In The News > View Archived News Here May 20, 2008 Two Down, One to Go for Hometown Big Brown; Suffolk OTB Readies for Possible Triple Crown Winner (Hauppauge, New York): After a record-breaking Kentucky Derby and a flawless Preakness Stakes, Suffolk Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation is preparing for what promises to be the most exciting third leg of the Triple Crown since Affirmed nabbed the honor in 1978. His principles hope that the 140th Belmont Stakes will be the site of a stunning Triple finish for the hometown-owned Big Brown. “If you think that the Kentucky Derby was exciting, just wait,” said Suffolk OTB President and CEO Jeffrey A. Casale. “This Belmont Stakes may well be the sporting event of the year.” Although Big Brown flew to victory at both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, there is great interest in a pair-up between Brown and Casino Drive, a Japanese-bred horse that blew away the competition at the Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont on May 10. Casino Drive’s owners brought him over special for the Belmont Stakes and the colt will be rested and ready when the gun goes off at Belmont on June 7th. As was the case for the Derby and the Preakness, Casale said that all fourteen OTB branches —including the state of the art Racing Forum tele-theater — will have additional staffing to assist novice bettors. “Our staff enjoys working these big race days. We want all of our customers to feel comfortable while they experience the excitement of thoroughbred racing, especially when there is a real chance for a Triple Crown winner.” Suffolk OTB is a public benefit corporation that provides over $2 million annually in non-tax revenue for Suffolk County and its taxpayers. Since its inception in 1975, it has generated a total of over $190 million for Suffolk County. Suffolk Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation has a total of fourteen branches: the Airport Branch (300 Knickerbocker Avenue in Bohemia), the Centereach Branch (1937 Middle Country Road), the Commack Branch (6243 Jericho Turnpike), the Grand Boulevard Branch (860 Grand Boulevard in Deer Park), the Hauppauge Branch (536 Route 347), the Huntington Branch (321 W. Jericho Turnpike), the Patchogue Branch (350 East Main Street), the Riverhead Branch (1071 Old Country Road), the Ronkonkoma Branch (136 Portion Road), the Route 110 Branch (1741 A Route 110, East Farmingdale), the Shirley Branch (6 Northern Boulevard), the Southampton Branch (829-31 Sunrise Highway) and the Sunrise Branch (1375 Sunrise Highway, Bay Shore). May 8, 2008 Suffolk OTB Breaks Previous Wagering Record with This Year’s Kentucky Derby; Hometown Big Brown, Branch Enhancements Drive Increase (Hauppauge, New York): It was a record-breaking Kentucky Derby for Suffolk Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation. An analysis of Suffolk OTB’s ‘handle’ from this year’s Run for the Roses shows an increase of over $100,000 from last year’s Derby. (The handle is the total amount of money wagered). At $2,696,988, this year’s wagering surpassed by more than $30,000 the previous record, which was set in 2005. “From the moment our doors opened right up to post time, our branches were packed with excited racing fans,” said Suffolk OTB President and CEO Jeffrey A. Casale. “Big Brown tapped into the hometown pride of our patrons. I’ve never seen this much anticipation on Derby Day.” The day’s excitement was tempered by the fatal injuries sustained by second place winner Eight Belles. “To loose a filly like Eight Belles after such a tremendous effort was heartbreaking,” said Casale. “She was the sentimental favorite for many of our new customers.” Casale said that nearly all of OTB’s fourteen branches far exceeded last year’s Kentucky Derby betting. “In our business, you succeed based on the quality of your customer service. This year’s Derby numbers bear out OTB’s commitment to the highest level in customer satisfaction.” Bettors in both Nassau and Suffolk counties benefited from Suffolk OTB’s convenient telephone wagering. “Our goal is to provide the entire gamut of wagering services for racing fans,” said Casale. The Kentucky Derby brings out many novice bettors, all of whom are eager to take a chance on their favorite horse. “The atmosphere on Derby Day is contagious,” said Suffolk OTB Vice President Marietta Seaman. “When you walk into a branch, you see the entire spectrum of racing enthusiasts, from older couples to young families. No one is immune from Derby fever.” Suffolk OTB’s tele-theater facility — the Racing