By Andy Furman NKyTribune reporter
As the ribbon dropped to open the new Turfway Racing & Gaming facility in Florence Thursday, Thelma Julic, a 75-year-old “player” from Demossville, Ky. stormed the waiting lines and was first to play when the facility opened for wagering at 9 a.m.
“I live on my Social Security check,” Julic told the Northern Kentucky Tribune, “And after I pay all my bills – well, I play.”
Florence Mayor Diane Whalen and Turfway Racing & Gaming General Manager Chip Bach get ready to cut the ribbon to open the new faciliity.
Julic said she usually does her “playing” at Belterra Casino or Hollywood, but now she has a new home for fun and games – Turfway Park.
And she has plenty of games to choose from.
The state-of-the-art facility has some 850 gambling machines – with approval for some 1,200.
Julic parked herself in front of Triple, Healthy Fortune.
A crowd starting gathering early.
“I don’t think I’ve ever played this one before,” she said, “I’ll give it a shot.”
And she did, as she slipped a dollar bill in the slot.
No bells or whistles – not a winner.
“My biggest win was $1,200 a while back,” she said, “I think it was at Belterra.”
Turfway staff and executives were on hand for a ribbon-cutting prior to the 9 a.m. “cattle-call” which saw an estimated 1,000 patrons waiting for a big pay day at the new betting emporium.
General Manager Chip Bach – who said he waited 23 years for this day – was flanked on the ribbon-cutting line with Florence Mayor Diane E. Whalen.
Thelma Julic was first to slip a dollar into one of the new machines, Triple Healthy Fortune. (Photos by Andy Furman
Turfway President Michael Taylor was present along with members of Florence City Council and the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.
But the surprise was the crowd lining up for action some 45 minutes to the 9 a.m. starting bell.
Those patrons won’t have to do much waiting in the future.
Wagering hours will be 9 a.m. to 4 a.m., Monday through Thursday.
“We’ll operate 24 hours on the weekends,” Bach said.
As for thoroughbred racing at the once-historic Latonia Race Course, that will make its debut November 30.
Owned and operated by Churchill Downs, Inc., the sister local business is Newport Gaming.
Gary Pecorello, Marketing Chief noted the games of choice, at least at Newport are: Wheel of Fortune, Buffalo Gold, and Ultimate Fire Link.
“Of course,” he said, “they’re available here at Turfway.”
That’s good news for many patrons.
Perhaps – even for Thelma Julic.
© 2016 Kentucky Center for Public Service Journalism. All rights reserved.