It’s post time as OTB rolls into town

DURHAM — Patrons of Five Furlongs Tavern will be able to bet on some or all of the Triple Crown races this year.

Furlong owner Garrett Doyle approached Durham Town Supervisor Shawn Marriott about the prospect of having an Off-Track Betting trailer placed in the parking lot of Furlongs during the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes.

“They are looking to have a trailer for Off-Track Betting, or OTB,” Marriott said Thursday. “The Kentucky Derby is this weekend, so they’re looking to have it set up this weekend. They have a few other dates that they’re looking for. The county had contacted me as well to see if there was anything — I honestly don’t deal with the bank portion of it. The only thing OTB is looking for is a letter from the town saying that there is no restrictions on our end as far as them having the trailers. So they’re getting OTB. I guess the long term result is looking to have some form of machines that are permanently at Furlongs, but for now they’re having the mobile trailers.”

The Town Board approved Doyle’s request.

Doyle said the mobile unit will be manned by one person, and since he only recently placed the request with Capital OTB, the unit might not arrive on time for this Saturday’s race. OTB will be available for the Pimlico race and the Belmont Stakes.

Doyle said he had the idea of providing OTB for patrons because the theme of his bar is based on horse-racing.

“We are a little sporty bar, and it’s called Five Furlongs,” said Doyle, “Some locals were requesting OTB, so we asked the town for permission, and we’re going to give it to the customers.”

A furlong is equal to 200 yards, and is the measurement used in horse racing.

Of the Triple Crown races, the Kentucky Derby is 10 furlongs, the Preakness is 9.5 furlongs and the Belmont Stakes 12 furlongs.