Posted: August 11, 2010

Owners of Suffolk Downs said they are considering laying off employees and reducing purses for race winners now that the track cannot count on casino gambling to rescue its money-losing operations.

Despite efforts to revitalize racing at Suffolk, the East Boston track has lost nearly $35 million during the last three years, according to financial reports filed with the state. Still, its owners have continued to pump money into the facility, hoping for approval of gambling legislation that would allow them to open a $600 million casino complex.

Now, with prospects for that legislation remote, a Suffolk executive said the track must find ways cut costs at the 1,000-employee operation. In addition to running Suffolk Downs at a loss, the owners have been funding neighboring Wonderland Park dog track and paying for an option to redevelop that property.

“Given business trends, it’s going to be very difficult to maintain this level of investment,’’ said Chip Tuttle, the chief operating officer of Suffolk, New England’s last remaining thoroughbred track. Tuttle declined to be more specific about the cuts because the owners have not made any final decisions.

But the failure of the Legislature and Governor Deval Patrick to agree on a final gambling bill has already claimed jobs at other tracks. Plainridge Racecourse in Plainville, which conducts harness racing, laid off 160 workers last week, while the owners of Raynham Park dog track halted plans to rehire 400 workers. Raynham has been simulcasting races since January, when a voter-approved ban on live dog racing took effect.

Gambling opponents said the tracks’ announcements of layoffs are intended to pressure state leaders into reaching a compromise to expand gambling. But the opponents said saving jobs, while important for the workers, does not erase the negative impact of casino-style gambling.

“It’s a regressive tax on people and families who can least afford it,’’ said Kris Mineau, the president of the Massachusetts Family Institute. “Expanding gambling under any circumstances is not benefiting the families of the Commonwealth.’’

The layoffs, especially at Suffolk Downs, would be a blow to House Speaker Robert DeLeo, the Winthrop Democrat who spent significant political capital during his first year as speaker pushing for expanded gambling at Suffolk and Wonderland, both of which are in his district.

DeLeo yesterday said any blame for job losses lies with Patrick, who refused to sign legislation that would have authorized three casinos and slot machines at two racetracks.

“Speaker DeLeo warned that anything less than Governor Patrick signing the compromise gaming bill . . . posed the risk that workers might be laid off,’’ DeLeo spokesman Seth Gitell said in a statement. “Now, regrettably, that warning has come to pass.’’

But Patrick’s spokesman, Kyle Sullivan, said the Legislature has yet to accept the governor’s invitation to return to session and take up an amended gambling bill that authorizes resort casinos, but not slots-only betting at racetracks, which he has long opposed. “The Legislature has it in its power to return to session and approve that plan and create thousands of jobs,’’ Sullivan said in a statement. “Suffolk Downs management has been clear in their intention to bid on a destination resort casino license and would be able to do so under the governor’s plan currently pending in the Legislature.’’

The ongoing war of words makes a compromise seem unlikely in the near term, meaning the tracks would have no hope of gambling until at least next January, when the Legislature resumes formal sessions.

Suffolk’s executives said they cannot wait that long without making cuts, especially with no guarantee that legislation will ultimately pass. The need for cost reductions represents a sharp reversal from the optimism of 2007, when casino developer Richard Fields bought a majority ownership of the track and promised to revive public interest in thoroughbred racing, whether Suffolk got approval for expanded gambling or not.

“I only do projects where people say it can’t be done,’’ Fields told the Globe in a June 2007 interview. “This is a big one, baby. . . . I’ve made a big bet here.’’

Fields and the track’s other owners — local businessman Joe O’Donnell and the New York investment firm Vornado Realty Trust — spent millions to rebuild barns and other facilities at the track. The owners more than doubled the advertising budget, spending $1.6 million on marketing in 2008. And they also increased the size of purses, paying $2.2 million more to winning horsemen between 2007 and 2009 than is required under state law.

Increasing purses, which are paid out of total wagering, helps support local horsemen and improves the caliber of competition at the track, which hosts races 101 days of the year between May and November.

But horse racing remains thinly popular — Suffolk Downs draws 10,000 people on a good day — compared to 66,000 or more after it opened in 1935. Without crowds, the increased spending left the track with an $18 million loss in 2007 and a $13.8 million loss in 2008, according to reports filed with the Massachusetts Racing Commission. Plainridge and Raynham Park also absorbed losses for those years, though not nearly as large: Plainridge reported $5.9 million in losses, while Raynham said it lost more than $1 million. Financial reports from the tracks for 2009 are due in October.

Tuttle said that while Suffolk’s owners cannot continue to absorb such high losses, they remain intent on continuing to operate the track. “We are committed to finishing the 2010 season, and looking at any options that allow us to continue racing,’’ he said.

May 15th was a special opening day at Suffolk Downs, kicking off the 2010 race meet and marking 75 years of Thoroughbred racing history at the famous East Boston racetrack.

New England HBPA President Al Balestra, speaking on behalf of the New England HBPA Board of Directors, congratulated Suffolk Downs’ owners, management, and racetrack employees and the many Thoroughbred owners, trainers, and stable area workers who have labored together for 75 years to provide the excitement of live horse racing for Thoroughbred racing fans throughout New England. President Balestra commented, “The racetrack team and the horsemen have weathered some very difficult times over the years, and working together, they endured many hardships. It is very just and gratifying that their combined efforts and sacrifices are remembered and appreciated on this special anniversary.”

A general meeting of the New England HBPA membership was held on May 8. Chip Tuttle, COO of Suffolk Downs, addressed the membership expressing a very positive outlook for the future of Thoroughbred racing at Suffolk Downs and the track ownership’s commitment to enhancing the quality of the Thoroughbred racing and breeding in Massachusetts. Mr. Tuttle confirmed plans to run a complete race meet of 101 days (900 races) in 2010, even if gaming legislation is not approved in Massachusetts. In addition, purses are scheduled at $90,000 per day (an increase of two percent over 2009).

President Balestra updated the membership on the positive progress of gaming legislation in Massachusetts. He emphasized that the combination of gaming legislation advancement and this year’s purse increase are encouraging signs that Thoroughbred racing in Massachusetts is moving in the right direction.

After receiving approval by an overwhelming, veto-proof vote of 120 to 37 in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, the expanded gaming bill (H4591) filed by Speaker Robert DeLeo moves forward to the Massachusetts Senate. The Senate is expected to take up the expanded gaming bill during the first week of June.

In addition to establishing two destination resort casinos, the legislation approved by the House of Representatives authorizes 750 slot machines at each of the Commonwealth’s four racetracks. A portion of gaming revenue generated at each racetrack will be pooled and distributed to enhance purses at the two racetracks authorized to conduct live racing; Suffolk Downs (Thoroughbred) and Plainridge (harness). The other two racetracks (greyhound) have been prohibited from conducting live racing since December 31, 2009.

It is currently anticipated that debate on the gaming bill will culminate by the first week in July. If approved by the Senate, the legislation will be presented to the Governor for his consideration.

Stay tuned to www.NewEnglandHBPA.com for information updates on legislative progress and events impacting the New England racing community. We have posted our popular “Transfer of Ownership Form (Bill of Sale)” and the revised 2010 Suffolk Downs racing schedule on the website for your easy access and download.

Posted 4/22/2010, 5:29 pm

Suffolk Downs will open its 2010 meet two weeks later than recent seasons to allow returning horsemen to make their way north for the summer.

Since taking over as the only Thoroughbred track in New England in 2004, Suffolk had opened on Kentucky Derby Day. It will wait two more weeks this year, starting on Preakness day, promising 101 days of racing for its 75th anniversary season.

"As more and more of the New England horsemen and horses winter in Florida, Delaware, and Pennsylvania where purses are enhanced due to expanded gaming, extending our opening for even a couple weeks makes it easier for us to get top-quality horses to return here," said Chip Tuttle, chief operating officer of Suffolk Downs.

The Massachusetts House passed an expanded gambling bill last week by a veto-proof majority. The same government chamber voted against casino bills in recent years, but is now led by Robert DeLeo, a Democrat who represents the district where Suffolk Downs is located. His bill calls for up to 750 slots at the state's four racetracks and two larger resort casinos at yet-to-be named sites. The state Senate will hold public hearings on the bill later this spring.

"Based on the recent legislative action in Massachusetts, we look forward to our 75th anniversary season with a renewed sense of optimism for the future," Tuttle said.

Suffolk will race on Wednesdays and Saturdays in May through Memorial Day before adding Mondays and Tuesdays to a four-day week for the rest of the season through Nov. 13.

Date Posted: 3/5/2010 11:15:36 AM

House Speaker Robert DeLeo reignited the debate over expanded gambling in Massachusetts March 4, proposing to build two casinos and add slot machines at the state's four racetracks to generate badly needed revenue and create jobs for blue-collar workers.

In a speech to the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, DeLeo said expanded gambling would complement recent tax investments in expanding the life sciences and clean energy sectors. While those have boosted white-collar employment, he said, blue-collar workers in the construction and service industries continue to suffer.

“I have cautioned before and I will caution again: Gaming is not a panacea," DeLeo said. “But it is a plan that creates a new economic sector and new jobs in Massachusetts when we need them most.” DeLeo said he will file a bill later this month.

“The time for talk has passed," he said. “We now have to move on. We now have to take action.”

The speaker aimed to soften expected opposition, saying the bill will propose using a portion of anticipated licensing fees to support existing manufacturers and lure new ones to Massachusetts. He said a fund would assist them with capital improvements, though he did not give specifics.

He also pledged to use some of the fees to enhance partnerships between community colleges, vocational schools, and various industries.

In addition, DeLeo acknowledged concerns about the social costs—in terms of increased crime, divorce, and alcohol and gambling abuse—that may come from expanded gambling.

“There is no doubt there is a social cost to gaming. But, too often we forget, there is also a social cost to joblessness. We need to get people working. We will devote a portion of any gaming revenue to addiction-treatment programs,” he said.

Massachusetts already allows gambling through its lottery games and live racing. But lottery revenues, whose proceeds are a vital source of cash for cities and towns, have fallen amid the recession. The state's two horse racing and two former greyhound tracks, both of which now offer only simulcast racing following a ban on dog racing, also have suffered.

In 2007, Patrick proposed building three resort-style casinos across the state to create jobs, add tax revenue and capture some of the money Massachusetts gamblers were spending at slot parlors and casinos in neighboring Rhode Island and Connecticut. Then-House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi opposed the plan, and it failed in the House by a vote of 106-48 in March 2008.

DiMasi resigned last year amid an ethics probe, and DeLeo has signaled his support for revisiting the issue.

Senate president Therese Murray, in her own appearance before the Chamber last year, mimicked pulling a slot-machine arm and said, “Ka-Ching!” when asked for her thoughts on expanded gaming in the state.

Both she and Patrick have questioned whether slot parlors will create sufficient jobs, the governor has not threatened a veto over that provision.

The issue is personal to DeLeo, though. There are two in the Winthop Democrat's district: Suffolk Downs in Boston, which continues to offer live horse racing, and Wonderland in Revere, which offers only simulcast races after a dog-racing ban forced it to stop live greyhound races as of Jan. 1.

He told the chamber that putting a limited number of slots at venues that already have wagering will provide “a more immediate form of revenue.” He said he was trying to determine the appropriate number to support the tracks while not dampening a gambling company's interest in building a casino.

And he said building two casinos—not the three proposed by Patrick—would avoid diluting their impact and “dooming them from the start.” He later told reporters he would not play a role in their siting, even though Suffolk Downs is in his district and Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino favors a license for it.

While DeLeo pledged to file the bill this month, the immediate affect of any legislation is in doubt. The state would have to establish and staff a new gambling commission, and overhaul its criminal and financial-reporting statutes, before additional gambling sites are created.

The current Massachusetts fiscal year ends June 30, and the next begins July 1. Administration and legislative financial experts have been wary of factoring any gambling revenues into their budget proposals before the end of the next fiscal year on June 30, 2011.

New England HBPA President Al Balestra announced that he and the New England HBPA Board of Directors have commenced a very important and critical phase of discussions with Suffolk Downs management in anticipation of new gaming legislation being approved in Massachusetts. Balestra commented, “The New England HBPA Board and Suffolk Downs need to work out our differences in a cooperative manner to assure that both the horsemen and Suffolk Downs will benefit from anticipated gaming legislation.”

At the time this article was written, the Massachusetts Legislature was awaiting a comprehensive gaming bill to be filed by the highly regarded Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies. It is currently anticipated that debate on the gaming bill will culminate by mid-March, followed by House and Senate votes from late March to mid-April.

Stay tuned to www.NewEnglandHBPA.com for information updates on legislative progress and events impacting the New England racing community.

We will post dates for opening the barn area and the start of training immediately after Suffolk Downs establishes the schedule.

We have posted our popular “Transfer of Ownership Form (Bill of Sale)” on the website for your easy access and download.

Posted: 2/10/2010

The Massachusetts Superior Court overturned a State Racing Commission decision to suspend Trainer, Sherryl Meade’s, license based upon a post race urine containing cocaine. The urine sample tested positive for the parent compound of cocaine only, without the presence of metabolites.

At a hearing before the Commission, Meade argued that the cocaine could not have been metabolized, i.e., passed through the horse, as no metabolites were found. In support, Meade offered the expert testimony of Louis Shuster, Ph.D., a professor of Biochemistry, Pharmacology and Neuroscience at Tufts Medical School and Tufts Veterinary School, and Richard Sheehan, Jr., D.V.M., a veterinarian who has been treating horses at Suffolk Downs and at other New England racetracks for nineteen (19) years. Both testified that the cocaine likely did not pass through the horse as no metabolites were found. Both agreed the presence of cocaine was more likely due to contamination.

The Commission offered Commission Veterinarian, Alexandra Lightbown, D.V.M., as an expert witness. Dr. Lightbown agreed that if the cocaine was metabolized, it would show up with metabolites. Dr. Lightbown testified, however, that there was a “theoretical possibility” that the cocaine could bypass the liver, and, therefore, not be metabolized, if it was administered under the tongue or through the nose.

The Commission rejected the Meade’s experts and adopted the opinion of Dr. Lightbown. The Superior Court overturned the Commission stating that the Commission failed to, “explain why it rejected the generally accepted scientific principal related to metabolites [demonstrating] that cocaine did not enter the horse’s body.” The Court went on to say, “The Commission’s . . . decision rejecting the [Meade’s] evidence without any credible contrary opinion is not based on substantial evidence and cannot stand.

The 2009 Suffolk Downs meet came to a close on November 7. Although our horsemen had to cope with purse reductions ranging from four percent to 7.5 percent, the situation was somewhat lessened by the New England HBPA president and Board of Directors’ decision to award $100 bonus checks to owners of winning horses in the lower-priced claiming races.

“We established the bonus check program to soften the effect of purse cuts on our local horsemen,” said President Al Balestra.

Just prior to the end of the meet, the New England HBPA and Suffolk Downs co-hosted over 400 horsemen and guests at a special Appreciation Lunch honoring all backstretch workers.

The meet ended with an optimistic outlook for next year knowing that key legislative leaders are publicly supporting the introduction of expanded gaming in Massachusetts.

Suffolk Downs filed an application with the Massachusetts State Racing Commission requesting the usual 101 days and 900 races for the 2010 race meet, which will begin on May 1.

Suffolk Chief Operating Officer Chip Tuttle met with the New England HBPA president and Board of Directors during the last week of racing to discuss plans for the 2010 meet and the probability that expanded gaming is likely to be authorized in Massachusetts.

Stay tuned to www.NewEnglandHBPA.com for information updates on legislative progress and events impacting the New England racing community. We have posted our popular “Transfer of Ownership Form (Bill of Sale)” on the website for your easy access and download.

Our racing season began at Suffolk Downs on May 2, 2009.

Recent positive comments from Massachusetts legislative leaders regarding their apparent desire to seriously debate expanding gaming this fall brings an air of optimism as we begin the new season. The New England HBPA remains constantly involved in the legislative process, meeting with key elected officials and administrators as we deliver our message on behalf of all horsemen. We remain committed to our goal of making certain that any new legislation will provide added purse revenue, improve backstretch conditions,and provide ample racing days. Hopefully, we will have the opportunity to shape the future of New England racing for many years to come!

The New England HBPA, along with majority owner Richard Fields and his Suffolk Downs management team, have become very proactive on the subject of horse retirement. We are very serious about this issue, and we are doing everything possible to inform all horsemen of the anti-slaughter policy in place and the options available.

Over the last few months, we have required that all trainers come to our office and spend a few minutes watching an anti horse slaughter video that our association produced. This video details the procedure that should be followed when a horse is sold, donated, or retired. Members who would like to see the video can request a copy by contacting us at (617) 568-3333.

New England trainers Tony D’Angelo, Gerry LaFleur, and Wayne Sargent Jr. will return to Suffolk Downs this season after being banned at the end of 2008 for giving five horses away that ultimately ended up at a livestock auction.

The trainers are voluntarily making substantial contributions to horse retirement organizations, and all three wrote letters to Suffolk Downs majority owner Richard Fields.

New England HBPA President Al Balestra kept in touch with the three trainers and Suffolk Downs representatives over the winter months in an effort to help them get their situations resolved.

“I spoke to each of the three trainers involved on many occasions and truly feel that they were misled and honestly felt that their horses were going to go to good homes,” said Balestra. “I am pleased that they are returning to Suffolk Downs.”

The New England HBPA views this issue very seriously, and we have begun a program to make certain that all members are aware of the options available when they want to sell, donate or retire a horse. We are requiring that each trainer shipping into Suffolk for the 2009 meet come to our office to watch a short video and attend a brief seminar that details the proper way to retire a horse,” Balestra added. “So far the feedback has been quite positive.”

According to Balestra, “The situation that occurred at the end of 2008 to three experienced and hard-working trainers was certainly unfortunate, and it is our goal to make certain that we assist our membership in making sure that everyone is aware of all the options available and that situations like this never happen again.”

The New England HBPA has been very proactive in the matter of horse retirement for a number of years. The Board of Directors of the New England HBPA set up the Thoroughbred Lifetime Care Fund (TLC) in 2007, which has financially supported horses on the backstretch and assisted in transportation to and care at retirement farms. Many of the New England HBPA’s trainers and local veterinarians have donated their services for quite a few years.

Suffolk and the New England HBPA have agreed to a slightly lower purse structure to begin the 2009 meet. Despite a 15% decline in off-season simulcasting and national trends of reducing purses, only purses in the allowance categories have been affected so far.

All allowance and maiden special races were reduced by $1,000 from 2008 levels. At least through the first condition book, all claiming races are being offered at the same purses that were in place in 2008.

“We have received purse increases over the last few years, and although the cut is minor, it is not the direction that either Suffolk Downs or the horsemen want to go in,” said New England HBPA President Al Balestra.

“We will continue to monitor the handles carefully and will meet back with management in mid-June, at which time we hope that any further cuts can be avoided,” Balestra added.

“With the possibility of gaming becoming stronger each day, as well as the recent public comments from legislative leaders regarding their willingness to take up the gaming issue in the fall, we need to do everything possible to get through the 2009 meet. If all goes as we hope and some form of expanded gaming is enacted in the fall, the horsemen of New England can look forward to much more lucrative purses and a solidified racing future for many years to come. We just need to get through 2009, and with the current economic climate, it is going to be a struggle,” said Balestra.

Massachusetts Senate President Therese Murray has indicated that House Speaker Robert DeLeo, Governor Deval Patrick, and she are expecting to open up the debate of expanding gaming this coming fall.

“The speaker, the governor, and myself have all discussed gaming. We are of the belief that we will do gaming this fall. The Senate would have passed a bill last year if the House had not blocked it,” Murray stated.

Former Speaker Sal DiMasi, a vocal opponent of gaming, has since been replaced by DeLeo, a Winthrop, Massachusetts Democrat whose district includes Suffolk Downs.

“To see that $900 million leaves the Commonwealth of Massachusetts every year and goes to Connecticut and Rhode Island and continuing to forego that revenue is unwise. Even if we pick up $700 million of that revenue, we would all take that,” stated the Plymouth, Massachusetts Democrat.

When asked a question on the subject by a member of the audience, Murray pulled an imaginary slot machine arm and said, “Cha-ching.”

Both Patrick and DeLeo have indicated that they are looking forward to the discussion.

HBPA members nationwide can keep informed by checking our local website at www.NewEnglandHBPA.com.

Posted: June 4, 2009, 7:43 am

Chip Tuttle is the chief operating officer at Suffolk Downs and a partner at the Boston ad agency Conover Tuttle Pace. He was the vice president for communications at the N.T.R.A. from 1999 to 2001.

Soon after Richard Fields bought an interest in Suffolk Downs in March 2007 and I signed on as the track’s C.O.O., we had a conversation about his opposition to horse slaughter. “This is very important to me,” he said. “I don’t want horses from this track to end up on someone’s dinner plate.”

Richard is one of many people who draw a distinction between animals raised humanely for food and animals raised and used for sport or pleasure. He has four lucky former Suffolk Downs runners at his ranch in Wyoming. Sam Elliott, our vice president for racing, shares Richard’s opinion. Over the last few years, Sam has personally financed the transition of over a dozen horses from the track to second careers, buying them from their owners and laying them up at local farms until good homes could be found. I came at the issue with a different point of view, but discussions with Richard, Sam, anti-slaughter advocates and my two teenage daughters, Libby and Annie, both of whom ride, led me to the same place. (Libby and Annie are soon to be the proud co-owners of an Off-The-Track Thoroughbred).

Luckily for us, by the spring of 2007, Suffolk Downs had already been working on the issue for a few years. Patricia Moseley, one of its prior owners, had established partnerships with two great organizations, Canter New England, which finds good second careers and homes for healthy runners that can no longer race, and the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, which places those who are not fit enough to be ridden in one of its retirement facilities.

In 2007, we increased our financial contributions to both organizations and quietly enacted a policy that prohibited the transport of horses from the Suffolk Downs backstretch to auction facilities that supply slaughterhouses in Canada. We worked with the New England Horsemen’s Benevolence & Protective Association to educate horsemen on our position and we restricted certain individuals and transport companies to dropping off here only.

A year later, a reporter from the Thoroughbred Times asked Sam about our policy, specifically, what would happen if someone violated it. Sam confirmed for the reporter we would revoke that individual’s stall privileges and, voila, we were credited with the country’s first “zero-tolerance” anti-slaughter policy.

Since that time, it has received quite a bit of attention. HBO called and NBC Nightly News did a feature. The owner Tracy Farmer and the trainer Nick Zito said it was one of the reasons they sent Commentator to Boston, where he won the 2008 MassCap. Other tracks adopted similar policies. The N.T.R.A. Safety Alliance insists that tracks participate in aftercare programs for retired Thoroughbreds as one of the key components of its national accreditation process. We received plaudits last year when we revoked stall privileges of five individuals who violated the policy and catcalls this year when we reconsidered and allowed three of the five to return.

We never expected or anticipated the attention, but we’re happy it has brought so much positive discussion of the issue. The endeavor has been an education for all of us on how complicated this is and how much time, energy, effort and money is required to ensure our athletes are treated humanely after their racing days are over.

Once you rule out slaughter, there are only three options for horses at the ends of their careers – adoption, where we partner with The Communication Alliance to Network Thoroughbred Ex-Racehorses (Canter); retirement, where we work with the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation; or humane euthanasia, a difficult but sometimes necessary decision among individual owners, trainers and vets.

At Suffolk Downs, we work with the New England H.P.B.A. to educate the local horsemen not only on our policy but on the alternatives available to them. Canter hosts open houses on our backstretch for interested buyers and adopters. Trainers get to use our Equine-Ciser, a specialized treadmill for horses, by making small donations to the T.R.F. We designed a standard bill of sale for our horsemen to help prevent horses falling into the wrong hands. The trainer Lorita Lindemann works the barn area, identifying and monitoring horses whose racing days are over.

As a result, over the last two years, Canter has helped our horsemen find second careers for over a hundred horses and the T.R.F. has taken 65 to its various facilities.

These aren’t all modest claimers who plied their trade on the secondary circuit. Among the 65 are horses that raced at Keeneland, Belmont Park and Gulfstream Park; horses bred by perennial leading breeder the late John Franks, former Kentucky Governor Brere Jones and Eclipse Award winners Ken and Sarah Ramsey; and, horses trained by Dale Romans, Tom Amoss, Scott Lake and Gary Contessa.

The reality is tracks with modest purse levels like ours, Finger Lakes, Emerald Downs and Tampa Bay Downs are much more likely to have horses of retirement age due to the cycles of racing. That’s why it’s so important for everyone in racing – tracks, owners, breeders and other participants who earn their livings from our game - to support these retirement and aftercare programs.

