As everyone knows by now,  this week the last of the NYC OTB parlors closed their doors, probably for good. I was never a big OTB player, I had a telephone account with them, but I usually stopped in just to get the Daily Racing Program. Known as the “the book” to the tellers, for 3 dollars it carried each thoroughbred track that was being simulcast that day. Using the “book” is a learned affection (small type, cheap paper, etc) but it does carry 1st timer sire and trainer stats for the preceding 12 months which can be a nifty angle for MSW and MCL races. The book is hard to find now in our neck of the woods, but the magazine shop on Varick next to the old parlor below Houston usually carries multiple copies.

Now onward to the pictures! Last Wednesday (Dec 8th), the first day  NYC OTB had closed its doors, I made my way back to the New York Public Library’s Picture Collection. A few months ago I posted here about the popularity of the OTB in 1971.

Here are more from the collection and a few of my own.

From the New York Times May 1, 1971 photo by Robert Walker

OTB Pallor 1977 location unknown (uncredited photo)

Unknown OTB location dated May 17, 1971

Shuttered OTB shop on 48th St between 5th and 6th (about 75 yards from the Rockefeller Center holiday tree) Dec 8th 2010

The sign over the flagship location on W 38th St and Broadway, Wed, Dec 8th 2010.

38th St and Broadway Wed Dec 8th 2010, not long after the last at Aqueduct.

And the sign says...