JC / Railbird

Suffolk Downs Archive

Recommended Reading

The small mess of a mail pile that awaited me on my return home this week contained a delightful surprise: An envelope from PublicAffairs, containing a copy of T.D. Thornton’s marvelous “Not by a Longshot,” which comes out in paperback this April. The book is outfitted with a new cover that captures the dark uncertainties and workaday thrills of racing at a working-class track that Thornton writes about so well. If you haven’t yet read this story of a season at Suffolk Downs, be sure to pick up a copy this spring. By which I mean, buy it — although Thornton told John he supports the subversives who liberated “Not by a Longshot” from Boston bookstores, I’m guessing he wouldn’t mind an occasional royalty check.

Posted in Books, Suffolk Downs on March 14, 2008

Moments of the Year

The best of 2007: Invasor winning the Dubai World Cup; Rags to Riches winning the Belmont; and MassCap day at Suffolk Downs. Happy new year to all, and thanks so much for reading. Best wishes and good racing luck in 2008!

Posted in Suffolk Downs on January 1, 2008

Suffolk Closes Up

Good news from a resurgent Suffolk Downs: The track closed out its 100-day meet on Saturday, the first under owner Richard Fields, reporting big gains for the first time in several years. Average daily attendance was up 22 percent, on-track handle up 14 percent. “By every standard, it’s been a spectacular year for Suffolk Downs,” said Fields (Boston Herald). One of the meet’s high points was the MassCap, brought back after two-year hiatus and won by Brass Hat in front of a cheering crowd of more than 19,000. Meet titles went to perennial leading trainer John Rigattieri and rider Tammi Piermarini, who won the first Suffolk riding title of her career, although she’s often been near the top of the jockey standings in her 20 years riding at the track.

At Aqueduct: Todd Pletcher’s Big A mini-slump ended Sunday when 1-2 favorite Spanky Fischbein caught Piquante Cat in the final yards of the New York Stallion Great White Way, winning by half a length. The trainer had been 0-for-15 at the meet.

Posted in Suffolk Downs on November 12, 2007

Brass Hat Wins MassCap

You could feel the excitement as post time approached. “It’s been too long,” Larry Collmus told the crowd as the field for the first Massachusetts Handicap since 2004 was loaded in the gate for the 1 1/8 mile race.

The bell rang and a cheer went up from the 19,191 fans packing the grandstand. Fairbanks, the 3-5 favorite, bobbled at the break and longshot Fire Striker went to the front, setting slow fractions of :24.45 and :49.37 through the first half. Stalking Fairbanks took the lead at the six furlong mark; Brass Hat, never far behind, moved into contention at the top of the stretch, eventually drawing away to a 3/4 length win and returning $10.20 to his backers. Dr. Pleasure was third, Evening Attire fourth. The final time for the race was 1:49.72. “I love this game!” cried Brass Hat’s groom as he ran towards the track to lead his charge into the winner’s circle.

Owner Fred Bradley couldn’t have been happier with the win: “The horse ran a hell of a race,” he said. “We’ll be back next year, if the horse is sound.”

Brass Hat, unsaddled, heads to the test barn.

Winning jockey Willie Martinez being interviewed after the MassCap.

Watch the replay:

More: “Brass Hat shines in MassCap” (BRIS), “There’s no quit in Brass Hat” (Boston Herald). Brass Hat earned a Beyer speed figure of 98 for the win.

Posted in Suffolk Downs on September 22, 2007 / Tagged 2007 MassCap