Aqueduct Fall and Winter

[DaveEdwards]

Hello all,

Just seeking some clarification. On the NYRA website it lists the fall meet as running from 6th Nov to 6th Dec.

My query relates to the dirt track. Following the removal of the inner dirt, does this now mean that there will be a winterisation of the outer dirt track and that a new track profile would be required once the winter meet begins? Or is it already done and the track profile will be the same and the meeting changes in name only?

Thank you all.

[Neil S.]

There is no change made to the track. Because the meeting at Aqueduct is so long it is broken into Fall, Winter and Spring meetings. In the past the changeover to the Inner Dirt and then back to the Main track coincided roughly with the change of surface, but now it no longer applies.

[Lt1]

On the contrary the was a big difference between the Main track and inner track a Aqu. Th inner track had an entirely different make up to handle winter racing and the effects of freezing and thawing during serve weather, I had to keep 2 different models just like you have to with inner and outer turf courses at Bel and Sar. Now with the inner track gone and the main track being use for all meets at Aqu there will be a difference in how the track will play during the winter months. I would start a new model and disregard any records one may have had.
Tim

[DaveEdwards]

Thank you both for the replies.

I only asked because I had heard reference to some other tracks making adjustments to their dirt track for the winter months. It may have been Parx, but I'm not 100%.

[Lt1]

Hi Dave. The point I was trying to make was that the main track at Aqu wasn't made for winter racing. To race over it now there had to be changes to the track surface from what it had been. Yrs ago there was no winter racing in NY. I don't recall if they ran over the main last winter since I went away from playing there anymore. And yes Parx is another track that has to contend with freezing an thawing and several times last yr had to cancel when thawing played havoc with the track. Just be prepared for some changes in the track following snow storms or freezing rain at both locations.
Tim

[DaveEdwards]

Hi Tim,
I guess the key learning point here is to maintain records regardless. That way you don't need an official track announcement about maintenance, you'll be able to see the movement straight away

[Lt1]

That goes for any track. I have had winning days simply by seeing that the track was not playing the way my model had been showing. If this happens 2 days in a row it's time to start considering keeping a new model.
Tim

[Neil S.]

The Winter of 2018-2019 was the first time that the Main Track was used as the Inner track was replaced with another turf course. This was initially done as Belmont is scheduled to be winterized over the next few years and eventually the Big A will be closed for racing and the casino operations expanded. I would have expected that the Main Track was probably treated with chemicals to prevent freezing but it is not the same makeup of the old Inner Track.

[Lt1]

Thanks Neil. Bel needs more then the track winterized the whole building needs to be redone. Heck I've been there in OCT and it was freezing inside.
Tim

[Neil S.]

The long term plan is the elimination of Aqueduct and enclosing the grandstand and heating Belmont making it useable year-round. On track attendance was minimal in New York pre-pandemic so they could probably enclose a section of the grandstand or put everyone in the Clubhouse during the Winter months.