Most others are oriented either east or (rarely) west or south. In 1993, the Swift Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack was renamed the Fred "Cappy" Capossela Stakes in his honor. A native of Santa Monica, California, Griffin was backup announcer to Imbriale at the 2021/22 Aqueduct winter meet. Were pleased to have Chris Griffin join us as our full-time announcer. [36], In 2007, the State issued a request for proposals to operate the video lottery terminals at Aqueduct. Mirahmadi is also the track announcer at Santa Anita. She expects to start in December. Paquette has been named as the replacement for Chris Griffin, who will be calling races at Aqueduct starting this winter and Monmouth Park next spring. [1][2] He got his start in thoroughbred racing in 1926 as a writer for the New York Evening Post. The 41-year-old Griffin was also recently named the track announcer for the Aqueduct winter meet that runs from January through April. "NYRA is the pinnacle of this wonderful sport, and these last three years have been filled with incredible moments and races that I will never forget," said Imbriale. "I have gotten to know some of the people at Monmouth Park over the past three years. Jamaica Race Track was closed the same year. Length of stretch: 660 feet. [4][5], Operating near the site of a former conduit of the Brooklyn Waterworks that brought water from eastern Long Island to the Ridgewood Reservoir, Aqueduct Racetrack opened on September 27, 1894, by the Queens County Jockey Club. Late Pick 5 carryover of $189K into Thursday's card at Aqueduct Racetrack | The New York Racing Association. After he switched from grass to dirt, Cigar's first win was by eight lengths in an allowance race on October 28, 1994, and was followed by a seven-length win in the NYRA Mile on November 26, 1994, a Grade 1 race that was renamed in the horse's honor in 1997. The 41-year-old University of Washington graduate currently announces at Grants Pass Downs in Oregon and will begin his third . The 41-year-old Griffin also recently was named the track announcer for the Aqueduct winter meet, which runs from January through April. North American Tracks AQU Aqueduct 24 Fri DED Delta Downs 24 Fri 25 Sat FG Fair Grounds 24 Fri 25 Sat GG Golden Gate Fields 24 Fri GP Gulfstream Park 24 Fri 25 Sat 26 Sun LRL Laurel Park 24 Fri. On June 29, three of the firms submitted bids: SL Green/Hard Rock Cafe, Genting Group, and Penn National. The COVID-19 pandemic struck New York and suspended racing for 2/ months, but Imbriale will be the voice of its return Wednesday when racing opens at Belmont. Chic Anderson's tombstone reads 'World's Greatest Thoroughbred Racing Announcer.'. p: (800) 647-6571 Currently, one annual meeting is held at Aqueduct, usually from the last Wednesday in October until the first Sunday in May. Throwback Thursday: March 2008 Steeplechase Times, Saratoga Stories: Second Chances program on the rise, Saratoga Stories: Weber relishes tour guide post, For Zilla, agony to ecstasy in 30 minutes. Do Not Sell My Information, Send us your feedback | Check our today's best picks on Laurel Park. Find all information about our live horse racing here at Monmouth Park. Although he will step away from the microphone at Saratoga Race Course and Aqueduct Racetrack, Imbriale will continue to serve as primary track announcer at Belmont Park in 2023 and beyond. To be able to fill in over that time, and to do so for Frank Mirahmadi, someone I respect immensely in this industry and as an announcer, has meant a lot to me. [3] The facility houses the headquarters of the New York Racing Association (NYRA). "We're pleased to have Chris Griffin join us as our full-time announcer. The high regard with which she is held in our industry along with a tremendous work ethic makes her the perfect person to usher in this exciting new era not only for Parx but for the sport as a whole.. [55], On January 4, 2012, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the construction of a new convention center on the Aqueduct Racetrack to replace the aging Javits Center. There has been a tremendous legacy in the Monmouth Park announcer's booth for the past 50 years, from Bob Weems to Larry Collmus to Travis Stone to Frank Mirahmadi, and we feel Chris will carry on that tradition," said Dennis Drazin, chairman and CEO of Darby Development, operators of Monmouth Park. I guess thats about as apropos as you can get for a return race after COVID-19. The company said its plans involve 1,200 construction jobs and 800 permanent jobs, and that it will bring the state $500 million a year in revenue. and Mirahmadi went on to call at Golden Gate and Aqueduct. Paterson was reported to have demanded that the ownership of an affirmative action component. *You must be 18 or older for horse race wagering and 21 or older for sports wagering. Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts. A portion of Camp Akeela's earnings will help fund the scholarship program. He earned that . There has been a tremendous legacy in the Monmouth Park announcers booth for the past 50 years, from Bob Weems to Larry Collmus to Travis Stone to Frank Mirahmadi, and we feel Chris will carry on that tradition, said Dennis Drazin, Chairman and CEO of Darby Development LLC, operators of Monmouth Park. However . This story was posted in Top News and tagged Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park, Chris Griffin, Frank Mirahmadi, John Imbriale, New York Racing Association, Saratoga Race Course. Mirahmadi joined NYRA in 2017 as NYRA's backup track announcer, primarily calling races during the winter meet at Aqueduct in splitting duties with John Imbriale. "Aqueduct Racetrack plays a central role in New York's thoroughbred racing ecosystem, and it was a privilege to be able to call races there last winter," said Griffin. He also serves as the track announcer for the Monmouth-at-Meadowlands meet and will continue in that role going forward. He has served as Collmus backup since Collmus was hired in 2014 and follows in a long line of legendary race callers that includes Tom Durkin, Marshall Cassidy, Chic Anderson, Dave Johnson and Fred Capossela. Reach Mike MacAdam at 518-395-3146 or [emailprotected]. In May 2007, reports indicated that then-New York Governor Eliot Spitzer was considering closing Aqueduct and selling the 192-acre (0.78km2) track and its stables, which currently house 400 horses, to developers when the New York Racing Association lease expired at the end of 2007. "I'm so thankful to NYRA for the opportunity to call world-class racing at a track that has so much history and tradition," Mirahmadi said. Frank Mirahmadi, who has called races at the Big A. Paul Halloran, who lives near Boston, is a regular contributor to The Saratoga Special and other ST projects. 24 Fri. LAD Louisiana Downs. [54] The New York Racing Association, which owns Aqueduct, took advantage by offering former NYCOTB customers free bus shuttle service from select former NYCOTB branches to Aqueduct Racetrack with a free hot dog, soft drink, and Post Parade program. [6][7] The track was named "Aqueduct" after the former Ridgewood Aqueduct. 5. Phone: (800) 589-7441. Download Today's Edition Imbriale's 43-year tenure with NYRA dates to 1979 when he won aNew York Daily Newscontest, which gave him the opportunity to call a race and work with the NYRA press office. [2][3] Three years later he was promoted to lead announcer. Races had been run on the Inner Dirt Track between the Wednesday after Thanksgiving until just before the Wood Memorial in recent years. Imbriale will officially assume his new duties effective immediately. @TomAmossRacing. Within four years, the NYRA had demolished the old Aqueduct and in 1959 opened the modern Aqueduct Racetrack. [57] Building the convention center would require additional land, which could include nearby City-owned lots leased to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for airport parking or the adjacent racetrack (as racing could be consolidated to Belmont Park). The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced that John Imbriale will retire as NYRAs full-time track announcer at the end of 2022. Ive been so lucky to be surrounded by incredible race callers during my career. The team at Parx knows what I bring to the table. Remembering Chic Anderson's Legendary Call of Secretariat's Record Run at 1973 Belmont Stakes. I had a lot of unexcused absences in high school, said Paquette, who owns two retired Thoroughbreds, What a Trippi and Puget Sound. The track itself has three courses. [43], Aqueduct Entertainment Group partners included GreenStar Services Corporation, Turner Construction Company, Levine Builders, The Darman Group, Empowerment Development Corporation, Navegante Group, PS&S Design, Siemens AG, and Clairvest Group. 60 Broad St. During this time rapper Jay-Z, through his company Gain Global Investments Network LLC, then got a 7% ownership of AEG; and charges were made that Jay-Z and Paterson had a personal relationship. Your TDN download has begun. A race-day crowd of 120,139 -- largest ever to see a sporting event in New York -- became muted unexpectedly in late afternoon. [40][41][42] On January 29, 2010, Governor David Paterson announced that the Aqueduct Entertainment Group would run the casino. Aqueduct's biggest stakes: Wood Memorial, scheduled on April 6 for the 2019 Wood Memorial. As a 14-year-old, she went to the 1999 Breeders Cup at Gulfstream Park as part of the Kids to the Cup program, and that was all she needed. I felt the history and tradition of Saratoga Race Course the moment I entered the gates for the first time 25 years ago, said Mirahmadi. Each has impeccable credentials: Durkin is the voice of the Breeders' Cup and regular track announcer at Belmont, Aqueduct and Saratoga; Denman is the popular announcer for Santa Anita and Del Mar in southern California; and Battaglia, is the voice of Turfway Park, Keeneland simulcasts, and Churchill Downs, of course, the home of the Kentucky . Its an