Date Posted: 4/16/2009 12:36:19 PM Last Updated: 4/16/2009 12:41:52 PM

Three of the five trainers that were banned from Suffolk Downs last fall for violating its zero tolerance policy toward horse slaughter have been reinstated and will be allowed to saddle horses for the East Boston, Mass. track’s 2009 season, which runs May 2-Nov. 7.

The trainers--Wayne Sargent Jr., Gerry LaFleur, and Tony D’Angelo--last November turned over five of their retired Thoroughbreds to Pam Pompell, who assured them she was taking them to a farm to be retrained for children’s camps or other types of programs.

In reality, Pompell and another trainer, Al Michelson, apparently transported the horses to a farm in Southeastern Massachusetts. Less than a day later, the horses were discovered going through the ring at a small auction house in New York that is known for selling horses to “killer buyers” who will re-sell them for slaughter.

“Gail Vacca, who rescues horses from auctions where they’re going to head to slaughter was the one that tipped off us that (the horses) were down there,” said Chip Tuttle, Suffolk’s chief operating officer. “We bought them out of the auction and donated them to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. So at the time, we made the decision to ban all five trainers.

“But we never said it was a lifetime ban. We never published a policy or put out a press release. We started this policy more than two years ago, and no one even knew about it for a year. We weren’t looking for attention on this; it was just our internal policy.”

Tuttle said over the course of the winter, Sargent, LaFleur, and D’Angelo, who were also refused stalls at Tampa Bay Downs because of the incident, had personally asked to be reinstated at Suffolk, but were denied. It was only after the New England Horsemen’s Benevolent Protective Association came up with an official proposal for why Suffolk’s decision should be reversed that the officials reconsidered.

“The New England HBPA really took up the cause for these three guys,” said Tuttle. “They said they were duped, that they shouldn’t have been duped, and that the circumstances were extenuating. (In the proposal), it said the trainers would each write letters acknowledging they violated the policy, promising that they wouldn’t do it again, and donating $1,000 to the New England TRF.”

After significant discussions with the trainers and the HBPA, the proposal was accepted.

“The decision was difficult, but none of these guys had an issue or a record of this in the past,” Tuttle explained. “The story that all three told was consistent, so we decided to let them back in.

“With the New England HBPA, we have stepped up our efforts to ensure this doesn’t happen again, and that every trainer on the backstretch understands whose responsibility this is,” Tuttle added.

He explained how the HBPA had developed its own video that every trainer will be shown as part of an orientation program. Suffolk has also standardized a bill of sale to be used on the backstretch so there are no more misunderstandings in horse transactions.

“There’s no transfer of horses without this bill of sale, and it spells out that the horses cannot be transported to or caused to be transported to one of these auction facilities,” he said.

Tuttle hopes all trainers will from now on comply with the track’s retirement placement program, which takes unwanted horses at the end of each meet. The program humanely retired more than 40 horses to different organizations from its racing stables last year.

The New England HBPA suffered a huge loss on December 26, 2008, with the sudden passing of Vice-President Michael Benson. Mr. Benson was first elected to the New England Board of Directors in 2004. He was 50 years old. Mr. Benson was the owner of Indian Rock Stables in Saugus, MA, and campaigned several horses at Suffolk Downs. He was the beloved husband of Karen M. (Savarese) Benson and cherished son of Jeanette (Saggese) Benson and the late Robert F. Benson. Michael was the devoted father of Paige Marie Benson and Patrick Paisano, both of Saugus. He was the brother of Robert Benson of Lynnfield, dear cousin and friend of Kristine Gaddis of Winthrop, nephew of Tommy and Betsey Benson of Winthrop and Sandra and Jim Dary of Hampton, NH. Mr. Benson was also the adored uncle of Robert, Scout, and Jagger Benson of Lynnfield and son-in-law of Al Savarese of Revere.

New England HBPA President Al Balestra offered condolences to the Benson family on behalf of all members, the Board of Directors, office staff, and the entire New England racing community.

“Michael was a valuable member of the New England HBPA family. He was a true friend and dedicated horsemen, and he will be sorely missed,” said Balestra.

On another sad note, President Balestra and the New England HBPA would like to express condolences to the families of trainers Carl Liebenow, John Bagnera Sr., Donald Kielty, and Joseph C. Silva Jr., who have all recently passed away. Mr. Liebenow, Mr. Bagnera, Mr. Kielty, and Mr. Silva were all longtime New England trainers. Also, condolences are in order for the family of veteran New England racing official Lenny Dill, who passed away in February.

The New England HBPA and Suffolk Downs have announced the stable area will begin accepting horses on Saturday, March 28, in preparation for the 2009 racing meet. The live racing season is scheduled to get underway on Saturday, May 2.

The Equiciser that was installed last spring will be immediately operational, and it is expected that if the weather permits, the track will be opened for training around April 1. Those horsemen seeking stall information should contact Racing Secretary Tom Creel at (617) 568-3240.

Hopes have been renewed in Massachusetts and at Suffolk Downs for the possibility of expanded gaming. Longtime gaming opponent and former Speaker of the House Sal DiMasi resigned that post in late January, and newly elected Speaker Robert DeLeo of nearby Winthrop, MA, has made some positive statements about gaming. There have also been several bills filed in New Hampshire that could bring expanded gaming to Rockingham Park, which last raced Thoroughbreds in 2003. The New England HBPA Board of Directors and Legislative Committee will keep everyone informed through our website at www.newenglandhbpa.com.

President Balestra has indicated his intention to hold mandatory educational seminars for all trainers regarding the options that are now available when a horse is retired. The seminars will be held in conjunction with the start of the 2009 racing season. The New England HBPA and Suffolk Downs are working closely together to provide several avenues for members when they to decide to retire a racehorse. More information will be available to horsemen when they ship in to Suffolk Downs.

For further information on any matter, members can contact the New England HBPA office at (617) 568-3333.

Posted: 12/28/08

Sad News from New England HBPA

Michael Benson, our Vice-President, passed away suddenly on Friday, December 26, 2008.

Obituary

MICHAEL R. BENSON

BENSON, Michael R. of Saugus and Winthrop, December 26, 2008. Beloved husband of Karen M. (Savarese) Benson. Cherished son of Jeanette (Saggese) Benson and the late Robert F. Benson. Devoted father of Paige Marie Benson and Patrick Paisano both of Saugus. Brother of Robert Benson of Lynnfield. Dear cousin and friend of Kristine Gaddis of Winthrop. Nephew of Tommy and Betsey Benson of Winthrop and Sandra and Jim Dary of Hampton, N.H. Adored uncle of Robert, Scout, and Jagger Benson of Lynnfield. Son-in-law of Al Savarese of Revere.

Funeral from the Maurice W. Kirby Funeral Home 210 Winthrop St. WINTHROP, on Tues. Dec. 30, at 9am. A Funeral Mass will be held in St John the Evangelist Church at 10am. Relatives and friends invited. Interment will be in Winthrop Cemetery (Belle Isle Section).

Donations may be made to either the MSPCA-Angell, Att. Donations, 350 S. Huntington Ave. Boston, MA, 02130 or at www.mspca.org., or The Animal Rescue League of Boston 10 Chandler St. Boston, MA, 02116 or at www.arlboston.org.

Member and Vice President of the New England H.B.P.A., Mass. Breeders Assn., New England Pinto Assn., and the Winthrop Lodge of Elks #1078.

Visiting hours Mon only 3-8pm. For guestbook and directions go to www.mauricekirbyfh.com.

The 2008 Suffolk Downs meet came to close on November 8 as the New England HBPA and Suffolk Downs combined to sponsor four Horsemen Appreciation Days. Nineteen races in the lower-priced claiming categories were raised from $7,300 to $8,500 over the four-day span. New England HBPA President Al Balestra and the management of Suffolk agreed to forego one of the scheduled $50,000 stake races and distribute the money in the form of added purses. Additional purse money was added to the non-stake allowance races on the Massachusetts Handicap undercard back on September 20 in an effort to also get some extra dollars into some allowance races.

“We wanted to give our local horsemen with some lower-priced claimers the opportunity to win some of the bonus money,” said Balestra. “Some of the higher-priced non-stake races had a $4,000 or $5,000 bonus added on Mass ’Cap Day, and we wanted to give the lower-priced claimers a chance to earn some extra money during the last week of the meet.”

In addition to the added purse money, all owners, trainers, and grooms whose horses won a race over the last four days of the meet were presented with a New England HBPA sweatshirt.

On Friday of Appreciation Week, the New England HBPA treated over 375 horsemen and guests to a special luncheon in the Suffolk Downs Track Kitchen. The event featured a Chinese food buffet and was catered by the Kowloon Restaurant.

Finally, to cap off the week’s events, President Balestra presented Suffolk Downs majority stockholder Richard Fields with a universal clock and plaque which reflected the gratitude of the New England horsemen for his commitment to racing at Suffolk Downs.

Suffolk Chief Operating Officer Chip Tuttle, Vice President of Racing Sam Elliott, and Racing Secretary Tom Creel got together with New England HBPA President Balestra and members of the Board of Directors for a season-ending meeting on November 12. Many topics from the recently concluded meet were reviewed, and plans for the 2009 racing season, which will begin on May 2, were discussed.

New England HBPA members can stay informed during the winter months on all horsemen-related issues, including legislative developments, by checking our website at www.newenglandhbpa.com or by contacting the New England HBPA office at (617) 568-3333.

Posted: Wednesday, October 15, 2008

BOSTON - The State Racing Commission has banned all performance-enhancing drugs for racehorses. The ban, passed by unanimous vote today, follows a model policy that has been adopted by 15 other states.

The commission’s chief veterinarian, Alexandra Lightbrown, told The Boston Globe the ban is aimed at protecting the horses. She said there’s no evidence of widespread steroid use in horse racing in Massachusetts or conclusive proof that steroids lead to better race times. But she said the ban addresses the issue of perception, particularly given the recent steroids scandals in baseball and other sports.

The ban goes into effect on Jan. 1 for the state’s two horse tracks. The penalties for violating the ban haven’t been determined.

Posted: Saturday, September 20, 2008 5:42 PM

Suffolk Downs has taken action to enforce its policy of zero-tolerance toward the sale of racehorses for slaughter.

Track officials recently informed a Thoroughbred owner, who they would not identify, that he was no longer welcome at the track after two horses associated with him were discovered at the auction pens at New Holland, Pennsylvania.

Suffolk officials also are sorting through their response to another individual who may be involved in the transport of horses to auctions frequented by slaughterhouse buyers.

“The vast majority of our horsemen are responsible about the welfare of our horses,” said Chip Tuttle, chief operating officer at Suffolk Downs. “Unfortunately, there are one or two bad apples. We hoped we wouldn't have to take action on this policy, but in the last two weeks, it came to our attention that two horses from Suffolk Downs wound up at an auction. The owner who transported them is no longer welcome at our facility.”

Tuttle said the track purchased the two horses from the auction and donated them to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. Tuttle stressed that the incident was a rare exception to the prevailing attitude of local horsemen. He cited the New England Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association leadership's strong support of the zero-tolerance policy.

Sam Elliott, vice president of racing for the Boston track, outlined the policy earlier this year, and it has since attracted attention across the industry. Trainer Nick Zito cited his support for the policy as a factor in entering Commentator in the Massachusetts Handicap on Saturday.

Joint Resources Will Now Focus on Future Entertainment, Gaming Possibilities

On August 13, 2008, Sterling Suffolk Racecourse, the operator of the 73-year-old Suffolk Downs, and the Westwood Group, owner of Wonderland Greyhound Park in Revere, announced a final agreement for a partnership between the two entities which will help protect the thousands of existing jobs at both sites and strengthen the effort to bring a resort-style casino to the East Boston-Revere area should the state decide to expand gaming.

The partnership agreement gives Suffolk Downs an option to purchase Wonderland and for the two entities to share in the potential benefits from future development at both sites. Both Suffolk Downs and Wonderland have been operating as pari-mutuel wagering facilities since 1935.

“We have been working on this kind of agreement for a while, but the time has been well spent because we now have gotten it right; we have today an excellent understanding that will protect existing jobs as much as possible into the future and will commit the joint resources of our companies to the goal of a premium, resort-style casino which will bring new jobs to the area and provide the state with much needed revenue,” said Richard Fields, Suffolk Downs’ principal shareholder.

Both facilities will remain separately owned and operated while they work collaboratively to expand the gaming and entertainment opportunities available to their patrons, expand employment opportunities for their workers, and increase revenues for local and state coffers.

“Today is an important day for the dedicated workers and staff at Wonderland Park,” said Wonderland owner Charles Sarkis. “All along during discussions with Suffolk Downs, we had one big goal in mind: protect the jobs of nearby residents who, in many cases, have spent their whole lives working at this facility. I thank Richard Fields and Joe O’Donnell for their commitment to do all they can to protect those people and their livelihoods,” Sarkis added.

Under the new partnership, horse racing will continue at historic Suffolk Downs. Since Fields acquired his interest in the track in April of 2007, the track has undertaken a series of improvements, including the addition of a family picnic area on the grandstand apron, refurbishments in the barn area, and the restoration of the track’s signature event, the Massachusetts Handicap, with a purse of $500,000.

“Charlie Sarkis and I have been friends for 35 years. We have been working toward this day for a long time and, as a former stockholder in Wonderland and an Everett native, I am pleased that this agreement will help re-develop both sites so that they can survive and thrive in these challenging times,” said Joseph O’Donnell, Suffolk Downs principal and longtime shareholder.

Fields also announced on August 13 that he is providing funding for Wonderland’s greyhound adoption program to ensure that all retired dogs find good homes.

Suffolk Downs and Wonderland are less than two miles apart, with Suffolk covering 167 acres and Wonderland including 35 acres.

Kristen N. Orcutt, 24, an RN at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston and daughter of New England HBPA President Al Balestra and Janet Balestra, died accidentally on July 12, 2008.

The Balestra Family has established the non-profit Sunshine Foundation in Kristen’s memory and for the benefit of Brigham & Women’s Hospital. Donations may be sent to: Kristen N. Orcutt Sunshine Foundation, c/o Wrentham Cooperative Bank, 102 South Street, P. O. Box 250, Wrentham, MA 02093.

Those wishing to send a message to President Balestra and his family may do so by mailing it to: New England HBPA, P. O. Box 388, Revere, MA 02151.

Posted: Thursday, August 14, 2008 1:25 PM

Suffolk Downs has reached an agreement with Wonderland Greyhound Park to work together in the pursuit of an expansion of gaming in Massachusetts that could result in a resort-style casino.

The deal gives Suffolk an option to purchase Wonderland, which is currently owned by Charles Sarkis. The tracks are less than two miles from each other.

“We have been working on this kind of agreement for a while but the time has been well spent because we now have gotten it right; we have today an excellent understanding that will protect existing jobs as much as possible into the future and will commit the joint resources of our companies to the goal of a premium resort-style casino which will bring new jobs to the area and provide the state with much needed revenue,” said Richard Fields, who purchased a majority interest in Suffolk last April.

Suffolk and Wonderland had been positioning themselves to seek the same license if the state Legislature were to approve casino gambling, the Boston Globe reports. In March, lawmakers rejected Governor Deval Patrick’s proposal to license three casinos in the state.

Posted: Friday, June 27, 2008 12:50 PM

Suffolk Downs has established a new policy holding trainers accountable when their horses are sold for slaughter.

Sam Elliott, the track’s vice president for racing, has informed the leadership of the New England Horseman's Benevolent and Protective Association that any trainer found to have sold a horse for slaughter will have his stalls revoked and be denied stalls at any time in the future.

Elliott said the plan has the complete backing of Richard Fields, the real estate and casino developer who purchased a controlling interest in Suffolk Downs last year.

“If a horse goes from here to the slaughterhouse, that's completely unacceptable,” Elliott said. “That trainer won't be here. I don't think that's anybody we'd want to have around. Mr. Fields is a strong believer in retirement idea. He's a big backer of it. The two are incompatible.”

Elliott commended local horsemen and several local Thoroughbred retirement organizations for offering several options for retiring racehorses.

“I think it's become a non-issue,” Elliott said. “The best way to make it a real non-issue is to have this kind of sanction in place. That's our policy. My hope is we never have to use it.”

Elliott intends to address horsemen at a general meeting within the next two weeks.

“They would have our backing,” said Al Balestra, president of the New England HBPA. “It's not the proper thing to do, not with all the options they have. There's no reason why that should happen nowadays. There shouldn't be any horses going to killers. It's a different era in racing, it just shouldn't happen.”

Michael Blowen, president of Old Friends Farm in Midway, Kentucky, and an outspoken advocate for Thoroughbred retirement issues, said the new Suffolk Downs policy is the best news he has heard in years.

“That's great. I've never heard of it before. You don't know how many horses this is going to help,” Blowen said. “Just the threat of knowing that if they ever found out that you sold a horse for slaughter you could lose your stalls may prevent a lot of this from gong on in the first place. The other tracks will start looking at that.”

Blowen noted that it may be difficult to prove a direct link between a trainer and a horse that winds up in a slaughter pen.

“It is hard, it's a nasty circuitous trail, and of course anybody that does it doesn't want to get caught,” he said.

Blowen, who worked as a hot walker at Suffolk Downs in the late 1990s, said he remembers gut-wrenching scenes in the track's stable area of horses being loaded onto trucks bound for slaughterhouses.

“I still think it's an issue,” he said. “It's a problem with every track. Since the fairs have been closed in Massachusetts, it's not as big a problem. It's not that hard to do a better job. All we have to do is find people that are willing to play by the rules.”

Diana Baker, a former Thoroughbred Retirement Fund board member who has been involved with several high profile cases, said the new policy is a positive step but that she believes there are still some horses going from the track to slaughterhouses.

“I hope it’s not just lip service,” Baker said. “It would be a breath of fresh air to have someone in racing actually protect the horses.”

She agreed that it may be difficult to make a direct connection between a trainer and a horse sold for slaughter.

“That’s a tough call, it will be interesting to see how it plays out,” she said. “It’s an open secret how these horses get from point ‘A’ to point ‘B.’ The trainers always say they don’t know. When you’re pulling horses that were trained or owned by the same people over and over again, it doesn’t add up, it doesn’t make sense.”

Suffolk Downs in East Boston, Massachusetts, opened its 103-day meet on May 3 as the horsemen of New England returned to their second purse increase in as many years. Suffolk Downs and the New England HBPA agreed to modestly raise purses in all categories for the 2008 meet, which runs through Saturday, November 8. In addition, seven $50,000 overnight stakes have been added to the racing program to compliment the featured $500,000 Massachusetts Handicap and the $100,000 James B. Moseley Sprint Handicap, which will both be contested on Saturday, September 20.

“I am very pleased that we have again raised purses for our horsemen and have implemented the beginning of an overnight stakes program here at Suffolk Downs,” said New England HBPA President Al Balestra. He added, “This increase, despite the simulcasting handle being down, shows the commitment of the Suffolk Downs management team and the New England HBPA to continuously improve the quality of racing for our local horsemen. We will continue to work to upgrade the purses again next year, as well as look to enhance our overnight stakes program with or without the benefit of possible gaming legislation passing in Massachusetts.”

Starting on June 1, Suffolk Downs will race on each Sunday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday through the end of August. From Labor Day through the conclusion of the meet on November 8, live racing will be conducted on each Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Post time each day will be at 12:45 p.m., with the exception of Friday, when a 3:00 p.m. post will be in place. The later than usual post time on Friday will be in conjunction with some concerts and shows in an effort to boost attendance at the track.

Posted: Thursday, June 05, 2008 5:51 PM

Suffolk Downs will boost the purse of the Massachusetts Handicap if Horse of the Year Curlin and dual classic winner Big Brown both start in the race, officials with the East Boston track announced on Thursday.

The purse, originally slated at $500,000, would climb to $5-million if Big Brown wins the Triple Crown and both horses remain undefeated in 2008. The $5-million would include a $1-million participation bonus for each horse.

The 66th Massachusetts Handicap, a 1 1/8-mile race on the dirt, is scheduled for September 20. The additional purse money would be funded by Coastal Development LLC, a company controlled by Richard T. Fields, the largest shareholder of Suffolk Downs.

“Big Brown and Curlin are regarded as the two best Thoroughbreds in the world, and racing fans would like nothing more than to see them go head to head,” said Fields. “If they are to square off, we feel that a $5-million purse is a great incentive, and what better place than at Suffolk Downs in the city of Boston, the sports capital of the world?”

The purse would be $3-million if Big Brown wins the Triple Crown and both he and Curlin start the race but one or both horses suffer a defeat in 2008. The $3-million would include a $500,000 participation bonus for each horse.

Fields, who purchased his interest in Suffolk Downs in March of last year, was responsible for reviving the Massachusetts Handicap last September after a two-year absence. The race was won by Brass Hat.

Winners of the race, first held in 1935 when the track opened, include Racing Hall of Famer members Seabiscuit, Whirlaway, Riva Ridge, Cigar, and Skip Away.

Date Posted: 6/2/2008 5:53:15 PM Last Updated: 6/4/2008 9:07:20 AM

Suffolk Downs will move to a four-day week with live racing on a Wednesday-Friday-Saturday-Sunday schedule beginning June 4.

First post time Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays is 12:45 p.m. EDT. Friday twilight post time is 3 p.m., with the exception of July 4, when first post will be 12:45 p.m. Parking and admission for live racing on Fridays are free, excluding July 4, when Suffolk Downs folding chairs will be given out with paid admission.

The Massachusetts track will continue on the schedule through the end of August. Starting Labor Day, Sept. 1, Mondays will replace Sundays on the schedule, and first post time will be 12:45 daily.

Now through Labor Day, all Sundays and holidays are “Family Fun Days” at the East Boston track. From 1-3 p.m., there will be a variety of entertainment and activities for families, including pony rides, face painting, and balloon twisting. Family fun activities take place near the outdoor trackside picnic and play area.

Posted 5/15/2008, 2:41 pm

EAST BOSTON, Mass. - The roller coaster ride of Michael Gill is ready to take off again, as the 2005 Eclipse Award-winning owner relaunches his operation this year at Suffolk Downs.

Gill, 51, a New Hampshire native, went through a tumultuous decade in the sport. Within a year of getting involved with racing, the man who grew up sneaking into Rockingham Park was training his own horses only to be handed a three-year suspension when a barn search turned up syringes.

After serving his time, he stormed back onto the scene as an owner with an aggressive claiming strategy, and over the ensuing years smashed records for wins while acquiring more than 400 horses across the country.

Gill's aggressive tactics rankled track managers and fellow horsemen. He and his private trainer at the time, Mark Shuman, obliterated a longstanding record at Gulfstream Park with 87 wins in 2002, but encountered controversy when a horse of theirs broke down and their veterinarian had the animal's leg amputated before officials could perform a necropsy. Soon tracks were refusing to allocate stalls to Gill and his trainers.

"I wouldn't play by their rules," said Gill. "About 20 horsemen would get together and say, 'Get rid of the guy.' The tracks would rather have the 20 guys than the one, even when the one was running and filling all the races."

He responded by building his own training center in Oxford, Pa., and continued to rack up wins, often by claiming horses for a high price and running them back for lower tags. In 2004 he won 487 races and his horses earned more than $10 million, but his high costs kept even those huge numbers unworkable. Throw in what he considers the snubs he got from Eclipse voters in 2003 and 2004 and Gill nearly scrapped it all. Ironically, after announcing he was scaling back the operation, he won the 2005 Eclipse.

"I do take pride in that," said Gill. "To put up the kind of numbers we did only to get ignored . . . but then, in the face of all the adversity, [winning] gave me some justification."

After two years racing primarily in Maryland with a fraction of the horses he used to run, Gill and his current trainer Gamaliel Vazquez are looking to build again, starting with this season at Suffolk.

"We're condensing everything and getting back to basics," Gill said. "I've got a similar business plan, but I'm creating a situation where we cover our expenses better. Gammy's payroll is based on performance. We've got Norberto Arroyo riding first call for us. I've had long talks with both of them and if we can stick to this plan, there's no reason we can't be back where we were in just six months and see if we can't take off again."

If Gill encounters the same resistance as he did five years ago, he is prepared.

"If they want to give me a black hat, I'm open to it," he said. "I'm not kissing anyone's butt, and I'm not playing games. I'm way smarter than I was when I first came around Suffolk, and we're capable of creating a monster."

Vazquez and Gill have won with 4 of their 11 starters at Suffolk entering Saturday, with 3 seconds.

Posted: Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Since Richard Fields took over Suffolk Downs last year, attendance is up, but wagering revenues are down. Fields will address the state of the racetrack and unveil plans for the MassCap race at a luncheon today.

Richard Fields is fast out of the gate in his long-shot bid to revive Suffolk Downs, but the finish line remains elusive.

