Suffolk Downs to Host Live Racing Again in 2019

The operators of Suffolk Downs expect racing to return next summer on some level in 2019 and while the future of the track in East Boston, Mass. is tenusous, this summer track management toyed with returning the track's long-time signature race.

During the summer management considered reviving the Massachusetts Handicap, which once enjoyed grade 2 status and offered a $600,000 purse but hasn't been contested since 2008. The idea was to attract classic-placed Gronkowski to Suffolk next summer with the intent of capitalizing on the popularity of the colt's namesake, New England Patriots All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski.

While that idea didn't go far, Suffolk Downs, which concluded its eight-day 2018 live meet on the weekend of Sept. 15-16, plans to again offer some live racing next year. 

"We will race here in 2019 in some capacity," Tuttle said. "We will submit our application for dates for 2019 with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission by the end of September."

The possibility of live racing at Suffolk in 2019 had been in doubt since the 161-acre racetrack, which is the lone existing Thoroughbred track in the region, was sold to HYM Development in 2017 for $115 million. Since then, Suffolk's operator has been leasing the racing, simulcasting, and advance deposit wagering (ADW) operations and running condensed eight-day meets while development plans sit on hold.

"We've had very positive discussions with the property owner, HYM Development, about extending our lease through 2019," said the track's COO Chip Tuttle, who added that the number of dates to be applied for is being considered by the track and the New England Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association (NEHBPA) and the Massachusetts Thoroughbred Breeders Association (MTBA). "It looks as if the number of dates we run, whether that's two, four, or six, would all have to take place by July of next year, based on the property owner's development schedule."

Tuttle said HYM plans to begin demolition of the property where the backstretch is located and that would not allow the track to race beyond July. He did say simulcast operations in the existing clubhouse could continue through 2019 and perhaps beyond.

As for beyond 2019 in the area, the operator has an agreement with the NEHBPA and the MTBA to refurbish and renovate the long-shuttered Great Barrington Fairgrounds in the western part of the state, with hopes to race there in 2020.

The return of live racing to Suffolk Downs next year means that the 90 full-time employees and the 300 to 400 additional people hired to work on live racing days can keep their jobs, the horsemen can continue to earn purse money, and the New England fans can still experience live racing in person.

In 2018, the track saw a slight increase over the previous year in average daily attendance for the eight days of live racing, 6,543 compared with 6,449 in 2017 while all-sources handle figures declined from year-to-year. In 2017 the average daily handle was $870,949 and in 2018 the figure dropped to $686,303. 

"This year, overall, I was pleased with the meet. We had good crowds, full fields and another good year that was well supported by the fans and by horsemen from up and down the East Coast," Tuttle said. "There is still a repository of goodwill for this place and we're riding it out for as long as we can. We will race here in 2019 at Great Barrington in 2020. That is the goal."