Plan in Works to Save Suffolk Downs Racing
Image:
Description:
By Lynne Snierson
There may be a reprieve for live racing at Suffolk Downs even though the track's ownership group announced that they would not apply for dates in 2015.
The decision to end live racing and shutter Suffolk for simulcasting in December came as a consequence of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission's vote to deny Mohegan Sun, the track's gaming partner, the single Boston area casino license on Sept. 16. Now the local horsemen are stepping up.
Anthony Spadea, the president of the New England chapter of the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, and the organization's executive director held a long meeting with top officials of Sterling Suffolk Race Course on the afternoon of Sept. 29. As a result, Spadea said that he will submit a preliminary application to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission indicating "intent to race" at Suffolk Downs next year.
Time is of the essence as the deadline to submit formal applications for dates is Oct. 1. Nonetheless, at a public hearing on Sept. 25, gaming commissioners decided to allow "placeholder" applications by the deadline in order to encourage another operator to step forward.
"Our organization is looking at filing a placeholder application indicating our intent to hold a race meet at Suffolk Downs in 2015," Spadea said. "The issue is extremely complicated, and we need to see if the simulcasting laws in the state can be changed to make racing economically feasible. Meanwhile, we are extremely appreciative that the ownership and management of Suffolk Downs are keeping the door open, and we are thankful that they have a passion for racing and care about the dedicated horsemen and breeders in the Massachusetts Thoroughbred industry."
It remains unclear when completed applications, accompanied by the required accompanying $125,000 bond, will be due. The gaming commission's legal team is working on the issue.
The New England HBPA board has not approved the application for dates since the membership just concluded elections and the newly elected board cannot legally be seated before the evening of Oct. 2.
But the organization's president decided to submit the application in the best interests of the horsemen and breeders because if he failed to do so, they would be out of options as no other parties with an interest in operating a live meet at Suffolk Downs next year have stepped forward.