Visiting Finger Lakes

[Tom]

I was asked some questions about Finger Lakes, so I started a thread so I could post a photo.

If you come by the Thruway, it is exit 44 Canandaigua.
Yoo come onto Rt 332 S. Second stoplight is Rt 96, turn left.
Track is on you right at first stoplight, just past the burned out Dollar Store
Main entrance maybe a hundred yards past the intersection (Beaver Creek Rd)

I would park near the clubhouse entrence, less cars. Track is both floors here, only second floor over the casino.Security drives through the parking lot regularly.

The Beef on Weck is very good. pktruckdriver gave it his seal of approval.

[BettinBilly]

This is fantastic, Tom. Just what I needed for my visit. I'm coming from Syracuse, so the directions are easy for me to follow.

Coincidentally, I love Beef on Weck. I am going to Schwabl's in Buffalo for that very thing. But I will sample the B.O.W. at the track as well now that you mention it.

I have not been to this track in many decades. I probably won't even recognize it. I may have to look at the Casino as well. From the Pics I see online, it looks like they have a fairly decent Sport Book.

THANKS!

-Billy

[BarchCapper]

That parking lot is where my bride (born in Canandaigua Hospital, a Macedon girl who went to Pal-Mac High and sang in the choir at St. John Lutheran, Pumpkin Hook) learned to drive . She didn't even know that they raced horses on the other side of the building. Then she met me in NYC seven years later and the rest is history. She's attended live racing at 28 different tracks, but Finger Lakes will always be "home".

[lex]

My late boyfriend and I went out there a few times to see one of my favorite horses and I might have to make a return trip. I really liked it there.

I used to have to make the trip from Albany to Buffalo a lot for work and I got sick of the Thruway after a while but now it sounds like a good day trip.

[Tom]

Pumpkin Hook!
The best Firemans' carnival anywhere!

[Boomer]

My history goes back to Trenholm East Inn and Depacifics Restaurant



Jocks included Warren Vedilago, Rudy Rincon and even JJ Healey and Clay Ivey.


Ross Mortons welcome was great.


BETCHA LOVE US!



Favorite food there was the Hot Dog on the second floor with German Sauerkraut with Rye seeds in it.


I would borrow my future wifes car every weekend and drive from SUNY Brockport to the track.


After college I got a job selling wine and my Friday route ended in Palmyra NY. You know I sped through that route and miraculously made it to Finger Lakes in time for the Double. Walked in just in time to see the horses for race 1 at the paddock. I could smell that liniment from the entrance. Which, as you know, was right near the paddock.


During my travel days I would make a yearly trip there. Love the place.

[MJC922]

Yea those hots with the kraut were good Boomer. I remember when growing up my grandma buying one for my mom and I when we'd go to the track on the weekends. Then as I got older and started going full-time I'd grab one now and then. The italian sausage with peppers and onions was pretty good too IMO. Then they started adding calzones eventually which were hit and miss, sometimes they weren't fully cooked in the 90s, things changed. I stopped there one day to kill some time last year I think it was, live racing was over with so it was just simulcasting upstairs, snack bar closed. Hard to believe I spent so much time in that upper grandstand ugh, it's like freddy kruger would be really at home up there now, not someplace I'd want to head back to unless live racing is on so you can go to the paddock and then outside to the bleachers. They need to give that upper grandstand some love. The paddock room / club is probably a better bet for simulcast (it always was) but even strolling through that I just wasn't into it. Reminds me of so much time I spent there over the years and then wondering what it would've been like had I not gone down that path.

[BettinBilly]

Great thread. I enjoyed reading the history and memories from everyone.

I went to college in upstate NY and had my first job in the southern tier. But that job had me traveling up to and including Syracuse, Rochester and Batavia. I stopped just short of Buffalo. I have driven past Finger Lakes track multiple times, but I only stopped in once, many many moons ago. I barely remember anything at all. And it's obviously changed since then. Back then I was really work-focused, so I never relaxed during the week. A foolish waste of youth, in hindsight.

I have never enjoyed driving the NY State Thruway, but my E-Pass from Florida does work for the tolls in NY, so at least I can sail through the turnstiles. Or drive through them. I don't know if they are now high speed no-stop toll stations like Florida - probably not.

