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Horse Racing
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Track news that interests you. |
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 queduct Racetrack 110th St. (at Rockaway Blvd.), Ozone Park, Queens (718) 641-4700 www.nyra.com/Acqueduct.
The old Aqueduct, which opened in 1894, was replaced by the new "Big A" in 1959. In 1975 the inner track was constructed, allowing for winter racing. On July 4, 1972, Aqueduct was the scene of Secretariat's
first event, a 5.5 furlong maiden race. Hours: Gates open at 11 A.M. Admission: Grandstand $1; Clubhouse $3; Skyline Club $4; children under 12 free. Subway: A to Aqueduct Racetrack; courtesy bus service to admission
gate. By car: Midtown Tunnel to Long Island Expy. east, to Van Wyck Expy. south to exit 3, Linden Blvd.; right on Linden to track. Parking $1-$5.
Belmont Park 2150 Hempstead Tpke. (at Plainfield Ave), Elmont, Long Island (718) 488-6000 www.nyra.com/Belmont. In addition to hosting the Belmont Stakes each year, the final leg of the Triple Crown,
Belmont Park has been the scene of many other historic events. One of America's oldest and most beautiful tracks, Belmont opened on May 4, 1905; it was here that the Wright brothers supervised an international
aerial tournament before 150,000 spectators in 1910. But most important, of course, is its glorious racing past. It was here in 1973 that Secretariat won the Triple Crown, winning the race by an astonishing 31 lengths
and becoming a racing legend. Hours: Gates open at 11 A.M. Closed Mon.-Tue. except holiday weekends (closed Wed.). Season is generally May-Jul. and Sept. to mid-Oct. Admission: Grandstand $2; Clubhouse $4; children
under 12 free. Directions: Long Island Railroad; round-trip package from Penn Station includes $1 off admission. By car, take the Cross Island Pkwy. to exit 26D. Parking $2-$6.
Meadowlands Racetrack Rte. 3, East Rutherford, NJ (201) THE-BIGM www.thebigm.com. Harness and thoroughbred horse racing are the staples at this one-mile oval track next to Giants Stadium. The 40,000-person-capacity
racetrack was built in 1976 and christened in high style when horseman Anthony Abbatiello rode across the George Washington Bridge to the Meadowlands. Admission: Grandstand $1-$1.50; Clubhouse, $3; Pegasus (Dining
Floor) $5. Directions: See New Jersey Nets entry. General parking free; Clubhouse and valet parking $5.
Yonkers Raceway Central Ave., Yonkers (914) 968-4200 www.yonkersraceway.com. Although the history of the modern Yonkers Raceway dates from only 1950, the Westchester oval's impressive past actually
dates back to the 19th century, when it was founded as a replacement for Fleetwood Park, a Grand Circuit stop in the Bronx. The facility reopened as Yonkers Raceway and had its inaugural meet on April 27, 1950.
Hours: Post time 7:40 P.M. Mon.-Tues. and Fri.-Sat. Admission: Grandstand $2.25; Empire Terrace $4.25. Subway: 4 to Woodlawn; B, D to Bedford Park Blvd.; 5 to 238th St.; 1, 9 to 242nd St. Take express buses from
stations to track. By car: New York Thruway I-87 to exit 2 North, exit 4 South; Bronx River Pkwy. to Oak St., Mt. Vernon exit; Saw Mill River Pkwy. to Cross County Pkwy. to Yonkers or Central Ave. exit). Parking
$2.
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