HORSEPLOP.COM

General Category => Harness Racing => Topic started by: wizardofoz on June 13, 2023, 08:18:16 PM

Title: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: wizardofoz on June 13, 2023, 08:18:16 PM
My friend found 2 old newspapers he kept from decades ago.  I looked at the NY Daily News race results from 1974.  On a Friday night Yonkers had over 12,000 in attendance for 9 races and did almost $2.1 million!  In the 1983 NY Daily News, on a Tuesday night, Roosevelt had almost 7000 in attendance with a handle of $1 million on track and $398,000 by OTB.  The same night the Meadowlands had over 12,600 in attendance with a handle of $1.8 million! Interesting past for harness racing.
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Fuguzzi on June 13, 2023, 08:33:53 PM
I can remember summer crowds in the halcyon days over 25000   sometimes 30    Monticello summer   Grandstand packed with 7 or 8000    top floor Monti - Milky Way lounge  lotsa hot girls - swinging 70s
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: gogasgoboom on June 13, 2023, 08:37:09 PM
I remember Tommy James & The Shondells playing pre race concert at Monticello in the 70's.
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Fuguzzi on June 13, 2023, 08:38:25 PM
I saw frankie valli   at monti 76   trailer stage right on the track after the races   great memories
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Senator Blutarsky on June 13, 2023, 08:42:47 PM
Sometimes when you put your bets in, went home and didn't feel like calling the result line that Daily News sports page with the results section the next morning was a staple breakfast inclusion, matching the tickets up.....just had a classic, quaint feel.......now long gone! 

Ink on your fingers, losing tickets flying across the room and tucking the winners in your wallet!   ngc3
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Generation XYZ on June 13, 2023, 08:48:54 PM
My friend found 2 old newspapers he kept from decades ago.  I looked at the NY Daily News race results from 1974.  On a Friday night Yonkers had over 12,000 in attendance for 9 races and did almost $2.1 million!  In the 1983 NY Daily News, on a Tuesday night, Roosevelt had almost 7000 in attendance with a handle of $1 million on track and $398,000 by OTB.  The same night the Meadowlands had over 12,600 in attendance with a handle of $1.8 million! Interesting past for harness racing.

Racing was at its heyday then. Pretty cools stuff considering. The automation and gaming from the the computer ended all that. Simulcast had a role also.
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: SeattleSlew on June 13, 2023, 08:49:51 PM
From July of 1974 through July of 1988 my wife and I would sit on the finish line in the Clubhouse at RR (took VERY good care of the ticket guy, who always held the seats for us.)  We would be sitting out there with thick blankets in January while it was snowing ;>>)  RR was built as a racing showcase and it certainly was.  I recall in the 1960's when Speedy Scot was racing one night they had over 50,000 in person (not sure of the handle.)  When they tore the place down my wife went over there (we lived on the South Shore) and paid the workmen to load the two finish line seats from the clubhouse into our trunk and gave them to me as a birthday present.

Great memories.  From 1971 till 2000 we owned about 18-20 really nice trotters (that was before trotters became so "popular") and raced them mostly in the Roosevelt/Yonkers/Meadowlands circuit, with quite a few trips out to Freehold also (and Anthony Abbatiello's farm, along with great Mac & Cheese for lunch at the American Hotel.)
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Generation XYZ on June 13, 2023, 08:53:11 PM
From July of 1974 through July of 1988 my wife and I would sit on the finish line in the Clubhouse at RR (took VERY good care of the ticket guy, who always held the seats for us.)  We would be sitting out there with thick blankets in January while it was snowing ;>>)  RR was built as a racing showcase and it certainly was.  I recall in the 1960's when Speedy Scot was racing one night they had over 50,000 in person (not sure of the handle.)  When they tore the place down my wife went over there (we lived on the South Shore) and paid the workmen to load the two finish line seats from the clubhouse into our trunk and gave them to me as a birthday present.

Great memories.  From 1971 till 2000 we owned about 18-20 really nice trotters (that was before trotters became so "popular") and raced them mostly in the Roosevelt/Yonkers/Meadowlands circuit, with quite a few trips out to Freehold also (and Anthony Abbatiello's farm, along with great Mac & Cheese for lunch at the American Hotel.)

SS thats a great story. Very cool the Mrs. obtained the seats. Hope they stay in the family for many years to come.
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Harness Stats on June 13, 2023, 08:56:02 PM
I can remember summer crowds in the halcyon days over 25000   sometimes 30    Monticello summer   Grandstand packed with 7 or 8000    top floor Monti - Milky Way lounge  lotsa hot girls - swinging 70s

Roosevelt ..  On August 20, 1960 attendance was 54,861 for a racing card that included the International Trot, which at the time was the largest crowd to witness a horse race in the U.S.

Yonkers ..  From New York Times article 1984 "No other harness track in history has yet come close to challenging the 25,800 average daily attendance set at Yonkers during the early 1970's."     DAILY

That article from almost 40 years ago was already complaining about the decline in attendance.  If they saw todays attendance or lack of  stats they would never believe it.

https://www.nytimes.com/1984/07/22/nyregion/raceway-seeks-image-crowds-of-days-past.html
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Superfecta on June 13, 2023, 09:13:35 PM
I saw frankie valli   at monti 76   trailer stage right on the track after the races   great memories

