Preston Burris Jr

[wizardofoz]

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!

[kantseeback]

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.

[dougie]

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.

[MTP1972]

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.

[Dingus]

I was at the meadowlands the time Silk Stockings lost.

[hammer0419]

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.

[Papillon]

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

[kantseeback]

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.

[MIKE CAMPBELL]

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.

[Harness racer]

Pres was a good guy and always fun to talk to.  He knew a lot about the game!   

[dougie]

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!

[toothman]

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...
Wish i knew how to post an image. do you belong to the Monticello Memorabilia group on FB?

[toothman]

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...

[dougie]

The trophy is well taken care of and makes an appearance here and there...
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!

[kantseeback]

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.