After Long Wait, Aqueduct Opens VLT Casino

[Patrick333]

Just one day shy of the 10th anniversary on which former New York Gov. George Pataki signed a law approving racetrack casinos, Aqueduct the afternoon of Oct. 28 will seek to brush aside the political and legal delays as activates thousands of video lottery terminals.


http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/65828/after-long-wait-aqueduct-opens-vlt-casino (http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/65828/after-long-wait-aqueduct-opens-vlt-casino)

[toussaud]

Confirmation of what we all suspected... RT @dgrening Racing fans will be disappointed that the "racing" side of AQU remains unchanged.

apparently they aren't making any upgrades to antyhing racing related at all per David Grening

[OTM Al]

Confirmation of what we all suspected... RT @dgrening Racing fans will be disappointed that the "racing" side of AQU remains unchanged.

apparently they aren't making any upgrades to antyhing racing related at all per David Grening

What was to suspect? These are two separate companies. Genting got their part of the plant, NYRA has theirs. Since you haven't been following it, NYRA has set up a list of priorities of where to put the funds (that they don't have yet...) that are set to go to capital improvements. There are many things that desperately need fixed that will be worked on first. Major renovations to the Aqueduct clubhouse are likely not very high on that list. I'm sure they would love to have been able to wave their hands and magically make the clubhouse into racing's version of the Louvre, but it doesn't work like that. None of this is a secret and Dave should have been well informed of all of this so i don't get the point of his post.

[aaron]

I was only hoping that there is a place to watch races outside,besides the 2nd floor in the clubhouse.
I didn't expect the racino owners to improve the racing facilities.
Overall this has to be good for racing. Bigger purses,bigger fields should be a +.

[OTM Al]

I can't be specific, but I can say that there are plans underway for some very nice improvements. Give it time. Casino just opened today.

[MickJ26]

I'll be there next Saturday. I'm optimistically cynical, though.

[BELMONT 6-6-09]

Crowds at The Big A...brings some memories of days gone by. The talk of yesteryear when the mad rush would get off the "A" Train with the daily, and I mean daily double on their mind. that was the lone gimmick, and it was crucial to be ALIVE, in the double ....good days.

[fmolf]

Crowds at The Big A...brings some memories of days gone by. The talk of yesteryear when the mad rush would get off the "A" Train with the daily, and I mean daily double on their mind. that was the lone gimmick, and it was crucial to be ALIVE, in the double ....good days.
then came the $5.00 exacta and the ninth race triple!....After that all hell broke loose..... :D

[infrontby1]

Then off to Roosevelt Raceway for the $3 BIG TRIPLE

[SansuiSC]

The lines of people to get in there were insane. Very long and people were stilll lined up an hour ago. Traffic is a complete nightmare on Rockawaway Blvd.
I'm sure it's people just wanting to see the "New Place" But it looks really nice compared to what we know or knew the Big A to look like.

[Chris Longshot]

The lines of people to get in there were insane. Very long and people were stilll lined up an hour ago. Traffic is a complete nightmare on Rockawaway Blvd.
I'm sure it's people just wanting to see the "New Place" But it looks really nice compared to what we know or knew the Big A to look like.

Do they have a place to play the races in the casino?? Or do you just go to the track for simulcasting.

Thanks

[Canarsie]

The lines of people to get in there were insane. Very long and people were stilll lined up an hour ago. Traffic is a complete nightmare on Rockawaway Blvd.
I'm sure it's people just wanting to see the "New Place" But it looks really nice compared to what we know or knew the Big A to look like.

With no advertising it was low key. It has the best location in the country there's probably well over 13 million people within an hours drive and throw in the two airports. My deive to Belmont would be shorter then Atlantic City and I live in central NJ.


If it becomes a full fledged casino watch out. This is what's happening on the Belmont front.

Shinnecock casino plan wins 2 supporters


http://www.newsday.com/long-island/shinnecock-casino-plan-wins-2-supporters-1.3228392

Belmont casino: Contribution or crapshoot?

http://www.liherald.com/elmont/elmont/stories/Detroit-developer-unveils-renderings-for-Belmont-casino-,36449?page=1&content_source=


If that happens look for 100k MSW races and the fullest of fields.