I remember seeing that show and The 5th Dimension and Sha Na Na there.
Gloria Romano won the first beauty pageant and the largest crowd ever was 26,000 to see Sugar Ray Leonard fight Roberto Duran on closed circuit tv.
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Fuguzzi on June 13, 2023, 09:51:58 PM
I remember seeing that show and The 5th Dimension and Sha Na Na there.
Gloria Romano won the first beauty pageant and the largest crowd ever was 26,000 to see Sugar Ray Leonard fight Roberto Duran on closed circuit tv.
Nice   so cool that you were there too    I also saw whichever Spinks brother was gonna fight Ali   he was training at Kutchers hotel and they actually put a ring in the winner circle   he came down in trunks and a robe right out of the grandstand   place was packed   he shadowboxed and talked to the crowd for around 15 minutes   he was accompanied by a bodyguard who was freaking enormous  just a huge man  i yelled out to spinks that HE should fight ali   Spinks said the guy would kick Ali's ass     what great times
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: tumbleweed on June 13, 2023, 09:58:01 PM
Thats when monti used to have night racing and lights. Good times had by all. Showcase of the mountains.
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Fuguzzi on June 13, 2023, 10:02:22 PM
Thats right    and on sunday afternoons at Monti in the dining room they had 2 maitre'ds in tuxedos and you had to have reservations   I can still hear John Cerabino screaming out from his permanent table near the 2 betting windows "FOR THE BEAN"!
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Superfecta on June 13, 2023, 10:20:56 PM
Thats right    and on sunday afternoons at Monti in the dining room they had 2 maitre'ds in tuxedos and you had to have reservations   I can still hear John Cerabino screaming out from his permanent table near the 2 betting windows "FOR THE BEAN"!

You needed to get a reserved seat for the grandstand as well.
Downstairs at track level they had a small cafeteria and an outstanding soft ice cream stand.
A $50 betting window and that's where you had to go to cash your signers. I used to love that place.
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Fuguzzi on June 13, 2023, 10:29:36 PM
The lady at that window was Humberto Rodriguez's GF
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Fuguzzi on June 13, 2023, 10:30:57 PM
Jimmy Allen  Joe Ricco jr    Johnny Desimone   Ronnie Ingrassia    Joe Romano    Del Biccum
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Fuguzzi on June 13, 2023, 10:36:49 PM
almost forgot John Gilmour and Larry Rolla
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Superfecta on June 13, 2023, 10:38:31 PM
Jimmy Allen  Joe Ricco jr    Johnny Desimone   Ronnie Ingrassia    Joe Romano    Del Biccum

Marvin Maker   John and George Gilmour   Cat Manzi   Jimmy Marohn

Dels Comet   
Bomber Bill
Hi Hope Rick   ;D
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Fuguzzi on June 13, 2023, 10:44:09 PM
good ones   Marvin Maker was one weird dude   
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Fuguzzi on June 13, 2023, 10:52:12 PM
Of course alot guys passed thru on their way to better thins John Patterson jr   Walter Case  Luc Ouelltte   Gary mosher
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Superfecta on June 13, 2023, 10:53:15 PM
good ones   Marvin Maker was one weird dude

Did you know the tall guy that sat in the green box that was adjacent to the restaurant. I think his name was Steve. He bet for John Gilmour and Dave Marshall.
He would whisper to the teller so nobody should hear his bets and he had a 300-400 pound friend that would stand behind him when he bet to get some distance from the other players.
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Superfecta on June 13, 2023, 10:55:13 PM
Of course alot guys passed thru on their way to better thins John Patterson jr   Walter Case  Luc Ouelltte   Gary mosher

Absolutely. That was their minor league. Lucien Fontaine and Carmine drove there for a short time.
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Fuguzzi on June 13, 2023, 10:56:04 PM
Did the guy have very curly hair   rather thin and pale for his height   looked jewish?     I thjnk the huge guy had dark hair slicked back
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Senator Blutarsky on June 13, 2023, 10:57:08 PM
Absolutely. That was their minor league. Lucien Fontaine and Carmine drove there for a short time.

Ron Marsh Jr.
Jimmy "buried 3rd on rail" Marohn

2 losers, burnt over 50 billion dollars!   ngc3
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Fuguzzi on June 13, 2023, 10:58:58 PM
Did you know the tall guy that sat in the green box that was adjacent to the restaurant. I think his name was Steve. He bet for John Gilmour and Dave Marshall.
He would whisper to the teller so nobody should hear his bets and he had a 300-400 pound friend that would stand behind him when he bet to get some distance from the other players.
Dave Marshall was real trash and an angry and sometimes violent man   but his brother john Marshall a respected and very good horseman from New Englandb   they wore totally different colors
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Superfecta on June 13, 2023, 11:02:39 PM
Did the guy have very curly hair   rather thin and pale for his height   looked jewish?     I thjnk the huge guy had dark hair slicked back

yes, curly hair. Maybe thin but standing next to a big fat guy can make you look thin. I would see these guys with John Gilmour and Dave Marshall exchanging money early in the morning at the Round Robin across the road from the track.
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Fuguzzi on June 13, 2023, 11:06:57 PM
Yup  I know exactly who you mean     Do you remember a guy downstairs at YR and RR who looked just like Rod Stewart  always had flashy cowboy boots on and 2 or 3 girls on his arm?
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: wizardofoz on June 13, 2023, 11:20:51 PM
Getting the hot pretzels on the charcoal grill outside the exit doors after the last race at Roosevelt is a classic memory of that time.  I also remember a new driver/trainer decades ago at Monticello one day when I was there that shipped in a horse named Derby's Gent who won 21 of 22 races I think out of town.  That driver was John Campbell and the rest is history. --------Campbell said another horse was more responsible for setting him on a course to becoming the most successful money-winning driver in the sport’s history ($296 million and counting). “The one that I raced against the top horses at a young age was Derbys Gent… Derbys Gent was the first time I went to Roosevelt. I was 20 or 21 years old, I think,” Campbell said. “We were racing at Monticello and he had won his way out of Monticello and they invited us down for just a special free-for-all. Then he raced against Rambling Willie and Handle With Care in the Provincial Cup at Windsor. He gave me a chance to see racing at the highest level.”    (https://standardbredcanada.ca/sites/default/files/Derbys-Gent-Goderich-640px.jpg)
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Fuguzzi on June 13, 2023, 11:32:18 PM
Getting the hot pretzels on the charcoal grill outside the exit doors after the last race at Roosevelt is a classic memory of that time.  I also remember a new driver/trainer decades ago at Monticello one day when I was there that shipped in a horse named Derby's Gent I believe who won 21 of 22 races I think out of town.  That driver was John Campbell and the rest is history. --------Campbell said another horse was more responsible for setting him on a course to becoming the most successful money-winning driver in the sport’s history ($296 million and counting). “The one that I raced against the top horses at a young age was Derbys Gent… Derbys Gent was the first time I went to Roosevelt. I was 20 or 21 years old, I think,” Campbell said. “We were racing at Monticello and he had won his way out of Monticello and they invited us down for just a special free-for-all. Then he raced against Rambling Willie and Handle With Care in the Provincial Cup at Windsor. He gave me a chance to see racing at the highest level.”    (https://standardbredcanada.ca/sites/default/files/Derbys-Gent-Goderich-640px.jpg)greatv info
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Superfecta on June 13, 2023, 11:34:15 PM
Yup  I know exactly who you mean     Do you remember a guy downstairs at YR and RR who looked just like Rod Stewart  always had flashy cowboy boots on and 2 or 3 girls on his arm?

