New York racing, much like the city itself, never sleeps. As soon as Belmont closes its doors for the winter, Aqueduct opens its gates, picking up right where Belmont Park left off. Known as The Big A, Aqueduct completes NYRAs trio of racetracks and is the only one that can be operated during New Yorks unforgiving winters.I first visited Aqueduct just before Christmas last year. I was just starting to frequent live racing and hadnt been to any racetrack since the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont two months earlier. When I entered the grandstand it was clear that Aqueduct is quite different from its sister tracks, but I was immediately charmed by its quirks. From then on, Ive always had a special place in my heart for Aqueduct. Heres five reasons why you should love it too:1. The RacesAqueduct has one long race calendar, broken up into seasonal meets, that begins in early November and ends in early May. The calendars early highlights include the Grade 1 Cigar Mile and Grade 2 Remsen Stakes over Thanksgiving weekend, and the marquee events conclude with the Grade 1 Wood Memorial in April, which is a major prep race for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands.While many of the summer birds and their equine charges choose to winter at Floridas Gulfstream Park, quality stakes races sprinkled throughout the Aqueduct meet during winter keep a great group of horses and trainers up north.2. The TrackThe reason Aqueduct is able to hold winter racing is that it features an inner dirt track with a special, winterized surface. I also love the paddock, which is large and sunken into the ground, providing an interesting view of the horses and their connections below. Since Aqueduct lacks a backyard area, everything is on the same side of the grandstand.Every time Ive been to Aqueduct theres been a sizeable crowd, but its still easy to navigate the apron and grandstand areas. Most recently I attended this years Cigar Mile, which ran under a gorgeous pink sunset. Definitely one of the best days Ive had at Aqueduct so far.3. The HistoryWhile the connection between horse and track is not as storied as Saratogas, the likeness of Secretariat painted prominently on the side of Aqueducts grandstand is no coincidence. Big Red took his last steps on a racetrack in front of a crowd at Aqueduct in 1973 before being retired to Claiborne Farm.Cigar, a champion I was fortunate enough to meet at the Kentucky Horse Park before he passed away in 2014, began his 16-race win streak with victories in an allowance race and the NYRA Mile (now the Cigar Mile) at Aqueduct in 1994. The track also hosted the second-ever Breeders Cup in 1985.Aqueduct is proud of its champions, with photos of past Cigar Mile, Wood Memorial and Remsen winners gracing almost every wall.4. The CasinoIm not a gambler myself, but if you enjoy casinos Aqueduct is definitely for you. Resorts World Casino is large and new and boasts a wide array of slot machines, game tables and even a few restaurants. It was also New York Citys first legal casino.5. The PeopleFinally, the people are by far my favorite thing about Aqueduct. Since The Big As meet is primarily run during the winter months when its often unpleasant to be outside watching live races, it tends to attract the true fans of racing. Whether its Wood Memorial day or a card full of maiden and allowance races, the atmosphere at Aqueduct is almost as exciting as Belmont Stakes day.Ive also found that the fans at Aqueduct are some of the friendliest Ive met at any track, and many of them are willing to teach new fans the intricacies of the sport. On Wood Memorial day last year, I struck up a conversation with a man who told me about his time working on the backstretch exercising horses years ago. At Saturdays Cigar Mile, I chatted with a fan in a Preakness hat who gave me some tips for attending next years Kentucky Derby.Ive brought a few friends to Aqueduct as their first racetrack experience, and despite some temperamental weather, they liked it enough to come back. I have to give the loyal fans of Aqueduct some credit for always making race days a good time.Congratulations to Connect on winning the 2016 Cigar Mile, and heres to another great winter at Aqueduct!For more stories like this check out Americas Best Racing. http://www.eaglesrookiestore.com/Eagles-Jason-Peters-Jersey/ . Andreas Johnson had a goal and two assists while Jacob de la Rose also scored for Sweden (2-0-0). Esa Lindell and Rasmus Ristolainen replied for Finland (1-1-0) Lindell opened the scoring for Finland just 41 seconds into the game, but the hosts quickly regained their composure and tied the score less than four minutes later on Wennbergs first of the