Hey Bob, are you in Jersey? I've never been in that area, but I would like to experience it - The Bronx, and all the other places that so many movies revolved around.
Which brings me to your avatar and your love for horse tracks, racing, and betting.
Are you a lifetime New York'er?
Do you really go to the track often?
Did you grow up about the time when I did, watching the Three Stooges?
Ever see the movie, The Sting. I can picture you in that movie, as one of Paul Newman's crew. You know, that guy that got his nose smashed? Was cool when they were pulling "The STING" in that phony bar where bets were being made on phony horse races, complete with reading the results off a ticker tape. lol
What is your favorite track?
How much was the most you won / lost?
Good to see you back!
For the delight of Sam and the boredom of the rest of you, here are my answers.
Born in 1959 in Greenpoint Brooklyn, I moved to Ulster County in upstate NY. At he age of 14 my brother in law started taking me to Monticello Raceway just as a companion for the ride. Not much for a kid to do up there so I went. There were people at the track at that time, not like today where tracks are basically empty. It was fun just watching the races and the people. Always bought me a dog and soda win or lose. Taught me how to read a program. Saving a few bucks from my allowance he would take bets for me to the window. My first hit was a horse that paid $20 to show. I was hooked.
In my lifetime I have lost more than I bet. Never lost more than $40 on any single bet or $140 on any single night. Several years ago there was a horse named Peace Pledge that I spotted from an earlier race that I wanted to bet next time out. At this time I am living in NJ and the horse is running at Monmouth Park. Me and my girlfriend drive down to catch the 6th race. She doesn't know about what I want to do. We didn't have OTB at the time and I wanted this horse. I put $40 to win. The horse pays $26.80 and I have it 20 times. I give my girlfriend the ticket to cash. She thinks she is getting $26.80. The teller starts handing her large bills. I got my girl hooked.
I see the horse come up a few weeks later. I plan a trip to Atlantic City for the weekend with her. We are in the race book and I bet $4 to win at 20-1. Time passes and the horse odds go to 80-1. I tell my girl that I'm going to make another bet. $2 win place and show. I also make another $20 win place and show. I hand her the $2 ticket only. The horse pays$185 to win $80 to place and $50 to show. She thinks we won $700. I hand her $300 and tell her to go play slots while I play some poker. I go back to the window and cash for over $3100. That's a lot of money to hide in your wallet.
Monmouth Park is my happy place in the summer. Bring a cooler with beers and snacks, a lawn chair and stretch out. Get some sun, make some bets, maybe come home with a few bucks. It's a day out. Same cost as dinner and a movie.
The Sting? I think I would have been Ray Walston, secondly Harold Gould. I should have remembered the actor that played the schmuck they took the money from.
New Stooges movie coming out this May. Looks good. Till later.
Bob
