Wood Memorial Day at Aqueduct Racetrack on April 9th - $1,000,000 Purse

The $One Million Grade 1 Resorts World New York Casino Wood Memorial, scheduled for Saturday, April 9, serves as the final prep race on the NYRA circuit for the prestigious Triple Crown, comprising the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont Stakes.


Mentioned as a probable contender for the Resorts World New York Casino Wood Memorial is Queens native Mike Repole's undefeated Uncle Mo. The 3-year-old son of Indian Charlie won the 2010 Eclipse Award for Champion Two-Year-Old Male and is the current favorite for the Kentucky Derby.


The spectacular race card will also include The Carter (G1), The Bay Shore (G3), and The Comely (G1). NYRA will offer a $500,000 Guaranteed All Stakes Pick 4 on races 7 - 10.


All guests will receive a free commemorative Uncle Mo bracelet.


Post time is 1:00 pm EDT.

Lack of OTB Action Brings Bigger Crowd to Aqueduct by David Grening - ESPN

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There was something seen Saturday at Aqueduct that is rarely seen this time of year.

Lines. Lines at the mutuel windows. Lines at the food concessions. Though perhaps not enjoyable for those who had to stand and wait in those lines, the sight of people at the racetrack was encouraging to New York Racing Association officials who are trying to cope with the potential significant loss of business due to the closure of New York City Off-Track Betting Corp. on Wednesday.

A crowd of 5,444 attended the races at Aqueduct on Saturday, a 61-percent increase over last year's attendance of 3,378 for the corresponding Saturday. The ontrack handle of $1,065,015 was up 21 percent from the $882,760 wagered ontrack last year. All-sources handle was $8,798,355, down 7 percent from last year's $9,491,999 last year.

Intrastate handle was down $1,122,938 from last year with $1,044,255 of that having been handled at NYC OTB, according to NYRA statistics. Interstate handle was $6.4 million, a 4-percent increase from last year.

"I thought today exceeded my expectations a little bit," said Charles Hayward, NYRA president and CEO. "It was nice to see the place packed."

A total of 164 patrons took advantage of NYRA's free bus service from select OTB locations in Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, and Staten Island to Aqueduct. That service will be expanded beginning Wednesday - see nyra.com for details - but is not offered for dark-day simulcasting. Also, NYRA signed up an additional 105 NYRA Rewards Accounts on Saturday with "hundreds" more inquiries.

Due to Saturday's large crowd, NYRA was expected to open two additional concession stands at Aqueduct on Sunday. Also, Sunday, NYRA was to begin its experiment with opening Belmont Park's first floor, the Belmont Café, as a simulcast facility. On Monday and Tuesday, both Belmont and Aqueduct will be open for dark-day simulcasting.

Hayward said that he feels NYRA has made progress with New York City officials in its attempt to restore the signal to Channel 71, the channel formerly utilized by NYC OTB in the five boroughs.

"We're hopeful to get it back on Wednesday," Hayward said.

As far as the video-streaming of NYRA's races on-line, that is something that is still being discussed.

Hayward said he sent a letter to the New York State Racing and Wagering Board proposing a 120-day pilot program, during which any regulated in-state advanced deposit wagering entity could video stream NYRA's races.

"We're hoping to resolve that one way or another next week," Hayward said.

Panel Backs Racino for Belmont by James O. Odato -- Times Union - Albany NY

I can't help but wonder...Is the Aqueduct deal for video lottery terminals with Delaware North about to go sour, in favor of Belmont Park..? I sure hope not for the community's sake...

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Project Could Be Hindered by Competing Aqueduct Development

A state panel is recommending a racino and hotel be built at Belmont Park race track to generate jobs and revenue for the state.

Gov. David Paterson embraced the recommendations from Racing & Wagering Board Chairman John Sabini and Empire State Development Corp. President Marisa Lago weeks ago, but kept it under wraps until their report was released Monday.

Sabini and Lago led a group charged with identifying uses for the Nassau County track, which the state acquired from the New York Racing Association. The hotel and racino would be built on 8 acres near the grandstand.

"These would create jobs and enable a sustainable, pedestrian-friendly environment," the report says.

Development plans for another 20 acres should include retail, a smaller hotel, senior housing and some recreational opportunities. "These uses maximize economic benefits and create a lively urban center," the report says.

Paterson spokesman Morgan Hook cautioned that while the governor had accepted the report, he hasn't yet endorsed a specific development plan for Belmont.

The plan is far from a done deal. Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and many members of his conference are not enthused about having Belmont compete with nearby Aqueduct for video lottery terminal customers.

Also, the operators of the proposed Aqueduct VLT racino in Queens must be granted a greater share of VLT revenues if Belmont gets a racino.

Under the deal in which Delaware North agreed to build the racino at Aqueduct, the Buffalo-based gaming company was assured a greater fee if Belmont gets a racino, too.

Legislation would have to be passed to alter the VLT rates to benefit Delaware North — and the company isn't planning to give the state its $370 million up-front payment for rights to operate at Aqueduct until such legislation is in place, according to company officials.

Because Paterson is planning to receive that $370 million by March 31, the legislation is critical in the next few weeks, Delaware North says.

James M. Odato can be reached at 454-5083 or by e-mail at jodato@timesunion.com

Read the full report on Belmont development at http://blogs.timesunion.com/capitol