So, the first hurdle in the way for any kind of a return for Suffolk Downs was the ballot initiative on casino gaming. A yes vote would have repealed the law allowing casinos and a no was to keep status quo. "No" won handsomely, 59%-41%, I believe.

This means casino construction will move forward and the slots parlor at Plainridge Harness (run by Penn National) is set to open in 2015. This will start feeding money to the horse industry fund, which the New England Horsemen and Lou Raffetto hopes to use in some fashion to continue operations under a lease agreement with Suffolk's ownership team.

I believe the next "big" date is mid-November when the racing/gaming commission is set to award 2015 dates. The horsemen applied for one day in hopes to amend that and run around 60 days.

Actually, the next date of note was yesterday, where the racing commission approved the placeholder applications of both the NE Horseman and the Carney family to run at the Brockton Fair. The groups now need to have detailed applications submitted to the board.

Also, with the $85m deposited by both Wynn and MGM for their casinos, 5% of that immediately goes to the horse fund, so $8.5m. Steve, any word if Lou Raffetto is coming to chat soon to update the masses? :)

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-raci...-massachusetts

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-raci...perate-suffolk

New England HBPA files to run at SUF. Deal with Fields/Tuttle next hurdle to continuing racing in East Boston..

Ignoring for now what one may think about contraction in the industry overall...


There's no reason Suffolk couldn't be redeveloped into a much smaller plant/facility for racing (i.e., reducing the size of the grandstand and clubhouse) and a bigger food/drink/hotel complex. People want to shop, drink, and eat so hell...give them what they want by reducing the cavernous and unused grandstand and parking areas.

It's 2 miles from Logan.

It has its own subway stop and the Blue Line is being modernized.

Plenty of land.

Near the beach.

thats using the old bean....good idea

Lou Raffetto talked about this recently, actually, though not on the Suffolk property. Link below to a show down locally in Boston where he said this, but to sum it up:

• NEHPA wants to lease the current facility for 2015 and 2016
• Owners are clear in redeveloping the land (i.e. no track) and they have 2-3 year planning stage
• They're still in talks to run a 65ish day meet in the two years they lease, similar to this past season
• Chip Tuttle and Co. have filed an intent to continue simulcasting in 2015
• The horseman are looking for a new piece of land to build a new track, more in line with what would be suitable (sizewise) for modern days. I imagine this would take an outside entity to pull off. Maybe this is where the rumors of Stronach tie in from a few months back

I still have trouble seeing the financial incentive for the current owners to lease. Hoping it works though, for all involved.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/postime...k-downs-update

Why on god's green earth would anyone want to build an entirely new race track in Mass given everything that's happened this year...never mind land costs and permitting and...i dunno...the existence of a very decent racing oval/turf course that already exists?!

All they need for patrons is a decent sports bar atmosphere...heck maybe a mini sports museum...a small turf club for the hardliners (but lose those 'loaner dress pants'), and a casual food court type area (Santarpio's, Dunkins, Dimino's, etc.) with TVs and seating. Literally 1/3 the size of the existing plant. That leaves plenty of other developable land.

they could also make a ton of money having concerts....lotta room there.better sound than fenway or foxboro. plus introduce tons of young fans to the place, and the action

Because the current owners don't want to do racing anymore. And the existence of the physical track structure devalues the land in the eyes of potential developers. There is one avenue for racing to continue in MA - two years at a leased Suffolk Downs and then to a new facility. For what it's worth the scaled down version at a new facility is what Raffetto is talking about.

maybe if Rafetto gets a little dialogue going with the new mayor, it might be a good place to start. walsh is solid and would love nothing more than to put a bunch of people to work.
A new arena for the celtics/ racetrack complex/ destination could be a good fit. maybe they should hire the boss. im sure he would have some ideas.:)

saw J. Geils Band and Bob sEGER SAT NIGHT AT THE td GARDEN. it's a real dump. the celtics should get the ball rolling here. Arena/hotel/hosstrack/concert venue/ Partiots Place stuff

Get Jordan's Furniture to relocate from Wakefield!!

