Massachusetts Lawmakers Restore Racing, Simulcasting
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Photo: Patricia McQueen
Massachusetts lawmakers, who were back at the Statehouse for an informal session Aug. 2, passed a bill in the House of Representatives and the State Senate to restore the legality of live horse racing and simulcasting in the state. The bill was signed by Gov. Charlie Baker.
Thursday's action allows the management of Suffolk Downs to move ahead with plans to run the two days of live racing scheduled for Aug. 4-5 and to restart its simulcasting operation.
"We want to thank the House, Senate, and Governor for addressing this today, and we're looking forward to two great days of racing this weekend," Suffolk Downs chief operating officer Chip Tuttle said.
The crisis that rendered live racing and simulcasting illegal in Massachusetts was created when the formal legislative session ended at midnight July 31 without lawmakers renewing the state racing statutes or passing any new racing laws. Statehouse sources said there was a racing bill that had been drafted but somehow got "lost in the shuffle."
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On Aug. 1, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission notified Suffolk Downs, harness track Plainridge Park, and Raynham-Taunton Greyhound Park, which offers only simulcasting, to shut down all operations. Plainridge subsequently postponed its live card for Aug. 2 to Aug. 3.
There are about 250 Thoroughbreds entered to race at Suffolk Downs Aug. 4-5, and the weekend will be the third of three two-day racing festival weekends that comprise the 2018 six-day live racing meet. There is no stabling or training at the track. All horses must be shipped in, and all riders come from other tracks. There was no word yet how the short-lived shutdown might affect the entries.
Suffolk officials have filed a request with the MGC to add two additional live racing days Sept.15-16, and the commissioners are expected to approve the purse allocation from the state's Race Horse Development Fund, which is supplied by a percentage of revenue from the burgeoning casino industry in Massachusetts.