"Not By a Longshot" TD Thornton

[Suffolk Shippers]

I heard Steve recommend this book one day on ATRAB and decided to pick it up.
I am just finishing it up and anyone who enjoys a well told story and really enjoys an inside look at the day in the life of a track "degenerate" (as Thornton jokingly calls the participants) this is a must read.

Also, if anyone is from around New England, like myself, it is an especially great read. Gives a background into the old NE racing circuit, the fights between Suffolk Downs and Rockingham Park, and the political BS that all parties have dealt with from Massachusetts politicians. Really a great read.

Thanks for the recommendation Byk!

[Bigsmc]

I can also recommend "Thirty Tons a Day" by Bill Veeck if you haven't read it yet.

He cronicles his time as the owner of Suffolk Downs, his battles with the government, day to day operations and his signature whacky stunts and giveaways.

[Scav]

Originally Posted by Bigsmc

I can also recommend "Thirty Tons a Day" by Bill Veeck if you haven't read it yet.

He cronicles his time as the owner of Suffolk Downs, his battles with the government, day to day operations and his signature whacky stunts and giveaways.

You don't read, who you crappin? the only thing you look at is the form

[Travis Stone]

I was thinking about picking this book up, will do now for sure. Can't turn down a horse racing read! Thanks for the recommendation!

[Bigsmc]

Originally Posted by Scav

You don't read, who you crappin? the only thing you look at is the form

Just because he was a White Sox guy, doesn't mean you have to slam me.

Reading is my personal Ambien, puts me to sleep every night.

You just worry about that anemic flat stick of yours. You've got 79 days to get it going.

[Bystander]

Originally Posted by Suffolk Shippers

I heard Steve recommend this book one day on ATRAB and decided to pick it up.
I am just finishing it up and anyone who enjoys a well told story and really enjoys an inside look at the day in the life of a track "degenerate" (as Thornton jokingly calls the participants) this is a must read.

Also, if anyone is from around New England, like myself, it is an especially great read. Gives a background into the old NE racing circuit, the fights between Suffolk Downs and Rockingham Park, and the political BS that all parties have dealt with from Massachusetts politicians. Really a great read.

Thanks for the recommendation Byk!

What's your take on the recent spruce-up?
I haven't gone yet but was glad to read about the cosmetic improvements Field's put in. I can't believe that an "entertainment complex" will ever be built in East Boston, but I'm all for improvements to the track.

[Scav]

Originally Posted by Bigsmc

Just because he was a White Sox guy, doesn't mean you have to slam me.

Reading is my personal Ambien, puts me to sleep every night.

You just worry about that anemic flat stick of yours. You've got 79 days to get it going.

I have retired from golf, and considering retirement from gambling also

[Suffolk Shippers]

Originally Posted by Bystander

What's your take on the recent spruce-up?
I haven't gone yet but was glad to read about the cosmetic improvements Field's put in. I can't believe that an "entertainment complex" will ever be built in East Boston, but I'm all for improvements to the track.

I stopped over on Derby Day for a few hours before heading home to watch the Derby. You might not think cosmetics help, but it does somewhat. Things are cleaned up, spruced up, and you even get a hint of optimism from the staff. Long way to go yet, but progress can only be applauded from the new group.

I am a firm believer that with the right vision things can change over there.
It might be a little premature but I liken it to when John Henry bought the Red Sox from Harrington and the Yawkey Trust. The prior regime was hip deep in the past and immediately the new folks changed things and the product improved. I wouldnt be surprised if Suffolk sees a small revival in the next few years, and if slots get installed, who knows?

[SentToStud]

Originally Posted by Scav

I have retired from golf, and considering retirement from gambling also

I'll bet you a set of golf clubs you don't quit gambling.

Think about it. You don't have anything to lose.

[SentToStud]

A fun read is Horseplayers: Life at the Track, by Ted McClelland.

He's a Chicago Reader writer (!!) who spends a year at Arlington, Hawtorne and other tracks.

In fact, the first interested person to PM me their address will recieve the book postage free, courtesy of Sent To Stud Enterprises.

[Scav]

Originally Posted by SentToStud

A fun read is Horseplayers: Life at the Track, by Ted McClelland.

He's a Chicago Reader writer (!!) who spends a year at Arlington, Hawtorne and other tracks.

In fact, the first interested person to PM me their address will recieve the book postage free, courtesy of Sent To Stud Enterprises.

Already read this book, it is awesome

I already have a nice set of clubs, thanks for the offer

[Zippy Chippy]

I'm currently reading The Wrong Horse by William Murray. Believe it or not, it's a great book about losing. Great writing style and lots of funny stories about misfortune at the track.

[Bystander]

Originally Posted by Suffolk Shippers

I stopped over on Derby Day for a few hours before heading home to watch the Derby. You might not think cosmetics help, but it does somewhat. Things are cleaned up, spruced up, and you even get a hint of optimism from the staff. Long way to go yet, but progress can only be applauded from the new group.

I am a firm believer that with the right vision things can change over there.
It might be a little premature but I liken it to when John Henry bought the Red Sox from Harrington and the Yawkey Trust. The prior regime was hip deep in the past and immediately the new folks changed things and the product improved. I wouldnt be surprised if Suffolk sees a small revival in the next few years, and if slots get installed, who knows?

Sounds good and I hope you're right.

[paisjpq]

Originally Posted by Bystander

Sounds good and I hope you're right.

if not you can always go to Wonderland...great atmosphere there.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by paisjpq

if not you can always go to Wonderland...great atmosphere there.

She already banned for solicitation.

[paisjpq]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

She already banned for solicitation.

her too? thought it was just me.

[SuffolkGirl]

I also bought the book on Steve's recommendation and after hearing TD Thornton on ATRAB. I am hoping to start reading it this weekend, of course after spending the day at good old Suffolk Downs and hopefully cashing some tickets!

It was nice to walk into Suffolk Downs this past Saturday and smell some fresh paint. I hope Fields does well. Suffolk could be a nice place. It is in a great location. I've met people there who have a layover at Logan and stop by to watch a few races - now that is a much nicer way to spend a layover than hanging out in the airport.

The political climate in MA is changing and hopefully Suffolk will be a beneficiary of this. Of course, DiMasi will need to be won over with special consideration for the Raynham dog tracks as that seems to be his pet (no pun intended) project.

Who knows, we may be able to hold the MassCap again - the last was one was a great finish. Last year they were going to move it to September, hoping that it would be a prep race for the Breeders Cup races, but then cancelled it because they couldn't justify the $300,000 purse going to "outsiders" and wanted to spread the cash out to the local horsemen.

We shall see - I will be thinking about all of this when I immerse myself in Not by a Long Shot!

[Storm Cadet]

Originally Posted by Scav

I have retired from golf, and considering retirement from gambling also

Since your a Sox fan:

Hey Scavs, say it aint so

[MISTERGEE]

Originally Posted by Suffolk Shippers

I heard Steve recommend this book one day on ATRAB and decided to pick it up.
I am just finishing it up and anyone who enjoys a well told story and really enjoys an inside look at the day in the life of a track "degenerate" (as Thornton jokingly calls the participants) this is a must read.

Also, if anyone is from around New England, like myself, it is an especially great read. Gives a background into the old NE racing circuit, the fights between Suffolk Downs and Rockingham Park, and the political BS that all parties have dealt with from Massachusetts politicians. Really a great read.

Thanks for the recommendation Byk!

is there anything in there about the future of the fair circuit, or if not do you know about that. i used to love to go to marshfield, great barrington , and northhampton.

[Suffolk Shippers]

Northampton still runs I believe, maybe around Labor Day...the others are off.