THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 5, 1996 TAG: 9605050120
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: Medium: 95 lines
CHESAPEAKE - Irving Polis, though only 5-foot-4, stood tall Saturday evening.
The 92-year-old from Virginia Beach was first in line at a Colonial Downs cashier's window. Polis waited to collect his loot on a winning ticket for the Kentucky Derby.
``Irving Polis, that's my real name, but I have an alias - The Miami Kid,'' said Polis, dapper-looking with slicked-back hair, a brown suit and a yellow golf shirt. ``I got that name in 1927.''
The Kid had a ball Saturday, a day for the ages in the commonwealth. Wagering on the Kentucky Derby was legal in Virginia for the first time at Colonial Downs, the off-track betting parlor on South Military Highway.
Thoroughbred racing's grandest day proved to be good for Colonial Downs as well. Its general manager, Gil Short, said 650 people paid $10 to watch and wager inside the building, while about 400 more
paid $5 to partake in the festivities in a massive tent in the parking lot, where 30 television monitors and 14 betting machines were set up.
Total wagering Saturday at Colonial Downs: more than $300,000. The previous high at the OTB, which opened in February, was $219,000.
Regulars at the parlor said Derby Day was distinctively different than most at Colonial Downs, and not just because of the prevalence of mint juleps and roses - a couple Kentucky Derby staples.
``It's a lot rowdier and more crowded,'' said Edna Morris, an electrical engineer who drives in from Richmond about once a month to play the ponies. ``Most of the time when you come here you get the die-hard gamblers. Today it seems there are more people who come for the entertainment and to be part of the action. It's more of a festive feel.''
Bartender Laura Murray was all for that. She said the party atmosphere seemed to put patrons in a generous mood, illustrated by the two beer pitchers-turned-tip-jars that overflowed with greenbacks. Murray wishes they ran the Kentucky Derby every day.
``I'd never have to worry about another bill again,'' she said. ``It's a great day.''
Not everyone was in such a generous mood. Mo Saxton of Virginia Beach said she comes to the OTB parlor about three times a week, but was disgruntled about the $10 cover charge that greeted her on this visit. Normally it's $1.
``It's definitely too steep,'' she said. ``You don't get anything for it.''
Chuck Fodor of Richmond had no complaints about his first visit to Colonial Downs.
``I love horse racing, have loved it for years,'' Fodor said. ``But I never had an opportunity to go out and have fun watching it because there was nowhere to go.''
As Fodor spoke, the starting gate opened on the race everyone had been waiting for. Fodor took a step toward one of the countless TV screens. A room that had been awash with chatter and disarray suddenly became focused as all eyes were on the race.
It was surprisingly quiet for about a minute as bettors watched the race take shape. Then the furor mounted. Fodor held a beer in one fist and pumped the other while shouting: ``C'mon!''
As Grindstone and Cavonnier went to the wire in a photo finish at Churchill Downs - it was the closest Derby finish since 1959 - hoots, high-fives and moans filled the air at Colonial Downs. Fodor lost his bet on Unbridled's Song, which came in fifth, but waited for the race to become official to see if he had hit on a trifecta bet.
``This is real exciting,'' Fodor said. ``My heart's pumping.''
Alas, he missed on the trifecta as well. Fodor dropped $160 for two minutes of action.
What is billed the most exciting two minutes in sports is probably also the most expensive two minutes.
Unless you're The Miami Kid, of course. Polis turned $40 worth of bets on the race into $259 worth of winnings. There were bigger winners Saturday at Colonial Downs - the top payoff on the Kentucky Derby to a single bettor was $5,499 for a $2 superfecta bet - but Polis was feeling big enough.
``But whatever you write, let 'em know I didn't win a million dollars,'' Polis said. ``I got a lot of creditors; they'll be following me day and night.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
CANDICE CUSIC/The Virginian-Pilot
At Colonial Downs in Chesapeake, bridge partners Carolyn Green,
left, and Dotty Johnson became betting partners on Derby Day.
Photo
CANDICE CUSIC/The Virginian-Pilot
Irving Polis, 92 - aka The Miami Kid - was first in line Saturday to
collect at Colonial Downs, the off-track betting parlor where
wagering on the Derby was legal for the first time in Virginia.
Polis had reason to cheer: The $40 he'd plunked down in bets became
a slick $259.
KEYWORDS: HORSE RACING OFF-TRACK BETTING by CNB