Yes. A lot of characters at those tracks. One guy I remember always standing at the top of the grandstand with a clipboard yelling and screaming when he would hit a race.
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Senator Blutarsky on June 13, 2023, 11:36:54 PM
Yes. A lot of characters at those tracks. One guy I remember always standing at the top of the grandstand with a clipboard yelling and screaming when he would hit a race.

Writing down the odds every minute, must of been handicapping / betting the money trail!   ngc3
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Fuguzzi on June 13, 2023, 11:37:48 PM
 ngc3 ngc3 ngc3
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Senator Blutarsky on June 13, 2023, 11:43:19 PM
Where the fuck can you get a hot pretzel at midnight in 2023?!  Damn it you guys brought back some serious nostalgia and a growing appetite! 

Too hot to hold, drenched in mustard, salt rocks melting in your mouth, 20 napkins....Fuck me!   ;D
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Parked on June 14, 2023, 06:19:51 AM
I remember when you could get a good meal, if not a great one,  at a track. 
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: SeattleSlew on June 14, 2023, 06:41:39 AM
At RR on the apron, there was a guy almost every night who would yell at Jack Lee and when he lost a race he would EAT the tickets... no kidding! During the late 70's if my calendar is working.
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: The Exporter on June 14, 2023, 07:03:23 AM
Racing was at its heyday then. Pretty cools stuff considering. The automation and gaming from the the computer ended all that. Simulcast had a role also.

So, was racing so popular or was gambling?
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Meadow Ford on June 14, 2023, 08:35:25 AM
Anyone have any stories from Atlantic City Race Course?
In the Nostalgia section there are threads on famous horses and also Atlanic City.
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Fuguzzi on June 14, 2023, 09:08:39 AM
I remember in the mid 70s at the Atlantic City harness track, a young Mike Lachance was thrown out of there for race fixing.
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Meadow Ford on June 14, 2023, 09:38:35 AM
Over in The Nostalgia section Kooter For Kipin asked about a Jimmy Cruise horses. Anybody know the answer?
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: wizardofoz on June 14, 2023, 09:58:03 AM
People used to tear off a page from their programs at Roosevelt Raceway to reserve their seats and most people honored that when they saw it. 
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Superfecta on June 14, 2023, 10:05:27 AM
People used to tear off a page from their programs at Roosevelt Raceway to reserve their seats and most people honored that when they saw it.

 tmbz1 tmbz1 tmbz1
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Fuguzzi on June 14, 2023, 10:43:57 AM
Over in The Nostalgia section Kooter For Kipin asked about a Jimmy Cruise horses. Anybody know the answer?
I dont think it was Bud T Ace   he was a big winner for them and a fan favorite AND survived a serious fire that really messed with his coat.  I have a feeling you are going back just a tad further.  Cruise had a really good trotter named Motor Mouth and another named  Lionel Minbar   World class trainer  A very nice man   Referred to everyone as "Pardner"
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Fuguzzi on June 14, 2023, 10:47:00 AM
Another Jimmy Cruise note    He was the first owner/trainer/driver in the sports history to win a 50k overnight invitational race   it was i think in 1947    At the old Kelly's tack shop at RR they had a picture of the program the following night which had the winning picture and jimmy and the horse on it  Sure enough Jimmy had a piece of straw in his mouth like he always did
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: JL52 on June 14, 2023, 11:00:08 AM
I remember suspicious races at Monticello, with a driver or two visiting in the box seats right by the finish line with a big gambler( one driver still active as a star at Yonkers).
Or another one, never top flight but still active at Monti, leaning straight back in the bike in the stretch to “fade” from the pocket, in order to be out of the triple.
And another, always happy to finish second or third with his mid level trotter, seemingly for years.
Ah, the good old days.
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Fuguzzi on June 14, 2023, 11:01:56 AM
I remember suspicious races at Monticello, with a driver or two visiting in the box seats right by the finish line with a big gambler( one driver still active as a star at Yonkers).
Or another one, never top flight but still active at Monti, leaning straight back in the bike in the stretch to “fade” from the pocket, in order to be out of the triple.
And another, always happy to finish second or third with his mid level trotter, seemingly for years.
Ah, the good old days.
Your details are vague and the timeline seems off   
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: The Exporter on June 14, 2023, 11:32:21 AM
I remember suspicious races at Monticello, with a driver or two visiting in the box seats right by the finish line with a big gambler( one driver still active as a star at Yonkers).
Or another one, never top flight but still active at Monti, leaning straight back in the bike in the stretch to “fade” from the pocket, in order to be out of the triple.
And another, always happy to finish second or third with his mid level trotter, seemingly for years.
Ah, the good old days.
The trotter I remember finishing every place but win was driven by Heri Fillion. Shyaway Champ.
 You want to know who they kicking up to at Monticello for the fixed triples, listen to Larry Rolla's podcast. 
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Fuguzzi on June 14, 2023, 12:55:47 PM
I read Larry's book   dont believe everything he says
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: bello on June 14, 2023, 01:16:23 PM
Absolutely. That was their minor league. Lucien Fontaine and Carmine drove there for a short time.

