tampon.

Now dat joo know how speak Jamaican, gyo put twenty American dolla 'pon dis big American :3: haas na me say. SOUP! (bangs on wall)

Ahhh yeah I knew the bloodclot one. Guess there's a bumba clot too. Ah the track can be so classy.

[ghostyapper]

This is an unfortunate and incorrect blanket statement. I will hazard a guess that I spend a lot more time with the Jamaican community at the tracks in NY than you do, and while I am sure ( like any group of people ) some are better handicappers than others, as a whole they are very well informed fans of the game.

And the most dedicate. Back in the spring a guy was having breathing issues or something. EMS couldn't work on him because he wouldn't stop handicapping.