[Robert Goren]

With no advertising it was low key. It has the best location in the country there's probably well over 13 million people within an hours drive and throw in the two airports. My deive to Belmont would be shorter then Atlantic City and I live in central NJ.


If it becomes a full fledged casino watch out. This is what's happening on the Belmont front.

Shinnecock casino plan wins 2 supporters


http://www.newsday.com/long-island/shinnecock-casino-plan-wins-2-supporters-1.3228392

Belmont casino: Contribution or crapshoot?

http://www.liherald.com/elmont/elmont/stories/Detroit-developer-unveils-renderings-for-Belmont-casino-,36449?page=1&content_source=


If that happens look for 100k MSW races and the fullest of fields.Be careful what you promise, some of us are keeping track.

[postpicker]

Do they have a place to play the races in the casino?? Or do you just go to the track for simulcasting.

Thanks

There were plenty of TV's in the casino and they has channels like ESPN, CNN and FOX on, but there were ZERO TV's on the OTB channel, TVG and HRTV. I suspect this to be the norm because why would the casino show racing and give people an idea to go over to the simulcast area when they could be playing the video slots and video roulette, craps, etc instead.

[Chris Longshot]

Thanks post appreciate the feedback, what you say makes sense but at Parx, they do have a simulcast area, albeit small at the casino away from the track. Don't think it would be that big a deal to do the same at AQU.

Thanks again

[OTM Al]

Thanks post appreciate the feedback, what you say makes sense but at Parx, they do have a simulcast area, albeit small at the casino away from the track. Don't think it would be that big a deal to do the same at AQU.

Thanks again

Going to repeat my last post here. The casino just opened. It is not finished. There are racing oriented things planned. Be patient. Stay tuned.

[The Hawk]

It has the best location in the country there's probably well over 13 million people within an hours drive and throw in the two airports.

It's not even the best location in the tri-state area. That would be The Meadowlands, which is not only near all the major area airports but has it's own train stop, which is an 8-minute ride from mid-town Manhattan. Unfortunately, our Governor is a bozo. It's only a matter of time before someone finally gets the fact that billions in revenue is being lost in NJ, and slots are put in, but by the time that happens racing could be dead here.

If other racinos are any indication, don't expect many (any?) capital improvements on the racing side of things, though the huge purses make up for much of that. I'd take that situation in NJ, I'll tell you that.

[Canarsie]

With no advertising it was low key.


If that happens look for 100k MSW races and the fullest of fields.Be careful what you promise, some of us are keeping track.


Where did I promise I made a prediction which could be wrong but that's doubtful. You can scold me for a prediction anytime but don't take my words out of context.

Some seem to forget how full the MSW races were at Monmouth last year. Throw in the incentives for NY breeds and those races could go over 100k.

Was this a promise you made last year or a prediction. I don't about some of us but I was WATCHING YOU!!!


5k people at Belmont. Lincoln, Ne drew 5k last friday night. They are both on their last legs. But then Lincoln never was much, but Belmont... So sad.

[classhandicapper]

The lines of people to get in there were insane. Very long and people were stilll lined up an hour ago. Traffic is a complete nightmare on Rockawaway Blvd.
I'm sure it's people just wanting to see the "New Place" But it looks really nice compared to what we know or knew the Big A to look like.

The potential traffic issues are what might keep me away from the place even though I enjoy live racing. It will be easier for me to go The Palace or even the Belmont Cafe to play if I want to get out of the house and hang with friends.

Unless they figure out a way to make it more appealing to racing fans than the existing options, I don't think many extra horse players are going to go there. Some may even avoid it because of the crowds.

[Jasonm921]

I may skip going to Aqueduct for Cigar Mile Day for that exact reason.

[Canarsie]

Parking valet was the best thing to alleviate the problem. I used to do it at Yonkers when I went there a lot. It was well worth the ten bucks plus a tip never had to wait more than 10-12 minutes for my car.

Believe it or not I knew some heavy gamblers who would try and park for free on the other side of the Major Deegan Expressway. It's not a far walk but the convenience of having your car close especially if you forgot something (happened once) was worth the fee. Plus the passengers paid the driver never had to so it got spread out wasn't like it was an earth shattering expense.

[Patrick333]

That's probably because the same company that owns the casino owns the race track.

