Suffolk Notes
At today’s Massachusetts Gaming Commission meeting, state racing director Jennifer Durenberger told the panel that Suffolk Downs’ request to cut planned live racing on Thursday, July 4, and Tuesday, July 9 and 16, due to the current horse shortage, has been approved. The dates will be made up in October, and Tuesday racing is now scheduled to begin on July 23 — maybe there’ll be more horses on the backstretch by then.
Durenberger also reported on the new 5% withholding requirement on winning wagers of more than $600 that went into effect this May. There are no hard numbers yet on how many bettors have been affected, or what the hit has been to handle, but Durenberger did note that when New Hampshire enacted a similar tax in 2009 (it was repealed in 2011), the state’s simulcasting handle declined by approximately 20% in 2010-2011 — during the same period, national handle declined 8.6% and Massachusetts simulcasting handle declined by 4.8% — and expressed concern that the tax was making Massachusetts racing unattractive to horseplayers. “It’s a chilling effect based on tax evasion,” said commissioner James McHugh, taking issue with a lack of “institutional pressure” on bettors to report winnings below the current IRS thresholds. Commission chair Stephen Crosby recognized a real flaw with the new requirement: “Not being able to offset your winnings with your losings seems crazy,” he said. So it is! May a legislative remedy pass quickly — representative Kathi-Anne Reinstein of Revere attached an amendment striking the withholding to a supplemental budget bill that was passed by the Massachusetts House last week and is now before the Senate.
Tammi Piermarini has opened a significant lead in the jockeys standings with 19 wins and $202,884 in earnings through racing yesterday. Four of those wins came for trainer Michael Catalano, who’s 5-for-5 so far this meet. Three came with K Girl’s Dream, who’s won three straight since June 3.
6/28/13 Addendum: See Durenberger’s prepared remarks, included in the June 27 meeting packet (PDF).
6/30/13 Addendum: Via the NEHBPA, the revised 2013 racing schedule (PDF).