The veteran casino developer and horse-racing enthusiast will unveil plans for Suffolk’s upcoming racing season at a downtown luncheon today.

However, a year after he took the reins at the beleaguered East Boston track, Fields’ bid to restore Suffolk to its glory days still faces long odds.

A marketing campaign aimed at resurrecting interest in live racing has yielded results, but overall track revenue declined last year.

And a bid to make Suffolk the site of a gambling resort has folded, for now anyway, with the demise of Gov. Deval Patrick’s casino plan.

Whether the track can survive long-term without slot machines remains an open question, said the Rev. Richard McGowan, a Boston College economics professor and gaming industry expert.

“The savior of that is some kind of additional gambling, or they are never going to make it,” McGowan said.

Fields is expected to detail efforts to boost the profile of Suffolk’s marquee race, the MassCap, at today’s speech at the Boston Harbor Hotel.

But the New York business magnate, who made a fortune building a casino for Florida’s Seminole tribe, is also expected to address Suffolk’s struggle to stay competitive. Massachusetts tracks are some of the last in the Northeast without slot machines, competing against slot-armed tracks in Delaware, New York, Maine, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

“The new ownership at Suffolk Downs is committed to investing in horse racing in Massachusetts, but like other industries, we face difficult challenges and need the tools to compete,” said Chip Tuttle, a spokesman for the track.

So far, Fields has had the most success with live racing, boosting racetrack attendance 20 percent last year. The amount of money bet on races at the track also shot up 11 percent to $12.2 million, reversing a years-long decline.

Along with marketing the track more aggressively, Fields has spent as much as $2 million on renovations that include building a gift shop and a family-style picnic area.

But overall wagering revenue fell to $116 million last year, a 5 percent decline over 2006. Behind the falloff was a big drop in simulcasting revenue, or money bet by patrons on races around the country broadcast on TV monitors at the track.

“They are just hanging on,” said state Sen. Michael Morrissey (D-Quincy), an expert on the racing industry.

Posted: Friday, March 21, 2008 10:41 AM

The Massachusetts House of Representatives on March 20 effectively killed legislation that would have allowed three resort style casinos in the state.

Lawmakers voted 108-46 to send the bill to a study committee. The legislation cannot come up for a vote again this year.

The floor debate followed a bruising political rumble that pitted Governor Deval Patrick, against House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi, with labor unions, Massachusetts race tracks, casino interests, and anti-gambling groups, lining up behind them.

In a statement, DiMasi declared victory.

"The big money special interests lost, and the people of Massachusetts won," DiMasi said. "Members of the House withstood incredible pressure from the deep-pocketed gambling industry, unions, and the governor's office."

The legislation would have allowed Suffolk Downs to bid on one of the casino licenses. The Boston track lobbied intensely for the measure, and promised to earmark some casino revenue to boost the struggling local Thoroughbred industry.

On March 19, back room drama unfolded in the legislature, when a committee co-chaired by one of the state's most strident anti-casino politicians appeared to be deadlocked on a vote to send the legislation to the floor of the House. After a four hour delay, one lawmaker abstained, and another apparently switched his position.

Representative Richard Ross, whose district includes the harness and simulcast venue Plainridge Raceway decided, literally, at the last minute to cast the vote which sent the report out of committee with an adverse recommendation. Ross told The Associated Press that he did so with assurance from DiMasi that the Speaker would allow a bill legalizing video slot machines at race tracks to come to a vote in the House.

DiMasi has staunchly opposed such measures, and worked to defeat them in the past.

Live Thoroughbred racing will be conducted this year at Suffolk Downs from May 3 through November 8.

Suffolk Downs has named longtime New England Thoroughbred racing official Sam Elliott to the position of vice president of racing and has promoted racing official Tom Creel to racing secretary, the track announced recently. In addition, Racing Secretary Jim Pambianchi has been named the track’s senior director of operations.

“Sam and Tom bring a wealth of experience and a clear understanding of our ownership’s long-term commitment to improve Thoroughbred racing,” said Suffolk Downs Chief Operating Officer Chip Tuttle. “We want to continue the positive momentum of 2007 and feel confident with these recent appointed positions, we will achieve our goal.”

Elliott has been involved in New England racing in various capacities for over 20 years, most recently serving as a steward for the Massachusetts State Racing Commission at Suffolk Downs since 2006. Elliott was the assistant racing secretary at Suffolk Downs from 1991 through 2004 and had been a racing official at Rockingham Park. He is a graduate of the University of Arizona’s Race Track Industry Program.

“I am excited by the new energy and enthusiasm which Richard Fields has brought to Suffolk Downs, and I am eager to work with our horsemen on presenting a top quality racing program,” said Elliott.

Creel was elevated to racing secretary after having been the track’s stakes coordinator the last two years. Also a veteran of the local racing scene, Creel held the position of racing secretary at the Three County Fair in Northampton, Massachusetts from 2000 to 2004 and at the Brockton Fair in 2001. Creel’s experience in the racing office at Suffolk Downs dates back to 1992. Prior to his promotion, Creel was a racing official at Tampa Bay Downs this winter.

“Having spent most of my professional career at Suffolk Downs, I’m thankful for the opportunity to be a part of the management team during this exciting time,” said Creel. “I look forward to working with the team and our horsemen as we strive to enhance Thoroughbred racing at Suffolk Downs.”

Pambianchi moves into his new role after four years as racing secretary.

“Jim did commendable work running the racing operation under less than ideal circumstances during the uncertainty of 2005 and 2006,” commented Tuttle. “We’re pleased to bring the benefit of his years in racetrack management to our overall operations.”

President Al Balestra has announced that owner Michael Benson of Saugus, Massachusetts was elected by his fellow board members as vice president of the New England HBPA on December 15, 2007. Benson was first elected to the Board of Directors in 2004.

During the last few years, Benson has served on many New England HBPA committees. In addition, he has owned and operated Benson Plumbing and Heating, based out of Winthrop, for 30 years.

Benson has been involved with Thoroughbred racing in New England as an owner since 1986. He became heavily invested in local racing eight years ago, when he began to breed horses and purchased Indian Rock Stables in Saugus, a 50-stall facility.

“I look forward to the challenges ahead that face our horsemen, the New England HBPA, and the new ownership of Suffolk Downs as we all strive to take Thoroughbred racing in New England to the next level,” said Benson, adding, “I thank the board for having the confidence to elect me to this position.”

Posted 11/12/2007, 5:34 pm

Suffolk Downs posted increases in attendance and ontrack handle on its 2007 meet, although the all-sources average handle declined marginally.

The 100-day stand that ended Saturday saw a 22 percent gain in average attendance, topped by 19,191 Sept. 22 for the return of the Massachusetts Handicap after a two-year hiatus.

That fueled a 14 percent increase in the average daily handle on live Suffolk racing by ontrack fans. Average daily handle from all sources dipped a percentage point from the 103-day meet in 2006. Bettors put $90.38 million into Suffolk pools in 2007, down $3.6 million from last year.

Richard Fields, who purchased a controlling interest in the East Boston, Mass., track before the the meet, increased purses by 12 percent, largely through the return of the $500,000 Mass Cap and $190,000 in other stakes. He also hired a new management team and spent thousands on plant upgrades including a picnic area and a gift shop.

"We are encouraged by the increases in attendance and handle, as they reflect a reversal of recent trends," said Fields. "We made a number of improvements this year to enhance the overall customer experience and it has made a difference."

Owner Shirley Dullea, Trainer Tom McCooey Top Respective Tickets

The New England HBPA announced on November 9 that owner Al Balestra of Wrentham, Massachusetts, was elected president of the New England Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association by a convincing margin. Balestra, who has served as president since mid-2006, garnered 221 votes out of the 391 ballots that were tabulated, or over 56.52 percent.

William Lagorio finished second with 89 votes (22.76 percent), followed by Bernard Bramante who was third with 71 votes (18.16 percent). In the presidential category, there were nine blanks (2.30 percent) and one voided ballot (0.26 percent).

In the owner’s race, where the top five finishers are elected, Shirley Dullea topped the ticket for the second consecutive election with 234 votes. She was followed by James Greene with 186 votes and Michael Benson with 184 votes. Susan Clark and Anthony Spadea, Jr. finished tied for the final two owner’s seats with 163 votes each.

Falling just one vote short of being elected was Manfred Roos who finished sixth with 162 votes. He was followed by James Campanini with 112 votes, Albert Tassone with 91 votes, and Christopher Carney with 58.

First time candidates Thomas McCooey (246 votes) and John Assimakopoulos (230 votes) took the first two spots on trainer’s side. Karl Grusmark checked in third, with 192 votes. Rounding out the five elected trainers were Kevin Clark with 188 votes and Shirley Edwards with 180 votes.

Leona McKanas wound up sixth with 107 votes, followed by Archie Ricciardi with 106, Alfred Pimental with 91, and Carole Letarte with 50 votes.

Ballots were counted by the American Arbitration Association in the presence of the New England HBPA Election Committee.

Posted: Sunday, September 16, 2007 3:18 PM

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick will recommend against granting Suffolk Downs a license for video slot machines, but will recommend the state auction licenses for three full-scale casino resorts, the Boston Globe reported Sunday.

The governor will invite the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe to bid for a license, but would not recommend the state negotiate a deal to build a casino on land the tribe owns in Middleboro, a rural town southeast of Boston, the paper reported.

Any legislation to expand gambling will need approval of state lawmakers, so the governor’s decision to leave the tracks out of the mix is sure to spark a battle at the statehouse among politically connected track owners, large casino operators interested in bidding on the licenses, and anti-gambling groups.

The governor’s decision, after appointing an advisory group which studied the issues for over the summer, could create many new scenarios, few of which are good for Suffolk Downs or local horsemen.

Presumably, Suffolk Downs could bid on one of the licenses, but they will certainly be bidding against the deepest pockets in the casino industry, and other bidders would have no obligation to earmark a percentage of profits to boost purses for the track.

If he governor’s plan is enacted as he envisions it, according the Globe report, and Suffolk Downs does not win one of the licenses, the track would be surrounded by full-scale casinos. Several independent studies show that casinos in Connecticut, more than 100 miles away, are already drawing significant gambling dollars away from Suffolk Downs.

In perhaps the best case scenario, the track would win one license, but face stiff competition from the other two casinos.

The news comes at a particularly awkward time for Suffolk Downs, which is touting the revival of the Massachusetts Handicap on September 22.

Condolences go out to the families of trainers Robert Siravo and Edward Kudla, who both passed away recently. Mr. Siravo was the son of trainer William Siravo and Jean (Rodman) Siravo. In 1983, Mr. Siravo led the nation in winning percentage. Mr. Kudla, of Lawrence, Massachusetts, was a trainer for over 50 years. He leaves his loving companion and partner of 33 years, Alice T. Fisk … “Horse Racing Today” is broadcast each Saturday morning from 10:00-11:00 a.m. on AM 1510 The Zone in Boston. The weekly show discusses both local and national horse racing news. Tune in! ... Congratulations to New England Turf Writers Association (NETWA) President Christian Teja and his crew for putting together another fine awards dinner on July 16 at the Danversport Yacht Club. Former local trainer and longtime New England HBPA board member Billy Perry returned to town to be inducted into the NETWA’s Hall of Fame. Perry also picked up the prestigious Sam McCracken Award for lifetime contribution to New England racing. Billy retired from training in 2006 after chalking up 1,438 wins … Other 2007 Hall of Fame inductees were William H. Grinold’s multiple stakes winning Rise Jim, jockey Tony DeSpirito, and legendary announcer Ralph “Babe” Rubenstein. Paul Thornton won the Gerry Sullivan Trainer Award, and Dyn Panell was honored with the Eli Chiat Jockey Award. Announcer Larry Collmus took home the Lou Smith Memorial Award.

The New England HBPA has been working with representatives of the Dewey Square Group to put together a grassroots campaign to further the cause of horsemen and Thoroughbred racing during the upcoming legislative debates. As a result, the New England HBPA’s Board of Directors has mailed the following letter to the homes of all New England HBPA members:

Dear HBPA Member,

You have probably been reading a lot about Suffolk Downs as a possible site for a resort-style casino. Boston Mayor Tom Menino has repeatedly stated his support for a casino at Suffolk Downs, and a recent report by gaming expert Clyde Barrow from UMASS Dartmouth has suggested Suffolk Downs as a site for resort-style gaming. As a dedicated participant in Thoroughbred racing with an interest in the track’s success, we want to let you know how the new Suffolk Downs’ ownership team has told us that it envisions its future.

First and foremost, Suffolk Downs is committed to revitalizing the Thoroughbred racing industry in Massachusetts. Thoroughbred racing has a great tradition in this region, and Suffolk Downs is intent on building upon it. If the Commonwealth decides to pursue casino gaming, Suffolk Downs would welcome a world-class, resort-style casino to go along with Thoroughbred racing, and we all look forward to working with the mayor, the governor, and state legislators to make that happen.

With new ownership and the return of the Mass ‘Cap in September, this is a very exciting time for us. The Suffolk Downs’ ownership team brings with them a new vision and renewed enthusiasm for the historic track.

Many of you have already met Richard Fields, and we know that both he and newly-appointed Suffolk Downs Chairman Bill Mulrow look forward to sharing their vision of our future with you.

We will keep you informed as the events unfold, but we will need your help over the next several months to reach out to other members of the communities in which we live and do business.

To get ready for our grassroots activities, we ask that you take two quick steps:

1. Please take a moment to update your contact information by sending a quick e-mail to the New England HBPA at nehbpa@aol.com with your full name, preferred mailing address, and please include your day and evening telephone numbers. We want to make sure that if we need to get in touch with you quickly regarding an e-mail, letter writing or phone campaign, we have all of your information.

2. If you haven’t already done so, please visit www.suffolkdowns.com and sign up for the Suffolk e-mail list.

If you don’t have an e-mail address and would like to get started, please contact Leslie Feinberg at (617) 259-2774 and she would be happy to walk you through setting up a free Hotmail or Yahoo e-mail account. Leslie works for the Dewey Square Group, and they are helping Suffolk Downs with grassroots activities.

A resort-style casino would create an influx of new jobs, additional tourism, and new revenue for the city and state and would safely secure Suffolk Downs as the only remaining Thoroughbred racetrack in New England. Among the benefits to the Massachusetts Thoroughbred industry would be a more competitive purse structure at Suffolk Downs and stability for local horse breeders and farmers.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

New England HBPA Board of Directors

The New England HBPA’s annual barbeque will be held on Thursday, September 27, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. under the tent on the grandstand apron of Suffolk Downs. Hamburgers, hot dogs, sausages, a variety of salads, sodas, and desserts will be served.

The New England HBPA has been sponsoring this annual barbeque for over 30 years for all racetrack workers, and it is not unusual for the New England HBPA to serve at least 500 people.

Everyone is invited to attend.

The New England HBPA’s Backstretch Committee and staff have been working on suggestions for permanently improving the quarter pole gap in an effort to provide a much safer environment for horses racing and during training hours at Suffolk Downs.

The focus for a permanent change has centered on the construction of a new gap on the east side of the racing secretary’s building near the existing pony barn. If a new gap were to be built in that location, it would limit the ability of a loose horse to run out of the gap at full speed, risking serious injury.

In addition to the proposed permanent solution above, temporary safety improvements at the existing gap are currently being explored.

Any new gap construction would not commence until the conclusion of the existing live meet in November.

Election Committee appointed by Board of Directors by - Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Notice of General Meeting sent to membership - Friday, July 13, 2007

General Nominating Meeting (adjourned for lack of quorum) - Tuesday, August 7, 2007

Notice of Second General Meeting sent to membership - Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Second General Nominating Meeting scheduled (Topsider Room, 5:30 p.m.) - Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Candidates notified of nomination by - Friday, September 7, 2007

Candidates to return material by - Saturday, September 22, 2007

Photographs of candidates by - Saturday, September 22, 2007

Candidates material checked by Election Committee - Monday-Friday, September 24-28, 2007

All materials to printer - Friday, September 28, 2007

Brochures and ballots back from printer - Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Printed material and ballots checked by Election Committee - Wednesday, October 3, 2007

All material turned over to Auditor by Election Committee by - Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Materials prepared for mailing by Auditor - Wednesday-Monday, October 3-8, 2007

Candidates Night - Monday, October 8, 2007

Ballots mailed out by Auditor - Monday, October 8, 2007

Last day to notify Auditor of non-receipt of ballot - Monday, October 29, 2007

Live voting day - Wednesday, November 7, 2007

All ballots must in hands of Auditor by 5:00 p.m. (ELECTION DAY) - Thursday, November 8, 2007

Counting of ballots by Auditor at 10:00 a.m. - Friday, November 9, 2007

New Board takes office at 12:00 Noon - Friday, November 16, 2007

In an unprecedented move, the New England HBPA and Suffolk Downs have announced that the purses for the overnight races that are used on Mass ‘Cap day will be increased dramatically to benefit our local horsemen. The 11-race program on Saturday, September 22, will now feature the $500,000 Massachusetts Handicap, the $100,000 James Moseley Sprint, two $45,000 stakes, and seven overnight races, including a minimum of three claiming races, with purses increased $6,000 to $8,000 per race.

Suffolk, which is funding the 2007 Mass ‘Cap without using local horsemen’s purse money, had originally planned to run a third $45,000 stakes race. At the request of the New England HBPA, the track has agreed to spread that $45,000 out over the remaining overnight races on the card. This is being done as a form of “horsemen’s appreciation”, and anyone who gets to run in any of those races will be in for a nice payday.

Racing Secretary Jim Pambianchi will offer at least 16 different races for horsemen to enter, from $5,000 claimers up to allowance races. Each of the minimum three claiming races used will be increased by $6,000, and each allowance race on the card will be increased by $8,000 from the normal 2007 purses.

Date Posted: 8/14/2007 4:24:08 PM Last Updated: 8/15/2007 7:52:31 AM

Suffolk Downs has launched a comprehensive advertising campaign, including television and radio featuring local and national celebrities, as part of a significantly increased effort to market the Thoroughbred racetrack in Boston. The campaign is the first major branding effort for the track in over 10 years.

The campaign, titled "Who Do You Like Today?" is an extension of a campaign created and produced by Conover Tuttle Pace of Boston for the National Thoroughbred Racing Association. CTP customized the spots for Suffolk Downs with the inclusion of local celebrity racing fans and track supporters who volunteered their participation in the campaign.

Those appearing in the spots include comedian Lenny Clarke, Olympic hockey gold medalist Mike Eruzione, former Red Sox manager Joe Morgan, four-time Boston Marathon winner Bill Rodgers, and renowned chef and restaurateur Jasper White, according to an Aug. 14 release from Suffolk Downs.

Hall of Fame jockey and four-time Massachusetts Handicap winner Jerry Bailey joins the local celebrities, as well as Suffolk Downs jockeys, trainers, racing fans, and other track personalities. Celebrities who appear in the national spots and are included in the campaign are racing fans Dennis Hopper, Jerry O'Connell, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, and Alex Trebek.

The campaign will also feature print, outdoor, and Web advertising.

“This campaign positions Suffolk Downs as an exciting entertainment option in this very competitive market,” Christian Teja, vice president of marketing and communications for Suffolk Downs, said in a statement.

The campaign is part of Suffolk Downs’ new ownership’s overall commitment to revitalizing Thoroughbred racing. Earlier this year, the track announced the return of the $500,000 Massachusetts Handicap after a two-year hiatus, restoring the track’s historic signature race to the local sports calendar. The race will take place Sept. 22 and will be the focus of the new campaign in the weeks leading up to it.

Posted: Wednesday, August 15, 2007 9:39 AM

Marketing consultant Chip Tuttle, who has worked with racing organizations including the National Thoroughbred Racing Association and Breeders Cup Ltd., has been named chief operating officer of Suffolk Downs.

Tuttle began working for the East Boston track as director of marketing and communications in 1992, and has served as a consultant to Suffolk while holding a post in Conover Tuttle Pace, an advertising and public relations firm. Tuttle will retain his post as chief executive officer of that firm.

“I am very impressed by the new ownership team and, having been involved with racing in Massachusetts for over 15 years, I’m very excited about their commitment to racing at Suffolk Downs,” said Tuttle. “I welcome the opportunity to be a part of building on its great tradition.”

Tuttle succeeds Robert O’Malley, who died earlier this year after a career of more than four decades at Suffolk Downs.

The track also announced Bill Mulrow as the new chairman of the board of directors. Mulrow is a principal in Excelsior Racing, one of the groups vying for the franchise to operate the tracks currently running Saratoga Racecourse, Belmont Park, and Aqueduct. Excelsior is headed by Richard Fields, who recently purchased a significant interest in Suffolk Downs.

Mulrow is an investment banker based in New York. He succeeds Patricia Moseley as chairman of the board. Moseley and her late husband Jim were the driving force behind reviving the shuttered Thoroughbred track in 1992.

John Rizzo, a member of the Suffolk Downs management team since 2002, has been promoted to chief financial officer.

Also promoted was Christian Teja, who was named vice president of marketing and communications, and Joe Fatalo, who was named vice president of operations.

Posted: Monday, July 30, 2007 12:54 PM

Residents of the town of Middleborough, Massachusetts, have voted overwhelmingly for an agreement that could lead to the construction of a large scale casino just 45 miles from Suffolk Downs.

The Mashpee Wampanoags, a Native American tribe which won official recognition from the federal government in May, have reached a deal with the town to pay $11-million annually and fund $250-million in infrastructure improvements, in lieu of taxes.

Residents approved the measure on Saturday by a vote of 2,387 to 1,335. The gambling resort is planned for a large tract of land in the rural town of 20,000 people.

The Mashpee Wampanoags have signaled that they will aggressively negotiate with state officials for the exclusive right to offer video slot machines, a development that could leave Suffolk Downs—which has been lobbying for expanded gaming for the last decade—frozen out of the picture.

Track executives do not see that happening, but they are acutely aware of the developments in Middleborough.

“Our first priority remains revitalizing the racing operation,” Suffolk Downs consultant Chip Tuttle said. “Should the state move to expand gaming, we believe there are benefits to doing that at Suffolk Downs.”

Although the legal issues are somewhat cloudy, most observers believe state lawmakers would have to approve new legislation before the tribe could install video slot machines, by far the most lucrative form of casino gaming. It is thought the tribe already has the legal right to operate most table games, such as poker, craps, roulette, and blackjack.

The tribe already has floated a proposal to pay the state 25% of all slots revenue, similar to the deal the Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun casinos struck with the state of Connecticut.

Earlier this year, newly elected Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick commissioned a task force to study expanded gambling. The panel is scheduled to report its findings after Labor Day.

Posted: 6/24/2007

Richard Fields grew up in the Bronx but dreamed of being a cowboy. "I wanted to be Hopalong Cassidy -- I've never gotten past it," he said.

Today Fields, a 61-year-old multimillionaire businessman, has hundreds of horses on a ranch in Wyoming he calls Jackson Land and Cattle.

His biggest business success was as codeveloper of a pair of successful Seminole Hard Rock Café Hotel & Casinos resorts in Florida. And in April he became controlling owner of Suffolk Downs, the New England horse track that has been on life support for years, some say doomed.

Fields says he bought into Suffolk Downs because he believes in the future of horse racing and trainers, jockeys, and the other people who support it, and he wants to keep it alive. "I only do projects where people say it can't be done," he said in a recent interview in the Topsider Room, overlooking the oval track in East Boston and Revere. "This is a big one, baby . . . I've made a big bet here."

But in a few short months Fields's big, expensive plans to save racing at Suffolk Downs have been overshadowed by a fast-moving debate on Beacon Hill over legalizing gambling in Massachusetts.

The racetrack has been frequently cited as an obvious location for a future casino and entertainment complex. In addition, Fields's background includes being a partner with Las Vegas mogul Steve Wynn in a bid to run New York State's horse-racing franchise.

"I'm not totally silly. Of course we would want to have gaming," said Fields. "You'd have larger purses, you'd have better horses."

Fields has had initial meetings with local and state officials on the prospect of gaming in Massachusetts. Casino revenues could finance one of his big goals, bringing horse-breeding back to the Commonwealth, as well as pumping financial oxygen into the track itself.

But, he said, casinos would have to be part of a larger resort and entertainment destination package for it to work. "You can't just put in slot machines and go, voila."

Unlike some of his Suffolk Downs partners, Fields said he believes horse-racing can make it without gambling, and he has started spending money to upgrade Suffolk Downs facilities. His greatest challenges are competition from the state Lottery and out-of-state casino resorts -- and making the Sport of Kings appeal to a younger generation that is just fine doing its gaming, if not gambling, on a computer.

"I need that 13-year-old and the 10-year-old, or I'm dead," said Fields.

He said he takes pointers from Wynn. He once stayed unannounced at the Wynn Las Vegas resort and talked to people about their experiences.

