OT: Forgotten parimutuels - Jai Alai and Dog Racing...

[MtNittany]

Jai Alai is sort of a forgotten sport - even in FL. We used to go to the WPB Fronton a lot back in the late 80's, early 90's - as well as the Dog Track on Belvedere.

It was fast, athletic, betting action, dollar drafts. Everything you could want while you peeled off 6 more ones from the day's tips for another quinella box. Bolivar was the big star back then. If you bet on him, you won little money. But no one bet against him. In doubles the back guy was usually a big, chubby guy and would always drop the pelota at the worst time costing you your bet.

At the Kennel Club a dog named Pat C Rendezvous in the early 90's won 36 straight races - breaking the world record. It was a big deal. I remember they had a parade in WPB for her. She was riding in a convertible with a crown on her head.

The Kennel Club is now a quasi casino with the dogs long gone. The 45th Street Fronton was torn down long ago (owned by Don King btw). King offered the property to the Marlins to move and build a new stadium. They should have taken him up on it. Right off I-95.

Anyone used to visit places like these?

 

[s1uggo72]

Jai Alai is sort of a forgotten sport - even in FL. We used to go to the WPB Fronton a lot back in the late 80's, early 90's - as well as the Dog Track on Belvedere.

It was fast, athletic, betting action, dollar drafts. Everything you could want while you peeled off 6 more ones from the day's tips for another quinella box. Bolivar was the big star back then. If you bet on him, you won little money. But no one bet against him. In doubles the back guy was usually a big, chubby guy and would always drop the pelota at the worst time costing you your bet.

At the Kennel Club a dog named Pat C Rendezvous in the early 90's won 36 straight races - breaking the world record. It was a big deal. I remember they had a parade in WPB for her. She was riding in a convertible with a crown on her head.

The Kennel Club is now a quasi casino with the dogs long gone. The 45th Street Fronton was torn down long ago (owned by Don King btw). King offered the property to the Marlins to move and build a new stadium. They should have taken him up on it. Right off I-95.

Anyone used to visit these places?

not those places but I think the only place with dog racing in the US is here in WV at the Cross Lanes greyhound park, they also have a casino there. IIRC Dana Holgerson got drunk there one night (or every night) and Bill Stewart HC at WVU got fired over it!

 

[PSU Mike]

No, but I believe there used to be a dog track near the St Pete side of Gandy Bridge that we’d pass on our way to/from fishing.

 

[PSU87]

No, but I believe there used to be a dog track near the St Pete side of Gandy Bridge that we’d pass on our way to/from fishing.

Building is still there

 

[Bosco2]

My wife and I used to hit the dog tracks whenever we were in the Tampa area for bowl trips. Now we rescue them. The one we have now came from the rescue in Port Matilda. Great pets.

 

[BobPSU92]

We’re making up words now?

 

[BobPSU92]

My wife and I used to hit the dog tracks whenever we were in the Tampa area for bowl trips. Now we rescue them. The one we have now came from the rescue in Port Matilda. Great pets.

Where do you put the dog tracks after you rescue them?

 

[Knickslions69]

We used to go to Derby Lane until they closed few years back. Had fantastic seafood buffet back then

 

[12bflying]

We went to Jai Alai in Fort Lauderdale around 2010 just to see it. We didn't have a clue, but lost a few bucks and had a good time.

 

[Nittany.Lion]

Jai Alai is sort of a forgotten sport - even in FL. We used to go to the WPB Fronton a lot back in the late 80's, early 90's - as well as the Dog Track on Belvedere.

It was fast, athletic, betting action, dollar drafts. Everything you could want while you peeled off 6 more ones from the day's tips for another quinella box. Bolivar was the big star back then. If you bet on him, you won little money. But no one bet against him. In doubles the back guy was usually a big, chubby guy and would always drop the pelota at the worst time costing you your bet.

At the Kennel Club a dog named Pat C Rendezvous in the early 90's won 36 straight races - breaking the world record. It was a big deal. I remember they had a parade in WPB for her. She was riding in a convertible with a crown on her head.

The Kennel Club is now a quasi casino with the dogs long gone. The 45th Street Fronton was torn down long ago (owned by Don King btw). King offered the property to the Marlins to move and build a new stadium. They should have taken him up on it. Right off I-95.

Anyone used to visit places like these?

I lived in Wellington for a couple of years in the early 90's and frequented that dog track several times. What was it the track announcer would say when the chase rabbit would start a race, "heeeere comes Rusty"? It's been a long time since I thought about dog racing; Florida apparently outlawed it in 2021.

