I hope I break even, I could use the money.

—overheard at Aqueduct

In 1973 I went to Aqueduct racetrack with my father and my Uncle Nick. They had the day off and I had a new telephoto lens I wanted to try out. I wasn’t doing much of anything back then besides occasionally driving a yellow taxi and photographing a bit. I wandered around the track, taking pictures without asking anyone for permission.

The people at Aqueduct were overwhelmingly white, working class men. A few chatted with people nearby, but most of them stood or squatted alone. They often carried an oversized copy of The Daily Telegraph and an Aqueduct program of the day’s races. Before betting, handicappers would try to combine past performances vs. current track conditions, competitors and odds. I photographed them as they struggled to compare the large pages of their newspapers with their programs. It did not look like they were having fun.

The best photo I made that day has my father smiling happily as my uncle points to a winner on his program.

Much to their surprise, I concocted a system at Aqueduct. By betting on the favorite to place (finish third), and a long shot to win, I won $200. However, my system did not stand the test of time. My father and I returned to Aqueduct a few days later. I lost half my winnings, and have never gone back.