[Canarsie]

It's not even the best location in the tri-state area. That would be The Meadowlands, which is not only near all the major area airports but has it's own train stop, which is an 8-minute ride from mid-town Manhattan. Unfortunately, our Governor is a bozo. It's only a matter of time before someone finally gets the fact that billions in revenue is being lost in NJ, and slots are put in, but by the time that happens racing could be dead here.

If other racinos are any indication, don't expect many (any?) capital improvements on the racing side of things, though the huge purses make up for much of that. I'd take that situation in NJ, I'll tell you that.

It's near one airport which doesn't have anywhere near the clientele of JFK. I would imagine a tourist would think of the Meadowlands and NJ as a secondary visit compared to staying in NY.

Secondly do you really think someone from Brooklyn or Queens is going to head over to the Meadowlands especially since some would have to pay a toll on the Verrazanno which is $13.

I live in NJ now but please tell me how JFK and LaGuardia are closer to the Meadowlands? Where is a traveler who has a layover going to go?

Maybe I'm wrong on this but most gamblers prefer to drive to their destination of choice and not use public transit.

Having said all of this the Meadowlands is a fairly close second to the Big A.

[The Hawk]

It's near one airport which doesn't have anywhere near the clientele of JFK. I would imagine a tourist would think of the Meadowlands and NJ as a secondary visit compared to staying in NY.

Secondly do you really think someone from Brooklyn or Queens is going to head over to the Meadowlands especially since some would have to pay a toll on the Verrazanno which is $13.

I live in NJ now but please tell me how JFK and LaGuardia are closer to the Meadowlands? Where is a traveler who has a layover going to go?

Maybe I'm wrong on this but most gamblers prefer to drive to their destination of choice and not use public transit.

Having said all of this the Meadowlands is a fairly close second to the Big A.

I live in Northern NJ and travel often and use LaGuardia and Kennedy just as much as Newark, as the time traveling to them all is nearly the same. With the Jets and Giants in NJ, the Super Bowl coming in a couple of years, the Meadowlands has drawn tourists and will continue to do so. Queens? Not so much. That said, I don't think airports are an issue, since there are billions to be made from the people who live in a 50 mile radius. Tourist money is gravy. And I don't think people traveling from Brooklyn or Queens is an issue, not when I see that a third of the license plates in the malls in northern Jersey are NY plates on the weekends.

As far as driving and public transit, the reason that's important is, as you know, in Manhattan a majority of residents don't own a car and strictly use mass transit. In NYC, you're tapping into a whole region of people that otherwise would have to take the A train to Aqueduct, or get to Yonkers, or get on a bus to AC or Connecticut. It's a no-brainer, the NJ Transit train is 8 minutes from Penn Station. And if you're a tourist staying in NYC, if it's promoted properly (good luck with that with NJ Transit, it would have to be the casino that does it), you'd get lots of tourists from the city. If you're from out of town would you rather take a 45 minute subway ride or an 8 minute ride on a commuter train? And if they do drive, it's much shorter from NYC to the Meadowlands than it is to Aqueduct.

[Canarsie]

I live in Northern NJ and travel often and use LaGuardia and Kennedy just as much as Newark, as the time traveling to them all is nearly the same. With the Jets and Giants in NJ, the Super Bowl coming in a couple of years, the Meadowlands has drawn tourists and will continue to do so. Queens? Not so much. That said, I don't think airports are an issue, since there are billions to be made from the people who live in a 50 mile radius. Tourist money is gravy. And I don't think people traveling from Brooklyn or Queens is an issue, not when I see that a third of the license plates in the malls in northern Jersey are NY plates on the weekends.

As far as driving and public transit, the reason that's important is, as you know, in Manhattan a majority of residents don't own a car and strictly use mass transit. In NYC, you're tapping into a whole region of people that otherwise would have to take the A train to Aqueduct, or get to Yonkers, or get on a bus to AC or Connecticut. It's a no-brainer, the NJ Transit train is 8 minutes from Penn Station. And if you're a tourist staying in NYC, if it's promoted properly (good luck with that with NJ Transit, it would have to be the casino that does it), you'd get lots of tourists from the city. If you're from out of town would you rather take a 45 minute subway ride or an 8 minute ride on a commuter train? And if they do drive, it's much shorter from NYC to the Meadowlands than it is to Aqueduct.

First of all we are arguing a mute point but its fun so here goes.