"You know why they love him? It's all about the customer," Fields said. Rather than just luring people with a promotion or giveaway, he said, Wynn has made customer service "a way of life."

"We're going to translate those ideas into horse racing."

Suffolk Downs opened in 1935 and once hosted 25,000 people a day betting and enjoying the excitement, big purses, and sleek horses that also raced at top tracks like Santa Anita and Saratoga. But attendance has dwindled, and even the famed Massachusetts Handicap, which put Suffolk Downs on the racing map, has been suspended for two years.

Fields swept into Boston this month and appeared at the Four Seasons Hotel Boston to announce that the MassCap would return, in September, with a respectable $500,000 purse. Outside, a thoroughbred horse with jockey astride paced on the sidewalk of Boylston Street.

Fields's early business success was in another corner of entertainment -- music and comedy. After attending Boston University, he managed entertainers, including comedian Kevin Meaney and Joy Behar of ABC-TV's "The View." He was part-owner of the comedy club chain Catch a Rising Star, worked for a New York private equity firm, and then was a real estate and development consultant.

In 2005, Business Week magazine called him "Trump's Angry Apprentice," because after he worked for Donald Trump's organization for several years and then codeveloped the Florida casinos with someone else, The Donald sued him. A billion dollars is said to be at stake.

Fields's love of horses was rekindled when he visited a friend's ranch in New Mexico about 20 years ago and saddled up. "I had a ride up a hill and down a mountain. I knew where I wanted to be."

He is also a philanthropist and environmentalist. Fields and his wife, Meeka, support a foundation that advocates for missing and exploited children, he's bought land for preservation in Wyoming, and he is involved with classroom and biofuel programs that promote agriculture.

He is engaged with singer Willie Nelson -- "Willie educates me" -- in promoting biodiesel fuels, and is on the board of Farm Aid, which Nelson helped start to save the family farm.

Fields said what ties all his pet causes and projects together is a sense that life in America has changed, for the worse. "It sounds melodramatic, but we're losing the core of this country," he said.

The Suffolk Downs "family," he said, faces the same threat as the family farmer. "It's the last thoroughbred track in New England. It's like local farms and ranches -- Ma and Pa. They're committed to the land, to the animals. I feel obligated to keep that going."

That passion, plus his business success, persuaded Suffolk Downs partner Joseph O'Donnell to approve of Fields's purchase of a large share in the racetrack, after spurning offers from others over the years.

"What he wants to do here is going to be so good," said O'Donnell. "It isn't a slots parlor. He's a unique human being. He's made an awful lot of money and given an awful lot of money away. It portends well for us."

Fields's partner in his firm Coastal Development, Bill Mulrow, said Fields spent nearly a decade wooing the Seminole tribe in Florida to build the Seminole Hard Rock Casino resorts in Hollywood and Tampa, which have annual combined revenues of more than a billion dollars a year.

"Richard, through his own tenacity and doggedness, got the deal done," said Mulrow. "If he has an idea, he sees it through," said Mulrow. "He has a special quality. I can't tell if it's his enthusiasm or his intelligence."

Neither Wynn nor representatives of the Seminole Tribe responded to requests for a comment.

If horse racing can't be saved at Suffolk Downs, with or without casinos, the 170 acres on the coast would be a prime site for the kind of mixed-use projects that one of the track's other big owners, New York-based developer Vornado, specializes in.

On the first Saturday in May, as Suffolk Downs ran its first races of the season, the track carried a simulcast of the Kentucky Derby and drew a fairly good crowd of almost 18,000. Amid a celebratory atmosphere, Fields said he was encouraged by an early meeting with some of the track's 1,500 employees.

"I said let's do a wish list, paint this, fix that, flowers," he said. "There's a sense of optimism. I wrote a check."

t was a bittersweet opening day card on May 5, with the second race being named in memory of longtime Suffolk Downs Chief of Security Bob Fawcett and the fifth race in memory of former Suffolk CEO Bob O’Malley, both who had passed away recently … Former owner Bruce Patten has joined the New England HBPA staff. Bruce first got into the racing business in 1990 and will have a variety of duties with the organization, including working on legislative issues … Twelve Massachusetts-bred stakes have been scheduled during the 2007 meet. For information on the Massachusetts Breeders Association, call (508) 252-3690 … The New England HBPA is currently reviewing all ongoing simulcasting and market area contracts that are in place between Suffolk Downs and other pari-mutuel facilities … Congratulations to Robert Furlong, who was recently appointed as an Associate Commissioner with the Massachusetts State Racing Commission. Furlong has served in many capacities during his long and distinguished racing career … Suffolk TV guru Don Cress still has many races from the 1990s available for transfer to DVD. Members who are interested in rekindling the memories of some old races should contact Don at (617) 567-3900, ext. 3211 … Director of Racing Jim Pambianchi expects to have over 1,000 horses on the grounds by the end of June … Suffolk Downs has appointed Nick Saggese, a former Boston police detective, as its new director of security. Jayne Saraceni stays on board as Suffolk’s security manager … Eddie Andelman’s annual Hot Dog Safari was held at the track on Sunday, June 3 … Suffolk Downs racing returns to the radio this season with a new show called “Horse Racing Today” that can be heard every Saturday morning in Boston from 8:00-9:00 a.m. on 1510 The Zone … The 65th annual New England Turf Writers Dinner will be held on Monday, July 16 at the Danversport Yacht Club. For ticket information, contact the Suffolk Downs Publicity Department at (617) 568-3220 … Suffolk’s ten-race opening day card on May 5 drew 90 horses and offered $149,200 in purses, including the $25,000 William Almy Jr. Purse won by Lawrence P. Higgins’ Blond River Fox, who is trained by Paul Thornton. One of the largest crowds in recent years was in attendance as 17,459 fans came through the gates … Best wishes go out to former New England HBPA employee Henry Ma, who remains at home following several recent surgeries. Henry rode on the New England circuit for many years before joining the HBPA staff. Friends can send their well wishes to him through the New England HBPA office.

Coastal Development Massachusetts LLC, the company that is headed by Richard Fields, purchased a significant interest in Suffolk Downs in early April. The purchase will make Coastal the largest shareholder of the track. In addition to Fields, Suffolk’s primary shareholders include partnerships controlled by Joe O’Donnell, the Chairman of the Boston Culinary Group, Vornado Realty Trust, and John Hall’s Hall Properties.

“I am excited about my investment in Suffolk Downs and about the future of this historic venue,” said Fields in a press release issued on April 2. “Over the next few months, our team will be pursuing a master plan that allows us to integrate the horse racing that has long defined Suffolk with a world class facility for everyone who visits our site. I am excited about bringing our experience for the sport to racing at Suffolk Downs,” he added.

Fields will look to include a full range of resort activities in his master plan, including retail, restaurants and live entertainment, family activities, and other resort activities. Among his accomplishments, Fields developed the Seminole Indian Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood, Florida. A devoted rancher, Fields and his wife, Meeka, own Jackson Land and Cattle in Wyoming and are involved in the efforts to bring agriculture and education to schools through both Farm Aid and Wyoming Agriculture in the Classroom (WAIC). He is on the board of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, a global leader in assisting families, law enforcement, and the media in locating missing children. The Fields’ philanthropic efforts also include work with the New York Police Foundation, the American Quarter Horse Youth Assistance Program, and the Good Shepherd Services.

“We are excited both by this new investment in New England racing and by Richard Fields’ vision for revitalizing Suffolk Downs,” said New England HBPA President Al Balestra.

Mr. Fields has met several times with President Balestra, New England HBPA board members, track officials, and horsemen.

Fields addressed New England HBPA members in a packed track kitchen on May 5 and emphasized his commitment to improve the quality of racing and the conditions on the backstretch. His comments were greeted by several rounds of thunderous applause.

Best regards to all of our friends and colleagues across the country.

We are optimistic about the future of Suffolk Downs since the announcement that Richard Fields purchased a major share of the track. In our meetings with Mr. Fields, he has outlined a vision for the track which includes the continuance and improvement of live racing with or without expanded gaming. He also stressed Suffolk’s commitment to improve backstretch conditions. We intend to progress with the new management team in a mutually beneficial direction and, at the same time, make certain that our horsemen who race at Suffolk are always protected.

We negotiated a modest purse increase for 2007 with the help of the late Suffolk CEO Bob O’Malley before his passing in February. We enjoyed a very good professional relationship with Bob for decades. He was a true friend to the horsemen of New England and will certainly be missed.

On the legislative front, we have begun setting the stage for another major effort to bring slots to Suffolk Downs. We have continued to meet with members of new Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick’s staff, Lt. Governor Tim Murray, Senator Michael Morrissey, and other key legislative leaders.

Governor Patrick has formed a committee to study gaming, and a report is due out in August. Hopefully, that report will be favorable to the horsemen and lead to another slot machine debate on Beacon Hill later this fall. Our major obstacle still appears to be in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

We are also in the process of taking steps to protect Thoroughbred racing in the event that Indian gaming becomes a reality in Massachusetts. The Mashpee Wampanoags recently purchased a 120-acre parcel of land in Middleboro, Massachusetts, and they have an option to buy an adjacent parcel of 200 additional acres. The tribe potentially still faces a few years of waiting as they must win federal approval to make their acquired land their official tribal location. They are also reported to be considering several other locations in the state, and a final decision is expected by the tribe by the end of the year.

We have recently appointed a new Gaming Committee that will work closely with our already existing Legislative Committee. This newly formed committee will have the sole responsibility of furthering our cause of getting slot machines in Massachusetts. They will form a coalition with cities and towns, municipal leaders, and key groups like the teachers’ association and the police and fire unions. We are hopeful that we can gain the support of these groups and have them join us in our effort to win approval for slot machines. In addition, we have contacted the Massachusetts Municipal Mayors Association to present to them revenue figures that detail how much each city or town could receive based on conservative estimates of slot machine returns.

The New England HBPA has established a trust fund that will help with the care of horses when their racing days are over at Suffolk Downs. We take this issue very seriously and will continue to work closely with management, the racing commission, our horsemen, and other groups involved in the racing industry to make certain that every horse finds a suitable home upon its retirement.

You can keep up with news from New England by checking our website at www.newenglandhbpa.com.

Al Balestra

Posted 5/24/2007, 1:37 pm

The Massachusetts Handicap will be back on the schedule this fall at Suffolk Downs as the track's new majority owner, Richard Fields, continues the push to revive the flagging East Boston track.

Since taking over controlling interest on Suffolk's board in March through his Coastal Development LLC, Fields's focus has been on restoring optimism regarding the track's future. Business had been stagnant at Suffolk for years, and its signature race has had to be canceled three out of the last four years.

Tentative plans call for the MassCap to be run in late September with a six-figure base purse and a bonus system tied to other major races. Track officials hope to lure a major horse prepping for the Breeders' Cup Classic in an attempt catch the same magic as in 1995, when a similar bonus system lured Cigar to Boston for the first of two MassCap victories.

Because the MassCap was not run the last two years, it is not eligible for a grade according to the American Graded Stakes Committee. It was a Grade 2 race in 2004 when Offlee Wild beat 2003 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Funny Cide by a head.

"Without the grade, the purse and the purse structure are of the utmost importance when it comes to attracting the best field," said track spokesman Christian Teja. "The race will take place, but we're still evaluating how best to structure the purse and when is the best time to run it."

The MassCap has a storied history dating back to 1935 when the track first opened. In addition to Cigar, other MassCap winners include Seabiscuit, Whirlaway, Stymie, Riva Ridge, and Skip Away.

Date Posted: 5/1/2007 3:15:35 PM Last Updated: 5/1/2007 3:15:35 PM

Suffolk Downs kicks off its 2007 season May 5 with an across-the-board purse increase and a tribute to longtime executive Bob O’Malley, who died in February at the age of 69.

The Massachusetts racetrack is dedicating this year’s live racing season in memory of O’Malley. The 102-day meet concludes Nov. 10.

Purses for most allowance and maiden special weight races have been raised by $1,100, which represents increases ranging from 5% to 6.9%. The top money allowance purse is now $23,100, while purses for maiden special weight events are up to $17,100.

Purses for $5,000 maiden-claiming races and conditional $4,000 and $5,000 claimers have been boosted 12.9%, from $6,200 to $7,000. Starter allowance tests and all other claiming races had their purses increased by $1,000 (between 10% and 14.3%).

Suffolk Downs will join racetracks across North America May 5 in supporting the newly created NTRA Charities - Barbaro Memorial Fund, which is designed to raise awareness and money for equine health and safety research in the name of the 2006 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner.

Post time at Suffolk Downs is 12:55 p.m. Eastern time for opening day, and 12:45 thereafter. On opening day, patrons will receive a season’s pass with paid admission of $2.

On the racing side, jockey Winston Thompson and trainer John Rigattieri are back to defend their respective crowns. Thompson has captured the last three riding titles at the East Boston track, while Rigattieri has been the leading trainer three years in a row.

Suffolk Downs will offer a 10-cent superfecta on any race that has superfecta wagering. The wager requires a minimum investment of $1.

Here’s the racing schedule for the meet:

May 9-19: Wednesdays and Saturdays
May 21-30: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays
June, July, and August: Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays
September and October: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays
Nov. 1-10: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays

Posted: Monday, April 02, 2007 4:31 PM

New York businessman Richard Fields has completed a deal to acquire a significant ownership interest in Suffolk Downs and affirmed plans to revitalize the East Boston Thoroughbred track.

“I am excited about my investment in Suffolk Downs and about the future of this historic venue,” Fields said in a news release. “Over the next few months, our team will be pursuing a master plan that allows us to integrate the horseracing that has long defined Suffolk Downs with a world-class facility for everyone who visits our site. I am excited about bringing our experience and passion for the sport to racing at Suffolk Downs.”

Coastal Development Massachusetts, the development company formed by Fields, will be the largest shareholder in Suffolk Downs, but will not control a majority interest in the track. The other primary investors are Massachusetts businessmen John Hall and Joseph O’Donnell as well as Vornado Real Estate, a New York-based real estate trust.

"Richard Fields's investment in Suffolk Downs is a positive development for horseracing in Massachusetts," Suffolk Downs President John Hall said. "He is an avid horseman who brings extraordinary enthusiasm for racing as well as considerable expertise in gaming and development."

While there are no specific project commitments in the announcement, Fields will look into new retail businesses, restaurants, live entertainment, family activities, and other high-end resort amenities, according to the news release.

Fields is a principal in Excelsior Racing Associations, the group given the initial nod by New York’s Ad-hoc Committee on Racing to take over racing at Saratoga Racecourse, Belmont Park, and Aqueduct Racecourse. New York Racing Association, Excelsior Racing, Empire Racing Associates, and Capital Play Pty. Ltd. remain as parties interested in the New York racing franchise. An ad hoc committee on the future of New York Racing selected Excelsior as the top bid, but Governor Eliot Spitzer began a new selection process for the franchise when NYRA’s franchise expires December 31.

Fields has close ties to the Johnston family, investors in several harness tracks and off-track betting facilities in Illinois.

Fields is the developer behind two successful casino projects, the Seminole Hard Rock Resort and Casino with locations in Tampa, and Hollywood, Florida.

Posted: Thursday, March 22, 2007 10:55 AM

Suffolk Downs and the Massachusetts racing industry lost their most powerful legislative ally on Wednesday when State Senate President Robert Travaglini (D-East Boston) resigned his seat to work as a lobbyist.

Travaglini was replaced as senate president by Senator Therese Murray (D-Plymouth), who has been a vocal and active opponent of expanded gambling measures, including bills that would authorize Suffolk Downs to install video slot machines.

Neither Travaglini, in his resignation speech, nor Murray, in her acceptance speech, mentioned gambling issues.

Statehouse observers believe the shift in power at the statehouse makes the prospect of expanded gambling legislation much less likely. Along with Murray, House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi (D-Boston) opposes such measures.

Newly elected Governor Deval Patrick has assigned a task group to study casino gambling as a way to close a significant budget shortfall. That task force is expected to make its recommendations to Patrick later this spring.

Travaglini, whose district included Suffolk Downs, has been an influential supporter of the state’s race tracks.

During the 2006 legislative session, he engineered passage of an expanded gambling bill in the Senate, the first time either legislative body had approved such a bill. The measure, which would have allowed up to 2,000 video slot machines at each of the state’s four pari-mutuel tracks, was defeated in the House of Representatives.

Travaligni wants to form a partnership with Boston attorney Thomas Kiley to start a public strategy and lobbying firm, the Boston Globe reports. He would be prohibited for one year from directly lobbying the state legislature, but could contact the governor or state agencies.

An agreement has been reached between Suffolk Downs and the New England Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association that will raise purses at the East Boston track when the 2007 live racing meet opens on Saturday, May 5.

Suffolk Downs Chief Operating Officer Bob O’Malley, Director of Racing Jim Pambianchi, and New England HBPA President Al Balestra were pleased to jointly announce the purse increase.

“We wanted to give the horsemen every reason to return to Suffolk for the 2007 meet, and raising the purses should hopefully give them that incentive,” stated Pambianchi. “We will now put the new purse structure in our condition book and head south to recruit horses for the upcoming meet,” he added.

“Although our long term goal is to continue to work with the legislature to get gaming at the track and bring our purses to another level, we felt the need to do something with the structure to help our horsemen immediately and give racing a needed boost for this upcoming season,” explained Balestra. “We have worked together with Suffolk Downs over years to come up with a comfortable racing schedule for our horsemen and a realistic purse structure. The reduction of live racing days over the past few years has made this increase possible, and given the circumstances we have been facing without gaming, I am very pleased with this increase. We still have a lot of work ahead of us legislatively if we are going to see slot machines here, but I feel that the path has now been paved for us in welcoming our horses back to Massachusetts,” Balestra added.

Suffolk is expected to run approximately 930 races over 102 live racing days in 2007, down only one day from the 103 days and 956 races that were run in 2006. The 2007 meet is expected to conclude on Saturday, November 10. Weather permitting, the stable area is expected to begin receiving horses on March 26.

Date Posted: 1/4/2007 9:58:35 PM Last Updated: 1/4/2007 10:13:03 PM

The simulcasting signal bill signed into law Jan. 2 by outgoing Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney covering the next two years should provide the state's four racetracks some needed stability for an industry struggling with competition from racinos and casinos in adjoining stakes, track officials agree.

The compromise measure includes Suffolk Downs (Thoroughbred), Wonderland Greyhound and Raynham/Taunton Greyhound (dogs), and Plainridge Racecourse (harness).

"This certainly brings us some stability," said Suffolk spokesman Christian Teja on Jan. 4. "Last year, we received a three-month extension in January, then faced a temporary stoppage in early April, until another extension was granted to Dec. 31st of this past year.

"This created a great uncertainty in attracting outfits to ship to Suffolk for the recently concluded meet. This time around, racing secretary Jim Pambianchi can tell prospective owners and trainers that Suffolk Downs will definitely be here for the next two years."

Suffolks Down resumed simulcasting Jan. 3 after closing for two days following expiration of the previous bill.

As part of the new legislation, Suffolk Downs will only be required to run 900 live races within 100 racing days, down from 1,100 live races and 150 racing days in the recent past. Seven live races constitute a racing card.

The 2007 Suffolk meet is scheduled to run from Kentucky Derby Day, May 5, until Nov. 10.

Another significant portion of the bill that should prove positive for Suffolk Downs is a provision that allows those people who bet via account wagering to use credit cards and debit cards, which was prohibited in the past.

In 2006, the sole stakes races carded by Suffolk Downs were written for Massachusetts-bred horses, with the Massachusetts Handicap (gr. II), scheduled to be run in September, temporarily scrapped. No determination has been made as yet on the stakes schedule for 2007. That will be an ongoing process.

As part of the new legislation, jointly passed by both branches, Raynham/Taunton will now receive two additional simulcast signals, which have currently been allocated to Gulfstream Park and Laurel Racecourse, both Thoroughbred venues.

Plainridge Racecourse will receive one extra greyhound signal.

Though Plainridge will also be allowed to reduce live racing from 1,100 races to 900 if it so chooses, it appears that the track may have sacrificed the most to get the deal done. The lost simulcasting revenue to neighboring Raynham/Taunton will only cause the harness track to fall further behind other competitors.

General Manager Steven O'Toole cites the reopening of Vernon Downs, the opening of tracks in Chester, Pa., and Tioga, N.Y., and the continuation of Yonkers, Saratoga, and Maine, each with slot machines.

Massachusetts tracks are hoping that the state legislature will revisit the possibility of Suffolk, Plainridge, Wonderland, and Raynham/Taunton becoming a host site for slot machines in 2007.

Suffolk Barn Area Opening – March 26, 2007
The stable area will tentatively begin accepting horses on Monday, March 26, 2007, subject to weather and completion of projects.

Suffolk Track Open for Training – April 2, 2007
The track will tentatively open for training on Monday, April 2, 2007, subject to weather and completion of construction projects. Horsemen are advised to call the racing office for updates.

Suffolk Live Racing – May 5 through November 10, 2007
Live racing resumes at Suffolk Downs starting on Saturday, May 5 (Kentucky Derby Day). The meet will run through Saturday, November 10.

Suffolk Downs
For Stall Applications, 2007 condition books, etc., contact Racing Secretary Jimmy Pambianchi at (617) 568-3240 or toll-free at (800) 225-3460, ext.3240 or via e-mail at jpambianchi@suffolkdowns.com. You can also check out the track’s website at www.suffolkdowns.com. The mailing address for Suffolk Downs is 111 Waldemar Ave, East Boston, MA 02128.

New England HBPA Office
You can contact the New England HBPA at (617) 568-3333 or toll-free at (800) 225-3460, ext, 7258, via e-mail at NEHBPA@aol.com, or check our website at www.newenglandhbpa.com. Our mailing address is P.O. Box 388, Revere, MA 02151. We will be open during the winter months.

Massachusetts State Racing Commission
Contact the Commission at (617) 727-2581 or by mail at One Ashburton Place, Room 1313, Boston, MA 02108.

Massachusetts Thoroughbred Breeders Association
The MTBA can be reached by calling (508) 252-3690 or via e-mail at topflightx@comcast.net. The website is www.massbreds.com. Their mailing address is 4 Thomas St, Burlington, MA 01803.

As the 2006 meet concludes at Suffolk Downs, New England HBPA President Al Balestra was very grateful to track management – particularly Bob O’Malley, Joe Fatalo, Jimmy Pambianchi and Steve Pini – for dealing with all issues of concern to horsemen in a timely manner. It has been a very unique situation where racetrack management and the horsemen have worked so closely together to achieve common goals … Although we started the season with a defeat in the House of Representatives on our slot machine legislation, we have worked to make certain that racing continues but prospers in the years ahead. We are diligently exploring ways to improve purses and conditions at Suffolk Downs, and those efforts will remain ongoing throughout the winter months … Many have inquired as to what the election of Deval Patrick as governor will mean for the future of racing and gaming in Massachusetts. Patrick has stated that he would keep an open mind when it comes to slots at the racetracks. We do know that we have a strong proponent in Lt. Governor-elect Tim Murray. We have spoken with Tim on several occasions, and he is one of the leading advocates of slots in the state. He spoke on our behalf when he was the mayor of Worcester, Massachusetts, at our state house rally last March … With or without gaming legislation, we are looking forward to 2007 with optimism … Suffolk has been granted a full schedule of live racing days by the Massachusetts State Racing Commission, with racing beginning on May 5. In an effort to increase attendance and handle, Suffolk will reinstitute racing on Sundays during the summer months … Horsemen can now stay updated on the happenings in Massachusetts racing by checking out our website at www.newenglandhbpa.com. We will keep all information as current as possible, so please check back often during the winter … Congratulations go out to John Rigatteiri and Winston Thompson for winning the leading trainer and jockey titles, respectively, during the 2006 meet. Karl Grusmark and Vernon Bush finished second in both categories.

The Nebraska HBPA would like to congratulate Bob Young, a longtime outrider on the Nebraska circuit, for being nominated for the Race Track Chaplaincy of America (RTCA)’s White Horse Award. Bob averted a potentially disastrous situation during the live meet in Omaha this year. Due to a tractor malfunction, the starting gate could not be moved off the track. As soon as Bob realized the gate couldn’t be moved in time, he galloped his pony into the oncoming field and turned, riding ahead of the field to alert them of the danger. He then led them to safety, with no one suffering serious injury.

All Nebraska horsemen owe Bob a debt of gratitude and thank him for risking his life to save the riders and horses in the race.

Suffolk Downs Racing Secretary Jim Pambianchi will be accepting stall applications for the 2007 meet starting in January. Horsemen seeking stall space can contact the racing office at (800) 225-3460, ext. 3240.

