Suffolk Plan: Three Racing Days, Big Purses
Blood-Horse
The New England Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association has requested that the management of Suffolk Downs, which was granted a two-year extension of its racing and simulcast license by the Massachusetts legislature in late March, apply for three days of live racing in 2015.
The horsemen and Suffolk Downs had discussed a longer race meet for 2015, but the New England HBPA told Blood-Horse April 15 it was determined the organization doesn’t have the resources to conduct more days and at the same time continue pursuing its longer-term plans to construct a new racetrack in Massachusetts.
Suffolk Downs chief operating officer Chip Tuttle confirmed that management is working with the horsemen’s group and expects to file an application for live racing dates with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission by the end of April.
“We think the concept proposed by the horsemen has merit, and we’re looking forward to discussing it in more detail with the gaming commission,” Tuttle said.
The three dates for this year would be held as one each in June, July, and August. Total purses would be in excess of $1.5 million for the three days; at $500,000 per day, the purse structure for the festivals will be the second- highest among the East Coast tracks, trailing only Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course.
“The concept that we’re finalizing with Suffolk Downs is three one-day festivals of racing with purse levels that will be attractive to horsemen and bettors alike,” New England HBPA consultant Lou Raffetto said. “We’d like these to be celebrations of the tradition of racing and breeding in the commonwealth with a focus on both the horses and family activities.
“By conducting one day of racing per each month, we will also give the Massachusetts breeders more opportunities to stage their races on these days.”
Raffetto said the plan is to conduct 12 races each day and that steeplechase racing, which has not been held at Suffolk Downs since 1997, will be part of the mix. The MGC still needs to approve the plan, which includes funding for purses from the state Race Horse Development Fund.
Suffolk Downs announced the end of live racing in September as a consequence of gaming partner Mohegan Sun being passed over for the single Boston-area casino license. With the passage of the legislation supported by both the track and the horsemen earlier this year, track officials said they would file for racing dates.
With Suffolk Downs filing for dates, the New England HBPA will withdraw the one-day placeholder application it was granted by the MGC in November of last year.
The New England HBPA estimates that the statewide Thoroughbred and agricultural network has an annual economic impact of $116 million with 1,500 direct and indirect industry jobs, 62 breeding farms, and almost 7,000 acres of open space.
