JC / Railbird

Suffolk Downs

Circling

“The best-case scenario is that the commissioners table it or just say ‘no’ in a formal vote,” said trainer Bill Lagorio of Suffolk Downs’ application to run three live racing days this year, which is pending before the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. That might be taking for granted the money set aside for Thoroughbred racing in the state’s Race Horse Development Fund.

Tammi Piermarini, a five-time leading rider at Suffolk Downs and the third-winningest female jockey in racing, has moved on to Parx. Her book is being handled by a name familiar to New England fans — former rider Joe Hampshire has signed on as Piermarini’s agent. Her services are in demand, reports the jockey, and she and her family have settled in well at their new home.

Posted in Racing on June 18, 2015 / Tagged Jockeys, Massachusetts, Race Horse Development Fund, Suffolk Downs, Tammi Piermarini

Three Days

It looks as though closing day for the 2014 meet won’t be the last day of racing ever at Suffolk Downs: The East Boston track has filed an application (PDF) with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to hold three days of racing this year. If approved, the cards will be scheduled for July 11, August 8, and September 5, spacing that gives horsemen a chance to run back horses (and in particular, Massachusetts-breds) for the projected $500,000 in daily purses. Lynne Snierson reports that the track anticipates filling 12-14 races each day; Matt Hegarty that takeout on wagers will drop to 15% across the board. Steeplechase races may be in the mix. The MGC will hold a public hearing on June 11 to discuss the application. They’re taking comments now.

5/21/15 Addendum: Not all horsemen support Suffolk’s application:

… which they say would bring few benefits to local horse owners and trainers who need a much longer season to survive. Last year, there were 65 days of racing at Suffolk Downs.

“I oppose the transfer of race horse development funds in consideration of a day or two of racing,” Billy Lagorio, a horse owner, wrote in a letter to the state commission. The letter characterized Suffolk Downs as “uncommitted” to conducting “a meaningful horse racing” season.

Really, the only way to view this three-day proposal is as a life preserver for Massachusetts Thoroughbred racing. It’s a means of tapping the Race Horse Development Fund monies already banked to help keep horsemen afloat until — well, that’s uncertain. It’s not a “meaningful” season — it’s not meant to be.

Posted in Racing on May 20, 2015 / Tagged Suffolk Downs

Closing Day

Bo Badger and Taylor Hole gallop back after winning the last race at Suffolk Downs on October 4, 2014. More photos from closing day at the track.

“They should have been here two years ago,” said trainer Kevin McCarthy, looking over the Suffolk Downs paddock fence at a crowd that pressed three deep despite the rain that began minutes before the final race on Saturday. Twelve starters were entered, including McCarthy’s horse, Indy’s Illusion, a 4-year-old A.P. Indy colt who finished ninth in the 2013 Florida Derby.

The crowd began to clap as the field left the paddock. The sound rose and fell as the post parade first passed the clubhouse rail, then turned back toward the grandstand side. What was very likely the last card ever run at the 79-year-old track was about to end. But for McCarthy, newly elected to the NEHBPA board, the day’s last race was only the last race of 2014 meet. “We’ll be here next year,” he said. “I don’t know in what form, but we’ll be here.”

“We’ll be here,” “next year” — the phrases kept coming up in conversation. Paul Umbrello of Charles River Racing, an owner and another new NEHBPA board member, wore an electric blue t-shirt with the injunction, “Keep Calm and Save Suffolk Downs / Vote NO on Question 3,” a reference to the casino repeal measure on this November’s ballot. “We’ll be here,” he said, and talked about the NEHBPA’s effort to put together a plan for leasing the track.

A few of the starting gate crew passed through the scale house on their way to load the ninth race. “See you next year,” they said as they hugged Suffolk’s communications director Jessica Paquette goodbye. “If we’re here next year,” she joked, “I’ll do opening day in a bikini.”

Next year is a longshot, and the mood in the winner’s circle darkened with the sky as the field neared the gate. So much of the afternoon had felt like any other closing day, with familiar faces and familiar horses, presentations honoring the year’s leading trainer and leading rider, and chatter about moving on for winter. But it was impossible to forget that closing day meant something else this year, that it was almost certainly the last day of live racing held in East Boston, and that people were there to witness its conclusion. Lines trailed from every teller window as the 9,153 in attendance (more than had been seen since opening day) placed their bets (wagering $305,814) on races so full there were horses on the backstretch who couldn’t get in. Local reporters prowled the apron. “You’ve got to get the last jockey coming off his horse,” said one news photographer to another. “That’s the story.”

The last race was a mile and 70 yards, and the horses went into the gate in front of the grandstand. The bell rang, and the crowd cheered, and a minute later, the field was in the stretch, Bo Badger and Indy’s Illusion in front, dueling to the wire, trading head bobs to the end. The photo sign was lit. They galloped back and circled near the finish line, waiting.

Glowing bright in the gloom, the “OFFICIAL” light of the toteboard switched on: #2 was first, #12 was second, and there was a dead heat for third. Bo Badger, owned by Eighth Note Stable and trained by John and Kathy Botty, would be the last winner at Suffolk Downs. He paid $21.80, and the crowd applauded as the winner’s circle photo was taken. When it was done and the horse unsaddled, Kathy rushed toward Taylor Hole, the last winning jockey, with a teary face and clasped him to her. “Thank you, thank you,” she said.

Results: Suffolk Downs charts for 10/4/14 (PDF)

Posted in Racing on October 7, 2014 / Tagged Suffolk Downs

Winning Bets, Losing Fans

Michael Gee went to the track with newbies on Saturday:

Cornelius, a Bruins fan of note, was the third member of our party. He’s roughly my son’s age. He had never been to a horse race. He didn’t know how to read a program or the Daily Racing Form, at first anyway. But before the nine-race card was half over, Cornelius cashed a big ticket, hitting an exacta that paid $97.20 for a two dollar bet. And he was hooked. By the seventh race, Cornelius had hit another exacta, was deep into exotic wagering, and observed, “maybe it’s a good thing for me this place is closing. I can see how this could get serious.”

Cornelius was a lost opportunity for Suffolk Downs.

This is another way in which Suffolk’s closing will reverberate through the industry. A region without a racetrack is a region that isn’t feeding a lot of new racing fans and bettors into the game. That’s a hit, especially when the city without a track is as young and populous as the Boston metro area.

Posted in Racing on October 6, 2014 / Tagged Suffolk Downs