Despite facing competition from the Cleveland Browns home opener on Sunday, Thistledown posted records for wagering last weekend. The track's director of mutuels, Bob Hickey, said that $960,144 was bet offtrack on Saturday's card, a record for a card other than an Ohio Derby Day. On Sunday, $843,215 was wagered offtrack. That figure would have been a record if not for Saturday. Hickey said that Thistledown has established a presence in the New York City offtrack betting market. "That has helped us a great deal," he said. "The fact that Finger Lakes in upstate New York is dark on Sundays also played a part in our record weekend." Simulcast director Greg Davis said he has been trying to establish a rapport with the New York outlets for two or three years. "Finally, they took our full card on Ohio Derby Day," he said. "They liked what they saw, and a few weeks later they began taking us regularly." * Sunday's early daily double paid a whopping $3 after 1-2 shot Miz Catskatoon won the opener and 1-10 Shakeyogroovething won the second. * Local trainers and jockeys have been wining races at Presque Isle Downs, a two-hour drive from the track. On Thursday night, 16 local horses were entered in the eight Presque Isle races.