You know why there are so many NY plates in NJ at the mall on the weekends. They save over 8% on the taxing of clothing they are there for no other reason except maybe to buy gas. They probably even go back home to eat out because they are familiar with the restaurants there.

How many tourists has the Meadowlands drawn? They sure aren't showing up at the racetrack or the Izod center. I would say even with the pitiful Mets Queens outdraws the Meadowlands by a large margin. If your using the Super Bowl that hasn't even happened yet.

People will hop in a cab before taking the train I disagree.

I could also say that people from Northwestern NJ will go to Pennsylvania before the Meadowlands like they do now. People become creatures of habit.


Al is from Brooklyn hope he reads this. Where you going if there's two casinos?

Your turn. :ThmbUp:

[OTM Al]

Al is from Brooklyn hope he reads this. Where you going if there's two casinos?


It's no contest the way things work now. Train to Meadowlans is not very frequent. Thought about going to the Hambo last year but it was too much of a haul. Aqueduct is one train fare and I can come or go pretty much as I please with a train every ten minutes or so.

The point is moot though as AC.money will never allow a casino elsewhere in the state. Racing isn't even real competition to them, but they have strangled it.

[The Hawk]

It's no contest the way things work now. Train to Meadowlans is not very frequent. Thought about going to the Hambo last year but it was too much of a haul. Aqueduct is one train fare and I can come or go pretty much as I please with a train every ten minutes or so.

The point is moot though as AC.money will never allow a casino elsewhere in the state. Racing isn't even real competition to them, but they have strangled it.

If there's a casino at the Meadowlands the train will run every 15 minutes, unlike now. Maybe more frequent than that. Again, Brooklyn and Queens is not your target market, NYC is.

First of all we are arguing a mute point but its fun so here goes.

You know why there are so many NY plates in NJ at the mall on the weekends. They save over 8% on the taxing of clothing they are there for no other reason except maybe to buy gas. They probably even go back home to eat out because they are familiar with the restaurants there.


Definitely a moot point, I agree, because Aqueduct, in my opinion, is going to drown racing in NJ. Anyway...

I understand it's a tax savings, but my point was that northern NJ isn't too far for NYers if there's a reason to make the trip.

How many tourists has the Meadowlands drawn? They sure aren't showing up at the racetrack or the Izod center. I would say even with the pitiful Mets Queens outdraws the Meadowlands by a large margin. If your using the Super Bowl that hasn't even happened yet.

People will hop in a cab before taking the train I disagree.



The trains from NY are PACKED on NFL Sundays. I've had the misfortune to be on them. And a cab to the Meadowlands from midtown is probably half of what a cab to Queens costs.

I could also say that people from Northwestern NJ will go to Pennsylvania before the Meadowlands like they do now. People become creatures of habit.


I disagree. They got used to going to Atlantic City, too, for 30 years, and they stopped going there. Make it a shorter drive and a similar experience (let's face it, they pretty much all look the same inside) and they'll come.

Again, I think it will eventual happen, it's the only thing that makes sense. I just hope this happens before racing in the state dies. That may in fact be what the powers-that-be are trying to make happen before embarking on this venture, thus cutting out "partners" (horsemen and tracks) and leaving more money for the state/casinos. In terms of what's happening at Aqueduct, I think they're going to blow away all their projections and it will be a boon to NYRA, which is all right with me.

[Canarsie]

Again, I think it will eventual happen, it's the only thing that makes sense. I just hope this happens before racing in the state dies. That may in fact be what the powers-that-be are trying to make happen before embarking on this venture, thus cutting out "partners" (horsemen and tracks) and leaving more money for the state/casinos. In terms of what's happening at Aqueduct, I think they're going to blow away all their projections and it will be a boon to NYRA, which is all right with me.

You write good stuff it was a compelling rebuttal even though I disagree.

It may be coming sooner then you think. The sports wagering amendment will probably pass easily. The ball might get rolling soon after that if Christie has decided against a second term. His stance against the Meadowlands might weaken.


http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/New_Jersey_Sports_Betting_Amendment,_Public_Questi on_1_%282011%29

When the numbers start to come in from Genting I think there will have to be a counterstrike otherwise your probably right about racing. If a tribal casino ever opens up in the Catskills and Belmont NJ will be left in the dust they won't have a chance to catch up.


