Despite the naysayers racing is alive and well

[dougie]

Well, if racing is doing great, you cannot see it by the attendance at Monticello Raceway. I was there Monday for the NYSS and I don't think there was 30 people there. As someone who grew up going there in the 70's-90's, it is a sad shell of what it once was. Racing there in it's "heyday" was great!

[Harness Racing Revolution]

Well, if racing is doing great, you cannot see it by the attendance at Monticello Raceway. I was there Monday for the NYSS and I don't think there was 30 people there. As someone who grew up going there in the 70's-90's, it is a sad shell of what it once was. Racing there in it's "heyday" was great!

No exaggerating, back then there were more kids in the playground than who watch the races there live on a summer day. Way more actually. Even as kids it was awesome. It will never happen again, won't even see the lights on again.

[dougie]

HRR.....I agree totally. You have to wager in the "Simulcast Room" with one "live" teller and about 15 folks sitting around. Another 15 or so sitting on a metal frandstand they put up. Incredibly sad. I spent my first 23 summers in a bungalow colony and went to the track quite often, From Allen Finklestine, to And Furman, to John Manzi, I knew them all. On a Sunday, you'd draw 5,000 from the bungalow/hotel crowd.

[Unclejerry]

This is a county fair sport jack up by the Meadowlands in the 80's. Now being saved by racino's and the the fairs it will return.

[kantseeback]

HRR.....I agree totally. You have to wager in the "Simulcast Room" with one "live" teller and about 15 folks sitting around. Another 15 or so sitting on a metal frandstand they put up. Incredibly sad. I spent my first 23 summers in a bungalow colony and went to the track quite often, From Allen Finklestine, to And Furman, to John Manzi, I knew them all. On a Sunday, you'd draw 5,000 from the bungalow/hotel crowd.

I remember at one time all the local resort hotels sent buses full of people to Monticello on Sunday afternoons, the betting lines were plentiful and long, maybe 15 people on each line.

[dougie]

Kantseeback.....t hey had a great disco bar called "The Place" on the 3rd floor. I used to sit in the box seats with a guy named Andy Herzog. My friend Brad (Rest In Peace) knew the family well. Andy's Dad "Lefty" owned Lefty's. Best french onion soup and burgers in the Catskills.

[gh2009]

I remember at one time all the local resort hotels sent buses full of people to Monticello on Sunday afternoons, the betting lines were plentiful and long, maybe 15 people on each line.

Dover Downs had a few T-Bred meets back in the early 70's with very cheap horses and low purses. They also had Sunday racing which was a rarity back then. There used to be at least 10 buses from Maryland and DC. They used to draw 6000 people which was alot for Dover and handle decent money too.

[Babinga]

Andy's Dad "Lefty" owned Lefty's. Best french onion soup and burgers in the Catskills.

And don’t forget the Peanut Butter Pie!