Cuomo announced the construction of a new convention center on the Aqueduct Racetrack to replace the aging Javits Center. This would be the country's largest convention center, featuring hotels, restaurants, and expanded gambling. 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). On June 1, 2012, Governor Cuomo announced that plans to build the convention center had been canceled. Track announcers and television personalities Sportscaster Tom Durkin was the chief track announcer at Aqueduct and the other NYRA tracks until his retirement on August 31, 2014. Races are now called by NYRA track announcer John Imbriale. TV personalities have included: Harvey Pack (1995–1999) Paul Corman (1995–1999) John M. Veitch (1995–1999) John Imbriale (1995–2005) Jan Rushton (1995–2009) Jason Blewitt (2006–2017) Eric Donovan (2006–present) Andy Serling (2008–present) Rich McCarthy (1995–1999) Mike Watchmaker (1995–1999) Michael Sherack (1997–2000) Kelly Gecewicz (2000–2005) Mary Ryan (1995–1999) Travis Stone (2014–2017) Maggie Wolfendale (2010–present) Acacia Clement (2022-present) Racing The following graded stakes will run at Aqueduct in 2022: Grade I: Carter Handicap Cigar Mile Handicap Grade II: Demoiselle Stakes Gazelle Stakes Remsen Stakes Red Smith Handicap Wood Memorial Stakes Grade III: Non-Graded: Transportation The track has its own New York City Subway station, Aqueduct Racetrack, served by the IND Rockaway Line (). It has only one platform on the Brooklyn-bound side, requiring southbound travelers to transfer to a northbound train at Aqueduct–North Conduit Avenue station, which is located a few blocks to the south. NYRA also operates a free shuttle bus between the North Conduit Avenue station and the Clubhouse entrance. The Q37 bus route serves Aqueduct Racetrack and was rerouted in 2011 to serve the casino. The Q7, Q11 and Q41 bus routes also pass nearby. In popular culture The film Lucky Number Slevin features scenes at "Aqueduct Racetrack", which were filmed at a track in Canada. There is a scene with Aqueduct Racetrack in the movie A Bronx Tale. In The Odd Couple episode "Felix the Horse Player", Felix and Oscar go to Aqueduct. The Sopranos episode "Pie-O-My" features a number of scenes at the racetrack. See also New York Racing Association Belmont Park Saratoga Race Course References External links Aqueduct Racetrack official site Vendors at Aqueduct Flea Market Seek New Home as Closing Nears