Endeavor to Finish Work Before Aqueduct Opening: Adding 5000 Sq. Ft. of Space to Clubhouse to Relieve Congestion, Daily Racing Form, 1954-06-12

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Endeavor to Finish Work Before Aqueduct Opening Adding 5,000 Sq. Ft. of Space to Clubhouse to Relieve Congestion AQUEDUCT, L. I., N. Y., June 11. In a finish which promises to be as dramatic as the famous Triple dead-heat in the Carter Handicap of 1944, workmen are scrambling to put the finishing touches oh-the various improvements in time for Aqueducts opening on Monday. The Queens County Jockey Club has undertaken an extensive program to improve conditions at its track. Top item is the construction of an additional 5,000 square feet of clubhouse space which will result in another entrance and relieve congestion in the area. This was done by extending the flooring for a depth of 60 feet to the railroad tracks. This also makes possible, for the first time, the sale of tickets and Daily Doubles in the clubhouse mezzanine by the addition of 22 mutuels windows. Already completed is another important phase of Aqueducts all-out fire prevention plan with the construction of two motel-type dormitories which will sleep 75 stable employes. Surveys show that most race track fires are traceable to carelessness by help living in the barns and Queens County Jockey Club officials constructed the dwellings to forestall any accident. A new lake also has been added to the southern end of the infield. Last year track superintendent Lennie Litwak solved a drainage problem by building a small pond. This year he induced Cyrus S. Jullien, president of Aqueduct, to permit him to quadruple this area and the result is a large lake, complete with landscaped island. The heavy spring rains have greatly benefitted the infield turf and the two jumping courses, hurdles and steeplechase, have been pronounced in excellent condition by horsemen who have been schooling their charges through the field. The opening day flag-raising ceremony takes on added significance this year because of flag day. A group of 50 soldiers, stationed at the track, will march to the flagpole in the centerfield where the four-man color guard of the 69th anti-aircraft battery, will raise the colors to the music of Major Francis Sutherland and his 7th Regiment Band.


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1950s/drf1954061201/drf1954061201_20_1
Local Identifier: drf1954061201_20_1
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800