honor, Imbriale said. [45][46] On March 9, 2010, Paterson, Flake, and Jay-Z withdrew from further involvement. Mirahmadi is also the track announcer at Santa Anita. Sportscaster Tom Durkin was the chief track announcer at Aqueduct and the other NYRA tracks until his retirement on August 31, 2014. [20][21][22] On May 31, 1965, 73,375 spectators were on hand at Aqueduct and watched Gun Bow win the Metropolitan Mile. The Q37 bus route serves Aqueduct Racetrack and was rerouted in 2011 to serve the casino. The track played host to the second ever Breeders' Cup on November 2, 1985. Imbriale's 43-year tenure with NYRA dates to 1979 when he won a New York Daily News contest, which gave him the opportunity to call a race and work with the NYRA press office. In the fall of 2018 Griffin was named the track announcer at Sam Houston while pulling double duty as Marketing Manager. Frank Mirahmadi, the track announcer at Santa Anita Park since 2018 and Monmouth Park since 2015, will take over the race calling duties at Saratoga Race Course in 2023. Inside of the main track are two courses: the 1 mile (1.6km) Main Turf Course, and the Inner Turf Course measuring 7.065 furlongs (1.421km). [50] On August 3, 2010, Lottery officials announced they had accepted Genting Group's $380 million upfront licensing fee bid, which was $55 million more than the closest competing bid. Johnson and Cantey followed Wright (a CBS Sports mainstay) to the big time in 1978, with Johnson calling his first . CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE TDN FOR FREE! 0. When he announced his move, I thought Why not me? and I put my hat in the ring. Imbriale has served as NYRA's full-time track announcer since January 2020, the latest in a line of distinguished New York race callers including the likes of Durkin, Dave Johnson, and Fred "Cappy" Caposella. "Being able to call races in New York for . I thank NYRA for this opportunity and can't wait to get back to the Big A to begin this new role.. TV personalities have included: The following graded stakes will run at Aqueduct in 2022: The track has its own New York City Subway station, Aqueduct Racetrack, served by the IND Rockaway Line (A train). Jason Beem, who has called races at numerous Thoroughbred tracks since 2006, has been hired as the announcer at Tampa Bay Downs. Cassidy, who died Sunday at the age of 75, was noted for. According to the reports, Belmont Park, which is 8 miles (13km) east in Elmont, New York, would have become a nearly year-round track and would get the video lottery machines authorized to operate at Aqueduct. In addition, his prior experience includes calling races at Oaklawn Park, Louisiana Downs, Golden Gate Fields, and Hialeah Park. Mirahmadi is also the track announcer at Santa Anita Park. [50] Genting opened the Resorts World Casino New York City on October 28, 2011, with 2,280 gaming terminals. [17], Aqueduct is the site of the first (and still the only) triple dead heat for the win in a stakes race. Ready to elevate your bets? Details. 5-furlong chute. AQUEDUCT - 12/19/21 . Patrick McKenna, the senior director of communications for the New York Racing Association, released the following statement to the Paulick Report on Tuesday: "Following the conclusion of the. Aqueduct; Location: New York City (South Ozone Park, Queens), New York United States: Owned by: State of New York: Operated by: New York Racing Association: Date opened: September 27, 1894 (128 years ago) () Screened on: The Wood Memorial is Aqueduct's marquee race, which culminates the winter meet. In addition to Griffin, she is very close with Jason Beem, and she said Frank Mirahmadi and Nick Tammaro have been very supportive as well. He worked as backup track announcer to Dave Johnson and Chic Anderson. Griffin was named the track announcer at Sam Houston in 2018. Get up-close-and-personal with track announcer Tom Durkin and watch him call a race in his booth high atop the grandstand at the Big A. Durkins job is to cal. There has been a tremendous legacy in the Monmouth Park announcer's booth for the past 50 years, from Bob Weems to Larry Collmus to Travis Stone to Frank Mirahmadi, and we feel Chris will carry on that tradition, said Dennis Drazin, Chairman and CEO of Darby Development LLC, operators of Monmouth Park. 5 Sat. It has been a long time coming for Imbriale, who started at NYRA in 1979 after winning a newspaper contest to call a race and work in the press office. Marshall Cassidy, who served as the New York Racing Association track announcer from 1979-90 and was noted for his enduring accuracy and even-keeled delivery, died Feb. 7. Thats when I realized I had work to do on pace and timing, she said. Not a subscriber? Mirahmadi, a Los Angeles native, has served as the Monmouth Park announcer for the past four years. Aqueduct Racetrack plays a central role in New Yorks thoroughbred racing ecosystem, and it was a privilege to be able to call races there last winter, said Griffin. 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