Known unfondly as "dead" Dave Marshall as he would ge dead for a $200 envelope.

Better than" Mr. 2 pack"  Marvin Maker who would go dead for a case of beer.
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: bello on June 14, 2023, 01:23:10 PM
The lady at that window was Humberto Rodriguez's GF

Actually his wife which was pretty weird since she was pretty attractive. She also took "cashless" bets from Andy Herzog and settled at the end of the card.
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Fuguzzi on June 14, 2023, 01:25:25 PM
Management allowed that with Andy Herzog to ensure he didn 't get shut out since he was by far their biggest player.
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Fuguzzi on June 14, 2023, 01:28:06 PM
Actually his wife which was pretty weird since she was pretty attractive. She also took "cashless" bets from Andy Herzog and settled at the end of the card.
Corret, wife   Matt Romano's wife Gloria, was at the window right next to her until she got caught up in some kind of past posting/ ticket selling scandal
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: remington on June 14, 2023, 02:17:12 PM
Was Matt Jims son
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: bello on June 14, 2023, 02:24:49 PM
Corret, wife   Matt Romano's wife Gloria, was at the window right next to her until she got caught up in some kind of past posting/ ticket selling scandal

Yep, Gloria could hold her own with the Pethouse Pets.

https://www.scdemocratonline.com/stories/gloria-romano-crowned-ms-monticello-raceway,49422
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Fuguzzi on June 14, 2023, 02:38:56 PM
Was Matt Jims son
Joe Romano Sr - father    Joe jr - brother
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Fuguzzi on June 14, 2023, 02:42:22 PM
Joe romano jr was banned for life from monti in 1984 along with ronnie ingrassia and bubba washington
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: theokodjak26 on June 14, 2023, 04:08:31 PM
Not sure if it was 1973 or 1974. The summer at Monticello Raceway was incredible. They called it Rock n Racing. Every Saturday they had doubleheaders. Not just racing doubleheaders but live performers too. Many of the acts have already been mentioned but the greatest has not. The biggest race night ever was the night the Ike and Tina Turner came to town. Over 17,000 people packed the track. The show was great. I also recall around the same time that Benny the Whip Webster was suspended from racing at Yonkers/Roosevelt presumably for fixing some races. I do not think anything was ever proven but during the suspension Monticello let him drive. I want to say Benny was beating the local drivers any time he wanted. His win percentage was off the charts and the smart money could not leave Benny off any ticket. Just some great fun and memories from a time long gone.
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: bello on June 14, 2023, 04:24:58 PM
Not sure if it was 1973 or 1974. The summer at Monticello Raceway was incredible. They called it Rock n Racing. Every Saturday they had doubleheaders. Not just racing doubleheaders but live performers too. Many of the acts have already been mentioned but the greatest has not. The biggest race night ever was the night the Ike and Tina Turner came to town. Over 17,000 people packed the track. The show was great. I also recall around the same time that Benny the Whip Webster was suspended from racing at Yonkers/Roosevelt presumably for fixing some races. I do not think anything was ever proven but during the suspension Monticello let him drive. I want to say Benny was beating the local drivers any time he wanted. His win percentage was off the charts and the smart money could not leave Benny off any ticket. Just some great fun and memories from a time long gone.

Check out the Monticello Raceway Memorabilia group on Facebook. They have some pics of the Ike and Tina show. It is private but will bring back great memories.
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: tumbleweed on June 14, 2023, 04:41:32 PM
I was at that show. Remember the twin superfecta? You had to hit the first one and then trade the ticket in to play the second part. You also knew whenever Clint Galbraith was live with a horse because he used to go in the drivers bathroom and puke before the race!
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Fuguzzi on June 14, 2023, 04:50:36 PM
I was at that show. Remember the twin superfecta? You had to hit the first one and then trade the ticket in to play the second part. You also knew whenever Clint Galbraith was live with a horse because he used to go in the drivers bathroom and puke before the race!
Were you in the stall next to him? Did you have time to run to the windows?
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: tumbleweed on June 14, 2023, 05:04:16 PM
Not in the next stall but always knew and got the bets in. Thanks for asking though.
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Fuguzzi on June 14, 2023, 05:22:24 PM
Just teasing you buddy
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Senator Blutarsky on June 14, 2023, 05:25:59 PM
Just teasing you buddy