Veteran Trainer John Rigattieri has made a runaway of the trainers’ standings. Rigatteiri has had the best meet of any trainer in recent memory, with 64 winners from 202 starts through mid-August. His horses had earned over $625,000 in that period.

Suffolk Downs’ Director of Publicity Christian Teja has authored a book entitled “Suffolk Downs” as part of Arcadia Publishing’s “Images of Sports” series. The comprehensive 128-page book contains over 200 pictures detailing the history of Suffolk from 1935 to the present, including images of Seabiscuit, Whirlaway and Cigar.

Many of the horsemen around the country who raced at Suffolk may enjoy the book. You can contact the Suffolk Downs Publicity Office at (800) 225-3460, ext. 3220, for information on how to obtain a copy.

The Massachusetts Legislature is expected to take another look at the issue of slots at the tracks in the spring of 2007. The New England HBPA has been exploring ways to increase purses in the event that slots do not pass.

The current Suffolk Downs meet will continue through mid-November. The 2007 live racing schedule is expected to be announced sometime in late October, with an early May opening expected.

Date Posted: 8/30/2006 11:41:03 AM Last Updated: 8/30/2006 11:41:03 AM

For the second year in a row, Suffolk Downs will not run the Massachusetts Handicap, the grade II race which had been scheduled for Sept. 30, track management announced Wednesday. The MassCap, the Boston track's signature race, was to carry a purse of $300,000 and was scheduled to be part of ESPN's "Emirates Airline Countdown to the Breeders' Cup."

"We continue to be negatively impacted by the onslaught of gaming in Rhode Island and Connecticut and the current impasse in the legislature has caused a troubling atmosphere of uncertainty," said Suffolk Downs chief operating officer Bob O'Malley. "We are concerned about finishing our fall meet and the possibility of a protracted shut down in 2007 due to the impending expiration of enabling legislation.

"To date, we have been able to maintain adequate purse levels and our commitment to the local horsemen. This is a difficult decision because local racing fans look forward to the MassCap, but we cannot justify it based on our current business levels."

Suffolk Downs officials indicated that they had postponed the decision to cancel the MassCap until now in hopes that legislation could be passed in informal session that would give Suffolk Downs additional flexibility on its racing schedule for the year. However, after a recent meeting of the state's four pari-mutuel licensees at the request of leading state legislators, it was apparent that no compromise would be reached.

"We consistently get agreement and a plan to work together among three of the four licensees -- and we do again currently --but the Raynham dog track prefers a scorched earth policy to the detriment of our business, our horsemen and our fans," said O'Malley. "Raynham's ownership made it clear that it would block any legislation proposed by the other licensees."

Legislation enabling the Massachusetts tracks to simulcast expired at the end of 2005. A bill passed in informal session in December allowed the tracks to continue to operate until April 1, 2006. After a six-day shutdown, new legislation in April extended simulcasting through the end of this year.

The MassCap was revived by Suffolk Downs ownership in 1995 after a five-year hiatus. The race has been won by Thoroughbred racing legends such as Seabiscuit, Whirlaway, and, more recently, Cigar and Skip Away.

Posted: 6/3/06

Before Saturday, Fin had raced on dirt one time, finishing fifth in a race in Deauville, France, on Aug. 11, 2004. Her second dirt attempt went much better.

Fin, under Ramon Dominguez, ran down favored Dance Fee in midstretch and pulled away to a two-length victory in the $100,000 John W. Rooney Memorial at Delaware, run at 1 1/8 miles on the main track after rain washed it from the turf course. Dance Fee held second in the scratch-shortened field of five, with Little Buttercup third.

With graded-stakes winners Humoristic, Amorama, and Film Maker scratched, the Rooney looked like easy pickings for Dance Fee, the only stakes winner on dirt in the field and seemingly the lone speed. But Dance Fee was outsprinted for the lead, and she and jockey Jeremy Rose found themselves stalking longshot Crusading Time. Dance Fee prompted the pace in a tightly grouped field through fractions of 23.96 and 48.18 seconds and grabbed the lead turning into the stretch. But Fin, who had raced just behind Dance Fee for most of the race, came through on the inside to win her first stakes.

Fin, a 5-year-old Groom Dancer mare owned by C.M. Budgett and trained by Graham Motion, returned $23.60 to win and covered the 1 1/8 miles on a wet-fast track in 1:52.78.

Marchonin, the second favorite at 8-5, stumbled at the start and raced in last place for the entire race.

The opening day card at Suffolk Downs on May 6 drew a crowd of 14,534 … Congratulations are in order for owner-trainer Mary Ann Fruzzetti, whose six-year-old mare Killer App took the opening day feature, the $25,000 Miss Indy Anna Purse, upsetting favorite Tri Like The Devil by 3 ¼ lengths. Killer App was making her first start since October 11 and returned a generous $24.20 to win … In the “Massachusetts House Speaker Sal DiMasi Please Take Note Racing is Not Dead Department,” a crowd of 157,536 fans showed up at Churchill Downs for Kentucky Derby Day, making it the second largest crowd of all time. DiMasi recently was quoted as saying that racing was a dying sport … Horsemen are reminded that Suffolk will conduct its only live Sunday card of the season on June 4, in conjunction with Eddie Andelman’s 17th annual Hot Dog Safari … The New England Turf Writers Association will hold its 64th Awards Dinner on Monday, July 17 at the Danversport Yacht Club. Tickets are $60 per person and are available by contacting Suffolk’s Director of Public & Media Relations Christian Teja at (617) 568-3220 … Democratic gubernatorial hopeful and present Massachusetts Attorney General Tom Reilly indicated that he would be an “unequivocal supporter” of slot machines at the racetracks if he were elected governor. Reilly was asked his position by feisty I.B.E.W. Local 123 President Louis Ciarlone in front of the 125 member Greater Boston Labor Council … Get well soon wishes go out to former Suffolk Downs Chief of Security Bob Fawcett, who recently underwent some surgery and is recovering at home … A large crowd of family and friends were in the winner’s circle following the running of fourth race at Suffolk on May 6 to honor the memory of longtime owner Sheldon Swartz, who had recently died. The racing office named the race “The Sheldon Swartz Memorial Purse” … Condolences go out to the family of Mr. Swartz, as well as to the families of Joseph Bertolino, Al Borosh, Michael Catalano, Sr., Elizabeth (Barry) Donovan, Michel Lapensee, Michael LaChappelle, Barbara Smith, and Loius Tasso, Sr., all members of the New England racing community who have recently passed away … The Northampton Three County Fair announced that it would not be racing its annual ten-day meet in 2006.

Suffolk Downs opened for the 2006 racing season on May 6. Many horsemen worked very hard all winter in an effort to get slot machine legislation passed by the House of Representatives. A sincere thank you goes out to those of you who joined us in our cause. As you are aware, despite our best effort and those of many others in the racing industry, we were unsuccessful in getting the measure passed by the House. This was primarily due to the fact that House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi chose to take a strong stand against the slot bill just a couple of weeks before the vote. Unfortunately, the Speaker used some leadership pressure tactics to make certain that the vote went his way.

The Boston Herald reported in late April that the Speaker had accepted thousands in campaign donations from out of state gaming interests, including some with ties to both Harrah’s and Foxwoods. It was extremely disappointing that he reversed his promise to allow the Representatives to vote freely and without pressure. If that was allowed to happen, we felt confident that we would have received a substantial majority.

Even though the loss in House was a demoralizing defeat for the racing industry, we will not give up our fight. We take optimism in the fact that the slot bill passed the State Senate by a 26-9 margin in October of 2005 and that the State Senate and its President, Robert Travaglini, remain very supportive.

It is anticipated that another battle for slots is brewing in 2007, when a new Governor will be in place. We are already making plans for our next steps, one which could include a possible ballot question posed to the people of Massachusetts in 2008. This will take much work to get accomplished, but be assured that the groundwork is already being put in place, including our correspondence with firms that specialize in formulating ballot questions.

Despite our legislative loss, we are looking forward to a solid 2006 race meet at Suffolk Downs. If opening day was any indication, it appears likely that we are in store for a very successful year. The New England HBPA will continue with our unrelenting effort to make certain that racing continues into the years ahead with the best possible purses, schedule, and conditions for our horsemen.

Mario DeStefano
President

Posted: 5/25/06

Gambardella among new inductees

EAST BOSTON, Mass. - Three names recognized nationally as synonymous with New England racing will enter the region's Hall of Fame at the Sports Museum in the TD Banknorth Garden.

The 2006 class consists of Mom's Command, the 1985 3-year-old filly champion; Carl Gambardella, New England's all-time leading jockey; and Lou Smith, the former president of Rockingham Park.

Owned and bred by Peter Fuller, Mom's Command swept the filly triple crown series in New York in 1985 as well as winning that year's Alabama Stakes at Saratoga to secure an Eclipse Award. She started her career racing at Rockingham and Suffolk Downs for trainer Ned Allard and eventually teamed with Fuller's daughter, jockey Abigail Fuller-Catalano, for most of her championship season.

Gambardella retired in 1994 as the seventh all-time leading jockey in North America. He won 6,349 races over 39 years spent almost entirely at Suffolk, Rockingham, and Naragansett Park. He's one of just 14 riders to win 6,000 races or more.

Smith is considered one of the most influential people in New England racing history. He led the charge to bring parimutuel wagering to New Hampshire in 1933, which allowed Rockingham to become the first legalized track in the region. As president of the Salem, N.H., track, he was at the helm during the Rock's heady years as queen of the circuit right up until his death in 1969.

This is the second class of inductees announced by the New England Turf Writers. Fuller entered last year along with jockey Rudy Baez, former Suffolk chairman James Moseley, Boston Globe turf writer Sam McCracken, and 1987 Massachusetts Handicap winner Waquoit. The Turf Writers have yet to vote a trainer into the Hall of Fame.

Breeders' Cup provides $100K to Mass Cap

The return of the Mass Cap, a Grade 2 stakes worth $300,000, got a $100,000 boost from the Breeders' Cup Special Stakes program and will be named the Massachusetts Breeders' Cup Handicap when it is run Sept. 30.

With the Breeders' Cup funds going to the return of Suffolk's signature race, the James B. Moseley Sprint will disappear from the schedule this year. In fact, there will be no open black-type races at Suffolk this season except for the Mass Cap. A schedule of statebred stakes races is expected to be announced next week.

The names of many of the traditional stakes have been reassigned to $25,000 allowance races, including last Saturday's William Almy Jr. Purse. A Michel Lapensee Memorial Purse, named in honor of the longtime New England jockey who died from injuries sustained in a track spill last October, is planned for mid-July.

Last year the funds earmarked for the Moseley were divided into four $50,000 stakes while the Mass Cap was put on hiatus. This season, Suffolk will kick $200,000 into the Mass Cap purse, and it switched the race to the September date in the hopes of creating a premier Breeders' Cup Classic prep race.

• Saturday's card will have the first turf race of the season as a field of 10 runners lines up for a $17,000 allowance race at about a mile and 70 yards.

Posted: 5/3/06

The Massachusetts Handicap will return in 2006 after a one-year hiatus, Suffolk Downs announced Wednesday. The Grade 2, $300,000 Massachusetts Handicap will be run on Sept. 30, far from its traditional late-spring date, in an attempt to make it a prep race for the Breeders' Cup Classic.

The Mass 'Cap was canceled last year when slow simulcasting business prompted Suffolk to redistribute funds from its major stakes events into day-to-day races. It was last run in 2004 when Offlee Wild upset Funny Cide. The race had also been canceled in 2003.

For years the Massachusetts Handicap was positioned as a major stop on the handicap season and was usually run in June. First run in 1935, it has been won by champions Seabiscuit, Whirlaway, War Admiral, and Riva Ridge. After the track closed in 1989, new owners, led by James B. Moseley, brought the race back in 1995 for the first of two appearances by Cigar during his 16-race winning streak. Skip Away followed with wins in 1997 and 1998.

The Mass 'Cap will be in competition for the top Northeast handicap horses with the Jockey Club Gold Cup, which will be run Oct. 7 at Belmont Park.

Suffolk opens its 2006 season Saturday.

Posted: 4/7/06

Douglas Petersen folded like a piece of cheap aluminum siding.

The Marblehead state representative should have voted in favor of slot machines at Wonderland and Suffolk Downs this week. After all, a couple of hundred people in Lynn, which he also represents, have jobs tied to the tracks. And slots at the tracks would have added hundreds more jobs here.

Moreover, he had declared his support for slots on the front page of this newspaper last October because of the promise of jobs and additional local aid.

But Petersen, instead of representing his district, joined the 100 representatives voting against slots Wednesday under the unrelenting pressure of Speaker Salvatore DiMasi and the House leadership.

Petersen isn't the only representative who caved in. Two weeks ago, according to Rep. Kathie-Ann Reinstein of Revere, who has both Suffolk and Wonderland and hundreds of track jobs in her district, put the head count at 96 - in favor of slots.

In fact, Reinstein was so sure of the slot bill passing that her eye was on the prize - getting the 107 votes needed to override the expected veto of Governor Mitt Romney, whose presidential run on a conservative platform made him change his view on slots. The votes to override the governor's veto were there in the Senate, which had approved slots by an overwhelming margin, but Reinstein was 11 votes short in the House.

But that was two weeks ago. Yesterday Reinstein was only able to garner 55 votes. Petersen and 30 other votes she had been counting on evaporated under the wilting heat of the House leadership.

What happened was a classic example of the corruptive power of a system that obliterates independent representation when a House speaker such as DiMasi declares an issue "a leadership vote," which means you vote with the leadership, or else.

Two weeks ago it was a given that the slots bill was going to pass. The only issue was by how much. However, last week, Speaker DiMasi, who had been silent on the issue, unexpectedly declared that he was against slots. And Reinstein's 96 "committed" votes began to fall apart.

Who got to DiMasi on the issue (lobbyist, North End friend or colleague) and why he suddenly made the issue of slots a cause celibre will probably never be known. But what transpired is certainly a clear example of power politics at its worst.

Unlike his predecessor Thomas Finneran, who kept the bill from ever getting to a vote, the new speaker had pledged an open process in general and on slots in particular. Not only had DiMasi promised a vote, he said he would not get involved, one way or the other.

That clearly didn't occur. What happened instead was an unparalleled abuse of power.

First DiMasi stacked the Rules Committee at the last minute by increasing the membership of the committee by three representatives - all anti-slot. That produced a negative report from the committee rather than the positive one that had been anticipated. That sleight-of-hand parliamentary maneuver prevented pro-slot forces from adding amendments to make the bill more attractive. All representatives could do, because of the negative report, was vote up or down on the issue.

Then DiMasi's henchmen on the leadership team twisted arms threatening to strip representatives of their $7,500 chairmanship stipends if they voted the wrong way. And, worse, they threatened rank-and-file representatives with the loss of local projects (from Manning Bowl to the Nahant and Marblehead seawalls, just to name a few) if the reps dared to vote the wrong way.

This is not the way government is supposed to work.

This is not the way Salvatore DiMasi promised it would work when he became speaker.

But, as we have come to know in our state's corrupted brand of politics, the more things change, the more they stay the same.

That is a sorry state of affairs.

Posted: 4/6/06

Pending final approval of legislation, Suffolk Downs is expected to reopen for simulcasting on Friday.

The track has been closed since last Saturday due to the expiration on March 31 of legislation permitting simulcasting.

NOTE: Patrons may come to the track from 12-4 p.m. daily to redeem winning tickets and credit vouchers until we resume our normal operations.

Date Posted: 4/6/2006 8:29:13 AM Last Updated: 4/6/2006 8:29:13 AM

The Massachusetts House of Representatives voted April 5 to defeat a proposal adding 8,000 slot machines to the state's four racetracks, one of which is Suffolk Downs, the historic Thoroughbred facility in East Boston.

By vote of 110-55, the House killed a bill that met approval in the Senate (26-9) last fall. Any measure of the kind was facing a veto stamp from likely 2008 presidential candidate Gov. Mitt Romney if it were to gain passage in both bodies.

The House did vote 141-13 to extend the out-of-state simulcast agreement at the tracks through the end of the year. The Senate approved the extension shortly after a 90-day temporary bill forged in December expired at midnight March 31, forcing three of the four tracks to close the next day.

Supporters of the bill say the gambling machines will save the industry's existing 6,000 jobs, and bring an estimated 4,000 new jobs and $350-500 million in revenue to an industry on its last legs as gamblers continue to flock head to nearby casinos in Connecticut and Rhode Island.

Opponents, including powerful House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi, say the added social costs far outweigh any financial benefits.

Suffolk Downs is slated to open for live racing May 6.

Posted: 4/4/06

BOSTON --As House lawmakers prepared to consider a bill that would bring 8,000 slot machines to the state's four racetracks, opponents of the measure rallied outside the Statehouse Tuesday arguing that expanding gambling in Massachusetts will hurt, not help, the state.

The bill, which supporters say would generate about $350 million in state revenue, was scheduled for debate in the House on Wednesday. If approved, Massachusetts would join 11 other states that allow slots at horse or dog tracks, according to the American Gaming Association.

Last week, House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi said the bill would likely not pass his chamber. He also disputed assertions that allowing slot machines would boost the state economy, and said gambling has a social cost that should be considered.

"I'm not sure at this particular time that the need and the results are going to be there with respect to putting slots in," DiMasi said during a speech at the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce.

Outside the Statehouse Tuesday, animal rights and anti-gambling groups stressed the effects of gambling on families.

Holding signs and clutching the leashes of several greyhounds who used to race, opponents called dog racing cruel and said any expansion of gambling that would bring more people to the tracks should be opposed. They also said gambling hurts the poor.

"Every dollar thrown into a slot machine is a dollar not available to pay for food, clothes, rent education or health care," said Laura Everett, associated director of the Massachusetts Council of Churches.

Under the bill, each of the state's four racetracks -- Suffolk Downs in Boston, Wonderland Greyhound Park in Revere, Plainridge Racecourse in Plainville, and Raynham-Taunton track in Raynham -- would add up to 2,000 slot machines each.

Supporters say the state would take in 60 percent of the revenues from the slots, with half the money going to the state's general fund and the rest going to the state's rainy day savings account.

They also say the state would make up for any local aid money lost by cities and towns if there is a dip in Lottery sales.

But opponents dispute those figures.

Rep. Daniel Bosley, D-North Adams, chairman of the House Committee on Economic Development, says in a 14-page memo about the bill distributed on Beacon Hill that the state will only receive 6 cents for every $1 wagered on slot machines.

"The fact is that proponents base their optimistic projections on mere supposition, while the facts are clear that revenue from slot machines will be significantly less than what proponents estimate," Bosley writes.

He also says that Massachusetts will never recapture all of the gambling money being spent out-of-state and the Lottery will be severely impacted.

The debate over adding slots comes as legislators discuss extending simulcasting at the tracks. Racetrack workers lobbied in front of DiMasi's office Tuesday, wearing red T-shirts and shouting "Save our Jobs."

At midnight Friday, simulcasting rights ended at the tracks when lawmakers failed to reach an agreement. Three of the state's four tracks have since closed, putting thousands of people out of work.

Martin Szekely, a supporter of simulcasting and slot machines who works at the Plainridge Racecourse, said the state is throwing away revenue and at the same time punishing responsible adults who are seeking entertainment.

"The state is paying for social ills caused by out-of-state gambling without getting revenue itself," he said. "You can't punish 99 percent of the responsible adult population because one percent has gambling problems."

© Copyright 2006 Associated Press.

Date Posted: 4/1/2006 2:06:42 PM Last Updated: 4/3/2006 7:46:23 AM

Out-of-state race simulcasting at the four racetracks in Massachusetts expired at midnight Friday, after the House and Senate adjourned without agreeing to a renewal of a license extension.

The most immediate impact was that local bettors will be unable to wager Saturday on the Florida Derby, which was scheduled to be televised at Suffolk Downs and the Plainridge harness course. It is a popular pre-Kentucky Derby (gr. I) event with bettors.

The union head representing Suffolk workers also said the inability to reach a settlement would trigger about 80 layoffs at the East Boston raceway, since the horse track doesn't begin its own season until May.

"Right now it looks like everyone will be out of work, people who live paycheck to paycheck," said Louis Ciarlone, president of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 123.

The root of the problem appeared two-fold: The House and Senate could not agree on how long to extend the simulcasting license, while track owners could not agree on how many races from other tracks could be shown at their facilities.

The House voted throughout the week, most recently Friday, for a one-month extension, beginning Saturday. The Senate repeatedly sought an extension until Dec. 31 and adjourned Friday after sending that proposed date back to the House.

House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi, D-Boston, had said that during the one-month extension, he would hold a debate on a long-term extension plan on April 10. But Senate President Robert Travaglini refused to budge from his end-of-the-year timetable.

The two leaders are also split over a proposal to allow the introduction of slot machines at the racetracks, a proposal set to be debated in the House April 5. DiMasi, who earlier in the week said he opposed slots, has expressed concern that dealing with simulcasting on a piecemeal and intermittent timetable gives slot proponents repeated chances to renew the debate.

Copyright © 2006 Associated Press.

Posted: 3/29/06

The influential speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives has voiced substantial opposition to a plan to allow video lottery terminals at Suffolk Downs and the state's three other pari-mutuel facilities.

Speaking before the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, Salvatore DiMasi (D-Boston) characterized racing as a "dying industry," and said he did not think the measure that passed the Massachusetts Senate last year would save New England's only remaining Thoroughbred track.

"My prediction is, I don't think it's going to pass," DiMasi said. "I don't think the support's there that people think there is."

DiMasi's resistance coupled with opposition from Republican Governor Mitt Romney is seen as a virtual death knell for any expansion of gambling regulations this year.

DiMasi said if VLT legislation fails, he will call for an expansion of simulcasting to boost purses at Suffolk Downs.

Debate in Massachusetts House on VLT legislation is scheduled for April 5, while renewal of simulcasting regulations, is scheduled for consideration on April 10. –Steve Myrick

Date Posted: 3/22/2006 2:54:43 PM Last Updated: 3/23/2006 10:30:14 AM

At a March 20 statehouse rally in Boston, hundreds of local horsemen, track employees, city mayors, and labor leaders pressed lawmakers for action on a proposal that would add 2,000 slot machines at each of the state's four pari-mutuel facilities.

Sensing their best chance for alternative gaming in more than a decade, supporters called on legislators to back the plan, arguing that all Massachusetts citizens stand to benefit from the estimated 4,000 jobs and $500 million in revenue the slots are expected to generate each year.

"We can't afford any more delays," Mayor Thomas Ambrosino of Revere, whose city has a Greyhound track and the backstretch at Suffolk Downs, told the rally. "This industry is on its last legs."

A slots bill gained a wide margin of approval in the Massachusetts Senate in October (officials canceled a day of live racing at Suffolk and staged a similar demonstration), and the House of Representative announced late in the day March 21 it would take final action on its long-stalled companion version of the bill April 5.

"This date certainly is great news," said local trainer Jeff Hooper, executive director of the New England Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association. Hooper said the industry stands to lose roughly 6,000 jobs if the tracks close their doors, widely expected to happen within two years without the machines.

"We've got a very good chance of (House) passage," Hooper said, "and the legislature did the right thing by considering the slots before taking up the full simulcast law."

In December, the legislature gave the industry a 90-day extension of the existing simulcast law that was to expire Dec. 31. Hooper said the legislature will likely pass a similar 20-to-30-day extension before taking up the simulcast bill April 10.

The bill's supporters claim a majority of support in the 157-member House, though mobilized anti-gaming interests, a non-committal Speaker of the House Salvatore DiMaisi, and Gov. Mitt Romney, who threatened to veto any expanded gambling measures, remain significant hurdles.

A Boston Globe poll published March 13 showed 53% of voters surveyed favor legalization of slot machines. The poll also concluded nearly one-third of respondents traveled outside the state to gamble, spending an estimated $1 billion at Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun casinos in Connecticut, and at Lincoln Park, a Greyhound racino in Rhode Island.

Opponents argue the tracks are getting a windfall at taxpayer expense with the proposed $25-million licensing fees. They contend the state should receive upwards of $85 million per track based a $285-per-day, per-machine model used by the Maryland legislature in its deliberations on a similar casino bill, according to a recent television broadcast on the New England Cable News Network.

The four tracks in Massachusetts are Suffolk Downs (Thoroughbred), Plainridge Racecourse (Standardbred), and Raynham-Taunton and Wonderland (both Greyhound).

Copyright © 2006 The Blood-Horse, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Check our website at www.newenglandhbpa.com for updates on all matters.

The Board of Directors of the Northampton Three County Fair in Northampton, Massachusetts has decided to end Thoroughbred racing. The directors cited financial concerns as their main reason.

