New England HBPA Sees Progress on Potential New Track

The New England Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association is working with a new group of investors to develop a Thoroughbred racetrack in Massachusetts and plans are moving forward after officials in the City of Gardner recently voted 10-1 to rezone 170 acres for the project.

This latest attempt by the NEHBPA to restore live racing to New England follows about a dozen other efforts that failed over the past decade since Suffolk Downs ended live racing June 30, 2019. One recent plan was halted when the citizens of Hardwick, Mass., defeated a ballot initiative in a Jan. 7 special election that would have authorized a new racetrack, breeding center, and equine retirement home.

"It has been a challenge over the last nine years to find the right piece of land in conjunction with a town that was willing to support the return of racing, but more importantly, to support all the jobs and Thoroughbred breeding we hope to bring back and save at the same time," said NEHBPA executive director Paul Umbrello, who was not at liberty to disclose the names of the investors. 

While acknowledging that the horsemen have been down this road multiple times, Umbrello said this proposal is different from many others because local approval from a town or city vote is not required. 

Current plans call for a one-mile track on a site that includes a grandstand, stable area, and paddock. To make it economically feasible the project would include areas for other equine activities, a home for retired and off-track Thoroughbreds, farmers' markets, and other events. As a start, there would be boutique meets of six to 12 days offering average daily purses of $500,000. 

An incentive to investors is the $22 million-plus reserved for the Thoroughbred industry through the state's Race Horse Development Fund that could be used for purse allotment. The RHDF is supplied by a percentage of the taxable revenue collected from the Massachusetts gaming industry, so that total grows every month.

Moreover, the law that allows the state's lucrative retail and online sports betting authorizes any licensee of a track to also operate sports betting—a hugely attractive incentive for potential track operators.

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is the regulatory agency for all gaming and racing in the state.

"I've already met with the members of the commission and requested that the $22 million dollars be placed into an escrow account for the horsemen. There is a follow-up meeting planned for the near future," said Umbrello.

The next step in the process of the proposed track in Gardner, located in central Massachusetts, is an appearance before the planning board. If it passes muster there, it will go back to the city council for another vote by early September. If green-lighted at that stage time will be of the essence to get live racing up and running in 2024 because the gaming commission has an Oct. 1 deadline for the submission of a live racing application.

"We're still in the early stages but will continue to work hard and remain optimistic that a future for Thoroughbred racing is just around the turn," said Umbrello.