Any Canarsie folks here?

[doug]

Just curious if any of you folks are from Canarsie, Brooklyn. I used to hang out at the OTB on Rockaway Parkway a mile or so from the Belt parkway. Great OTB! Used to jump on the "Belt" and be at the "Big A" in 15 minutes. The 70's and 80's had great crowds at Aqueduct. Even on weekdays during the winter meet, you'd see 8,000 to 10,000 people there. Jockey colony included Codero Jr., Maple, Venezia, Velazquez, and Vasquez. The "Big A" had a great clubhouse, nice and warm. Manhatten clam chowder was $2.95 and was a meal. LOL! Just great racing in those days.

[towtruck]

Just curious if any of you folks are from Canarsie, Brooklyn. I used to hang out at the OTB on Rockaway Parkway a mile or so from the Belt parkway. Great OTB! Used to jump on the "Belt" and be at the "Big A" in 15 minutes. The 70's and 80's had great crowds at Aqueduct. Even on weekdays during the winter meet, you'd see 8,000 to 10,000 people there. Jockey colony included Codero Jr., Maple, Venezia, Velazquez, and Vasquez. The "Big A" had a great clubhouse, nice and warm. Manhatten clam chowder was $2.95 and was a meal. LOL! Just great racing in those days.

I come out of Sheepsheadbay. I'd shovel my car, 4 to 8 inches of snow,AND the path to Ave. Y where the streets were plowed to get there! Nice and toasty warm once inside! Cordero and the crew almost NEVER Cancelled! Boy those were the good old days for sure,,,

[Superfecta]

Just curious if any of you folks are from Canarsie, Brooklyn. I used to hang out at the OTB on Rockaway Parkway a mile or so from the Belt parkway. Great OTB! Used to jump on the "Belt" and be at the "Big A" in 15 minutes. The 70's and 80's had great crowds at Aqueduct. Even on weekdays during the winter meet, you'd see 8,000 to 10,000 people there. Jockey colony included Codero Jr., Maple, Venezia, Velazquez, and Vasquez. The "Big A" had a great clubhouse, nice and warm. Manhatten clam chowder was $2.95 and was a meal. LOL! Just great racing in those days.

I didn't go to the OTB on Rockaway Parkway but I would always stop at The Seaview Diner on my way home from Yonkers or Roosevelt.

[doug]

A great diner! Owned by some greek folks. Nice people!
You from Brooklyn?

[doug]

Towtruck, you got some great memories like i do. I graduated South Shore HS, Kingsborough, and the Brooklyn College. I made a lot of friends from Sheepshead Bay. I loved Joe's Clam Bar and Roll N Roster. I hear it's still pretty expensive to buy a house in that area.

[Emperor Dapple]

made lots of friends with harness racing owners and crazy gamblers from Brooklyn back in the day.. exciting area for sure..

[doug]

I'm sure. It's changed a lot, but i'm sure there are some "heavy hitters" sending it in
at the "Big A". I used to love the Winter Meet.

[EPM]

Went to Aquaduck 1 time....never seen people at a racetrack napping on benches b4 that..and not again to this day..had a p3 going..said if I hit i will go to Atlantic city..pick paid around 4 hunge..Went to Atlantic City blew 2 gs...never went back to either place

[EPM]

Best thing i like about AC was a bar not on the boadrwalk but on the street that ran same way a block up...think it was called The Biltmore..Alot of the casino workers hung in there

[EPM]

You gotta put Antley and Santos on the list..Samyn on the Green

[EPM]

Venzia..I dont remeber that name ..Maybe your talking b4 my time I guess

[EPM]

I remember think it was George Vasquez get his head stepped on an Sadly passed away

[EPM]

Raul Rojas

[doug]

Michael Venezia was a pretty good jockey during those days. Jorge Velazquez was a superstar in that jockey colony. He is 75 years old. I don't know of the jockey you mentioned.

[EPM]

Yeah it sad..coming out of 1st turn..see the horse just nail him in the head..