Big A: Free parking, admission

NEW YORK - The New York Racing Association board of directors approved a plan on Wednesday to eliminate parking and general admission fees during most of the Aqueduct winter meet.

The fees will be eliminated beginning the first week of January until mid-March, when the inner-track meet at Aqueduct ends, according to NYRA chairman Barry Schwartz. Parking at Aqueduct is normally $1, and general admission is also $1.

"Those months are a really tough time for New York, and we think this is something the fans deserve," Schwartz said after the board meeting.

Schwartz said that the NYRA board also approved the association's 2002 budget and stakes schedule at the meeting. NYRA, a quasi-public agency, is required by law to approve those items before the end of the year.