“Happy Friday!” exclaims 95-year-old Christina Foley, as she and her daughter-in-law, Barbara walk through the front doors at WEGZ Stadium Bar in Vaughan. Seconds later, the two women are greeted with the same refrain.
There are smiles around whenever Foley, a longtime horse racing fan, makes her weekly trip to Woodbine’s award-winning sports bar, a visit she’s been making with family for quite a while now.
“I’ve been a fan of racing for years and years and years,” says Foley, with a laugh. “I just love everything about it. I guess you could say racing is a habit of mine. My husband and I would go to Woodbine every Friday, head up to the clubhouse and spend the afternoon watching the races. It was always fun and we were always treated so wonderfully. The people that worked there were lovely.”
She has the same compliment for the staff at WEGZ.
“Whenever we visit, the people there, they know who we are and they do everything to make our visit a happy one,” offers Foley, who tabs Hall of Fame Canadian jockeys Sandy Hawley and Robin Platts among her all-time favourites.
Foley and her daughter-in-law sit in the same booth each time they go, not for luck, but rather, out of habit and convenience.
Christina Foley and Barbara check out WEGZ (WEG Photo)
“It’s a nice booth at the back,” she notes. “There’s a betting machine close to us and we just get up and go over when we need to. One time, the machine wasn’t working, but the staff came over, took all of our things to a new booth, and made sure we were close to a machine. That’s just the kind of service you’d expect.”
Aside from a program, there is typically another staple found on Foley’s table.
“I do have a glass of white wine,” she says, with a chuckle. “It’s nice.”
It’s even more enjoyable when she manages to cash a winning ticket or two.
Her favourite wager?
“I like betting the triactor,” says Foley. “I play Canadian tracks and when they aren’t racing, I usually focus on two or three U.S. tracks. I pick three horses and bet a $1 triactor box. Sometimes, I’ll watch and my three horses are all there, right near the wire, and the next thing you know, another horse comes from out it and you get beat.”
But, there are also the times that yield a much more favourable outcome.
“I had three triactors come in last week,” she proudly notes. “That was a great day. The week before, I didn’t win anything. But, that’s what can happen. For me, I just enjoying going, seeing familiar faces and having fun. Everyone we meet is so thoughtful and you always go home feeling happy and looking forward to going back. They treat you very well.”
All of which makes every Friday at WEGZ a happy one for Christina Foley.
(WEG)