HORSEPLOP.COM
General Category => Harness Racing => Topic started by: Lockedin With Pace on October 22, 2025, 05:54:51 AM
-
RIP, Preston Burris Jr who passed away on October 13th at the age of 93 after a long illness. He was trainer of the great mare Silk Stockings.
-
I thought it was Paul watoeize no clue how to spell it
-
Silk Stockings was incredible.
-
I thought it was Paul watoeize no clue how to spell it
What and who is this guy.......everybo dy knows PRESTON BURRIS trained SILK STOCKINGS and several other great horses for THE MAZIKS
-
She faced and beat males all the time in spite of Burris not being a very good driver.
-
I was at the "Mighty M" that day with my future wife watching Silk Stocking win the first Monticello-OTB Classic with Preston Burris in the bike in 157.3. The place was packed as she beat the males. A great day!
-
This was the 50 th anniversary of her victory in the Montivello otb classic, which was the richest race in harness racing history.
With my noodgering and the cooperation of Harness Racing Museum, there was a very nice exhibit honoring Silky and Preston Burris. I wish I knew how to post pics on here
-
thats back when harness racing was thriving.
-
She was a great horse. I remember she had a 12 race winning streak. I think she raced in almost every track in the northeast. In the OTB Classic, she put that field away opening up in the lane. Before that race, I had never heard of Preston Burris, Jr. Everyone knew his name after that race.
-
about 45 years ago--he trained and drove Nickawampus Leroy here in The Delaware Valley
just an open/winners over type horse--but Burris's style was coming from far far back
an exciting horse to watch when he won--often at a big price
-
I was at the "Mighty M" that day with my future wife watching Silk Stocking win the first Monticello-OTB Classic with Preston Burris in the bike in 157.3. The place was packed as she beat the males. A great day!
Dougie, I remember if you came in the rear grandstand entrance of Monticello as soon as you came through the door on the left wall was a trophy case with the trophy for the OTB Classic Monticello race. I remember it had plaques on the front naming each winner of the race over the years. I remember Tijuana Taxi was on there.
When they did the casino renovation that trophy disappeared. One time I asked somebody about it and they told me John Manzi probably knows where it is.
-
about 45 years ago--he trained and drove Nickawampus Leroy here in The Delaware Valley
just an open/winners over type horse--but Burris's style was coming from far far back
an exciting horse to watch when he won--often at a big price
What memories the name Nickawampus Leroy brings back.
I remember the late great race caller Jack E Lee calling at RR, here comes Nickawampus Leroy on the far inside.
-
Dougie, I remember if you came in the rear grandstand entrance of Monticello as soon as you came through the door on the left wall was a trophy case with the trophy for the OTB Classic Monticello race. I remember it had plaques on the front naming each winner of the race over the years. I remember Tijuana Taxi was on there.
When they did the casino renovation that trophy disappeared. One time I asked somebody about it and they told me John Manzi probably knows where it is.
I do remember that trophy case too! Some great memories of the "Mighty M"! I get back a few times a year, because I have family in Kiamesha Lake, Monticello, and Harris. John Manzi moved from Mongaup Valley, and is living in St. Petersburg, Florida. A great guy!
-
about 45 years ago--he trained and drove Nickawampus Leroy here in The Delaware Valley
just an open/winners over type horse--but Burris's style was coming from far far back
an exciting horse to watch when he won--often at a big price
George Phalen trained and drove Leroy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydAgH5TXg5Q
-
Crummy video quality but here is the race: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSbGtq4nWQI
-
I was at the "Mighty M" that day with my future wife watching Silk Stocking win the first Monticello-OTB Classic with Preston Burris in the bike in 157.3. The place was packed as she beat the males. A great day!
I was there and OTB gave out GOLD program sheets as it was the Race For The Gold!
-
I do remember that trophy case too! Some great memories of the "Mighty M"! I get back a few times a year, because I have family in Kiamesha Lake, Monticello, and Harris. John Manzi moved from Mongaup Valley, and is living in St. Petersburg, Florida. A great guy!
It was a really nice track back then. It even had a cafeteria, putt putt golf, Pinball machine area.
The glass wall paddock was pretty neat. They had that 1950's Zenith black and white TV for the changes.
I spent many enjoyable Sunday matinee cards there back in the day. And the 4th of July was always a treat, a doubleheader of racing, day and night cards sometimes 13 or 14 races each followed by that big fireworks display on the front lawn.
RIP Mr Burris.
-
It was a really nice track back then. It even had a cafeteria, putt putt golf, Pinball machine area.