Where's my fucking pretzel, still no pretzel, am on a hunger pretzel strike!    ngc3
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: remington on June 14, 2023, 06:29:47 PM
Did Joe Romano and Matt start at Freehold.
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Fuguzzi on June 14, 2023, 06:34:00 PM
Grew up in monti  started there  Matt once got led out of Liberty Bell in handcuffs   his wife bet on and cashed triple tickets without him on top  smart folks   lol
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: tumbleweed on June 14, 2023, 06:52:43 PM
Saw Matt a couple of years ago in Florida. Was just riding for some folks there. Had no horses of his own. Never changes, still looked the same smiling and watching.
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Fuguzzi on June 14, 2023, 06:56:27 PM
Happy for him  I bear him no ill will     Funny memory one night at Monti after they installed that terrible indoor paddock  so one night Matty puts a wheel under Kyle   Old man Bill Dibenedetto who was a very violent man scooped up Matt and dropped him headfirst into a full garbage can   one of those metal barrel types
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: wizardofoz on June 14, 2023, 11:58:01 PM
(https://classicnewyorkhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/s-l640.jpg) 
Many will argue that the rise of OTB not only killed attendance at tracks like Roosevelt Raceway and Yonkers, it led to the eventual closing of Roosevelt Raceway. Some argue that it was simply a changing of the guard. The generation of gamblers who frequented the tracks during their glory years in the 1950s and 1960s were getting older. Many other forms of entertainment were growing and competition from tracks like the Meadowlands in New Jersey which opened in 1976 hurt the New York tracks. The opening of Resorts the first casino in Atlantic City with legalized gambling in 1978 fueled an entire new era of competition for the gambler’s money.
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: wizardofoz on June 15, 2023, 12:02:35 AM
1977 drivers stats at Roosevelt Raceway:  (https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/287968541_3205492829699768_6335295463912663463_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=VgdQwrW6vbAAX865upd&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDetjBlWWQ8rTR4j4HCm247K1fUFOJew-vbYTLBnho28A&oe=648FE861)
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: wizardofoz on June 15, 2023, 12:05:57 AM
(https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/250025448_3037165046532548_4353241670499803542_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=Oxh9N-BXv7wAX8BVvPG&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAhz9GV13sQjUGTt67q0xu_OwO3miVmrZvRLzdlpFra1Q&oe=648EFF52)
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: wizardofoz on June 15, 2023, 12:08:48 AM
(https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/305834262_760467998435514_3311296308189993214_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s960x960&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=e3f864&_nc_ohc=eWXWi8U265oAX9tSPwT&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AfB5h6JCd6XO3apxR1S483S6SB_CU9jraqcnA-x4bkm-3g&oe=648FD92C)
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: wizardofoz on June 15, 2023, 12:13:04 AM
1969 Yonkers Raceway Friday night results:  (https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/104287495_2658345604414496_5767814524564158154_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=xD60bDxySUMAX_f5Dc9&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBVJo0ltG4V6ssA5j9rTCBp2uI1gMBITs8oOtR1a8orTA&oe=64B2160C)  It slides right to left. Almost 20,000 in attendance.
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: tumbleweed on June 15, 2023, 06:32:07 AM
Great memories...Thanks for posting.
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Fuguzzi on June 15, 2023, 07:49:08 AM
Notice in the Gotham trot for 50k the top 6 finishing drivers are all in the hall of fame
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: panhunter on June 15, 2023, 10:56:28 AM
Saw Barry Manilow at Monticello in 1975. The Yonkers and Roosevelt rocked in the 60’s and 70’s even 80’s. Crowds were massive on Friday and Saturday. Once OTB came on the scene it f**ked on site betting and attendance. Now I can sit in my nice chair,bet and watch races from home.
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: panhunter on June 15, 2023, 11:07:34 AM
Wizard, I remember hoping I had .50 left in my pocket for a pretzel. No matter what happened that pretzel seemed to make it a little better!
1969 Yonkers Raceway Friday night results:  (https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/104287495_2658345604414496_5767814524564158154_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=xD60bDxySUMAX_f5Dc9&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBVJo0ltG4V6ssA5j9rTCBp2uI1gMBITs8oOtR1a8orTA&oe=64B2160C)  It slides right to left. Almost 20,000 in attendance.
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Unclejerry on June 15, 2023, 07:07:18 PM
Downfall of NY Harness Tracks

1. The Opening of the Meadowlands in 1976
2. Death of the 40's and 50's seniors
3. Otb opportunity to bet other tracks.
4. Some moved to TB racing because of the needles.
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Superfecta on June 15, 2023, 10:17:39 PM
Races 2,3,4,6,8 and 9 the drivers made big moves from 6th 7th or 8th early in the race. Today they sit and wait for next week.
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: wizardofoz on June 16, 2023, 12:25:06 AM
Wizard, I remember hoping I had .50 left in my pocket for a pretzel. No matter what happened that pretzel seemed to make it a little better!
After a night of betting at Roosevelt Raceway, after 11:00pm, the steaming pretzels were always purchased from that guy selling them to drive home with!  (https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRTXbHQPcAx7E0pcXVcUVMi1-LOQzMx-XEXzDJ3BTy8h28pSnF0Qzn-L3wrilEPWLA_--c&usqp=CAU)
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Senator Blutarsky on June 16, 2023, 12:27:04 AM
After a night of betting at Roosevelt Raceway, after 11:00pm, the steaming pretzels were always purchased to drive home with!(https://www.foodservicedirect.com/media/catalog/product/1/0/10073321001213.jpg?width=1200&height=1200&quality=85&fit=bounds)

Fucked up posting that....I got the mustard too but no fucking pretzel!   ngc3
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Calhoun on June 16, 2023, 06:51:07 AM
the mustard really brings the whole thing together.

as an aside, adding some spicy brown to your egg wash before frying fish is reccomended by Calhoun
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Superfecta on June 16, 2023, 03:00:22 PM
the mustard really brings the whole thing together.

as an aside, adding some spicy brown to your egg wash before frying fish is reccomended by Calhoun

Sounds great. I will try this. Thank you.
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Senator Blutarsky on June 16, 2023, 03:12:06 PM
Tall draft in a plastic cup ✔
Form and pen ✔
Cigarettes or Cigars ✔
A big mouth and bigger balls ✔

It's ok to go home hungry with more cash (rather than lint  ngc3), and hit the late night card game with the large pies, extra cheese and bacon, scotch wit da fellas! 

Today, we do PLOP & ADW's! ;D

Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Superfecta on June 16, 2023, 04:04:16 PM
Tall draft in a plastic cup ✔
Form and pen ✔
Cigarettes or Cigars ✔
A big mouth and bigger balls ✔

It's ok to go home hungry with more cash (rather than lint  ngc3), and hit the late night card game with the large pies, extra cheese and bacon, scotch wit da fellas! 

Today, we do PLOP & ADW's! ;D

Never went home hungry. If the racing was at Roosevelt we got a couple of huge bags of Nathan’s fries. If coming from Jonkers it was a stop at the Seaview Diner in Canarsie.
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Senator Blutarsky on June 16, 2023, 04:07:28 PM
Never went home hungry. If the racing was at Roosevelt we got a couple of huge bags of Nathan’s fries. If coming from Jonkers it was a stop at the Seaview Diner in Canarsie.