I still think Bailey and Gural know a lot more about what's going to happen down the road. Why in the world would they have taken over the tracks without some assurances about the future.

[The Hawk]

I still think Bailey and Gural know a lot more about what's going to happen down the road. Why in the world would they have taken over the tracks without some assurances about the future.

That's a good point. I hope you're right.

[badcompany]

When the numbers start to come in from Genting I think there will have to be a counterstrike otherwise your probably right about racing. If a tribal casino ever opens up in the Catskills and Belmont NJ will be left in the dust they won't have a chance to catch up.

The numbers having been coming in from Yonkers for years. The casinos simply have too much invested in the sinking ship that is AC.

[Canarsie]

The numbers having been coming in from Yonkers for years. The casinos simply have too much invested in the sinking ship that is AC.

Yonkers was a monopoly that won't be the case anymore. Besides NJ they will be easily the most affected by Genting. I would anticipate purses going down within six months. Once again people aren't going to pay a toll over any of the bridges if they don't have to.

Yonkers was mainly northern NJ traffic but the Big A is under an hour from exit 120 on the GSP. Once again the only deterrent is the huge toll cost. A person who lives near the Woodbridge Mall is 99% certain to head to Queens instead of the hilltop it's around 45 minutes. Making a pit stop for some great Brooklyn pizza is also an asset also.


I could be wrong just have a feeling about some backdoor deal between the two track lease holders and state officials. Could be 100% incorrect only time will tell.

[badcompany]

I could be wrong just have a feeling about some backdoor deal between the two track lease holders and state officials. Could be 100% incorrect only time will tell.

I wouldn't hold my breath. It would be easy to convert Pegasus at the BigM into a casino; yet, it's nowhere.

I don't know much about Bailey, but Gural doesn't have a whole lot personally on the line in the Meadowlands deal. So, this is basically a flyer.

As far as purses being cut at Yonkers, good. The accomodations for horseplayers are a joke. The only one who benefited from slots money (welfare)are the horseman.

[Canarsie]

I wouldn't hold my breath. It would be easy to convert Pegasus at the BigM into a casino; yet, it's nowhere.

I don't know much about Bailey, but Gural doesn't have a whole lot personally on the line in the Meadowlands deal. So, this is basically a flyer.

As far as purses being cut at Yonkers, good. The accomodations for horseplayers are a joke. The only one who benefited from slots money (welfare)are the horseman.

The building is coming down and I think some of Gural's reasoning is that M1 isn't wired correctly for slots being an ancient building. This is my thinking only as was told to me from somebody in the NJSEA. Someone posted on here that it could have been done wirelessly from another NJSEA source.

Yonkers was shut down for quite some time I was one of the 20-50 people who attended there when the purses were around 2-3 grand (maybe less) and a ghost town. There wasn't a working tote for a couple of months after they reopened.


I can't argue with you about caring for the horsemen.

[Cardus]

I live in Northern NJ and travel often and use LaGuardia and Kennedy just as much as Newark, as the time traveling to them all is nearly the same. With the Jets and Giants in NJ, the Super Bowl coming in a couple of years, the Meadowlands has drawn tourists and will continue to do so. Queens? Not so much. That said, I don't think airports are an issue, since there are billions to be made from the people who live in a 50 mile radius. Tourist money is gravy. And I don't think people traveling from Brooklyn or Queens is an issue, not when I see that a third of the license plates in the malls in northern Jersey are NY plates on the weekends.

As far as driving and public transit, the reason that's important is, as you know, in Manhattan a majority of residents don't own a car and strictly use mass transit. In NYC, you're tapping into a whole region of people that otherwise would have to take the A train to Aqueduct, or get to Yonkers, or get on a bus to AC or Connecticut. It's a no-brainer, the NJ Transit train is 8 minutes from Penn Station. And if you're a tourist staying in NYC, if it's promoted properly (good luck with that with NJ Transit, it would have to be the casino that does it), you'd get lots of tourists from the city. If you're from out of town would you rather take a 45 minute subway ride or an 8 minute ride on a commuter train? And if they do drive, it's much shorter from NYC to the Meadowlands than it is to Aqueduct.

Really?

Your Star Trek-style transporter is better than mine.

[The Hawk]

Really?

Your Star Trek-style transporter is better than mine.

Without traffic, of course. In a car, as long as you don't drive it like a little girl.