Forum — saw over 1,000 people pass through its doors to bet on and view the Kentucky Derby. The state of the art facility offers patrons track odds and pays track prices, while providing access to the Forum’s bar and restaurant. “Derby Day was a great opportunity for new bettors to see how we have transformed our branches into superior entertainment destinations,” said Casale. “With gas prices at an all time high, we provide our customers with an evening out for a fraction of the cost of distant casinos.” Suffolk OTB is a public benefit corporation that provides over $2 million annually in non-tax revenue for Suffolk County and its taxpayers. Since its inception in 1975, it has generated a total of over $190 million for Suffolk County. Next up in the Triple Crown is the Preakness Stakes on Saturday, May 17th. “With Big Brown’s Derby win, we will see tremendous interest in the next leg of the Triple Crown,” said Casale. “If Big Brown wins the Preakness, watch out. The Belmont Stakes will be out of this world!” Suffolk Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation has a total of fourteen branches: the Airport Branch (300 Knickerbocker Avenue in Bohemia), the Centereach Branch (1937 Middle Country Road), the Commack Branch (6243 Jericho Turnpike), the Grand Boulevard Branch (860 Grand Boulevard in Deer Park), the Hauppauge Branch (536 Route 347), the Huntington Branch (321 W. Jericho Turnpike), the Patchogue Branch (350 East Main Street), the Riverhead Branch (1071 Old Country Road), the Ronkonkoma Branch (136 Portion Road), the Route 110 Branch (1741 A Route 110, East Farmingdale), the Shirley Branch (6 Northern Boulevard), the Southampton Branch (829-31 Sunrise Highway) and the Sunrise Branch (1375 Sunrise Highway, Bay Shore). May 8, 2008 20¢ Makes the Difference in March 2008 Handicap Challenge SROTB Director of Wagering and Operations Paul Edelstein used his thumb and index finger to indicate the smallest of margins. He was referring to the fact that Frank Auriemma’s total point score of $101.50 was just 20 cents more than the second highest score in Suffolk OTB’s March 2008 Handicap Challenge. But that 20 cents made the difference in earning the Plainview resident an all expense paid entry into the Coast Casino’s One Million Dollar Horse Player World Series. In January 2009, Mr. Auriemma will travel to the Orleans Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, courtesy of Suffolk OTB. On March 8, Mr. Auriemma bet six races at Aqueduct and six races at Gulfstream; two won and two placed. Mr. Auriemma is a tournament veteran who competed with 107 other entrants to take home winnings in the amount of $10,800. He has had a number of top five finishes, including Belmont — his favorite track — Aqueduct, Autote, Caesar’s Palace, Penn National, Mirage, Sands, MGM Grand and Delaware Park. His favorite bet? The 10¢ Superfecta. The one location you will not find in the aforementioned list is the long defunct Jamaica Track. Mr. Auriemma recalls his father taking him to his first race at ‘the people’s racetrack’, before it was torn down in 1959. It has only been a few years since Mr. Auriemma last qualified for the Vegas contest. He finished second in one of Suffolk OTB’s 2005 Handicap Challenge. The winner of that contest was unable to attend the World Series Competition, so Mr. Auriemma went in his place. Another two Suffolk OTB customers will join Mr. Auriemma on his Las Vegas jaunt when winners emerge from the remaining Handicap Challenges in June and October. If you have any questions about the upcoming Handicap Challenges, call our Customer Service Department at 631.853.1000 or visit our website at www.suffolkotb.com. Paul Edelstein, SROTB Director of Wagering Operations and Services (left), presents the March 2008 Handicap Challenge trophy to Frank Auriemma of Plainview, who took home $10,800 in winnings. With his win, Mr. Auriemma will attend the Coast Casino’s One Million Dollar Horse Player World Series in Las Vegas, courtesy of Suffolk OTB. March 2008 Hoops ‘N Horses Lenny Telesca may not have been happy when his racing bets weren’t winners but by putting his name and favorite NCAA basketball team pick on the back of a losing bet slip and entering it in SROTB’s March ’08 Hoops and Horses contest, he came out all smiles. Mr. Telesca was the lucky single drawing winner of a $250 SROTB betting voucher and a $250 gasoline card. Suffolk OTB is always looking to develop interesting contests for our patrons. Watch our branches and website for details about our upcoming contest in combination with Major League Baseball.