Northampton was the last operating fair on the one time extensive Massachusetts fair circuit that included Marshfield, Great Barrington, Berkshire, Brockton and Weymouth, all of which have since closed. There have been some discussions that Brockton may consider racing in late 2006.

The New England racing community was saddened in January with the passing of owner Sheldon Swartz in Florida. Mr. Swartz owned many horses through the years at all of the New England tracks. Although Mr. Swartz primarily raced his stable at Suffolk Downs, he had a love for the Massachusetts fair circuit, where he always managed to campaign one or two horses each year. He will be missed by all.

Racing Secretary Jim Pambianchi has announced that the stable area at Suffolk will begin receiving horses on Saturday, April 1. Weather permitting, Pambianchi is hoping that the track will be ready for training on that date as well.

For stall information and updates, horsemen are advised to call Pambianchi at (617) 568-3240.

The racing industry in Massachusetts is hoping that legislation is passed this spring that would allow slots at Suffolk Downs. The State Senate voted overwhelmingly 26-9 last October to allow slots at the tracks. Since then, the pending legislation has been held up in the House of Representatives. The House has given every indication that it will take up slots in mid-to-late March.

Posted: 2/27/06

Aside from some minor shuffling of dates and one renamed race, the 2006 stakes schedule at Delaware Park closely resembles the schedule at the Stanton, Del., track last year.

Each of the 28 stakes from last year returns at the same purse level, highlighted by the $1 million Delaware Handicap for fillies and mares on July 16.

The Delaware Handicap undercard has gotten a boost with the addition of the $200,000 Caesar Rodney. The 1 1/8-mile turf race was run in early September last year.

Also moving are the $100,000 Sussex and the Grade 3, $500,000 Kent Breeders' Cup.

The Sussex, a 1 1/16-mile turf race that was contested in late July last year, now becomes the season's second grass stakes, on June 24. The Kent, a 1 1/8-mile turf race for 3-year-olds, is moving from June to Sept. 2, the Saturday before Labor Day.

One other turf race, the $75,000 Nick Shuk for 3-year-olds, has been shifted from June to become Delaware's lone stakes during August.

The Vincent Moscarelli, a six-furlong sprint, moves from October to mid-September.

The one "new" race is the $75,000 Peach Blossom, a six-furlong sprint for 3-year-old fillies on opening day. All that's really changed, however, is the name. The race was run as the Legal Light under the same conditions in 2005.

In addition to the 28 stakes, Delaware will offer a series of 22 overnight stakes, worth $50,000 apiece.

The 136-day meet will run from April 22 to Nov. 19.

Date Posted: 2/21/2006 8:31:40 AM Last Updated: 2/21/2006 8:31:40 AM

The Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission will hold a public workshop Feb. 21 to discuss options for implementing a blood-gas testing program at the 2006 Delaware Park meet.

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m. EST in the horsemen's office at the Stanton, Del., racetrack.

Rules for blood-gas (milkshake) testing were adopted during 2005 in preparation of a testing plan to measure metabolic alkalosis levels in Thoroughbreds. Jurisdictions throughout North America have been testing Thoroughbreds to see if alkalizing agents are present.

The workshop, which has been published in accordance with the Delaware open meeting law, will feature a power point presentation displaying several options and testing scenarios. Horsemen are invited to comment.

Opinions and a consensus obtained during the workshop will be shared with the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission at its Feb. 24 meeting. It is believed one of the options will be endorsed, and that blood-gas testing will be implemented when Delaware Park opens in late April.

"In addition to the testing program, surveillance and investigative efforts will also be part of the whole package," said John Wayne, the commission's executive director. "Relying on testing equipment alone is not the whole answer to the prevention of illegal medication administration and introduction of foreign substances to horses on race day. We are ever vigilant to detect any rule violations and maintain the integrity of our sport."

Copyright © 2006 The Blood-Horse, Inc.

Posted: 2/15/2006 5:01:00 AM

Delaware Park will provide a winter stabling and training facility under a new three-year agreement with the Delaware Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association.

The facility will be available by December 1.

Delaware Park will conduct at least 135 live dates annually. The track had 134 live programs in 2004 and 135 in '05.

"We are extremely pleased with our ongoing partnership with Delaware Park," said Scott Peck, president of the Delaware Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association. "This agreement fulfills two of our association's longstanding goals—increase live racing days and provide year-round training facilities in Delaware for Thoroughbreds and horsemen."

Posted: 12/29/2005 11:17:00 AM ET

The Massachusetts Legislature voted Wednesday to grant the state’s pari-mutuel industry a 90-day extension of its simulcast laws that would have expired on December 31.

Tracks, including Suffolk Downs in East Boston, said they would have closed and laid off workers without the ability to simulcast races from outside the state.

"That was the foremost thought in people’s minds—how do we keep people at the racetracks working until we come to some sort of an agreement on simulcasting legislation," State Representative Vincent Pedone (D-Worcester) told the Boston Herald.

The racing industry had attempted to tie simulcast renewal to a slots bill, but the attempt failed. The Legislature will have to address simulcasting again in March, and it could consider expanded gaming again at that time.

Date Posted: 12/20/2005 11:28:33 AM Last Updated: 12/20/2005 11:28:33 AM

Racetracks in Massachusetts could shut down Jan. 1, 2006, should they fail to strike a new agreement on simulcasts.

The four tracks--Suffolk Downs (Thoroughbred), Plainridge Racecourse (Standardbred), and Raynham-Taunton and Wonderland (Greyhound) are operating under a five-year agreement that's set to expire. Raynham-Taunton is seeking unlimited simulcasts, something to which the other tracks object.

The Taunton, Mass., Gazette reported Raynham-Taunton owner George Carney left a legislative summit after he failed to reach agreement with the other tracks. If a compromise isn't reached, no track will be permitted to offer simulcasts.

The newspaper reported Rep. David Flynn, whose district includes Raynham-Taunton, would file an amendment to allow the Greyhound track to have unlimited simulcasts. Flynn said conditions have changed considerably over the past five years, and noted Suffolk Downs is requesting fewer live racing dates, which would restrict Raynham-Taunton's ability to simulcast under the current agreement.

"We want to keep this going so we can take up (racetrack) slot machines in March," Flynn told Gazette.

Other reports indicated Carney would like to offer regular simulcasts at the Brockton Fair, which he owns. Brockton revived live Thoroughbred racing several years ago, then pulled the plug.

Copyright © 2005 The Blood-Horse, Inc.

The New England racing community was saddened on October 28 when veteran rider Michel Lapensee died from injuries he sustained in a race at Suffolk Downs four days earlier. The popular jockey was a 28-year veteran of the New England tracks. It was believed to be the first riding fatality ever at Suffolk in its 75 year history. Lapensee was 58 years old.

Suffolk Downs closed its 117-day meet on November 23. The 2006 season is set to begin on Saturday, May 6. Those interested in stall space should contact Suffolk Downs Racing Secretary Jim Pambianchi at (617) 568-3240.

A bill that would legalize slot machines at Suffolk Downs and Massachusetts’ two greyhound tracks and one harness track passed the state Senate by a 26-9 margin in October. The bill was sent on to the House of Representatives, where a floor battle was shaping up in November. Horsemen and track workers held two massive demonstrations at the State House to show support for the bill. For updates, check the New England HBPA website at www.newenglandhbpa.com.

Posted: 12/1/2005

Delaware Park announced on Thursday that it had been approved by the Delaware Racing Commission to run a 136-day meet next year, highlighted by the Delaware Handicap festival of racing weekend on July 15-16.

The feature race during the festival is the Delaware Handicap (G2), a race that enjoyed a purse boost to $1-million in 2005. Island Sand, a four-year-old daughter of Tabasco Cat, defeated ten rivals in the 1 1/4-mile race for fillies and mares three years old and older to win this year’s event by 3 3/4 lengths.

"Although our 2005 race meet just recently ended, we are already looking forward to the opening of the 2006 live meet," said Bill Fasy, chief operating officer at the Stanton, Delaware, oval. "We anticipate providing our loyal race fans with as much, if not more, excitement and surprises during the upcoming meet."

A stakes schedule for the 2006 season has yet to be released.

Live racing will return to the track on April 22 and run through November 19. First post time until October 28 will be 12:45 p.m. EST. Post time then will be moved back to 12:20 p.m. to compensate for the end of daylight savings time.

Posted: 11/30/2005

The 2005 Suffolk Downs season, which concluded last Wednesday, had declines in both handle and attendance. The 117-day meet was marred by the death of jockey Michel Lapensee, another forced hiatus of the Massachusetts Handicap, and roadblocks from the state government in the pursuit of slots.

Average daily handle on Suffolk races was $1,059,250, a decline of 4.4 percent from last year. An average of $126,026 was bet ontrack each day and $933,224 came via the track's simulcast signal. Average attendance was 3,207 - off 3 percent from 2004, when the numbers were buoyed by a big turnout for the Mass Cap. Overall the track handled a total of $123,932,207 on the season, down 6 percent from last year.

"We knew at the outset of the meet that this would be a challenging year as we continued to pursue legislation to enhance purses," said Christian Teja, a Suffolk Downs spokesman. "Our goal was to do everything we could to sustain our daily purses for the duration of the meet, which we did, and ensure that we would be able to race in 2006, which we will."

The Massachusetts Handicap was canceled for the second time in three years, while the entire stakes program was slashed and that money put into overnight purses. Eventually, four $50,000 stakes were carded using Breeders' Cup funds, and the statebred program remained intact.

The 69-year-old jockey Frank Amonte became the oldest man to ride a winner at a recognized track, but things took a dark turn Oct. 24 when Lapensee, 58, was thrown from a mount and died four days later. The incident resulted in the track granting the jockeys' request to add a paramedic to the ambulance crew, rather than just an emergency technician.

This fall, Suffolk joined with the state's three other parimutuel facilities in a push to bring slots to the tracks, but despite a bill passing the state Senate, the House never took up the issue in the face of a veto from the governor.

The New England Turf Writers announced that Lapensee will posthumously receive the Sam McCracken Lifetime Achievement Award, one of 17 trophies the organization will give out next summer.

Jockey Winston Thompson won his third Suffolk title with 158 wins and will get the Eli Chiat Award as top rider. Trainer John Rigattieri dominated the trainer standings for the second straight year, with his 93 wins earning him the Gerry Sullivan Award. Former Eclipse Award nominee Michael Gill won an owners' title in his native New England for the first time since 2001, with 54 wins.

Suffolk officials are hopeful legislation necessary for simulcasting that was tied to the failed slots push can pass in informal sessions before the end of the year. From there, the track has pledged to be back with a 109-day May-November season in 2006.

Divisional equine awards go to Return Trick as top 2-year-old filly, Sprinkle of Gold as top 2-year-old colt, British Event as top 3-year-old filly, and Ed Miracle, top 3-year-old colt.

Joann Jr took the older female title over star Massachusetts-bred Ask Queenie, who, with no local male standouts on the grass this year, won the Joe Carney Memorial outstanding turf horse award. Ask Queenie was also named the top New England-bred.

Three top males shoehorned themselves into two awards, as Itsawonderfulife was named top older male, while his main rival for that trophy, Dhaffir, ended up sharing the outstanding sprinter award with Cherokee Sunrise.

Posted: 11/30/2005

Jockey Michel Lapensee, who was fatally injured during a race at Suffolk Downs on October 25, will be honored with the New England Turf Writers Association’s 2005 Sam McCracken Lifetime Achievement Award.

The popular rider was a presence at New England tracks for more than three decades. A native of Montreal, Lapensee began his riding career in 1967 and won 2,678 races from 20,089 starts and earned $12,441,449.

The association also voted a special achievement award to Rockingham Park. The Salem, New Hampshire, track, which opened in 1906 and now runs harness racing, is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Others drawing special achievement awards are jockey Dyn Panell, and horses Carlow, by Forever Silver; and Mister Riley, by Mister Jolie.

Trainer John Rigattieri and jockey Winston Thompson were also award winners. Rigattieri led all New England trainers with 93 wins, while Thompson led the jockeys with 158 victories.

Equine athletes winning divisional honors include Ask Queenie, a Massachusetts-bred filly by Key Contender who was off the board only once in 2005 and counted four state-bred stakes among her five victories. Bred and trained by Lloyd Lockhart, Ask Queenie earned the outstanding turf horse award and the New England-bred award.

In a tough sprint division, voting ended in a tie. Cherokee Sunrise and Dhaffir (Chi) will share the award. Cherokee Sunrise, a four-year-old son of Cherokee Run, advanced from the claiming ranks to win two top allowance events in 2005. Nine-year-old Dhaffir, by Smooth Performance, won the Topsider Breeders’ Cup Stakes this summer at Suffolk Downs.

Other divisional winners are Return Trick, by Put It Back, two-year-old filly; Sprinkle of Gold (Formal Gold), two-year-old colt; British Event (Wild Event), three-year-old filly; Ed Miracle (Wild Rush), three-year-old colt; Joann Jr (Wheaton), older female; and Itsawonderfulife (Skip Away), older male.

Suffolk Downs Publicity Director Christian Teja, author of the book “Suffolk Downs,” was honored in the media category.

The New England horse of the year will be announced at the association’s annual awards dinner in July 2006.—Steve Myrick

Posted: 10/29/2005 2:27:00 PM ET

Jockey Michel Lapensee, who was injured in a race at Suffolk Downs on Monday, died Friday night at Massachusetts General Hospital. He was 58.

Lapensee was unseated in the final race at the East Boston track when his mount, Mecke’s Money, broke down a half-mile into the one-mile and 70-yard claiming event. Lapensee suffered serious head and spinal cord injuries due to the fall.

Following the accident, Lapensee was taken to the hospital by the ambulance on premises at Suffolk Downs, but the track has come under scrutiny regarding ambulance personnel. The ambulance carried an emergency medical technician but was not staffed with a paramedic, who is better trained to handle life-threatening injuries.

The rider was honored with a moment of silence at the track on Saturday as valets, racing officials, track employees, and fellow jockeys gathered in the winner's circle prior to the first race.

Lapensee lived in Providence, Rhode Island. He is survived by his wife, Maureen, his son, Michael, 32, and his daughter-in-law, Melissa.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been determined.

A native of Montreal, Lapensee began his riding career in 1967 and won 2,678 races from 20,089 starts and earned $12,441,449.

Posted: 10/7/2005 2:03:00 PM ET

The Massachusetts Senate has approved a measure that would allow Suffolk Downs in East Boston and three other pari-mutuel operations to each install 2,000 video lottery terminals at their facilities.

The action, signals a significant change in political will, at the statehouse. Newly elected Senate President Robert Travaglin (D-Boston) was a forceful advocate for the measure, casting a rare vote to support the bill.

"I like to think that there is a clear majority of people who would be supportive of the idea," said Senator Michael Morrissey (D-Quincy), one of the sponsors of the legislation. "It does save the existing industry. It does provide hundreds of millions of dollars for the commonwealth."

Under the Senate plan, five-year licenses would generate $100-million in state revenue, in addition to a 60% share of revenue from the gambling machines. The bill’s sponsors estimate the state would collect approximately $350-million annually.

Expanded gambling legislation still faces substantial opposition. Several key legislative leaders in the state House of Representatives indicated they see little support in that body for expanded gambling. Governor Mitt Romney, who is actively testing the waters for a presidential bid, is opposed to expanded gambling legislation, and has promised to veto any bill that reaches his desk.

The margin of votes in the senate, 26-9, would be enough to override a veto.--Steve Myrick

Date Posted: 9/29/2005 12:18:38 PM Last Updated: 9/29/2005 12:19:54 PM

Led by a united New England Horsemen's Benevolent Protective Association, and with the support of workers and officials at Suffolk Downs, the Massachusetts horse racing industry cancelled the live Sept. 28 card at the East Boston racetrack.

A group of nearly 500 horsemen and track employees--traveling by bus from the Suffolk Downs parking lot and organized by the NEHBPA--went to the capitol to show the industry's strength at the State House on Boston's Beacon Hill during a public hearing on racing legislation.

On the agenda before the legislature's Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure was the state's general racing bill, set to expire at the end of the year. A renewal of the bill could include expanded gaming provisions its supporters say are necessary for the survival of Thoroughbred racing in the state.

"This was a phenomenal show of support, our strongest in over a decade," said NEHBPA legislative committee chairman Jeff Hooper. "We felt it was that big an issue with us to cancel a day of racing and it makes you proud as a horseman. We made our case and I think they heard us."

Hooper said the industry contributes more than $300-million to the economy and provides more than 3,000 jobs. The show of solidarity comes with Suffolk officials openly saying the historic venue may not survive more than a few years without revenue from expanded gambling.

"We want to remain as long as we can," said Christan Teja, Suffolk Downs' director of media and public relations. "The general consensus is that it will only be a few years. We need to stay competitive with other states (with casinos), and make our purses competitive with states that get a boost from expanded gaming revenue."

Teja said the dark day would be rescheduled at time still to be determined.

Earlier in the month, Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney said he would veto any legislation seeking to expand gambling in the state, marking a significant change in position since being elected to office in 2002 in a time of fiscal deficit.

Romney's threats came as leaders in the Massachusetts Senate prepare to push for two new casinos, and for the establishment of roughly 3,500 slot machines at each of the state's four struggling racetracks which include two greyhound facilities and a harness racing track.

The Boston Globe reported Sept. 16 that Romney's turnabout came, not from a healthier financial picture in the state, but amid mounting pressure from anti-gambling activists in key presidential primary states, specifically Iowa, where Romney is expected to present a keynote speech at a fundraiser Oct. 29.

Romney is widely known to be considering a run for the Republican Party nomination in 2008. Should he veto any legislation, two-thirds of both chambers would be needed to override, posing a significant hurdle to gambling supporters.

Historically, gambling bills in the state have had trouble gaining a simple majority.

Copyright © 2005 The Blood-Horse, Inc.

Posted: 9/26/2005 6:00:00 PM ET

Live racing at Suffolk Downs was canceled on Wednesday so members of the New England Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (NEHBPA) could attend a hearing on pending legislation dealing with racing dates and simulcasting rights.

Expanded gaming will also be discussed during the hearing conducted by the Massachusetts Legislature’s Joint Committee on Consumer Protection. The hearing begins at 11 a.m. EDT in Gardner Auditorium at the State House.

"This is a critical time for Suffolk Downs and the racing industry in this state," said Bob O’Malley, chief operating officer at Suffolk Downs. "The HBPA feels strongly about having a noticeable presence at the hearing and canceling the live card on Wednesday will allow them to do so."

The decision to cancel is supported by a local union that includes track employees.

"The future of Thoroughbred racing in New England and specifically at Suffolk Downs is at stake," said Mario DeStefano, NEHBPA president. "The legislation is so important to us that we really feel the need to be significantly represented at the State House for Wednesday’s hearing. This would not be possible if there was live racing that day."

The canceled racing day will be rescheduled at a later date. The track will remain open for simulcasting on Wednesday.

The current Suffolk Downs meet is scheduled to conclude on Saturday, November 19.

The New England HBPA, in conjunction with Suffolk Downs, has put together “Spectacular Saturdays at Suffolk Downs,” a series of weekly promotions designed to increase weekly attendance at the track. Some of the weekly prizes included a trip for two to Saratoga, a seven-day cruise from Boston to Bermuda on the Norwegian Majesty, Rolling Stones and Elton John concert tickets, and color televisions.

Upcoming promotions include: New England Patriots tickets on September 24 and November 5, dinner for eight at the Kowloon Restaurant on October 1, a key chain giveaway on October 8, dinner for four at the Suffolk Terrace on October 15, Boston College football tickets on October 22, Boston Celtics ducats on October 29, and a $500 holiday shopping spree at the Square One Mall on November 12.

The Grand Prize of a trip for two, which includes airfare, a four-night hotel stay, and box seats at Gulfstream Park, will be given away on November 19.

The Northampton Three County Fair concluded its 2005 meet in early September. The fair was scheduled to run seven live cards, starting on September 2. The feature race of the meet was the $15,000 Northampton Stakes for Massachusetts-breds.

Posted: 8/19/2005 8:52:00 PM ET

A five-year-old Standardbred horse that died last weekend in the Frankford, Delaware, area has tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis.

The viral disease is spread by mosquitoes, much like West Nile Virus. It has a 90% death rate for horses, but a vaccine is available, according to the Delaware Department of Agriculture.

The disease is most prevalent during the months of August, September and October.

Early symptoms include loss of coordination, blindness, circling to the right or left, and aimless walking. The symptoms progress to inability to stand, convulsions, coma, and death.

Two sentinel chickens located about five miles from where the Standardbred died also tested positively for the disease. State veterinarian Dr. H. Wesley Towers urges horse owners to contact their veterinarian and have their horses vaccinated for Eastern Equine Encephalitis and West Nile. Humans can catch encephalitis, but there has not been a case reported in Delaware since 1979.

Date Posted: 8/17/2005 7:39:48 AM Last Updated: 8/17/2005 8:29:37 AM

Rockingham Park has signed a deal with a Las Vegas company to restore Thoroughbred racing if the state legalizes video lottery gambling at the track.

"The fact is we've spent a few years researching very diligently into developing the property. Hopefully we'll be able to make some headway with the state," Ed Callahan, Rockingham's general manager, said Tuesday.

Rockingham Venture Inc., owner and operator of the park, has signed an agreement with Millennium Gaming and Cannery Casino Resorts to expand the facility, Callahan said.

The legislature does not meet again until January, which would be the first time the issue could come up.

"I'd love to see it pass next year. It would be a tremendous revenue source for the state," Callahan said, adding that a gambling and racing facility would bring jobs and boost economic development.

Legislators repeatedly have rejected video gambling, most recently in April. The bill did not have the support of Gov. John Lynch and his position hasn't changed, said his spokeswoman Pamela Walsh.

If legislators don't allow gambling at Rockingham Park, the property would be developed as something other than a racetrack, Callahan said without elaborating.

Three years ago, Rockingham brought back harness racing, which it had not run for 20 years.

For now, the park will continue to offer harness racing during the spring and summer and simulcast wagering on Thoroughbred, Standardbred, and greyhound races.

In a telephone interview from Las Vegas, William Wortman, an owner of Millennium, told The Telegraph that "it's a terrific location. At one point in time, Rockingham Park was the place to be and we hope that someday that can be revived."

Copyright © 2005 Associated Press.

By Chuck Andre, Executive Director

Racing Secretary Jimmy Pambianchi is expecting a full contingent of about 1,100 horses to be on hand by June … President Mario DeStefano announced the hiring of longtime horseman Robert Ponte as the ice house attendant. Ponte replaces Dave Matthews, who left the job after holding the position for several years. The ice house will be open on race days from 6:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and on dark days from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The New England HBPA provides ice at a loss to the horsemen at a cost of only $1 per bag, a far cry from the $6 to $10 per bag charged at other tracks … Some sad news was received last month when it was learned that veteran New England trainer Harold Nutter passed away … The racing industry has received much media attention lately over the proposed virtual horse racing game. Portions of the testimony given by New England HBPA Vice President Al Balestra at the State House were aired on Channel 5. Balestra, Keith Shelansky, and New England HBPA Executive Director Chuck Andre were in-studio guests on 1510 the Zone’s “Horsetalk Show” in April. Kevin Clark, Bob O’Malley, and Andre appeared on “Greater Boston Live” with Emily Rooney that was shown on Channel 2 … Challenge Unlimited at Ironstone Farm is holding “A Day at the Belmont” honoring Rudy Baez on Saturday, June 11 at Suffolk Downs. The event includes a reception, buffet and silent sports memorabilia auction. New England HBPA members will receive more information by mail … Slots suffered another defeat in New Hampshire when the Senate voted 18-6 against passing legislation to allow 5,700 machines at the state’s four racetracks and three resorts in early April … The New England HBPA’s Board voted to reinstitute the scholarship program at its April meeting. Shirley Dullea, Susan Clark, and Karl Grusmark were appointed to the committee that will establish the rules and guidelines. Watch for further information over the next few months … A “Groom of the Week” award will be given out during each week of the upcoming meet. The winner will be selected by Paddock Judge George Bailey, with the criteria being the best looking horse/groom combination coming to the paddock. A $25 gift certificate is expected to be the weekly prize … The opening of the new shopping center across from the stable gate has certainly given the area a different look and has brought in some added activity. Hopefully some of the shoppers will find their way across the driveway to attend the races …Owners and trainers are also reminded that any unlicensed guests going into the paddock will be required to have a visitor’s pass, which will be available at the stable gate, as well as the paddock stairs … Also, please remember that all cell phones must be turned off in the both the paddock and winner’s circle … Best of racing luck during the 2005 Suffolk Downs meet.

Officials of the Massachusetts State Lottery, the New England HBPA and Sterling Suffolk Downs are expected to meet to see if there is any possibility of a marriage between the Lottery’s proposed virtual horse racing game and live Thoroughbred racing in Massachusetts.

