JC / Railbird

Suffolk Downs Archive

Celebrating 75 Years

Dorchester native and Hall of Fame rider Chris McCarron, back in town to help Suffolk Downs celebrate its 75th anniversary today, tells the Boston Globe:

“There are a lot of wonderful things that have happened here.”

There are, and one of those wonderful things was the 1987 MassCap, which Waquoit, with McCarron aboard, won by a hard-fought nose over Broad Brush. Jim Hannon’s race call that day ranks among the best in the game:

I’ll always remember the 2004 MassCap, won by Offlee Wild in a three-way photo over Funny Cide and the Lady’s Groom. It was a thrilling stretch duel:

More Suffolk memories: Ed Gray, the long-time, now retired, turf writer for the Boston Herald, remembers the late James B. Moseley, who’s honored with the Moseley Sprint Stakes. “Against all odds, Moseley, a respected thoroughbred breeder and owner from Hamilton, reinvigorated the state’s racing industry while considerably bolstering its standing on the national racing scene …” The children of the first owner to win a race at Suffolk Downs will be in the winner’s circle after today’s first, named the Eddie Wrack in memory of that first wining horse, to present those winning connections with a trophy.

From my first visit in August 2003, Suffolk Downs has been a significant part of my life. I look forward to the racetrack being so for many, many more years. From the Railbird archives, here are a few Suffolk highs, Suffolk lows, and handicapping woes, a very special horse, and a cartoon: Brass Hat Wins MassCap and “Open the Doors!” (2007); Michel Lapensee, 1947-2005 (2005); Winning Bets I Didn’t Make (2005) and Missed Opportunity (2004); My Own Private Favorite (2004); Opening day at Suffolk Downs (2006).

If you’re in the Boston area, come on out to Suffolk Downs this afternoon for all the anniversary festivities. Celebrate an institution, enjoy the horses.

Posted in Suffolk Downs on July 10, 2010

Saturday Overnight Up

Entries for Suffolk Downs’ 75th anniversary card are out. Ten races, several named to honor special guests — The Mom’s Command (Abigail Fuller), The Cigar (Jerry Bailey), and The Waquoit (Chris McCarron) — and most full, although the James B. Moseley Sprint Stakes only drew five. Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin will ship in Darley-owned Everyday Heroes, who hasn’t started since running sixth in the Gallant Bob Handicap at Philadephia Park in October 2009. Channing Hill comes along to ride. The jockey is also named aboard Awakino Cat in the Seabiscuit Stakes, one of two three entries for trainer Linda Rice in the 5 1/2-furlong turf event. Her other Seabiscuit starters are Ahvee’s Destiny and the consistent Lady Rizzi, winner of the Buckland Stakes at Colonial last month. Local rider Winston Thompson picks up the mount.

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Thanks for the Omnisurface Stars mention, Alicia Wincze. I agree, the site is a terrific resource (and a lot of fun to browse).

Posted in Suffolk Downs on July 7, 2010

A Drive Down Memory Lane

Suffolk Downs track superintendent Steve Pini reminisces:

“I remember a time when the starting gate in a route race on the turf course was in front of the grandstand,” laughed Pini. “The driver of the tractor, which would pull the gate away when the horses exited for the start, left the keys in the ignition.

“All of a sudden, a fan ran across the track and tried to steal the starting gate. But he didn’t understand the gears and put the tractor in reverse. He went through part of the hedge on the front side. I remember running into the crowd trying to find the guy. But he disappeared real quick.”

Wonder how far the guy thought he was going to get?

Posted in Suffolk Downs on July 4, 2010

Unsaddling

Southoftheborder after the Rise Jim Stakes at Suffolk Downs. Sent off at 22-1, Southoftheborder finished eleventh in the race, which was won by 10-year-old Mr. Meso. Favored Same Day Pleasure ran fourth. Chart (PDF).

Posted in Suffolk Downs on July 3, 2010