Orange "fucking" Bang!, 3 chili diarrhea dogs, ketchup drenched cup fries when I was a kid after the races!  ngc3
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Fuguzzi on June 16, 2023, 04:16:15 PM
Never went home hungry. If the racing was at Roosevelt we got a couple of huge bags of Nathan’s fries. If coming from Jonkers it was a stop at the Seaview Diner in Canarsie.
I liked going to South Seas, a chinese/Polynesian restaurant on Central Avenue in Yonkers after the races. They were open very later and all of the waiters would ask me the results of every race that night
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Senator Blutarsky on June 16, 2023, 04:22:57 PM
I liked going to South Seas, a chinese/Polynesian restaurant on Central Avenue in Yonkers after the races. They were open very later and all of the waiters would ask me the results of every race that night

What was that Greek Diner called, 7 brothers?  Great food too!  tmbz1
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Fuguzzi on June 16, 2023, 04:24:48 PM
Thats right  Off the Sprain Brook exit
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Superfecta on June 16, 2023, 04:35:42 PM
What was that Greek Diner called, 7 brothers?  Great food too!  tmbz1

I never tried that one. I have gone to The Argonaut Diner on Yonkers Avenue. It's a few blocks from the track.
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Fuguzzi on June 16, 2023, 04:40:52 PM
Thats right   looked like a wooden ship, remember?   then there was a place further up central avenue called Mt. Parnease   waitresses were always nasty   lol
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Senator Blutarsky on June 16, 2023, 04:45:50 PM
I never tried that one. I have gone to The Argonaut Diner on Yonkers Avenue. It's a few blocks from the track.

It still stands!

The best part about NY  - tradition, culture, loyalty!

http://sevenbrothersdiner.com/
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Superfecta on June 16, 2023, 04:55:26 PM
Thats right   looked like a wooden ship, remember?   then there was a place further up central avenue called Mt. Parnease   waitresses were always nasty   lol

I think the diner up central avenue is Mt Olympos. Its adjacent to Charles Oakley's car wash.
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: wizardofoz on June 16, 2023, 07:58:59 PM
Monticello Raceway had the BON VIVANT club across the road.   (https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/JzsAAOSwP75kDw46/s-l1600.jpg)
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Superfecta on June 16, 2023, 10:15:51 PM
When I was 15 I had to watch the show from a window there.  ngc3 ngc3 ngc3 ngc3 ngc3
Johnny's was a few feet down the road and you also had The Jade about 1 mile going west.  ;D
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: kooter for hipin on June 16, 2023, 10:47:42 PM


If you went to Roosevelt, you have surely been to Gam Wah.

Old Guy got the Jimmy Cruise horse correct, It was Frank T Ace
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: kooter for hipin on June 16, 2023, 11:13:47 PM


While speaking of Monti, who knew Ricky Kurtz, John Conti, or Jerry Silverman?
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: wizardofoz on June 17, 2023, 12:20:08 AM
In 1975 Buddy Gilmour's lawsuit against Roosevelt and Yonkers Raceways:  Two strangers, in the closing minutes that the betting window was open, had placed an unusually large bet of $5,000 on the exacta combination of "1" and "5", the numbers of the horses driven by Gilmour and McNutt, and immediately after the race collected between $28,000 and $32,000 on the winning combination and then disappeared. https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/FSupp/405/458/1432740/     
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Senator Blutarsky on June 17, 2023, 12:27:07 AM
In 1975 Buddy Gilmour's lawsuit against Roosevelt and Yonkers Raceways:  Two strangers, in the closing minutes that the betting window was open, had placed an unusually large bet of $5,000 on the exacta combination of "1" and "5", the numbers of the horses driven by Gilmour and McNutt, and immediately after the race collected between $28,000 and $32,000 on the winning combination and then disappeared. https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/FSupp/405/458/1432740/   

The lawsuit was a great read.  Thanks.  tmbz1
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: tumbleweed on June 17, 2023, 08:22:35 AM
Ricky Kurtz used to have a bilboard advertisement getting into the monticello area. He also had a picture when he broke the bike seat while jumping up and down finishing a race. Orange colors.
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Superfecta on June 17, 2023, 08:37:10 AM
Ricky Kurtz used to have a bilboard advertisement getting into the monticello area. He also had a picture when he broke the bike seat while jumping up and down finishing a race. Orange colors.

Do you remember what he was advertising on the billboard ?
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: tumbleweed on June 17, 2023, 09:03:59 AM
He was looking for owners
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Bernie Madoff on June 17, 2023, 09:26:43 AM
Do you remember what he was advertising on the billboard ?



He was offering a reward for his lost chihuahua..
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Superfecta on June 17, 2023, 09:28:14 AM


He was offering a reward for his lost chihuahua..

 ngc3 ngc3 ngc3 ngc3 ngc3
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Calhoun on June 17, 2023, 11:17:58 AM


He was offering a reward for his lost chihuahua..
ngc3 ngc3 ngc3 ngc3
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: kooter for hipin on June 17, 2023, 01:02:23 PM
ngc3 ngc3 ngc3 ngc3

It was also believed that he killed his wife or something to that effect.
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Emperor Dapple on June 17, 2023, 01:20:09 PM

While speaking of Monti, who knew Ricky Kurtz, John Conti, or Jerry Silverman?

at the recommendation of Furgazi i just joined the Monticello Memoribilia Group on Facebook.. There are photos and news articles about all those guys
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Emperor Dapple on June 17, 2023, 01:22:22 PM
It was also believed that he killed his wife or something to that effect.

He did and he's getting out of the can soon and meaner than ever after doing hard time.. Be careful what you write about him on Plop
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Fuguzzi on June 17, 2023, 11:56:42 PM

If you went to Roosevelt, you have surely been to Gam Wah.

