Suffolk Expected to Apply for 2015 Live Dates
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By Lynne Snierson
The management of Suffolk Downs, which announced in September it would no longer offer live racing at the 80-year-old track and would not apply for a 2015 racing license, is expected to reverse course and apply for dates within two to three weeks.
That was the word March 31 from a source close to the situation who requested anonymity and noted that any potential meet would be for a limited number of days.
The change in plans was precipitated by Massachusetts lawmakers' passage March 31 of a $350 million supplemental budget bill that extends Suffolk Downs' 2014 racing license. The legislation also extends the track's simulcast rights through July 31, 2016, and at the same time allows revenue from full-card simulcasts and live racing to be used to partially fund a live meet in 2015 and 2016.
The track's simulcast rights, which received a 90-day extension Dec. 31, 2014,were set to expire at midnight March 31.
In the wake of Suffolk Downs' gaming partner, Mohegan Sun, being bypassed for the single Boston-area resort casino license in September, the track's ownership group announced development plans for the property. The New England Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association subsequently applied to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission Oct. 1 for a one-day placeholder application to operate a 2015 meet, and then in November filed a supplemental application for a 65-day meet.
In late February the New England HBPA executed a two-year agreement with Suffolk Downs to lease the track and operate a meet of one up to 50 days each in 2015 and 2016.
"As this measure saves nearly 100 jobs here, allows the local horsemen and breeders some opportunity as they plan what's next, and bridges the gap until our own development plans are more certain, we are very appreciative that the legislature passed this extension," said Chip Tuttle, chief operating officer at Suffolk Downs. "We are already in discussions with the New England HBPA leadership to solidify 2015 planning."
Without a portion of the live racing and simulcast revenue being allowed to cover some of the operating and administrative costs, the return of live racing at Suffolk Downs was considered a no-go by both sides. Nevertheless, time is running short to pull together a 2015 live meet as the purse structure, number of race-ready horses that will be available, and number of live racing days has yet to be determined.
Should there be a short meet at Suffolk Downs in 2015 and 2016, it will allow horsemen to build up their share of the monies allocated to them through the state's new Race Horse Development Fund, which will be supplied by a percentage of the revenue from slot machines at Plainridge Park Casino and three resort casinos in the state.
The horsemen plan to build and operate their own racetrack by 2017.
The MGC must still grant its approval of any plans and then issue a racing license. The supplemental budget bill now moves to the desk of Gov. Charlie Baker for his signature.