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 A yes vote would have repealed the law allowing casinos and a no was to keep status quo.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.