I happened on this video out on YouTube posted by callmereggie which is a tour of the physical plant at Aqueduct. Needless to say it's not too pretty and I would bet callmereggie would like to see someone other than the NYRA get the franchsie and from this video I would say he is right.
And here's another great documentary on Aqueduct and winter racing in New York posted by onedogwoof. It's been on YouTube for a year but I have never seen it and don't remember anyone linking to it, good stuff.
A horse racing blog written by an overly enthusiastic fan whose mantra is alternative content.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Abandoned Warehouse or NYRA Track. Aqueduct: Pigeon Shit and Rust
Posted by John at Sunday, November 11, 2007
Labels: Aqueduct
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4 comments:
John - The first video was filmed in the sections of Aqueduct that have been shuttered for at least two years now, originally in anticipation of the MGM slots parlor. The fact that it remains in that state is, to me, more of a result of the state's waffling on approving the construction than any fault of NYRA. If he had taken his camera to the clubhouse, particularly to the third floor, he would have filmed a clean, quite pleasant (and recently painted), and often vibrant scene. I think the video is a cheap shot myself.
Agreed with Alan. Most of the second- and third-floor grandstand have been blocked off and shuttered since at least 2001 (before slots were even under consideration). The public areas are fine.
A big part of the Big A's charm for me is the retro feel it has. The place is straight from another era (when they could get 35,000 out for a day of racing). It's still a great place to enjoy the races.
Just because they shuttered it up doesn't excuse them from performing some basic maintainence.
It's hard for this observer to believe that the NYRA deserves to be awarded the franchise while only maintaining the nonshuttered areas. How hard is it to clean up some pigeon shit and throw refuse like a hospital bed away? Not too hard in my opinion. A minimal amount of painting might keep the facility from rotting away.
I think the video speaks volumes about the mindset of the NYRA.
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