Suffolk Downs 2019 Dates Application Approved

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission gave Sterling Suffolk Racecourse, LLC the green light to conduct at least four days of live Thoroughbred racing in 2019 at Suffolk Downs, but the approval came over the strong objections of one member of the regulatory agency.

Commissioner Enrique Zuniga was the lone dissenter to conditionally approve SSR's license application, subject to further commission approval of conditions. The application, which enjoys the full support of the New England Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association and Massachusetts breeders, passed on a 3-1 voice vote Nov. 8.

"I am not in favor of this application. I don't feel that it meets the criteria that's stipulated here," Zuniga said, referring to the Massachusetts expanded gaming law. "I don't know where (four days of live racing) produces the maximum amount of revenue to the Commonwealth, which is a key criteria. Is it really worth it for four days of racing?"

Since the gaming commission awarded the single Boston-area, full-casino license to Wynn Resorts in 2014 instead of to Suffolk Downs and gaming partner Mohegan Sun, SSR has been operating abbreviated meets at the East Boston oval. In 2015 and 2016 there were six days of live racing each year and in 2017 and 2018 there were eight live days each season.

SSR requested only four dates in 2019, to be held on two weekends in May and June, because the track was sold in 2017 to a real estate developer and demolition, beginning with the backside, is set to begin in July. SSR has leased back the racing, simulcasting, and advance deposit wagering operations since the property sale.

Over the past four years, numerous solutions have been sought by horsemen, the Massachusetts Thoroughbred Breeders Association, and track operators to find a suitable and permanent home for live racing in the Bay State. At this time, The MTBA, NEHBPA, and SSR have an agreement to race at the now-shuttered Great Barrington Fairgrounds in 2020, but favorable legislation is needed to move forward with the investment of the capital required to revitalize the facility.

"If this (motion to approve the dates request) doesn't pass, it may be a great message to the legislature to work on a fix sooner rather than later," said Zuniga, who suggested it would be better to let the Race Horse Development Fund money earmarked for the Thoroughbred industry accrue in their account rather than be allotted to purses and other authorized expenses.

"While four days of racing is not ideal, it is better than not having any racing next year. There are lots of folks with jobs at stake," said Gayle Cameron, the acting commission chair in the wake of the resignation of former chairman Stephen Crosby.

Eileen O'Brien, the newest member of the MGC, said, "To not have racing at all cuts their legs out from under them. I think it is draconian to say, 'no' to this application."

While voting 3-1 to approve SSR's application, the MGC added the condition that all demolition, construction, and development plans be shared with the commission and that precautions remain in place to ensure the safety of all humans and horses during the process.