Aqueduct

Aqueduct, or the Big "A" as many nicknamed it was a magnificent and boastfully large racetrack for thoroughbred race horses.  Covering opulent real estate, the immense elliptical track was made of dirt,while the inner course was layered in turf. An immaculately manicured lawn with two corresponding ponds decorated the innermost area.  Completing this picture was a commanding two-tiered grandstand which faced both courses and could be seen for miles and miles.

While in elemenary school, The Big A proved to be more than a mere racetrack, it was my trusty alarm clock.  Every thirty minutes, I heard the thunderous roar from racing spectators reach a fevor pitch when the thoroughbreds sped towards the finsh line in front of the grandstand.  Many times the intensity of the cheering spurred small breaks in class.

My dad, his friend Ziggy, and my Uncle Al enjoyed, what they called, "the horses."  Dad found himself in the "doghouse" because of them, Ziggy found them fascinating and bought one, but it was Uncle Al who would inexplicably win big due to them.

I could never quite figure out why many have an attraction to this.  What was the allure?  Some said thoroghbreds were beautiful whereas I found them dirty or slimy and always stinky.  On my first visit to the Big A the only joy I found wasn't looking at a race but gathering losing tickets that were scattered throughout grounds of the grandstand.

My second trip to the Big A, or to be more precise, the Big A parking lot proved to be a resounding success.  My brother and I meandered thru row after row of the newly tranformed flea market which offered discounts on hammers to housewares.  Our goal awaited us as we were approached the exit- two steel rimed radial tires that set us back a whopping five bucks.

The landscape at Aqueduct altered once more with the addition of Resorts World Casino where that flea market had once thrived.  But the largest and most luxurios extension to Aqueduct Raceway combined entertainment, dining, and gaming under one roof. Resorts World Casino has prooven to be a sure bet to make The Big A an even Bigger A.