Suffolk Downs Adds Couple of Race Dates for 2019
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Photo: Chip Bott photo
Suffolk Downs
Suffolk Downs will expand its 2019 meet for what will be the East Boston, Mass. track's final year of live racing.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission March 28 approved the request of Sterling Suffolk Racecourse (SSR) to add two days to the racing calendar, which originally was planned for only four days of this year. Live racing will now be held on the weekends of May 18-19, June 8-9, and June 29-30. Purses will have an average daily distribution of around $500,000.
The racetrack was sold by SSR to a Boston real estate development company in May 2017 and SSR has been leasing the live racing and simulcasting operations in the interim as plans for the future of the property were being formulated. Demolition of existing structures is slated to begin July 1, starting with the stable area, so all horses must be off the grounds before then to accommodate the construction.
The three weekends of live racing will showcase stakes races restricted to Massachusetts-breds and will continue the format of a racing festival with food trucks, craft beer, family entertainment and children's activities that was introduced in 2015 when the track switched to an abbreviated meet each year.