The glass wall paddock was pretty neat. They had that 1950's Zenith black and white TV for the changes.
I spent many enjoyable Sunday matinee cards there back in the day. And the 4th of July was always a treat, a doubleheader of racing, day and night cards sometimes 13 or 14 races each followed by that big fireworks display on the front lawn.
RIP Mr Burris.
Sadly, Monticello is a shell of what it was. Grandstand closed. No food except a vending machine and a lady selling hot dogs off a cart. One teller inside the "simulcast room" selling programs and taking bets. But on a sunny day, the mountains still hold their incredible beauty. I love seeing my family there. They still love the Catskills.
-
Before simulcasting started going to the racetrack was fun, there were thousands of people there, the food was good and the prices reasonable and the racing product was good. There was nothing better than going to Brandywine Raceway on a warm summer night, the racing was very good, the driving colony included some Hall of Famers. The best thing was living only a mile away so if I couldn't get a ride, I could walk there in 10 minutes.
-
I was at the meadowlands the time Silk Stockings lost.
-
Gordon Lewis the owners brother trained him,Russel Rash and George Phalen drove him. I call Bullshit on Preston Burris ever having anything to do with Leroy.
-
Gordon Lewis the owners brother trained him,Russel Rash and George Phalen drove him. I call Bullshit on Preston Burris ever having anything to do with Leroy.
Yes I was mistaken for another Burris horse who was a deep closer at Brandywine in the late 70s--the name of that horse was Leroy Nickawampus-not Nickawampus Leroy ----two different horses
Wizardofoz corrected me
thanks
-
I do remember that trophy case too! Some great memories of the "Mighty M"! I get back a few times a year, because I have family in Kiamesha Lake, Monticello, and Harris. John Manzi moved from Mongaup Valley, and is living in St. Petersburg, Florida. A great guy!
Dougie, if you remember the trophy then you must remember the souvenir stand directly across from the trophy and between the ladies and mens room.
Did you ever go up to the second floor to the top of the stretch lounge? A dark tiny bar.
-
Gordon Lewis the owners brother trained him,Russel Rash and George Phalen drove him. I call Bullshit on Preston Burris ever having anything to do with Leroy.
I agree.
-
Pres was a good guy and always fun to talk to. He knew a lot about the game! tmbz1
-
Dougie, if you remember the trophy then you must remember the souvenir stand directly across from the trophy and between the ladies and mens room.
Did you ever go up to the second floor to the top of the stretch lounge? A dark tiny bar.
I don't remember the souvenir shop, but I do remember the line for ice cream and the cafeteria. The "disco" they created upstairs was called "The Place". I used to sit in Andy Herzogs box seats and wait for a "horse" to play. LOL! His dad, Lefty owned Lefty's restaurant. Best french onion soup on earth. LOL!
-
Dougie, I remember if you came in the rear grandstand entrance of Monticello as soon as you came through the door on the left wall was a trophy case with the trophy for the OTB Classic Monticello race. I remember it had plaques on the front naming each winner of the race over the years. I remember Tijuana Taxi was on there.
When they did the casino renovation that trophy disappeared. One time I asked somebody about it and they told me John Manzi probably knows where it is.
The trophy is well taken care of and makes an appearance here and there...(http://)
Wish i knew how to post an image. do you belong to the Monticello Memorabilia group on FB?
-
Dougie, if you remember the trophy then you must remember the souvenir stand directly across from the trophy and between the ladies and mens room.
Did you ever go up to the second floor to the top of the stretch lounge? A dark tiny bar.
Yes there was a showcase that displayed some cheesy sweatshirts and jewelry.
The club upstairs was called Big Brothers, as i recall...
-
The trophy is well taken care of and makes an appearance here and there...(http://)
Wish i knew how to post an image. do you belong to the Monticello Memorabilia group on FB?
I am part of that group. Just love the memories!
-
Yes there was a showcase that displayed some cheesy sweatshirts and jewelry.
The club upstairs was called Big Brothers, as i recall...
The only club that I recall upstairs was the top of the stretch lounge, but it was a small dark bar with a room behind it with a stage. Howard Oil would make announcements in between races about the top of the stretch lounge. Was this formerly the dance club you guys speak of?
As far as the souvenir stand, yes there were cheezy trinkets there but also some pretty neat framed artwork. I bought some of that artwork and still have it.
3 horse heads painted by an artist named Shelly Blum.
-
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.
-
The horse's name was Cigar Store Injun
-
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.
-
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! tmbz1
-
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!
-
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?
-
I forgot to mention Carpenito's across from the track.
-
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!