Suffolk Downs to Host live racing once again in 2019

The operators of Suffolk Downs are expecting racing to come back subsequent summer time on some stage in 2019 and while the future of the song in East Boston, Mass. is tenuous, this summer time song administration toyed with returning the music’s lengthy-time signature race.

during the summer time management regarded reviving the Massachusetts Handicap, which once enjoyed grade 2 popularity and offered a $600,000 purse but hasn’t been contested when you consider that 2008. The idea become to entice basic-placed Gronkowski to Suffolk next summer with the intent of capitalizing on the recognition of the colt’s namesake, New England Patriots All-professional tight conclusion hold Gronkowski.

Whereas that theory failed to go some distance, Suffolk Downs, which concluded its eight-day 2018 live meet on the weekend of Sept. 15-16, plans to again present some are living racing subsequent year.

We can race here in 2019 in some ability,” Tuttle observed. “We can post our software for dates for 2019 with the Massachusetts Gaming fee via the end of September.”

The opportunity of are living racing at Suffolk in 2019 had been doubtful when you consider that the 161-acre racetrack, which is the lone current Thoroughbred music in the place, became sold to HYM development in 2017 for $115 million. Since then, Suffolk’s operator has been leasing the racing, simulcasting, and develop deposit wagering ADW operations and running condensed eight-day meets whereas building plans take a seat on grasp.

We’ve had very fine discussions with the house owner, HYM building, about extending our rent through 2019,” talked about the tune’s COO Chip Tuttle, who added that the variety of dates to be applied for is being regarded by means of the music and the New England Horsemen’s Benevolent & defensive association NEHB and the Massachusetts Thoroughbred Breeders affiliation MTBA. “It appears as if the variety of dates we run, no matter if that is two, 4, or six, would all should recall region through July of subsequent yr., in accordance with the homeowner’s building schedule.”

Tuttle spoke of HYM plans to initiate demolition of the property the place the backstretch is observed and that could now not permit the song to race beyond July. He did say simulcast operations in the present clubhouse could proceed through 2019 and maybe past.

As for past 2019 within the environment, the operator has a contract with the NEHB and the MTBA to refurbish and renovate the lengthy-shuttered exceptional Barrington Fairgrounds within the western part of the state, with hopes to race there in 2020.

The return of live racing to Suffolk Downs subsequent 12 months skill that the 90 full-time employees and the 300 to 400 further Americans hired to work on reside racing days can keep their jobs, the horsemen can continue to earn purse money, and the new England fans can nonetheless event live racing in grownup.

In 2018, the music saw a moderate enhance over the previous 12 months in average day by day attendance for the eight days of are living racing, 6,543 in comparison with 6,449 in 2017 whereas all-sources tackle figures declined from yr.-to-year. In 2017 the general each day handle become $870.”949 and in 2018 the figure dropped to $686,303.

This yr., typical, i was pleased with the meet. We had first rate crowds, full fields and yet another good yr. that was neatly supported by way of the fans and through horsemen from up and down the East Coast,” Tuttle said. “There is still a repository of goodwill for this area and we’re driving it out for so long as we will. We are able to race right here in 2019 at superb Barrington in 2020. That is the goal.”