The New England HBPA and its Board of Directors took an immediate position when the Lottery unveiled their plan last month to offer a virtual horse racing game to its 1,700 Keno vendors sometime in November. After meeting with several key legislators – many who questioned the Lottery’s ability to offer the game without legislative approval – and testifying at a public hearing held on April 14, industry officials were able to convince the Lottery that its proposal, which mirrors a horse race in an animated form – including a post parade and a bugle call – would be detrimental to the Thoroughbred industry if implemented in its proposed format.

The Lottery publicly stated that it expected to raise revenue in excess of $150 million annually from the virtual game. The New England HBPA has countered that even more money could be raised from the game if the Lottery included live Thoroughbred racing from Suffolk Downs as part of the format. The New England HBPA stressed that not only would the Lottery earn more money for the 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts by the inclusion of live racing, but it would also help save, preserve and promote a Thoroughbred industry in this state that has an annual $314-million economic impact. The New England HBPA would propose a scenario where a portion of the revenue is returned to purses and Suffolk Downs.

As a result of the efforts, as well as some ongoing legislative questions, State Treasurer Tim Cahill announced last week that the Lottery will put a hold on the virtual game until they conduct a study to determine if the game would have an impact on the Thoroughbred industry. The New England HBPA and Suffolk Downs will counter will their own study conducted by Father Richard McGowan, a noted Boston College economist who has published several books on gaming in the United States.

Score round one for the Thoroughbred industry, and follow any developing news on our website at www.newenglandhbpa.com.

After scrapping the Massachusetts Handicap, the Moseley Cup, and ten $40,000 stakes in early April to help conserve money for the overnight purse account, Suffolk Downs and the New England HBPA agreed recently to replace the ten $40,000 races with an equal number of named $25,000 overnight races.

Enter the Breeders’ Cup officials, who placed a call to Suffolk Downs Chief Operating Officer Bob O’Malley and offered a total of $100,000 to match the purses on four of the $25,000 races with an additional $25,000 of Breeders’ Cup money. O’Malley presented the concept to the New England HBPA Board, and they approved the idea.

Details are still being worked out on which races will be utilized, but the bottom line is that we will now have six named $25,000 races and four $50,000 stakes to go along with the twelve Massachusetts-bred stakes that are already in place. As horsemen are aware, a horse must be Breeders’ Cup eligible to run for the additional $25,000 in the four races.

“The people at the Breeders’ Cup saw that we were forced to cut our stakes program to stabilize the overnight purse structure for the local horsemen and stepped up made us the offer,” explained O’Malley. “I wanted to get the New England HBPA’s input into the matter before accepting their offer, and once the [New England HBPA] Board agreed, I notified the Breeders’ Cup people and accepted the $100,000. This will give both the horsemen and the track the opportunity to still offer a respectable stakes program without heavily impacting our overnight purse structure. In addition, it will give our racing fans some nice races to look forward to.”

After reviewing the handle figures from January through April of 2005, O’Malley and the New England HBPA agreed to scrap the $500,000 Mass ‘Cap and the $200,000 Moseley Stakes for this year. The move was necessary to avoid a reduction of the daily purse structure. Simulcasting has been down recently due to the harsh winter both in Boston and elsewhere around the country. To make matters worse, the purse pool from the state has also experienced significant declines. Although nobody wanted to see our premier races eliminated, Suffolk management – and in particular O’Malley – made a strong commitment to the local horsemen by making the move.

“We know how important the day to day purses are to our local horsemen,” commented O’Malley, “and we all realized that we could not afford the luxury of having our two big stakes this year if it could put the overnights in jeopardy.”

Racing Secretary Jim Pambianchi is expected to publish a revised 2005 stakes program.

Suffolk Downs opened its live meet on Saturday, April 30 with a card of ten live races and total purse money of $139,000. Headlining the opening day card was the $25,000 Miss Indy Anna Purse. The 117-day meet is scheduled to run through November 19.

Under Massachusetts state law, Suffolk Downs will conduct at least 1,100 races during the meet. Post time each day will be at 12:45 p.m., with live racing on each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday. Racing will also be offered live on Sunday, May 22, as part of Eddie Andelman’s annual Hot Dog Safari. It is expected that post time for Mondays and Tuesdays will switch to 3:00 p.m. from July 5 through August 30.

Condolences go out to the family and friends of former trainer and jockey Willie Belmonte, who passed away in late December … Condolences are also in order for the family and friends of owner Ernest J. George, who passed away from complications of a stroke on Christmas morning. Mr. George had owned horses in the New England area for over 30 years … Over 150 stable area employees enjoyed a complimentary Thanksgiving Dinner at the Track Kitchen in November that was jointly sponsored by Suffolk Downs and the New England HBPA … The New England HBPA presented a plaque and held a small reception at the office for former Suffolk track superintendent Glen Kozak, who left his post to take a similar position in Maryland. Glen was very helpful to the horsemen, and we were sorry to see him depart … Eight leased storage trailers are currently on the backstretch of Suffolk Downs filled with the gear of trainers. For the second winter in a row, the New England HBPA’s Board of Directors has provided this service for our local horsemen … The World Series win by the Red Sox has inspired several related names of horses that were approved by The Jockey Club in recent weeks. You can watch for horses named Curse Reversed, Red Sox Parade, Sweep the Series, Bambino’s Curse and Walkoff Homer to take to the track in the years ahead. Do you think there may be a hunch bet or two here at Suffolk Downs? Curse Reversed was named by Centennial Farm President Don Little, Jr. of Ipswich, MA … Keeping up with some of the winter locations of local trainers finds at last check; Karl Grusmark, Peter Bazeos, John Rigattieri and Frank Shannon in Maryland; Ron Dandy Michael Aro, John Rodriguez, Marcus Vitali and Herman Kinchen at Philadelphia Park; Jeff Hooper, Mike Collins, Ambrose Pascucci, Ralph Politano, Raymond Stifano, Bob DiBona and George Handy in South Florida; Shirley Edwards, Tommy McCooey, Lori Smock, Carole Letarte, Marshall Novak, Joe Cesarini, Vinny Amico, Debbie Artz, Brenda McCarthy and Bobby Raymond at Tampa Bay Downs; Mario DeStefano at Charles Town; Luis Arzola and Lori Lockhart at Penn National; Oscar Hall at Turfway Park; Jack Halloran at Belmont Park; and Burton Sipp at Mountaineer Park … New Hampshire resident Michael Gill was again the leading owner in the country in 2004. Gill’s horses made almost 3,000 starts and earned almost $11 million, while winning almost 500 races at various tracks around the country … The last horse exited the Suffolk Downs stable area on December 15. With so much advance notice of the racing schedule in 2005, the exodus went much smoother than last winter … The New England HBPA’s Contract Committee, headed by Vice-President Al Balestra, has been putting the finishing touches on a new purse contract with Suffolk Downs that will be in place prior to the start of the 2005 meet. The New England HBPA signed a long term recognition agreement with Suffolk in January. Other members of the Contract Committee are Alfred J. Pimental, Jeff Hooper and Keith Shelansky … The Public Relations Committee of Michael Benson, Susan Clark, Keith Shelansky, Janice Parent, Bernie Bramante, Gregg Rose and Renee Doyle has continued to hold meetings during the dark season in its effort to help with ideas to improve attendance at Suffolk Downs when racing resumes … The new Horsemen’s Assistance Fund made a $100 contribution to an East Boston family who had its home ransacked and its children’s gifts stolen just prior to Christmas. The donation was made on behalf of all of the horsemen who race at Suffolk Downs. A nice thank you letter was received from the family … The New England HBPA’s Legislative Committee of Mike Benson, Jeff Hooper, Anthony Spadea, Jim Greene, David DeRoin, Al Balestra and Alfred Saggese have had a busy opening to 2005, reviewing a host of gaming and racing bills that have been filed in both Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

The New England HBPA’s Board of Directors, Legislative Committee and Lobbyist Brian Hickey have been quite busy over the last few weeks as no less than ten gaming and racing related bills have been filed by various Massachusetts legislators for the upcoming 2005 session. Many of the bills, although not yet in text, include a number of gaming options calling for slots at the state’s racetracks.

Representative Brad Hill has also filed a bill on behalf of the New England HBPA that deals with racing issues other than gaming. Hill’s measure proposes that a premium must be paid to the horsemen’s purses at Suffolk Downs on all international Thoroughbred simulcasting signals taken by the state’s two greyhound and one harness track.

There was some confusion on the wording regarding international signals in the racing laws that were passed in November of 2001. Hill’s proposed bill also increases the percentage paid by Plainridge Harness Track on out-of-state Thoroughbred signals to Suffolk Downs purses from 2% to 3%; calls for the elimination of the 12 week window where Plainridge does not pay any premium on out-of-state Thoroughbred signals; authorizes the use of credit cards for account wagering purposes; requires that the committee formed in 2001 to study OTB issue its report no later than July 1, 2005; and creates a special commission to investigate ways in which the state lottery could accept wagers on racing through the use of existing lottery machines. Representative Hill’s proposal also calls for all pertinent racing laws in Massachusetts to be extended through December of 2007.

With regard to gaming legislation, it is widely viewed by industry leaders that 2005 should provide the best opportunity for gaming laws to be passed in recent years with the change from Tom Finneran to Sal DiMasi as Speaker of the House. Finneran had been an opponent of gaming, while DiMasi, who has not taken a public stance, is considered to be liberal in his views of expanded gaming.

A bill filed by Senator Joan Menard of Fall River calls for the building of two resort casinos in Hampden and Bristol counties, as well as allowing the tracks to have slot machines. Menard’s bill also proposes the creation of a gaming commission, while at the same time putting slot machines under the control of the state lottery.

“Massachusetts cannot afford to watch casino and slot machine revenue continue to go to into the coffers of neighboring states like Connecticut and Rhode Island,” according to Menard.

Other lawmakers who have filed gaming bills include Senator Marc Pacheco of Taunton and Representative Robert Koczera of New Bedford. Pacheco’s bill also authorizes slot machines at the racetracks. Pacheco has stated that that slots at the racetracks could yield the state up to $500 million annually, and that number could be doubled should two resort casinos be added along with the slots.

As expected, opponents of gaming will also forge a campaign to keep slots and casinos out of Massachusetts. Public hearings are expected to be scheduled on all gaming and racing bills by the Joint Committee on Government Regulations sometime in the spring.

The membership of the New England HBPA has voted to keep the purse distribution schedule at Suffolk Downs the same as it has been. The Board of Directors counted the ballots on January 10, 2005, and the results are as follows:

207 VOTES FOR # 1.) Keep the purse distribution schedule as it is, with the distribution paid as follows: first 60%, second 20%, third 10%, fourth 5%, fifth 3% and 2% to Jockey Insurance Fund.

184 VOTES FOR # 2.) Change the purse distribution to pay all horses back to last.

A total of 1,202 ballots were sent out, and 391 were returned and counted.

The work that began in early February on the damaged culvert near the quarter pole gap at Suffolk Downs will have little effect on the main racetrack. Engineers are expected to do work near the gap, but not on the main track. That is good news for horsemen planning to train at Suffolk in April, who could only be slightly inconvenienced with some partial restrictions in the gap adjacent to the racing office.

Suffolk CEO Bob O’Malley is hopeful that all work will be completed prior to the scheduled opening of the track for training.

Everything remains on schedule for opening day at Suffolk Downs on Saturday, April 30. Suffolk will run four days per week, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday through November 19. Live racing will also be conducted on Sunday, May 15, which is the traditional Hot Dog Safari Day.

The barn area at Suffolk Downs will begin to accept horses for the 2005 meet on Tuesday, March 15. The track is expected to be available to horsemen for training no later than Friday, April 1.

Horsemen interested in stalls should contact Racing Secretary Jimmy Pambianchi at (617) 568-3240.

Posted: 1/4/2005 4:18:00 PM ET

New Hampshire Senate President Tom Eaton (R-Keene) expressed support on Monday for a bill that would legalize video gaming machines at racetracks and dog tracks in the state. Eaton said revenue for the machines would be a viable option for combating the state’s large budget deficit, which he said should not be filled with the introduction of income and sales taxes.

"We have to take a very, very serious look at that. That’s a very serious consideration," Eaton told the Laconia (New Hampshire) Citizen on Monday. "The tracks have been kind of diminishing and this may be a nice way to bring them back."

New Hampshire Senator Lou D’Allesandro (D-Manchester) is sponsoring the bill, which would allocate 1,200 machines to Rockingham Park and 900 each to dog tracks in Seabrook, Hinsdale, and Belmont.

Several similar bills to expand gaming in the state have met defeat since the early 1990s.

D’Allesandro said his latest attempt might have a better chance of passing because of a looming $300-million state budget deficit.

"[T]he need for revenue is here upon us, federal Medicare funding has come into play, and some savings at the back of the budget have not been realized," D’Allesandro told the Union Leader. "We will have no sales or income tax. This plan is a source of revenue that is also an economic engine. This may be the right time."

New Hampshire Governor-elect John Lynch has not ruled out supporting the gaming plan.

The Board of Directors of the New England HBPA has voted to petition the Massachusetts Racing Commission to permanently change the claiming rule at Suffolk Downs. At present, a horse is deemed to be claimed when it leaves the paddock and steps onto the racetrack. The Board voted to request that the Racing Commission change this rule so that a horse is considered claimed when the stall doors open in front of it at the starting gate.

The HBPA had this rule changed on a temporary basis in 2003 and now will seek to have it become a permanent rule of racing starting with the 2005 meet. The Commission’s final decision will be posted in the 2005 condition books and on our website at www.newenglandhbpa.com.

Suffolk Downs and the New England HBPA have announced that the stable area will reopen for horses arriving for the 2005 meet on Tuesday, March 15. It is expected that the track will be open for training by Friday, April 1.

Suffolk Downs plans to repair the culvert under the racetrack at the quarter pole during the winter months. That would be the only reason that this schedule could possibly change. In that event, we will notify the membership immediately. Check out our website at www.newenglandhbpa.com for updates during the winter months for up-to-date information.

Suffolk Downs has applied to the Massachusetts Racing Commission to reopen for live racing on Saturday, April 30, 2005. Racing will be conducted four days per week (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday) through Saturday, November 19. Under Massachusetts law, Suffolk must conduct a minimum of 1,100 races over the period.

The only Sunday that is on the 117-day schedule is May 16, which is the traditional Hot Dog Safari Day. Post time will be at 12:45 p.m., with the exception of weekdays in July and August, when a 3:00 p.m. post is planned.

The New England HBPA has formulated a Public Relations Committee that has begun looking into ways to attract new fans to Suffolk Downs in 2005. Some of the ideas that have been tossed around include promotional giveaways and concerts. Weekly concerts have been quite a success at Gulfstream Park in Florida during the winter months.

Thoroughbred racing resumed at Rockingham for a day in early September when the New England HBPA and Rock management agreed to a one day contract for three turf races. The New England HBPA presented bowls to the winners of the races. Although it seems unlikely that Rockingham will run a Thoroughbred meet in 2005, at the very least a dialogue was opened with Rockingham regarding the future of Thoroughbred racing in the Granite State.

Over 125 horsemen attended the New England HBPA’s traditional break-up dinner at the conclusion of the Northampton Fair meet. The dinner was held at the Hunan Gourmet in Northampton.

The New England HBPA’s Board of Directors elected owner Al Balestra of Wrentham, Massachusetts, as vice president of the of the association in early September. Under the New England HBPA’s bylaws, the vice president is selected by the Board of Directors from one of its members.

Mr. Balestra is a former Massachusetts State Police trooper and has owned horses in New England since 1978. He currently has a number of horses in training with Karl Grusmark at Suffolk Downs.

Owner-Trainer Mario DeStefano defeated a field of three other presidential candidates to win the recently held New England HBPA election. DeStefano and the newly elected Board of Directors took office on September 1 and will serve for the next three years.

DeStefano returns to the presidency after a three-and-one half-year absence. He had previously served in the position for two terms (1994-2000) before longtime owner and breeder Manfred Roos was elected as president in 2001.

DeStefano, who holds a Master’s Degree from Springfield College and has spent over 30 years as a teacher, coach and athletic director in the Providence, Rhode Island School System, has been involved with Thoroughbred racing in the New England area since the 1960s. He currently has a stable of eight horses in training at Suffolk Downs.

Owners Susan Clark and Shirley Dullea were re-elected to the Board of Directors. Ms. Clark will begin her fifth consecutive term, while Ms. Dullea will begin her third term. Joining them as owners on the Board are newcomers Michael Benson, Keith Shelansky and Al Balestra.

Shirley Edwards, Jeff Hooper and Karl Grusmark were returned as trainers, along with newly elected members Alfred Pimental and Ron Dandy. Ms. Edwards returns to her seat on the Board for a fourth term, and Hooper was elected for a third time. Grusmark has served a number of terms on the board since first being chosen by the membership in 1977. Pimental had previously served on the board in 1996. For Dandy, who has been the perennial leading trainer on the New England circuit over the past decade, it was a successful first run for a Board seat.

Over 1,200 ballots were mailed out to owners and trainers in early June. The returned ballots were tabulated and later certified by the American Arbitration Association on August 25.

Owner-Trainer Lynette Bush, owner Gregg Rose and trainer William “Bill” Lagorio supervised the entire election process while serving as members of the both the New England HBPA’s Nominating and Election Committees.

Posted: 9/29/2004 12:34:00 PM ET

Developer Kurt Sanborn has proposed building a $100-million Thoroughbred racetrack and shopping center in Nashua, New Hampshire, located 45 miles northwest of Suffolk Downs in East Boston, Massachusetts, and 16 miles west of Rockingham Park in Salem, New Hampshire. Sanborn has met with Nashua officials and indicated that his development next to the Sheraton Nashua Hotel could provide the city with between $5-million-$7-million in tax benefits.

Preliminary plans call for a 1¼-mile track for racing, with a performing arts center, office space, and movie theater on site.

"I think it is a tremendous opportunity for the city of Nashua that warrants certainly further investigation," Economic Development Director Jay Minkarah told the New Hampshire Union Leader. "At this point, it’s very much a conceptual project. There are a lot of details that would be necessary to work out if the process moves forward."

Minkarah estimated that the project could not begin in earnest for at least another 1½ years, but Mayor Bernie Streeter indicated that he would like to have Sanborn present his plans to the board of aldermen within the next couple of weeks.

"It’s an exciting proposal, but we are cautious because there are a number of obstacles that have to be overcome," Streeter said. "This is a Saratoga-type operation. It’s an entertainment complex. It would be geared toward families. This is not going to be a Rockingham or Suffolk Downs in any stretch of the imagination."

The New England HBPA is in the process of holding an election for officers and directors. Ballots will be counted in late August, and results will be available in the next issue of The Horsemen’s Journal and on our website at www.newenglandhbpa.com.

Posted: 9/5/2004 8:12:00 PM ET

Thoroughbred racing returned to Rockingham Park on Sunday for the first time since the summer of 2002 when the New Hampshire track parted ways with Thoroughbred horsemen following a contract impasse. The ‘Rock’ staged three races for Thoroughbreds on the turf, following an eight-race program for harness horses.

Rockingham Park no longer releases handle or attendance figures, so it is difficult to accurately judge whether the return of Thoroughbred racing drew more fans to the track.

General Manager Ed Callahan estimated the crowd at "20% larger than a normal Sunday." Others observers thought the crowd was considerably larger. Some vendors ran out of track programs, there were lines at concession stands, and seating areas often empty on earlier racing days were bustling yesterday.

Throughout the facility old friends reunited with hugs and hearty handshakes.

"One step at a time," said veteran trainer George Handy, who saddled his first horse at Rockingham Park in 1946. "The majority of trainers I know are happy to be here, especially for this turf course. This is a nice turf course."

Though the main track was converted to a cinder dust surface for harness racing, Rockingham Park has maintained the turf course in the two years since it was used, so it needed little attention before the race. The track did spend considerable effort refurbishing the paddock area and the jockey’s room. Stewards, lead pony riders, and a gate crew were hired for the day.

Rockingham also covered the cost of shipping horses and lead ponies from the East Boston track.

After the last harness race of the day, and before the first Thoroughbred race, jockeys posed for a group picture with harness drivers in the newly refurbished paddock. "It’s fun. This is one step forward," said jockey Josiah Hampshire Jr.

Fans lining the paddock rail broke into applause as the horses exited the walking ring on their way to the course.

The afternoon’s Thoroughbred racing is viewed by track executives as a promotion to generate interest in Rockingham Park, and an experiment to see whether Thoroughbred racing is viable next summer.

"I think everybody wants to see more," said Callahan. "It’s something we would love to do. Whether or not it can be put together as a meet is something that involves a lot of people. It’s something we’ll have to look at this fall."—Steve Myrick

Date Posted: 8/18/2004 8:16:41 AM Last Updated: 8/18/2004 8:28:02 AM

Horsemen held a brainstorming meeting Aug. 16 to discuss the ramifications of a plan by Rockingham Park to offer Thoroughbred races Sept. 5 in partnership with the New Hampshire Thoroughbred Breeding and Racing Association.

The meeting was held by the New England Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association and attended by National HBPA president John Roark. The New Hampshire association isn't recognized by the HBPA.

The leadership of the New England HBPA, led by executive director Chuck Andre and acting president Anthony Spadea Jr., fully supports the return of Thoroughbred racing to Rockingham, which switched to Standardbred racing last year. But the National HBPA is leery of lending credence to a non-HBPA organization, particularly through revenue sharing via purse distribution and simulcast fees.

"The New England HBPA is working feverishly to cooperate to get the Sept. 5 races run and have Thoroughbred racing return on a regular basis to Rockingham Park some day, but circumstances have to be right for everybody," Andre said at the meeting on the Suffolk Downs backstretch.

Rockingham has a contract to continue harness racing through 2006.

Rockingham Park vice president and general manager Ed Callahan sent a contract proposal to both groups July 31, and a follow-up letter Aug. 10 to the New England HBPA because he hadn't heard back from regarding the initial proposal. In the letter, Callahan said he had been approached by two organizations that believe they represent the horsemen who would race at Rockingham.

Leadership of the New England HBPA believes the New Hampshire Thoroughbred Breeding and Racing Association group is a Rockingham puppet organization because two of its leaders are employed by the track.

"It appears as if (Rockingham Park) formed its own organization, one which it can control," Roark said. "Don't get me wrong. I wish Ed Callahan well. I'm a certified mediator as well as a lawyer, and I'd be more than happy to fly up there to help in a resolution. The HBPA wants to race in New Hampshire as long as it gets its fair share. The place to settle this is not in the courthouse."

When told of the meeting at Suffolk, Callahan said: "We anticipate putting on three Thoroughbred turf races on Sept. 5, weather permitting. We have filed our license and are getting the proper employees hired to run the events, with or without the New England HBPA. Legally, we don't have the power to make a group the sole and exclusive bargaining agent.

"We are willing to work with both groups, and if we need an election at some point to see who represents the horsemen, then so be it. We can't anoint either organization as sole representative. It's not my decision to make."

The National HBPA has said the plan to offer racing without a contract with the New England HBPA could violate the Interstate Horseracing Act. In addition, other horsemen's groups may not react favorable should the New England HBPA cut a deal and share revenue with a non-recognized horsemen's group.

"The HBPA would just like to sit down in a congenial meeting with Rockingham management, both sides keeping an open mind," Spadea said. "I'm a businessman and I have no idea why I can't deal with Rockingham Park. Can't we get a mediator?

"I wonder why nobody in the New Hampshire legislature is paying any attention to the loss of revenue to the state since the (Thoroughbred) horsemen left two years ago. The harness horsemen ship in and out the same day of the race. They don't spend like we did."

Said Callahan: "All I can tell you is that it has been more difficult to put together three Thoroughbred races than two years worth of harness racing. Does that tell you something?"

Copyright © 2004 The Blood-Horse, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

A General Nominating Meeting for the New England HBPA’s upcoming election will be held on Wednesday, June 2, 2004, at 6:00 p.m. at the Topsider Room of the Suffolk Downs Clubhouse. The Election Committee will conduct this meeting for the purpose of receiving nominations from the floor and nominating petitions and to announce all nominations. All nominees must be members of the Association.

A nomination from the floor will be accepted if it receives the endorsement of not less than three (3) members present at the meeting, which shall include the nominator and two (2) seconds, or is accompanied by a petition signed by no fewer than five (5) members of the Association, if the nominee is not present at the meeting.

All members off the New England HBPA are urged to attend and have the right to nominate candidates.

The Election Committee shall neither make nor accept any nomination after the adjournment of this meeting. Please call (617) 567-3900, ext. 7258, if you require further information.

