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 A yes vote would have repealed the law allowing casinos and a no was to keep status quo.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