There is some news around Suffolk Downs from the last week or two. I think the main two being:

-Talks for the horsemen to lease from Suffolk haven't gone very far, not surprisingly, since the horsemen don't have the assets to fund a meet of 50 or 60 days in length.

-Suffolk sent a letter to the MA Gaming Commission stating the above point and that maybe skimming from the Horse Racing development fund could help bridge the lease situation. However, those funds are for purses mostly, so legislation is needed to change that. But, more importantly, the letter includes Suffolk management's intent to possibly forego a deal with the horsemen and run a concentrated, I assume, "boutique" like meet, with purses funded by the development fund. Rumors I have heard peg it at 25-30 days, max.

Interesting development. I have linked the letter below.

http://massgaming.com/wp-content/upl...espondence.pdf

Today's (positive) developments..
http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/201...?event=event25

Deal for Suffolk '15-16 in Place..
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-raci...deal-for-meets

JOINT STATEMENT FROM SUFFOLK DOWNS AND NEHBPA

EAST BOSTON, MA (February 27, 2015)- Officials of Sterling Suffolk Racecourse LLC and the New England affiliate of the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association announced today that they have reached an agreement for the horsemen to lease the racetrack for live racing in 2015-2016.

“We are optimistic that our horsemen will be able to race at Suffolk Downs and the local breeders may remain in business for the next two years. We are thankful for the wisdom, cooperation, and hard work of all the parties involved,” said NEHBPA President Anthony Spadea, who represents about 900 Thoroughbred owners and trainers. “We still have several steps to accomplish to ensure that the Massachusetts Thoroughbred industry, which has an annual economic impact of $116.5 million, remains viable.”

The two-year licensing deal is subject to the passage of enabling legislation to extend racing and simulcasting in Massachusetts within the next few weeks. The current law sunsets March 31.

Approval of the agreement by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission is also required.

“While we focus on the future development of Suffolk Downs, we're gratified that we have been able to reach an agreement with the New England HBPA on an interim solution that will keep people working as the horsemen pursue their long term plans and as we explore development options” said Chip Tuttle, the chief operating officer of Suffolk Downs.

The commissioners have granted the NEHBPA a one-day placeholder license to conduct live racing, and the completion of the deal with Suffolk Downs will be a major step forward in their consideration of the horsemen’s subsequent application to conduct a live race meet this year.

The duration of the 2015 Thoroughbred season has yet to be determined. Based on the agreement between Suffolk Downs and the NEHBPA, it may be from one live racing day up to 50 days, depending upon the MGC’s final approval as well as the distribution of funding for purses from the state.
The potential restoration of live racing at the 80-year-old landmark will protect hundreds of direct and non-direct Thoroughbred industry jobs in the Commonwealth while preserving the 62 breeding farms and 6,650 acres of open green space in the state-wide agricultural network.

Fat lady is about to sing....word on the street is not good....:mad::(:confused:

Plans for Suffolk Downs Meet Remain in Flux

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-raci...#ixzz3VLZgLW1Z

Limited 3 day, big purse concept looks like interim SUF plan for '15: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-raci...ays-big-purses

Interesting. I wonder if they're going to condition these races to have it be open to those who have starts over the track in the last 1-2 years. Otherwise, I don't see how the NE horsemen would be on board; out of towners would invade, take the purses and go right back home.

i don't know why it means the "end". It will take some creative and commited help to stay racing but it can be done.

I will use this man as a great example of how to get it done right.





http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeffrey_Gural

He's a preening schmoe and complete phony.

That's a shock to me. Steve, I don't doubt you on this. As an outsider, I always thought he was good for harness racing. Ive been to Tioga Downs, which is a nice, smaller size type racino. When he took over the Med, built the new facility, I thought it was a good thing. Is he just all about the slot dollars? Was the new Med facility only built to try and attract slots there? Give me the lowdown on this guy???

Everything he does is a posture designed to provide an image of someone trying valiantly to preserve harness racing when in fact all he really wants are casino licenses. He's a self indulgent bully. Joe Faraldo called it right on him from day one and has run rings around him.