Trainers Lynnette Bush and Bill Lagorio and owner Gregg Rose have been named to the New England HBPA’s Election Committee.

Jockey Agent Hinton “Curt” Curtwright, 85, of Salisbury, New Hampshire, passed away on March 24. A retired Chief Petty Officer in the Navy during WW II, he survived the sinking of the U.S.S. WASP in Guadalcanal.

As a jockey agent, Curt was respected for his sense of humor. He represented riders such as Donna Barton, Diane Nelson, and Taylor Hole, as well as many others.

Donations may be made in Curtwright’s name to either the Don MacBeth Memorial Jockey Fund or the Salisbury, New Hampshire Congregational Church, c/o Velma Emery, 462 Raccoon Hill Road, Salisbury, NH, 03268.

The 2004 racing season at Suffolk Downs in East Boston will begin on Kentucky Derby Day, which is Saturday, May 1. The 2004 meet is scheduled to run through Saturday, November 27.

The stable area will begin to receive horses on March 15. It is hoped that the track will be available for training on March 15, depending on weather conditions. Suffolk plans renovations to the track surface, and the cooperation of the weather will go a long way in determining exactly when the track will be available for training. We are all hoping it warms up. This has been an exceptionally cold winter here in New England.

Horsemen are advised to contact the Suffolk Downs Racing Office at (617) 568-3240 or (800) 225-3460 for stall information.

Suffolk Downs’ CEO Bob O’Malley announced recently that the track has hired Jimmy Pambianchi as its new racing secretary.

Pambianchi, 57, is a veteran of the New England horse racing industry, having served previously as the racing secretary at Rockingham Park, as racing secretary on the Massachusetts fair circuit, and as assistant racing secretary to Bobby DeStasio at Suffolk Downs from 1976 through 1988. Most recently, Pambianchi was the director of racing at Finger Lakes Racetrack in Farmington, New York.

“As we work toward our new season of racing in May, we are pleased to have someone of Jim’s enthusiasm and experience joining us,” said O’Malley. “Jim has a solid working relationship with horsemen from New England to Florida and everywhere in between. We’re confident his racing program will be an asset for us as we prepare for our new season.”

After racing a fall-winter schedule since re-opening in 1992, Suffolk Downs will hold its live racing meet from May to November this year. Pambianchi will begin his new duties by traveling to Florida to recruit horses for the upcoming meet.

“I’m looking forward to getting going and making sure that a good base of New England horsemen and some new faces join us for a good meet,” said Pambianchi.

Jimmy resides in Saugus, Massachusetts with his wife Doreen.

It is expected that a bill will soon emerge from the assachusetts Senate proposing slot machines at the Massachusetts tracks.

The New England HBPA has been meeting with key legislators throughout the winter months in an effort to put forth the horsemen’s position and gain support for proposed gaming legislation. We will keep the national membership advised when a bill is actually filed.

Horsemen around the country can stay posted on key issues like legislation, etc. at our website, www.NewEnglandHBPA.com.

Due to the likelihood of quickly changing events regarding racing and legislation in Massachusetts, horsemen are advised to check our website at: www.Newenglandhbpa.com. It will be updated as events warrant.

As of this writing, Suffolk Downs is scheduled to reopen on May 1, 2004.

The question on everyone’s mind, as of this writing, is what the upcoming racing schedule will be at Suffolk Downs?

What is certain at this point is that Suffolk Downs will take a break from racing starting on Wednesday, August 27, and will reopen on Monday, September 15. During the break Massachusetts racing will be conducted at the Northampton Three County Fair in Northampton, Massachusetts.

The New England HBPA and Suffolk Downs are continuing to work toward a finalized racing schedule for the remainder of 2003 and for 2004. Horsemen are advised to check the New England HBPA’s website at www.newenglandhbpa.com, where updates will be posted as they become available.

“Suffolk Downs Tonight,” a comprehensive recap of the day’s racing at the East Boston oval, made its debut in February and will air each race night at 11:30 p.m. on three New England PAX affiliates: WBPX-TV 68 in Boston, MA; WPXG-TV 21 in Concord, NH; and WDPX-TV 58 on Cape Cod. The show will be hosted by Suffolk Downs track announcer Larry Collmus and racing analyst Pat Lamberty.

With the decision by Rockingham Park in Salem, New Hampshire, to switch to harness racing this summer, local racing will remain at Suffolk Downs in East Boston, Massachusetts. Suffolk Downs will run a four day per week schedule until August 27, at which time it will take almost a three week break to accommodate the Northampton Three County Fair.

Northampton, located in Western Massachusetts, will open on Friday, August 29, and conduct ten days of racing concluding on Sunday, September 14.

Suffolk Downs will reopen for its scheduled fall meet on Monday, September 15. The exact duration of the fall meet, as well as the 2004 opening date, has not yet been determined.

Horsemen interested in racing at Suffolk Downs should contact Racing Secretary John Morrissey at (800) 225-3460, ext. 3240.

For information on Northampton, contact Racing Secretary Tommy Creel or Director of Racing Sandy Stanisewski at (413) 584-2237.

Members can check the New England HBPA’s website at www.newenglandhbpa.com for updates throughout the summer.

The Massachusetts House of Representatives rejected a measure that would have allowed slot machines at the state’s four racetracks by an 86-65 vote on Tuesday, April 15. Although defeated, the vote tally was seen as a positive sign by many in the racing business.

The debate of slot machines at the Massachusetts tracks is now expected to be taken up by the Senate in the next few months. Lawmakers will try to find ways to increase revenue to help with the state’s 2004 projected budget shortfall of almost $3 billion. Gaming experts have projected that the state’s share of slot machines at the four racetracks could reach $500 million annually.

The decision by Rockingham Park in Salem, New Hampshire, to no longer race Thoroughbreds and conduct a harness meet in 2003 initiated a lawsuit by Rockingham against several horsemen’s groups and racetracks around the country when many outlets did not send their Thoroughbred signals to Rockingham Park.

After two days of court proceedings, Suffolk Downs, Rockingham Park and the New England HBPA reached an agreement in principle on January 28 in United States District Court that restored Thoroughbred simulcasting to Rockingham Park. The proposed five year agreement brought an end to the lawsuit against Suffolk, the New England HBPA, Turfway Park, the Kentucky HBPA, the Texas Horsemen Partnership, LLP, Sam Houston Park and others. Under the terms of the proposed agreement, Rockingham would receive the Suffolk Downs races and would have to pay an annual fee of $500,000 in return for receiving national signals. In addition, Rockingham would pay to Suffolk 5% of account wagering over its 2002 base and 11% for the Suffolk signal, with all revenues split equally between Suffolk Downs and the horsemen’s purses.

A two week negotiating period was also agreed to with Seabrook Greyhound Park, during which time Seabrook would be granted consent to receive the Suffolk Downs signal at a rate of 11%.

As of February 5, no agreement had been reached with either Lakes Region or Hinsdale, New Hampshire’s other two greyhound tracks. As a result, the New England HBPA had not given its consent for the Suffolk signal to go either of these facilities. A temporary agreement that was struck between Hinsdale Greyhound Park and the horsemen expired on January 18.

Suffolk Downs and the New England HBPA reached an agreement with Lincoln Greyhound Park in Rhode Island in January, and Thoroughbred signals were uninterrupted to that facility.

“It was to everyone’s mutual benefit to settle the case with Rockingham and hopefully Seabrook,” said New England HBPA attorney and horse owner/trainer Don Sheldon. “It was a real good, positive day for us. All of the horsemen’s money will go into the live Thoroughbred product at Suffolk Downs. We hope we can pick up some extra days at Suffolk since Rockingham is no longer racing Thoroughbreds, and this will help us fund the possibility of extra days. We’re looking for more calendar days, but we’ll know more by March.”

New England HBPA President Manny Roos stated, “For the first time in history, non-Thoroughbred tracks outside of Massachusetts will be contributing to our live Thoroughbred product at Suffolk Downs from the Thoroughbred signals they receive from outside of New England. Our goal is to use this added revenue to create additional racing days at Suffolk Downs for our horsemen. We will now turn our attention to the distribution of the long awaited $4.5 million dollar purse pool by the Massachusetts Racing Commission, as well as step up our efforts in conjunction with the track to get slot machines at Suffolk Downs.”

In November of 2001, the Massachusetts Legislature passed a measure that required Wonderland Dog Track, Raynham/Taunton Greyhound Park and Plainridge Harness, all located in Massachusetts, to pay premiums on out-of-state Thoroughbred signals that they receive directly to the horsemen’s purses at Suffolk Downs. These tracks also pay 11% to Suffolk Downs and the horsemen when they receive the Suffolk races.

Talk of legalizing slot-machine gaming in Massachusetts has gotten the attention of more than just the state's four racetracks owners. The management of Lincoln Park in Rhode Island is monitoring the situation in Massachusetts with an eye toward possible involvement with one of the tracks, should slots be legalized in the Bay State.

``Of the 3 million visits to our place each year, 35 percent are from Massachusetts. If the tracks in Massachusetts are given the option to have slot machines, we'd stand to suffer some level of attrition,'' said Dan Bucci, the chief executive officer of Lincoln Park, a greyhound racetrack that has 1,700 video slot machines and a possibile plan to add 1,300 more. ``We would probably look to get back some of it by making some alliance with one of the tracks.''

Suffolk Downs, where Bucci once served as general manager, would be the most attractive for Lincoln Park, whose parent company is Wembley P.L.C. of London.

``I've had preliminary conversations with both (Suffolk president) John Hall and (chief operating officer) Bob O'Malley. I just expressed our interest in becoming involved in the Suffolk situation, if granted the option for slot machines,'' said Bucci, noting that several states that legalized slot machines at racetracks used Lincoln Park as a model, calling on his management's expertise.

Video slot gaming at Lincoln Park has been a bonanza for the greyhound industry in Rhode Island.

``We have the best greyhound racing in the world. Our purse structure is almost identical to the Suffolk Downs purse structure,'' Bucci said. ``So you can imagine what impact slot machines would have on Suffolk Downs. If they had 3,000 slots at Suffolk, I think you would see a real renaissance in racing there.''

In addition to being the first track in New England to have slot gaming, Lincoln Park was also the first to offer unlimited thoroughbred simulcasting in the region. Although Lincoln has never before paid simulcast purse premiums on thoroughbred simulcasts to Suffolk Downs, management has recently reached an agreement to contribute a portion of its thoroughbred handle to the East Boston track's purse account.

``I empathize with the horsemen. They're in a really difficult situation with Rockingham not dedicating anything to their purses. I was reluctant to surrender anything at first, but we did come to an agreement,'' said Bucci, who estimated that Lincoln's contribution would amount to approximately $1 million a year.

Meanwhile, Horsemen's groups in several states have shown their support for the New England chapter of the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association by withholding their simulcast signals from Rockingham Park, which has refused Suffolk horsemen's demands to pay purse premiums on all thoroughbred simulcasts taken at Rockingham.

Rock management, which has filed suit against Suffolk Downs and the HBPA, is seeking a restraining order to continue simulcasting thoroughbred signals at the Salem, N.H., track that no longer schedules a thoroughbred meeting. The hearing, which had been scheduled for Thursday at Rockingham County Superior Court, has been moved to U.S. District Court in Concord Jan. 27.

In addition to being refused the Suffolk Downs' simulcast signal, Rockingham Park no longer has permission to simulcast races from Gulfstream Park, Turfway Park, Turf Paradise, Fair Grounds, et. al.

The 2003 thoroughbred season at Suffolk Downs got off to a contentious start yesterday.

The nine-race New Year's Day card was conducted over a track that was muddy, a description that could also apply to the current state of the local thoroughbred industry, due to a bitter dispute between Suffolk Downs' horsemen and the management of Rockingham Park.

The Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, which denied Rockingham, as well as other New Hampshire and Rhode Island wagering facilities, permission to simulcast yesterday's Suffolk Downs program, faces a lawsuit filed in Rockingham Superior Court by the Salem, N.H., track officials.

``I expect by (today) or (tomorrow) to be sued,'' said Suffolk Downs chief operating officer Robert O'Malley. ``Rockingham has already sued the HBPA, both here and in Kentucky. We have obligations to meet with the law and our contract with the horsemen. Usually, when things get litigious, everyone gets sued.''

The dispute, however, is strictly between the HBPA and Rockingham management, which has discontinued its summer thoroughbred meeting in favor of a harness meeting. The HBPA contends that its decision to withhold permission to simulcast Suffolk Downs' live card is based on rights given to horsemen under the Interstate Horse Racing Act of 1978.

HBPA attorney Donald Sheldon said now that thoroughbred racing no longer is conducted in New Hampshire, Rockingham Park and other Granite State facilities no longer have the right to simulcast thoroughbred racing without the permission of Suffolk Downs. The Kentucky division of the HPBA has supported the New England division by withholding permission to simulcast races from Turfway Park. The possibility exists that other HBPA divisions could follow suit.

Lincoln (R.I.) Greyhound Park and Hinsdale (N.H.) Greyhound Park were given permission to simulcast races from both Suffolk Downs and Turfway Park yesterday.

``In the last 24 hours, good-faith agreements have been struck with Lincoln and Hinsdale and we're having on-going discussions with Lakes Region (N.H.),'' said Sheldon, noting the agreements with Lincoln and Hinsdale span 10 days while negotiations continue. ``Without getting into specifics, it entails some compensation to Suffolk Downs for permission to conduct off-track betting on thoroughbreds.''

Sheldon said other jurisdictions pay premiums earmarked for horsemen's purses, above and beyond the standard percentage paid to the track's transmitted signal.

``There is some precedent in other states for what the horsemen are looking for,'' said O'Malley, noting it was up to the HBPA to make deals with wagering outlets in bordering states.

Sheldon said the action was not retaliation against Rockingham.

``We're not sending our signal to anyone who violates the Interstate Horse Racing Act. The first thing Rockingham thinks is: `They're picking on us.' Well, no, we went after Lincoln, too,'' said Sheldon, emphasizing that more and more money being wagered on out-of-state simulcasts than live programs made the HBPA action a necessity.

In Massachusetts, simulcasting venues must pay purse premiums to Suffolk Downs' purses on all thoroughbred handles. The HBPA is seeking the same agreement with out-of-state simulcasting venues.

Rockingham Park general manager Ed Callahan was not available for comment.

Racing notes

Veteran jockey Vernon Bush was taken to Whidden Hospital in Everett for a precautionary examination after being thrown from Little Time during the eighth race, won by Shiloh Lane, who was clear of the first-turn mishap.

New England Thoroughbred horsemen are challenging Rockingham Park’s right to import simulcast signals from Suffolk Downs and other out-of-state tracks now that Rockingham no longer intends to offer live Thoroughbred racing, a maneuver that could have ramifications far beyond New England. Citing the Interstate Horse Racing Act, the New England Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association has notified Rockingham and three New Hampshire greyhound tracks that it is withholding permission to simulcast its races to New Hampshire. The New England HBPA plans to withhold permission until the New Hampshire tracks come to an agreement that includes adequate compensation to protect live racing at Suffolk Downs.

"I think it's a serious threat, if they are attempting to close down the four pari-mutuel tracks," said Ed Callahan, general manager of Rockingham Park.

In a draft of the letter obtained by THOROUGHBRED TIMES, the New England HBPA contends that the Interstate Horse Racing Act of 1978 requires Rockingham Park to compensate Suffolk Downs when it accepts wagers on tracks outside New Hampshire.

"Your failure to receive permission from Suffolk Downs, to receive the out-of-state signals, and compensate them appropriately, causes direct economic harm to the track and the horsemen," the letter said. "The [New England] HBPA shall not provide its approval to transmit the Suffolk Downs signal into your venue, until such time as you are in compliance with the Interstate Horse Racing Act."

The horsemen's action is the latest broadside in a long simmering feud between Thoroughbred horsemen and Rockingham.

Callahan disagrees with the New England HBPA's legal position. Complicating matters is the agreement between Suffolk Downs and Rockingham Park to simulcast each other's races.

"We have a valid and binding contract with Suffolk Downs and we anticipate they would honor that contract," Callahan said. "I believe that Rockingham satisfies all the conditions of the Interstate Horse Racing Act. We anticipate that we will offer simulcasting on January 1."—Steve Myrick

``Auld Lang Syne'' never will have more meaning for New England thoroughbred horsemen than next week on New Year's Eve when they hear the familiar refrain, ``Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?''

In the aftermath of Rockingham Park management's decision to terminate thoroughbred racing at the Salem, N.H., racetrack, the horsemen have every reason to become nostalgic about the good old days at the track ``Where It All Began.'' However, they're too hot to feel warm and fuzzy about the needless loss of an old friend.

Don't expect the horsemen and Rockingham Park management to share a ``cup o kindness'' any time soon.

Although they always will have fond memories of The Rock, the feelings of betrayal toward the current track ownership are too intense to cherish the past at a time when the future is so tenuous.

It's been difficult enough for the area's horsemen to handle the news that Rockingham will scrap its traditional summer thoroughbred meeting in favor of a harness meeting without having to defend themselves against the finger-pointing track management. Rockingham Park officials are guilty of cavalierly casting aside thoroughbred racing in favor of harness racing. Yet, they shamefully are trying to place blame with the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, which represents the local thoroughbred horsemen.

Contract talks between the HBPA and Rockingham management were both unproductive and brief. One hardly could call them negotiations, because Rockingham officials' take-it-or-leave-it offer made it clear they had no interest in negotiating and impossible for the horsemen to accept. Rock officials massaged the numbers to make it appear that the horsemen were offered an increase in purse money, but HBPA officials released a statement this week to respond to management's finger-pointing.

The HBPA objected to a track official's published comment that the horsemen were offered a 7.4 percent increase in purses while demanding a 20 percent increase. Rock management insisted on racing only 61 days for total purses of $6.2 million in 2003 and 2004, down considerably from this year's 76 days of racing for $7.2 million in purses. According to HBPA calculations, the final offer from Rock represented a drop in the horsemen's share of simulcasting revenue from an already insufficient 4.85 percent to 4.2 percent. Considering that simulcast wagering represents more than 75 percent of Rock's $106 million annual handle, the drop is significant.

Numbers can be manipulated to make a point, no matter how preposterous it might be, but the evidence is irrefutable that Rock management was looking for trouble and looking to get out of the thoroughbred business. Rock management, whose lack of commitment to the ``Sport of Kings'' undermined a year-round circuit at Suffolk Downs, obviously had already decided to switch to harness racing before it smugly pulled the rug from under the thoroughbred horsemen's feet.

Rock officials will continue to pin the demise of thoroughbred racing on the horsemen. When subjected to such mindless schlock, it makes it easy to knock The Rock.

Slot machines at Massachusetts’s four pari-mutuel racetracks could raise $1.1-billion in revenue, a figure that translates to more than $200-million in taxes for the state.

At those rates, a draft report by a state-appointed panel of political and labor leaders and academics indicates that the benefits of expanded gaming far outweigh the costs. In addition to 750 slot machines at the racetracks, the report also mentions establishment of a casino at both ends of the state.

"The expansion of legalized gambling has the potential to provide substantial new revenues to help fund vital state and local services," the report states. "On the whole, costs and risks appear to be outweighed by the fiscal benefits."

"We agree with the preliminary indications of the commission and think that the regional concentration of a southeastern and western casino seems to make sense to compete with Connecticut," Jim Burns, who hopes to develop a casino in Western Massachusetts, told Business Today.

There are detractors to expanded gaming in the state, however.

"The report raises more questions than answers," state Senator Susan Tucker (D-Andover) said. "What they have are more caution signs and warning signals than an icy mountain road."

Tucker aims to squelch any attempts by her fellow legislators to bring more gaming to Massachusetts and she is working on a campaign to defeat such measures

Encouraged by the possibility that the Massachusetts Legislature may approve casino-style gaming, several casino operators are examining potential sites, including Suffolk Downs near Boston.

Hyatt Gaming, which operates ten casinos, is one of those that has expressed interest in Suffolk as a possible site for casino-style gaming. Business Today reports that an expansion in gaming could expedite a merger between Suffolk and Wonderland Greyhound Park, with gaming and racing occurring at one facility and the other site possibly being commercially developed.

Western Massachusetts also is interested in offering gaming, and Holyoke has started a casino siting commission and is exploring the possibility of allowing riverboat casinos on the Connecticut River.

The owners of Brockton Fair in Massachusetts believe Rockingham Park’s decision to end Thoroughbred racing at the nearby Salem, New Hampshire, track has created the need for a Thoroughbred meet in the region and they will gladly take up some of the slack.

After a 29-year absence of racing, Brockton Fair conducted 20 racing dates in 2001, following a $3-million renovation to the racetrack. But the competition from Rockingham caused a shortage of horses as well as horseplayers and led Brockton Fair owners George and Chris Carney to shutter the track this season.

The news of Rockingham's plan to abandon Thoroughbred racing and instead conduct 100 days of harness racing next year, occurred after the Massachusetts deadline for applying for race dates. The Carneys missed the filing deadline for 2003 dates but told the Boston Herald they will seek legislation that would let them file for 30 days of racing for next year that would be shared with Middleboro Fair.

"Now that Rockingham has thrown in the towel, I feel like it’s a good opportunity to get back in business at the fair," George Carney said.

Carney said he believes there is ample room in the area for Thoroughbred racing now that Rockingham has switched to Standardbred racing and that Suffolk Downs has remained firm against adding to its 150-date calendar. He noted, however, that because Suffolk officials do not support his plan, he could be flexible with his request for dates.

"We'd like to have summertime dates," Carney said. "Suffolk Downs never wanted to run in the summer in the past." [Suffolk is currently in the midst of its meeting, which began September 28 and will run through June 7.]

Carney said that if Suffolk wanted to race through the summer, then Brockton could present a fall meeting.

Nearly a century of Thoroughbred racing history at Rockingham Park came to an unceremonious end on Monday when Rockingham Park applied for 100 Standardbred dates at the New Hampshire Pari-Mutuel Commission. The action comes after negotiations between Rockingham Park and the New England Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association over a purse money dispute reached an impasse last week.

“Rockingham attempted to structure an agreement with Thoroughbred horsemen on dates for the next two years, but agreement could not be reached,” General Manager Ed Callahan said. “Our choice was to close or to seek a harness license, which under New Hampshire law, were our only two alternatives.”

The commission approved the Standardbred dates to run four days a week from May 24 to September 1, in 2003. The 100 live harness racing programs will allow Rockingham to continue with its simulcasting business, satisfying the minimum legal requirement for live racing.

While it may be technically possible for Rockingham executives to reverse course and continue with Thoroughbred racing next year, regulations and licensing requirements make that appear very unlikely.

The end of Thoroughbred racing at Rockingham leaves a hole in the New England racing calendar.

Suffolk Downs in East Boston does not plan to move to a year-round schedule, but it will most likely ask to amend its current racing license. Suffolk officials want to extend the spring meeting past the scheduled closing in early June 2003. Suffolk would run live racing into the fall, close for the winter, and resume a spring and summer schedule in 2004.

Suffolk executives have stated unequivocally that they will not run more than 150 live racing programs, the legal minimum required to qualify for simulcasting.—Steve Myrick

Facing a $2-billion budget deficit the next fiscal year, Massachusetts’s newly elected lawmakers have voiced support for expanded gaming at the state’s four pari-mutuel facilities, including Suffolk Downs near Boston. In his campaign platform, Governor-elect Mitt Romney promised not to raise taxes or cut services and instead said he would be open to expanded gaming if the state can reap the benefits.

Senator Robert E. Travaglini—the state senate’s next president—has two tracks in his East Boston district, including Suffolk Downs, and he supports slots as a way to preserve jobs. Even House Speaker Thomas M. Finneran, who has fought expanded gaming in the past, has said he would consider new sources of revenue, including gambling.

"The tracks should be authorized for the slot machines, and we should choose a location for a casino," Travaglini told the Boston Globe. "It’s time to resolve this situation. Either answer it in the affirmative or the negative. It’s a significant fiscal crisis, and we have an obligation to weight everything."

Of course, there is opposition, and on Tuesday, the Massachusetts Council of Churches released a statement expressing concerns over the "economic, social, cultural, and physical" ramifications of gambling in Massachusetts. State Senator Susan Tucker and six other state representatives co-signed the statement.

Also under consideration is the consequence that expanded gaming at racetracks would pave the way for Indian tribes to open casinos on their reservations. This could lead to an oversaturated market, as two of the largest casinos in North America are just a short drive away in Connecticut, and Rhode Island greyhound tracks and jai alai frontons have slots.

"It’s going to be interesting to see how the states compete with each other for the revenue," said Reverend Richard McGowan, an economics professor at Boston College. "Really, we’re going to be balancing the state’s revenue needs versus depending on a segment of the population. It’s a question of whether the ends will be justifying the means."