Old Guy got the Jimmy Cruise horse correct, It was Frank T Ace
unsure about FrankTAce   But the Cruise family had a classy old claimer called BudTAce who survived a terrible fire and raced successfully after it missing most of his hair  he won dozens of races for them
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Fuguzzi on June 18, 2023, 12:10:18 AM

While speaking of Monti, who knew Ricky Kurtz, John Conti, or Jerry Silverman?
I groomed for Jerry Silverman at the Meadowlands   took care of a classy young filly named Don"t Dally    She held a world record for a week 3f p until it was croken by a filly of Bill Herman's   Jerry ran a good outfit and his son Ricvhie qwas a nice kid    still is
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Fuguzzi on June 18, 2023, 12:12:11 AM
John Conte entered the business by virtue of hitting a twin double for 100k..One of the first  the story was on the Back page of the Daily News
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: kooter for hipin on June 18, 2023, 12:34:53 AM
John Conte entered the business by virtue of hitting a twin double for 100k..One of the first  the story was on the Back page of the Daily News

John, who hung out with Kurtz, who trained a horse for me by the name of Doctor Cheye, came to my home in Old Brookville on a regular basis.  I think you are mistaking him for Ernie Dahlman who hit the 110,000 twin at Yonkers. He then started the Hickory Way Stable with trainer George Regan who in turn was the trainer who claimed Frank T Ace from Jimmy Cruise. There was a Bud T Ace who was C-2, C-3 pacer at best.  This is the reason I asked the questions I did. They were all related in some way.
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: kooter for hipin on June 18, 2023, 03:12:53 PM
He did and he's getting out of the can soon and meaner than ever after doing hard time.. Be careful what you write about him on Plop

I didn't say he killed his wife, you did!
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Fuguzzi on June 18, 2023, 03:18:53 PM
John, who hung out with Kurtz, who trained a horse for me by the name of Doctor Cheye, came to my home in Old Brookville on a regular basis.  I think you are mistaking him for Ernie Dahlman who hit the 110,000 twin at Yonkers. He then started the Hickory Way Stable with trainer George Regan who in turn was the trainer who claimed Frank T Ace from Jimmy Cruise. There was a Bud T Ace who was C-2, C-3 pacer at best.  This is the reason I asked the questions I did. They were all related in some way.
Ok, so back in the 80s I had a friend named Steve Kozak who groomed for John Conte. Pretty decent forse at the time by general star was his best horse at the time. Anyway it was Steve who told me himself the story about John and in their tackroom was a copy of the daily news backpage. I wish I had it now   Thats all I klnow.  Wow, Ernie Dahlman a name from the archives  havent thought of him in years  cool
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: kooter for hipin on June 18, 2023, 03:31:45 PM
Ok, so back in the 80s I had a friend named Steve Kozak who groomed for John Conte. Pretty decent forse at the time by general star was his best horse at the time. Anyway it was Steve who told me himself the story about John and in their tackroom was a copy of the daily news backpage. I wish I had it now   Thats all I klnow.  Wow, Ernie Dahlman a name from the archives  havent thought of him in years  cool

Ernie was the guy.  By the way, Conte also hung with Ron Gurfein.
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Fuguzzi on June 18, 2023, 05:05:35 PM
Ernie was the guy.  By the way, Conte also hung with Ron Gurfein.
[weird, cause the daily news pic identifies John Conte. I wanna say it paid like 110,000 which as you know then was like a million
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: remington on June 18, 2023, 08:56:29 PM
Hey Fuguzzi read the article on page seven about Buddy suing YR and RR. There was one other driver not mentioned in the suit that actually was the king pin of all the drivers.
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: wizardofoz on June 19, 2023, 12:00:31 AM
Roosevelt Raceway in 1937 dealt with a different type of horsepower originally:    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tv882qm9y1U
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: wizardofoz on June 19, 2023, 12:13:53 AM
In 1973 28 people were indicted for race fixing:   https://www.nytimes.com/1973/12/21/archives/28-are-indicted-by-federal-jury-in-racing-fixes-13-drivers-are.html

Peter Vario, age 37, 968 Hemlock Avenue, Brooklyn, owner of Pete's Used Tires, 8324 Foster Avenue, Brooklyn.

Forrest Gerry Jr., 46, Uniondale, L. I., horse broker.

Del Insko, 42, Williston Park, L. I., president of the National Association of Harness Drivers, harness driver.

Carmine Abbatiello, 37, New Hyde Park, L. I., harness driver.

William Gilmour, 41, Westbury, L. I., New York, harness driver.

Frank Popfinger, 42, 9 Sunset Lane, Garden City, L. I., harness driver.

Ben Webster, 34, Old Bethpage, L. I., harness driver.

Kenneth McNutt, 40, Yonkers, harness driver.

William Hudson, 58, Copiague, L. I., harness driver.

Maurice Pusey, 46, Plainview, L. I., harness driver.

George Foldi, 33, 152 East 35th St., New York, harness driver.

William Myer, 57, Westbury, L. I., harness driver. Elden Turcotte, 31, White Plains, harness driver. Real Cormier, 38, Port Jervis, N. Y., harness driver. Dale Ross, 33, Vienna, Ohio, harness driver.

Anthony Annicharico, 53, 306 Carroll Street, Brooklyn, unemployed.

Angelo,Calanna, 46, 7001 Avenue U, Brooklyn, restaurant owner.

Howard Druss, 46, Bardonia, N. Y.

Jerry Guisto, 29, 413 Clinton Street, Brooklyn, unemployed.

Richard Perry, 31, 68 East 19th Street, Brooklyn, unemployed.

Michael Sherman, 32, 998 East 56th Street, Brooklyn, unemployed.

Michael famburo, 30, 149‐37 84th Street, Brooklyn, cab driver.

Joseph Pullman, 36, Hoboken, truck driver.

Constance Rogers, 39, 97‐11 Horace Harding Expressway, Queens, waitress.

Louis Valdes, 31, 355 Avenue U, Brooklyn, hairdresser.

Seymour Rothstein, 54, 102‐17 64th Road, Queens, cab driver.

Gaythorne Angell, Jr., 38, Providence, R. I., unemployed.

Bruno Facciolo, 45, 7001 Avenue U, Brooklyn, unemployed.