I have not been back to upstate NY in many moons. This trip will be a culinary and past memories homage. I love upstate NY - in the summer. Italian food, Spiedies, German food, Beef on Kimmel, Concord Grape Pie. And Pizza. New York knows how to make great Pizza. I will visit my former college and old stomping ground, with a definite visit to Finger Lakes Track. Can't wait.

[Zydeco]

Originally Posted by BettinBilly

Great thread. I enjoyed reading the history and memories from everyone.

I went to college in upstate NY and had my first job in the southern tier. But that job had me traveling up to and including Syracuse, Rochester and Batavia. I stopped just short of Buffalo. I have driven past Finger Lakes track multiple times, but I only stopped in once, many many moons ago. I barely remember anything at all. And it's obviously changed since then. Back then I was really work-focused, so I never relaxed during the week. A foolish waste of youth, in hindsight.

I have never enjoyed driving the NY State Thruway, but my E-Pass from Florida does work for the tolls in NY, so at least I can sail through the turnstiles. Or drive through them. I don't know if they are now high speed no-stop toll stations like Florida - probably not.

I have not been back to upstate NY in many moons. This trip will be a culinary and past memories homage. I love upstate NY - in the summer. Italian food, Spiedies, German food, Beef on Kimmel, Concord Grape Pie. And Pizza. New York knows how to make great Pizza. I will visit my former college and old stomping ground, with a definite visit to Finger Lakes Track. Can't wait.

Spiedies are the best! Wegmans sells the state fair Spiedie marinade here in Northern Virginia!

[BettinBilly]

Originally Posted by Zydeco

Spiedies are the best! Wegmans sells the state fair Spiedie marinade here in Northern Virginia!

I agree. I make Spiedies every summer at home by cubing pork or lamb (lamb is the original recipe and my favorite) and marinating them in Good Seasons Italian dressing, the stuff you mix up from a packet with your own vinegar and oil. I've tried bottled Italian dressing, and it's not as good for marinating Spiedies as the Good Seasons that you mix up yourself. I can't get State Fair Spiedie marinade in my home town grocery stores. If I could, I'd definitely buy it. You are lucky to have a Wegmans. What a great store. I may stop into a Wegmans just to peruse the local fare and pick up some bottles of Spiedie marinade.

I also miss Grandma Brown's Baked Beans. They come out of the can like paste. You have to doctor them up with ketchup, mustard, onions and molasses or brown sugar and then bake them. But once that's done, they are terrific. Especially with Spiedies. While I'm at Wegmans, I'll pick up some cans of Grandma Brown's Baked Beans as well.

[CaptainObvious]

Originally Posted by BettinBilly

Great thread. I enjoyed reading the history and memories from everyone.

I went to college in upstate NY and had my first job in the southern tier. But that job had me traveling up to and including Syracuse, Rochester and Batavia. I stopped just short of Buffalo. I have driven past Finger Lakes track multiple times, but I only stopped in once, many many moons ago. I barely remember anything at all. And it's obviously changed since then. Back then I was really work-focused, so I never relaxed during the week. A foolish waste of youth, in hindsight.

I have never enjoyed driving the NY State Thruway, but my E-Pass from Florida does work for the tolls in NY, so at least I can sail through the turnstiles. Or drive through them. I don't know if they are now high speed no-stop toll stations like Florida - probably not.

I have not been back to upstate NY in many moons. This trip will be a culinary and past memories homage. I love upstate NY - in the summer. Italian food, Spiedies, German food, Beef on Kimmel, Concord Grape Pie. And Pizza. New York knows how to make great Pizza. I will visit my former college and old stomping ground, with a definite visit to Finger Lakes Track. Can't wait.

I always hit Mac’s Philly Cheesesteak when I’m in the area. Can’t go wrong with the double meat Philly.

[BettinBilly]

Originally Posted by CaptainObvious

I always hit Mac’s Philly Cheesesteak when I’m in the area. Can’t go wrong with the double meat Philly.

Thanks for the tip!

[eqitec]

The Finger Lakes Paddock on a Rainy Day Long Ago