William Alempijevic
NYTHA Executive Director
October 29, 2021
To our Members,
Please see the NYRA Press Release, below, announcing the welcome news that
Aqueduct Racetrack will re-open to fans – who can provide proof of vaccination – when the
Fall Meet begins on Thursday, November 11.
Yesterday, we sent an email to membership containing additional information regarding
acceptable proof of vaccination and NYRA’s use of new “Vaccinated” stickers for the
credentials of owners, trainers and their staff to expedite the process when entering
Aqueduct.
That email may be found HERE.
Please let us know if we can assist you with the vaccine regulation or any other concern.
Regards,
Will
Thursday, October 28, 2021
Aqueduct Racetrack to Re-Open to Fans on November 11
NYC requires all fans to demonstrate proof of vaccination
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ELMONT, N.Y.–The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced that
Aqueduct Racetrack will re-open to the public on Thursday, November 11, Opening Day of
the 2021 fall meet.
Originally closed to fans during the height of the COVID-19 emergency in March of 2020,
Aqueduct then became the site of a New York State mass vaccination center in January
2021.
The vaccination center, which has distributed more than 300,000 COVID-19 inoculations
to date, was a critical piece in the New York State led effort to quickly and efficiently
vaccinate New Yorkers. The size and scope of the center, which occupied the entirety of
Aqueduct’s first floor, required the continued closure of the facility to the general public.
“We are proud to have partnered with New York State so that so many New Yorkers had
easy access to these incredibly important vaccines,” said NYRA President and CEO Dave
O’Rourke. “NYRA would also like to thank our loyal fans for their patience as we worked to
bring them back to the Big A. Aqueduct is New York City’s racetrack, and we couldn’t be
happier to finally be able to open the doors once again on November 11.”
While the vaccination center will remain in operation, its footprint will be reduced and
consolidated. Appointments are optional and walk-ins are currently being accommodated
for COVID-19 vaccinations at Aqueduct. For additional information, and details on
eligibility for booster doses, please visit https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/.
New York City has established strict vaccine requirements for nearly all indoor settings.
Proof of vaccination is currently required to enter indoor entertainment venues, sports
arenas, restaurants, movie theaters, music and concert venues, museums, aquariums and
zoos, convention centers, exhibition halls, hotel meeting and event spaces, performing
arts theaters, bowling alleys, arcades and a host of other settings.
This vaccine requirement is inclusive of fans, employees, vendors and anyone else who
physically enters the venue. Accordingly, and in compliance with New York City law,
anyone seeking to enter Aqueduct Racetrack must show proof of vaccination in order to
gain admittance.
This program, called the Key to NYC, prohibits NYRA from allowing entrance to Aqueduct
to anyone over the age of 12 who cannot demonstrate proof that the individual has
received at least one dose of a vaccine. NYRA will accept the CDC vaccination card and
the New York State Excelsior pass as proof of vaccination.
NYRA previously announced that the Belmont fall meet, originally scheduled to conclude
on October 31, will be extended to include three additional dates from Friday, November 5
through Sunday, November 7. These dates were originally scheduled to be run at
Aqueduct Racetrack as opening weekend of the Aqueduct fall meet. As a result, the 15-
day Aqueduct fall meet will now begin on Thursday, November 11 and continue through
Sunday, December 5.
Admission to Aqueduct, which will be open to the public on live race days only, is free of
charge. The gates will open daily at 11 a.m. First post during the Aqueduct fall meet is
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12:30 p.m.
Fans visiting Aqueduct should use the Clubhouse Entrance to provide the required proof
of vaccination. Preferred parking will be $10 daily in the Clubhouse lot and general parking
with be in the Conduit lot. All parking fees must be paid via credit card.
For additional information, visit NYRA.com.
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