game. http://www.eaglesrookiestore.com/Hoodie/ . Despite dominating possession, Schalke needed an own goal from Nicolas Hoefler for the breakthrough a minute before the interval. The Freiburg midfielder misjudged Jefferson Farfans corner and bundled the ball into his own net. http://www.eaglesrookiestore.com/Eagles-Torrey-Smith-Jersey/ .com) - Manchester City midfielder David Silva is expected to miss the next four weeks because of a calf problem. http://www.eaglesrookiestore.com/Hats/ . Malkin got tangled up with Detroits Luke Glendening early in the third period and his left skate took the brunt of collision with the boards behind Pittsburghs net. http://www.eaglesrookiestore.com/Eagles-Timmy-Jernigan-Jersey/ .C. -- When North Carolina freshman Ryan Switzer reported to training camp in August he was a little miffed to learn he was third on the depth chart at punt returner. ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Bills coach Rex Ryan took full ownership Friday of the decision to fire offensive coordinator Greg Roman, telling reporters he did not feel pressure from team management to make the move following an 0-2 start.This is my move, without question, Ryan said, adding that he met Friday morning with owners Terry and Kim Pegula. The coach said they were supportive of the call to part ways with Roman, the NFLs highest-paid offensive coordinator.Roman, 44, was hired shortly after the Pegulas named Ryan their head coach in January 2015. Roman previously served as the San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator from 2011 to 14.The Bills replaced Roman with assistant head coach/running backs coach Anthony Lynn. The 47-year-old served as Ryans running backs coach with the New York Jets from 2009 to 14, before joining Ryan in Buffalo last season.I think we need a change, Ryan said Friday. I think we have a lot of talent on offense. I believe that. I believe were going to do what we can to put the ball in our playmakers hands. I think Anthony will do that.The change at coordinator comes less than 24 hours after the Bills fell to 0-2 with Thursday nights 37-31 loss to the Jets. Buffalos offense gained 393 total yards in the game, bouncing back from a 160-yard outing in a season-opening, 13-7 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.Meanwhile, Buffalos defense allowed 493 total yards against the Jets offense, including 374 passing yards from Ryan Fitzpatrick, leading Ryan to say after the game he never expected the offensive success of the Jets.On Friday, when asked why Roman was fired despite the defenses struggles Thursday, Ryan responded, I understand [the question]. Certainly the defense has to improve. Theres no douubt about that.dddddddddddd But this, I think if it was appropriate to do something else, then I would have. To me, I thought this was the move that I felt that we needed to make to help our team moving forward.Ryan does not expect drastic changes to the Bills offensive playbook or terminology because the change at coordinator is happening during the regular season. Compounding matters for Lynn will be the Arizona Cardinals stout defense in Week 3.I think, obviously, its going to be very challenging, Ryan said. Theres no question about it. [But] I think our players will be excited about Anthony running the show.Ryan said he hopes quarterback Tyrod Taylor?will benefit from the offensive coordinator shakeup. Taylor?went 8-6 as a first-time starter last season before the Bills extended his contract this summer for up to five additional seasons.I believe [Taylors] ability as a drop-back quarterback, as a quarterback thats athletic, we can do things with, Ryan said. I think hes a rare talent. We have to do things that I think will showcase those abilities a little bit. He has some unique abilities.Ryan also wants to see top receiver Sammy Watkins?catch the ball more often. Watkins has battled foot soreness early this season because of surgery, but he has recorded six catches for 63 yards and no touchdowns through two games.I think Sammy Watkins is a rare talent, Ryan said. Ive had to defend against him, and I know how difficult that was. I thought at the end of last year, we did a great job of getting him the football. I expect that were going to try to get him the football more and more. Camo China NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale Nike NFL Jerseys Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys Youth NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys 2019 Cheap Jerseys 2019 Wholesale Jerseys Free Shipping Wholesale Jerseys 2019 Cheap NFL T-shirts Disocunt Football Jerseys Jerseys NFL Cheap Cheap Jerseys From China Disocunt Football Jerseys Cheap Stitched Jerseys ' ' '