Special events highlight Aqueduct Fall Meet

by Najja Thompson

Live thoroughbred racing action returns to Ozone Park, N.Y. on Friday, November 4 for opening day of the fall meet at Aqueduct Racetrack. With a first race post time of 12:20 p.m. and free admission for visitors daily, the 37-day fall meet, which runs through Saturday, December 31 will feature 29 stakes races worth $4.85 million in purses. 

A trio of stakes races kicks off opening weekend: The Grade 2, $200,000 Nashua for 2-year-olds and the Grade 3, $250,000 Tempted for 2-year-old fillies, each at a mile on Friday and Saturday, respectively, and the Grade 3, $200,000 Long Island for fillies and mares 3-and-up on the turf on Sunday. 

Fans in attendance on Saturday, November 5, will also have the chance to take home a winter scarf, while supplies last, with the purchase of a racing publication on track.

As the traditional Thanksgiving Day feature, the Grade 3, $200,000 Fall Highweight Handicap for sprinters 3-years-old and up is set for Thursday, November 24.

Saturday, November 26, will be anchored by the Grade 1, $500,000 Cigar Mile, and joined by the Grade 2, $300,000 Remsen for 2-year-olds, the Grade 2, $300,000 Demoiselle for 2-year-old fillies and the Grade 3, $250,000 Comely for 3-year-old fillies going 1 1/8 miles.  

Additional activities and events during the fall meet at Aqueduct include:

 • Red Cross blood drive: Wednesday, November 9 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

A blood drive will take place in the Aqueduct Room, located on the fourth floor of the track. Donors with all blood types are needed. The Red Cross is asking eligible donors to give before the start of the holiday season, as many regular donors delay giving between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day because of holiday activities. More donations are needed in the weeks leading up to the holidays to help ensure the blood supply is sufficient through the winter months. To mark the occasion, the New York Racing Association will name the first race of the day in honor of the American Red Cross. All donors will be entered to win a $50 VISA gift card and receive a NYRA souvenir.

• Veterans Appreciation Day: Friday, November 11 

NYRA will pay tribute to the nation's active and retired military personnel. Highlights include special trophy presentations featuring representatives of Hope for the Warriors, the featured charity for Veterans Appreciation Day, who provide critical support for post-9/11 service members, as well as families of the fallen who have sustained physical and psychological wounds in the line of duty. Members of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars chapter will also conduct a special trophy presentation on the day. A commemorative camouflage cap will be available free of charge to all active and retired service members and for a suggested donation of $5, to all members of the general public. 

• New York, New York Double: Starts on Sunday, November 13 

The New York, New York Double kicks off offering horseplayers a unique thoroughbred-standardbred daily double wager through the end of the 2016 Aqueduct fall meet. Hosted by NYRA, the wager will be offered beginning with Race 3 at Aqueduct and concluding with a harness race at Yonkers Raceway within the closest post-time. With a $1 minimum wager, the New York, New York double will be offered November 13, November 20, November 27, December 11 and December 18. It will be available to members of NYRA Bets and Empire City Bets, as well as on-track horseplayers.

• 'Big A' Fall Handicapping Challenge: Saturday, November 19 and Sunday, November 20

Held over two days in the Manhattan Terrace on the third floor, The Big A Handicapping Challenge offers horseplayers an opportunity to win cash and qualify for the National Handicapping Championships. For a $400 entry fee per each contest day, with $200 distributed to the prize pool and the remaining $200 comprising each player's live bankroll, contestants will have the chance to place win, place, or show wagers on a minimum of ten different races with the chance to win two spots each day to the National Handicapping Championships in Las Vegas from, January 27 - January 29. For more information and registration for the Big A Fall Handicapping Challenge please visit NYRA.com.

• 'Toys for Tots': Saturday, December 3 and Saturday, December 4 

In partnership with the Marine Corps "Toys for Tots" Foundation, this annual holiday program collects and distributes new, unwrapped toys to local children in need each holiday season. Donation boxes will be located at Aqueduct's main clubhouse entrance, as well as at the Turf and Field entrance on Saturday, December 3 and Sunday, December 4. Two races on the December 3 card will be named for supporting organizations. Following the conclusion of each race, representatives from these participating organizations will join NYRA officials in the winner's circle for a special presentation.

• Stocking Stuffer: Saturday, December 10 and Saturday, December 17: 

Vintage giveaway items from Belmont Park, Saratoga Race Course and Aqueduct Racetrack will be made available for purchase at a reduced price with proceeds to benefit local charitable organizations. 

Live racing is generally conducted Wednesdays through Sundays, with first-race post time at 12:20 p.m. with admission gates open at 11 a.m. General parking is $7. For more information on the fall meet please visit NYRA.com.