Preston Burris Jr

[Brooklyn Brawler]

I knew Pres from Rosecroft and Freestate. Good horseman. I recall he had an Open trotter at Yonkers named Cigar Store Indian in the 1980s.

[MTP1972]

The horse's name was Cigar Store Injun

[jupiter]

I still have a some glasses and an ice bucket from Monticello. I won them  there with filly in a C3 pace, July of 68. Ice bucket became a flower pot. Loved racing there great place. Super barn area, training track as good as the main track. Lot of great horsemen. Great nightlife, restaurants and easy to get to the RR or Yonkers. Family loved to spend the summers there, last time we were there we were amazed at how far down the area has gone, didn't think it could get worse.

[Brooklyn Brawler]

The horse's name was Cigar Store Injun

Funny, that's what I originally thought, but when I typed Injun, it did not look right.

Thanks for the correction!

[dougie]

I still have a some glasses and an ice bucket from Monticello. I won them  there with filly in a C3 pace, July of 68. Ice bucket became a flower pot. Loved racing there great place. Super barn area, training track as good as the main track. Lot of great horsemen. Great nightlife, restaurants and easy to get to the RR or Yonkers. Family loved to spend the summers there, last time we were there we were amazed at how far down the area has gone, didn't think it could get worse.

I started going with my Dad around 1967, when Alan Finkelstein was the PR Man. Then a short time with Andy Furman. Then John Manzi, a good friend of the family. I remember when it was the "fastest 1/2 mile track in America". Been to the barn area many times in those days. Just a great place. From Lefty's, the Chateau, Bend-N-Elbow, to Billy Baxsters, a great area to live in. Today, we get back a few times a year. My cousin and her husband race a few there. The area is still beautiful. But most of the stuff we loved are no longer there. Great bagels still in town!

[kantseeback]

I started going with my Dad around 1967, when Alan Finkelstein was the PR Man. Then a short time with Andy Furman. Then John Manzi, a good friend of the family. I remember when it was the "fastest 1/2 mile track in America". Been to the barn area many times in those days. Just a great place. From Lefty's, the Chateau, Bend-N-Elbow, to Billy Baxsters, a great area to live in. Today, we get back a few times a year. My cousin and her husband race a few there. The area is still beautiful. But most of the stuff we loved are no longer there. Great bagels still in town!

Is that the drive through bagel place on main street in downtown Monti? The barns used to be painted in green and white vertical stripes. I have a program from 1959 when they opened. Back then they raced trots under saddle. Some old timers told me at one time they even had a big playground for the kids next to the grandstand and there were many music concerts on the infield in the 1960's.
Up until the early 90's there was a great Italian bakery in the town that had huge jelly donuts, I used to stop there every time I was in town. In the early 90's the bakery changed hands and the donuts shrunk.

And there was also that steakhouse in White Lake that everybody raved about, delmonico's?

[kantseeback]

I forgot to mention Carpenito's across from the track.

[dougie]

Is that the drive through bagel place on main street in downtown Monti? The barns used to be painted in green and white vertical stripes. I have a program from 1959 when they opened. Back then they raced trots under saddle. Some old timers told me at one time they even had a big playground for the kids next to the grandstand and there were many music concerts on the infield in the 1960's.
Up until the early 90's there was a great Italian bakery in the town that had huge jelly donuts, I used to stop there every time I was in town. In the early 90's the bakery changed hands and the donuts shrunk.

And there was also that steakhouse in White Lake that everybody raved about, delmonico's?

The "Monticello Bagel Factory" opened in the 60's, still make the best bagels in the Catskills. And still on Maine Street too! The Italian bakery is still there next to the pizza place and a new small bowling alley. They make great jelly donuts and Italian butter cookies. The only restaurant from the "glory days" is "Frankie & Johnny's" in Hurleyville. Now called "Casa Mia", it has cooks and wait staff there over 50 years. Food it top natch with portions enough for 2 dinners. LOL! We love the chicken Parm!