OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Aqueduct Racetrack has been a fixture in New York State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr.’s journey, with the lifelong Ozone Park, Queens resident growing up near the venue that boasts more than a century of great sporting moments. But this year, the Big A’s significance has extended beyond just the paddock, race course and winner’s circle for the representative of the state’s 15th Senate District.

Since mid-January, the first floor of Aqueduct has served as a New York state-run COVID-19 vaccination distribution center. In doing so, Aqueduct, which covers nearly 200 acres in South Ozone Park, joined the New York Racing Association, Inc.’s (NYRA) other downstate track, Belmont Park, as a vaccination distribution center.

“Having a site at Aqueduct means that local residents have a familiar place to go to get their vaccines,” said Addabbo, who has represented the15th district since 2008. “This is not the first time the men and women of NYRA have stepped up to support the community. I thank them for their efforts to protect and support New Yorkers throughout the pandemic.

“Aqueduct is universally known to my constituents, so New York state selected a perfect location for this COVID-19 vaccination site,” Addabbo added. “I applaud them for moving so quickly to transform a racetrack into a vaccination center.”

Using NYRA racetracks to serve the community in times of need goes back decades. In the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy in 2012, NYRA donated the use of the Aqueduct parking lot to the American Red Cross to operate a mobile feeding kitchen and staging area for relief supplies.

Now, with New York state quickly expanding vaccine eligibility, and with supply on the rise, the steadily moving line of people waiting to get into Aqueduct each morning to be vaccinated is a welcome sight. The distribution site operates seven days a week and is now dispensing approximately 1,750 vaccinations per day. Since the site opened in January, more than 40,000 shots have been administered in total.

Last spring, New York state officials identified Aqueduct as an appropriate location for an overflow hospital to serve the residents of Queens in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Fortunately, the overflow hospital was not needed then or now. Beginning in April 2020, the Big A parking lot has been the home of a drive-thru COVID-19 testing location, and it continues in that role.

Addabbo, who still lives just blocks from the track, sold candy outside its clubhouse gate for his grammar school fundraiser. The chairman of the New York State Senate Committee on Racing, Gaming and Wagering says NYRA’s longstanding commitment to the neighborhood mirrors his own, adding that the track has long been a point of convergence and pride for Ozone Park and the borough of Queens.

Addabbo’s committee assignment also has him working with NYRA on issues of importance to both his constituents and the approximately 19,000 people across the state employed in the horse racing industry.

“NYRA at Aqueduct has always been there, not just as a racetrack where Secretariat ran, but as a good community partner, whether it’s stepping up after Superstorm Sandy to donate the use of the parking lot to the American Red Cross or in its current role as a vaccine distribution center,” Addabbo said. “Aqueduct was iconic when I was growing up – and it’s still iconic.”

To determine eligibility and schedule appointments at New York State-run vaccination sites, call 1-833-NYS-4-VAX or visit https://am-i-eligible.covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/.

NYRA Cares reached out to Nancy Underwood, the Saratoga program director for B.E.S.T.

What type of services does B.E.S.T. provide at Saratoga Race Course and how important is that support for people whose lives revolve around the horseracing industry?

“Our offices are in the recreation center on the backstretch on the Oklahoma [training track] side. We can have 100 people a day in our office between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. for a variety of reasons. It could be getting a New York State Gaming Commission license or figuring out how to set up an email address or getting their non-driver’s license ID. There’s a variety of things in addition to the medical services we offer.

“On-property, we subcontract with Saratoga Hospital, our medical provider, so they operate for B.E.S.T. They are a primary health-care clinic, so they handle long-standing patients, but anyone can walk into the clinic who needs something and they will be served, no matter their insurance [situation]. It’s a free service for them. But having a primary care instead of just an urgent care allows us the opportunity to follow up and have a long-term relationship with people to take care of their healthcare needs.”

There’s always been a strong focus from B.E.S.T. on backstretch workers’ mental and social well-being. How has the organization worked to address these challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic?

“We had a delayed start in 2020 and the moment we knew people would be on-property, not once did my staff hesitate to say they’d be there. And they were there every day figuring out ways to meet those needs.

“Instead of meeting in offices, we’d walk around the track and meet people on the backstretch. We were having lower number of visits to the clinic; people were just keeping to themselves, so my clinic staff from Saratoga Hospital brainstormed ways to reach people in a better way. We had doctors and nurses going back every day the clinic was open to deliver lunches and doing wellness checks and going out to the barns. Every day, they’d go out back and check a different area just to make sure everyone was getting the support they needed.”

B.E.S.T. receives support from industry and community partners. What are some programs that have been implemented to enrich the quality of life for those who work on the backstretch?

“We maintained, with John Hendrickson’s office, the backstretch appreciation dinners. Every Sunday during the summer meet, we have volunteers and staff serving between 500-700 meals under our tent. Last summer, we tried to figure out who would still want a meal, so John secured a contract where they delivered 300 boxed dinners every Sunday. My staff handed them out and then drove around to get them to people who couldn’t make it out.

“This summer, we’re already planning for backstretch appreciation events. We received a draft calendar, so fingers crossed we’ll be able to facilitate those programs underneath the new Marylou Whitney Pavilion that’s being built next to the recreation center.

“We usually do education programs, whether it’s occupational-related or health and wellness related. In New York, we have the most comprehensive services for the migrant population across the country. Our racetracks handle and provide the best service, which I’m thankful to be a part of.

“This year, we’re partnering with a Saratoga program called Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga, who have licensed clinicians, and we’re going to design two six-week sessions of a women’s program and build it based on what they want.”

How productive has the collaboration been among NYRA and the New York Thoroughbred Horseman’s Association (NYTHA) working with B.E.S.T.?

“It’s been great. Last year, NYRA sent a horse van up and we sent all of our stuff down to [Belmont] so people who were quarantined had fresh, clean items, blankets and bedding. So, this year, one of our asks is that if people have gently used-items, especially cold-weather gear [blankets, jackets, jeans], we’ll be re-collecting those items to stock up.

“The collaboration between NYRA and NYTHA and B.E.S.T. is so amazing. Every day, we had phone calls to see what was needed. For example, giving people thermometers or following up if someone’s family member was sick. It was incredible to see how everyone came together to make sure things could run smoothly. Sometimes you forget to the whole picture because you’re working on your own thing, but to step back and see how it comes together as a team, it’s so meaningful.”

The Nassau County Veterans Services Agency is hosting an ongoing volunteer opportunity event. Volunteers will be driving veterans to clinics and veteran agencies [vehicles will be provided].

Date and Time: Mondays-Fridays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Contact: Christine Sohmer: 516-572-6526 (csohmer@nassaucountyny.gov)

For more information and to view the flyer, visit: 
https://www.nassaucountyny.gov/2275/VSA-Events