Not a bad bio for a schmo?

note all his work for charity....:rolleyes: the boss is right as usual,

I dont know the guy from Adam but he certainly has a very successful career to date. Doesnt mean he is the salt of the earth but doesnt appear to be a stooge either. Steve is more likely right then wrong especially if he feels so strongly about him. My point was just to add a bit of balance, he isnt without business skills

That is the fundamental difference between you and Steve. He measures a man's worth by his character.

I dont know his character, as such to measure his worth without knowing him directly is not a practice I am comfortable with. Certainly if you feel you "know" his character you are welcomed to measure this man in any capacity you deem valid. There is no denying his previous business work as immensely successful at least if you define success as profitable. I tend to evaluate business ventures on there success and or failure to produce profit. If you dont or have another definition that serves you so be it.

Well then according to your criteria , Bernie Madoff would rate highly on your scale ;)

Really. not a fair example Madoff was/is a criminal. Am I to understanding the tenor of your post, you are comparing Madoff to Gural and suggesting that he is a criminal?

I am not comparing the 2 but nice try in spinning it. You know what point I was trying to make. I was getting on your case for judging someone's worth by their success in business.

Madoff was never successful in business as a bank robber is not successful just because he/she haven't been caught. Obviously I don't have any use for criminals nor would I deem such successful in business. Clearly you seem to feel you have knowledge that Gural is a criminal as you have lumped him into a conversation referencing a world class slime . I only acknowledge Gural's immense success as a businessman. I cant speak to him personally, but he has undoubtedly earned a reputation as a titan in the business community. If you have evidence of his criminal behavior I suggest you report it to Governing authorities ASAP. Otherwise just say you don't have a friggin idea who and what he is, save what the public can learn reading about him which is a wonderful wonderful BIO on a truly great business man. Again I dont know him but apparently Steve does and thinks he is a "shmoe"..That's fine with me Steve must really know him, I don't

Please cease with your libelous straw man claim that I called Gural a criminal. On a side topic? Can you name all the trainers you used for your horses?

Let's stay on topic when did I say you called Gural a criminal? I said if you had evidence that he was Madoff monster you should report him to governing authorities.

No

No? Why is that Freddie? Some "Good Horseman" with Reputations for breaking the rules on the list?

Bottom line is you stated that Steve judged him which is a poor choice of words as Steve didnt judge him he simple stated his opinion of Gural's horse business practices and that Steve judges people on character and I judge them on their success (money they have made). Nothing could be further from the truth.

Epic thread drift! Back on topic...mixed feelings on the Suffolk news.

As much as I would love to see racing stay in New England (almost unbelievable that the region that has the Sox/Pats/Broons/Celts can't have a racetrack), I have a few headscratchers...

1) This is a placeholder deal for 2016, no?

2) I know the land around Suffolk is valuable, but I gotta believe a Gulfstream-like redevelopment using the existing oval would be way way more viable than building a new track.

3) Mass horsemen need a break, admittedly, but I just can't wrap my head around awarding those purse levels to watch a nickle claimer hit 6f in 1:14+.

4) I can't imagine what handle might be...might not even be an issue if it's just a placeholder deal.

Suffolk and Rock were my first tracks, and my old man has run his modest stock there over the past decade so I'd love to see Suffolk carry on. But this seems like one last odd gasp.

im quite surprised about the J. gural bashing on here. a schmoe?.a criminal?..a phony?


i know that track i go to so often isn't phony and it's not a figment of my imagination. that's the same one that would have closed if he didn't save it.i shake his hand every time i see him. hes always very nice to me.

sure he wants a casino, i'm sure gov christie promised him something in some back door doughnuts and bagels meeting. does who doesn't in the tri state area?

what the hell did he do? it all sounds fishy to me. you know G. Patton was a bully too. but he got it done!

to each his own i guess.


ok so now everyone can tell me how stupid i am. go ahead who is first?

You are so stupid!:D