In addition, another harness driver was indicted on charges of obstruction of justice and with making false declarations to a grand jury. Joseph Bonacorsa, 52, of New Hyde Park, L. I.-------Three of the nation's four top money‐winning harness drivers were among 28 persons indicted by Federal authorities on charges of fixing superfecta races at Roosevelt and Yonkers Raceways. The indictments, resulting from a year‐long grand jury investigation, accused 13 drivers of conspiring with a betting ring that allegedly made $3‐million on about 30 rigged superfectas between last Jan. 1 and April 13. Most of the other defendants are “10 per centars,” so called because they receive a fee for cashing big‐payoff tickets.
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Fuguzzi on June 19, 2023, 10:28:23 AM
In 1973 28 people were indicted for race fixing:   https://www.nytimes.com/1973/12/21/archives/28-are-indicted-by-federal-jury-in-racing-fixes-13-drivers-are.html

Peter Vario, age 37, 968 Hemlock Avenue, Brooklyn, owner of Pete's Used Tires, 8324 Foster Avenue, Brooklyn.

Forrest Gerry Jr., 46, Uniondale, L. I., horse broker.

Del Insko, 42, Williston Park, L. I., president of the National Association of Harness Drivers, harness driver.

Carmine Abbatiello, 37, New Hyde Park, L. I., harness driver.

William Gilmour, 41, Westbury, L. I., New York, harness driver.

Frank Popfinger, 42, 9 Sunset Lane, Garden City, L. I., harness driver.

Ben Webster, 34, Old Bethpage, L. I., harness driver.

Kenneth McNutt, 40, Yonkers, harness driver.

William Hudson, 58, Copiague, L. I., harness driver.

Maurice Pusey, 46, Plainview, L. I., harness driver.

George Foldi, 33, 152 East 35th St., New York, harness driver.

William Myer, 57, Westbury, L. I., harness driver. Elden Turcotte, 31, White Plains, harness driver. Real Cormier, 38, Port Jervis, N. Y., harness driver. Dale Ross, 33, Vienna, Ohio, harness driver.

Anthony Annicharico, 53, 306 Carroll Street, Brooklyn, unemployed.

Angelo,Calanna, 46, 7001 Avenue U, Brooklyn, restaurant owner.

Howard Druss, 46, Bardonia, N. Y.

Jerry Guisto, 29, 413 Clinton Street, Brooklyn, unemployed.

Richard Perry, 31, 68 East 19th Street, Brooklyn, unemployed.

Michael Sherman, 32, 998 East 56th Street, Brooklyn, unemployed.

Michael famburo, 30, 149‐37 84th Street, Brooklyn, cab driver.

Joseph Pullman, 36, Hoboken, truck driver.

Constance Rogers, 39, 97‐11 Horace Harding Expressway, Queens, waitress.

Louis Valdes, 31, 355 Avenue U, Brooklyn, hairdresser.

Seymour Rothstein, 54, 102‐17 64th Road, Queens, cab driver.

Gaythorne Angell, Jr., 38, Providence, R. I., unemployed.

Bruno Facciolo, 45, 7001 Avenue U, Brooklyn, unemployed.

In addition, another harness driver was indicted on charges of obstruction of justice and with making false declarations to a grand jury. Joseph Bonacorsa, 52, of New Hyde Park, L. I.-------Three of the nation's four top money‐winning harness drivers were among 28 persons indicted by Federal authorities on charges of fixing superfecta races at Roosevelt and Yonkers Raceways. The indictments, resulting from a year‐long grand jury investigation, accused 13 drivers of conspiring with a betting ring that allegedly made $3‐million on about 30 rigged superfectas between last Jan. 1 and April 13. Most of the other defendants are “10 per centars,” so called because they receive a fee for cashing big‐payoff tickets.
great research and all true  pretty sure Peter Vario was that son of Luchese boss, Paul Vario, as in Goodfellas
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Fuguzzi on June 19, 2023, 10:30:59 AM
Wasnt the Chinese man who bet for Buddy and owned Gaqm Wah, the "stranger" in Buddy gilmour's 3 friends and a stranger stable? I know the 7 inner circle drivers were looking for 30k per nigh or roughly a million a month    definitely would meet at gam wah or the island inn to divvy up the loot
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: Fuguzzi on June 19, 2023, 10:33:38 AM
Hey Fuguzzi read the article on page seven about Buddy suing YR and RR. There was one other driver not mentioned in the suit that actually was the king pin of all the drivers.
totally believe you  I dont know who the "boss" was before Rejean I am 60, you are older  i started on the track around 78 as Rejean was gaining power. Rejean had good outfit and used the great blacksmith John Santoro   same farrier the Cruises, Lacava, McCardle , Larry summer and others used
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: kooter for hipin on June 19, 2023, 12:30:00 PM
Wasnt the Chinese man who bet for Buddy and owned Gaqm Wah, the "stranger" in Buddy gilmour's 3 friends and a stranger stable? I know the 7 inner circle drivers were looking for 30k per nigh or roughly a million a month    definitely would meet at gam wah or the island inn to divvy up the loot

Gam Wah was definitely THE spot, however the Island Inn was the other meeting place and I believe it where the John Peel room was. I think there were both on Old Country Rd.
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: old guy on June 19, 2023, 01:07:24 PM
Gam Wah was definitely THE spot, however the Island Inn was the other meeting place and I believe it where the John Peel room was. I think there were both on Old Country Rd.

Yes
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: remington on June 19, 2023, 06:41:13 PM
The king was one of the drivers that got indicted.
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: jupiter on June 19, 2023, 07:08:37 PM
The trial was a fucking circus, prosecution looked like the fools they were. Only thing it did was cost a lot of guys a ton of $ in lawyers fees.
Title: Re: 1974 Yonkers and 1983 Roosevelt and Meadowlands
Post by: remington on June 19, 2023, 07:22:06 PM
You are right
SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2025, SimplePortal