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Post by Badactor on Oct 18, 2022 10:10:08 GMT -5
To the best of my recollection, the first time I ever went to a racetrack was at Santa Anita, the day after Christmas, when I was 8 years old.
How old were you?
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Post by mverrone on Oct 18, 2022 19:35:20 GMT -5
I was ten. I lived right across the street from Aqueduct My friends and I used to sneak in after school
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Post by arsignman on Oct 19, 2022 9:52:27 GMT -5
I lived in Missouri and Iowa with no racetracks and moved to Arkansas and went to college an hour from Hot Springs. I was 18 and have been going to races ever since !!
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Post by bobtailnag on Oct 19, 2022 13:25:07 GMT -5
I can't recall when it was. My father as a longtime horse player and when he had to take me somewhere, it was always the track, never a movie, ball game ect. Most of the time it was Cahokia Downs because they ran during the summer. I never took my son to Cahokia or Fairmount but I did take him to Churchill and Ellis a few times but he never caught the race horse bug.
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shoes
UpInClass Steward
Posts: 2,179
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Post by shoes on Oct 19, 2022 14:42:10 GMT -5
I was 18 or 19, it was Hazel Park in metro Detroit one of two tracks in the area, the other somewhat larger, nicer Track was DRC. As I recall Wayne Catalano was one of the top jockeys (will have to research to see if the timelines add up. My first winner was a horse called Moonsplash.My first Derby was in 1975 (Foolish Pleasure) at the age of 22 (almost 23) and the rest is history. What a long, wonderful run it's been. I leave bright and early tomorrow morning to head for Lexington (Keeneland). Edit, I was wrong about Wayne it looks like he didn't start till 1974 (though I'm sure I did see him ride in Detroit). Now I have to figure out who the top jockeys on that circuit were in 1970-71. Edit #2 At least my memory of Moonsplash was accurate, he was actually a pretty good horse: www.equibase.com/profiles/Results.cfm?type=Horse&refno=329220®istry=T&rbt=TB#completeStats
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Post by otis0930 on Oct 19, 2022 16:20:44 GMT -5
Around 12 went to Freehold Racetrack NJ
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spanky
UpInClass Member
Posts: 1,663
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Post by spanky on Oct 19, 2022 16:43:09 GMT -5
About 25 went to Raton NM with a friend and his Dad. Track closed years ago.
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ziggy
UpInClass Member
Posts: 892
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Post by ziggy on Oct 19, 2022 17:00:41 GMT -5
With dad and grand dad age 3 at Bowie. First time there as an adult I remembered where the bathrooms were. Started my stretch of Preaknesses at 13 in '69. I was watching races at Pimlico from a bedroom window long before that. My other grandparents lived on Belvedere Avenue, Pimlico's backstretch. The grand dad at Bowie was dad's step father so racing influence from both sides of the family. I saw him virtually every time I went to Pimlico and most Saturday's at Laurel. The fella that did Jack's green card rented a room from them for a while. I was 'doomed' LOL.
ziggy
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1hooper
UpInClass Steward
Posts: 6,825
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Post by 1hooper on Oct 19, 2022 18:08:33 GMT -5
Family moved to a house about 1/4 mile from Narragansett Park when I was in first grade. Could watch the races from the attic skylight when we didn't trek over. Different era. Dad's cousin had a small training track across the street, we were always at the track or the local restaurant betting.
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Post by unusualpete on Oct 20, 2022 9:27:21 GMT -5
29. Celebrated new years day at golden gate. Plenty of serendipity and luck.
Had 30 bucks to bet approaching the 30th birthday. Had just completed a taxing year on the road and felt like the career was ending. Horse's name had my name as well as the last tour stop city's name in his name. Had to bet it all. Came in w Ronnie Warren Jr up. Extreme luck on the maiden voyage is a commonality for how people get hooked.
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Post by quickcall on Oct 20, 2022 17:06:29 GMT -5
Too many years ago, but I know it was before I was 10. Green Mountain.
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Post by ibetponies on Oct 20, 2022 18:14:23 GMT -5
14 in 1971 and I went to the Track of Lakes and Flowers in Inglewood, CA on the bus with the handicapper grandmother of one of my school chums. Hollywood Park seemed like a dream come true and now it's still a dream...just one I can no longer touch...
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Post by bertconvy on Oct 20, 2022 19:02:14 GMT -5
I was 18 or 19, it was Hazel Park in metro Detroit one of two tracks in the area, the other somewhat larger, nicer Track was DRC. As I recall Wayne Catalano was one of the top jockeys (will have to research to see if the timelines add up. My first winner was a horse called Moonsplash.My first Derby was in 1975 (Foolish Pleasure) at the age of 22 (almost 23) and the rest is history. What a long, wonderful run it's been. I leave bright and early tomorrow morning to head for Lexington (Keeneland). Edit, I was wrong about Wayne it looks like he didn't start till 1974 (though I'm sure I did see him ride in Detroit). Now I have to figure out who the top jockeys on that circuit were in 1970-71. Edit #2 At least my memory of Moonsplash was accurate, he was actually a pretty good horse: www.equibase.com/profiles/Results.cfm?type=Horse&refno=329220®istry=T&rbt=TB#completeStats18, for bertconvy ... DRC. ...Northville Downs and Hazel Park weren't too far behind... shoes, safe travels to Lexington, have fun, enjoy !!!
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Post by mysaladdays on Oct 21, 2022 12:16:32 GMT -5
Mid-70s was first time I ever went to races. Went to a nice "fair" like one near Charleston S.C. later on as well, we just put money in a hat. Forgot what that one was called?
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Post by cherokeescot on Oct 21, 2022 14:22:53 GMT -5
Although I started reading the form when I was four I didn’t go to an actual racetrack until I was 21 . We were 120 miles from the nearest track at Musselburgh and my dad didn’t drive so I had to wait until I got my first car , a 1967 green Mini , registration GRS 212 E before me and my four brothers piled in for the long drive to Edinburgh. We were down to our last 50 pence before we hit the winner of the last thereby enabling us to stop for a haggis supper at the fish and chip shop on the way home . Great memories.
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Post by tenfurlongs on Oct 21, 2022 15:00:20 GMT -5
Apparently I was a late bloomer, as I first remember going to Saratoga in 1983, a few years out of college. I still have my giveaway t-shirt from 1984, can't believe I could ever have fit into it: TW
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Post by soundsofsaratoga on Oct 22, 2022 2:54:07 GMT -5
My father took me to opening day at Saratoga in 1983. I was 8 years old.
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Post by Badactor on Oct 24, 2022 17:46:09 GMT -5
Thank you, Folks! I enjoy reading your posts.
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