I just looked it up. There are two tracks left in the US, one in WV, mentioned below, and one in Iowa.

 

[Knickslions69]

I lived in Wellington for a couple of years in the early 90's and frequented that dog track several times. What was it the track announcer would say when the chase rabbit would start a race, "heeeere comes Rusty"? It's been a long time since I thought about dog racing; Florida apparently outlawed it in 2021.

I just looked it up. There are two tracks left in the US, one in WV, mentioned below, and one in Iowa.

There are two in West Virginia

 

[Catch1lion]

2 of the better excuses now gone for guys who were busing hitting the always adjacent dance clubs.

 

[MtNittany]

I lived in Wellington for a couple of years in the early 90's and frequented that dog track several times. What was it the track announcer would say when the chase rabbit would start a race, "heeeere comes Rusty"? It's been a long time since I thought about dog racing; Florida apparently outlawed it in 2021.

I just looked it up. There are two tracks left in the US, one in WV, mentioned below, and one in Iowa.

Here Comes Rusty is exactly correct. Good times. The track (Kennel Club) is still owned by Tom Rooney btw (Former congress-criter and Steelers Rooney nephew).

 

[Big_O]

The dog racing park in Sarasota that was near the airport is gone, too.

 

[psu83]

Went to dog races in Florida years ago and eventually adopted a "lucky" retired greyhound, typically when the dogs are no longer profitable the owners put them down to save on expenses to keep them. Athena was a wonder to watch run and never barked a day in her life; only drawback with greyhounds is they are nefarious for noxious emanations with no warning or sound! Every time this event occurred I swear when I looked at her she was smiling like "Gotcha", unfortunately she developed tumors throughout her body and had to cross the Rainbow Bridge while still young (5 yrs old). I look forward to seeing her run again in a much better place.

 

[Bosco2]

Went to dog races in Florida years ago and eventually adopted a "lucky" retired greyhound, typically when the dogs are no longer profitable the owners put them down to save on expenses to keep them. Athena was a wonder to watch run and never barked a day in her life; only drawback with greyhounds is they are nefarious for noxious emanations with no warning or sound! Every time this event occurred I swear when I looked at her she was smiling like "Gotcha", unfortunately she developed tumors throughout her body and had to cross the Rainbow Bridge while still young (5 yrs old). I look forward to seeing her run again in a much better place.

Our first one had that "noxious emanations" problem. He developed bone cancer in one of his hind legs and had to be put down. Apparently it's fairly common with greyhounds. He made it to about age 10, though. Our current rescue just turned 10 and is going strong.

 

[Nittering Nabob]

Jai Alai is sort of a forgotten sport - even in FL. We used to go to the WPB Fronton a lot back in the late 80's, early 90's - as well as the Dog Track on Belvedere.

It was fast, athletic, betting action, dollar drafts.

Jai Alai, like college football, is another beautiful sport overcome by corruption (Whitey Bulger). The matches were almost all fixed.

I do miss a good night at the dog track. Wife #3 was very successful at Hollywood back in the day. She had a system.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

I've never been to a dog track, or a jai alai match.

The closest association I've had to either was a week or more in Mexico. While there, I played fronton tennis several times. Fronton tennis is a game that is a combination of tennis and Basque pelota. And to finish up this connection, jai alai is a variation of Basque pelota.

 

[s1uggo72]

Jai Alai, like college football, is another beautiful sport overcome by corruption (Whitey Bulger). The matches were almost all fixed.

I do miss a good night at the dog track. Wife #3 was very successful at Hollywood back in the day. She had a system.

What bet#3 dog. In theory because of physical positioning they could get to the corner first. Whoever gets to the corner in first wins. There really isn’t any handicapping w the dogs

 

[Knickslions69]

What bet#3 dog. In theory because of physical positioning they could get to the corner first. Whoever gets to the corner in first wins. There really isn’t any handicapping w the dogs

My strategy is bet inside outside because of that. Always box 1,2,7,8 tris and hope

 

[Chumboshifko1]

Jai Ali was caught with the fix in. I watched dogs stop to have urinary and bowel movements.

 

[Mr. Potter]

Parimutuels: Definition, a form of betting in which those backing the first three places divide the losers' stakes (less the operator's commission)

Never heard that word before. Learn something new every day.

I'll use it in a sentence, so I won't forget.

Matching at least four numbers wins a parimutuel prize.