Скачать или смотреть A Walk Through Northville Downs Racetrack

A walk-through the clubhouse and grandstand of Northville Downs horse racetrack. Footage was from November of 2023 and closing nights in 2024. Parts were filmed before, during, and after the racing program took place.
Included is the final race at 44:12.
Northville Downs opened in September of 1944. This year would mark its 80th year in operation, also its last. The curved façade and sweeping windows along the front stretch were distinct features that made this building unique. Inside was the dual curved staircase and rounded tile walls. The white floor with the big blue circles were reminiscent of jockey colors and style. The sweeping curved balcony had inlaid wood that gave it a distinctive look. At one time, I assume, this was an upscale place to spend an evening betting on the races.
In the grandstands, which could seat up to five thousand people, seats and sections were numbered and assigned by an usher. At the top of the grandstand were multiple betting windows, all closed and abandoned decades ago. At one time, certain windows were for $50 and $100 and up bets only.
I had been attending races here for well over 10 years. Some fond memories are of a horseshoe flying off and hitting the fence in front of me, the free sandwiches from the Track View Deli, getting to know the teller Steve, winning shirts from Brad, and hiding the marsh mellow under the table, only to find it was still there a year later.
Although in a state of disrepair, I always had a fun time losing a few bucks.
A sad situation when most nights the place had many empty seats, only to see it almost full on its final nights.
I hope you enjoy my ode to this building and all the people in Michigan horse racing who made this a very special place in my heart.