James Bishop, long-time track handicapper and publicist at Suffolk Downs, died May 24 from cancer at his home in Revere, Mass.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
A new incentive has been set up to reward breeders who send their mares to Massachusetts stallion River Keen in 2009.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Massachusetts Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo said Feb. 2 House lawmakers could vote on legislation to expand gambling before the end of the year -- the surest signal yet that casinos or slot machines may be coming to the state.
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Holding fast to its zero-tolerance policy toward horse slaughter, Suffolk Downs decided to ban five trainers who were involved--though all claim unknowingly--in an incident that violated the new code, which was instituted during the track's 2007 meet.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Massachusetts voters reversed course Nov. 4 and approved a ban on Greyhound racing in the state eight years after they narrowly defeated a similar ballot question.
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
TVG will air exclusive live, on-site coverage of various Breeders' Cup World Championships prep races, including the $500,000 Massachusetts Handicap Sept. 20. The race at Suffolk Downs is a Breeders' Cup "Win and You're In" event.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Suffolk Downs and Wonderland Greyhound Park have reached a partnership agreement allowing Suffolk to buy the dog track, and maybe help the owners land a casino gambling franchise.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Joseph "Joe" Fatalo, vice president of operations at Suffolk Downs and a long-time employee of the track, died June 15.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Suffolk Downs has announced that the purse for this year's Massachusetts Handicap will be $5 million if Big Brown wins the Triple Crown and both he and 2007 Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) winner Curlin remain unbeaten in 2008 and go on to start in the MassCap against one another. The $5 million would include a $1-million participation bonus for each.
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Suffolk Downs will move to a four-day week with live racing on a Wednesday-Friday-Saturday-Sunday schedule beginning June 4.
Monday, June 02, 2008
Suffolk Downs will conduct Friday twilight racing in the months of June, July, and August, the track announced as it introduced its complete racing schedule and several other initiatives for the 2008 live racing season, which begins May 3.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Suffolk Downs officials are hoping 2007 was a year the racetrack and the Massachusetts Thoroughbred industry turned yet another corner toward a brighter, stable future.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Lycius, sire of several champions, will relocate to George Brown's Briar Hill Farm near Rehoboth, Mass., for 2008 and will stand for $2,000.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Grade I winner River Keen will stand in 2008 at Pine Nook Farm near South Deerfield, Mass.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Suffolk Downs, which recently underwent a change in ownership, announced Aug. 15 that Bill Mulrow is the new chairman of the board of directors, and Chip Tuttle and John Rizzo have been named chief operating officer and chief financial officer, respectively.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Suffolk Downs has launched a comprehensive advertising campaign, including television and radio featuring local and national celebrities, as part of a significantly increased effort to market the Thoroughbred racetrack in Boston.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Suffolk Downs kicks off its 2007 season May 5 with an across-the-board purse increase and a tribute to longtime executive Bob O'Malley, who died in February at the age of 69.
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
A company headed by Richard Fields, who co-developed the Hard Rock Casino and Hotel projects in Florida, has purchased a majority interest in the company that owns Suffolk Downs in Massachusetts.
Monday, April 02, 2007
The simulcasting signal bill signed into law by outgoing Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney should provide the state's racetracks some needed stability for an industry struggling with competition from racinos and casinos in adjoining stakes, track officials agree.
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Suffolk Downs prepared to resume simulcasting Jan. 3 after the approval of enabling legislation by Massachusetts lawmakers late in the day Jan. 2.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Suffolk Downs will shut down Jan. 1 because the Massachusetts legislature has failed to approve legislation to authorize full-card simulcasts beyond the end of 2006.
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Suffolk Downs will shut down Jan. 1 because the Massachusetts legislature has failed to approve legislation to authorize full-card simulcasts beyond the end of 2006.
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Massachusetts racetracks could shut down Jan. 1 if the state legislature doesn't approve a bill to extend a law governing simulcasts through November 2007.
Friday, December 29, 2006
For the second year in a row, Suffolk Downs will not run the Massachusetts Handicap, which had been scheduled for Sept. 30, track management announced Wednesday.
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Officials with at least one horsemen's group believe the racing industry would be best served by implementing national model rules for licensees, including trainers.
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Legislators from around the country were urged June 2 to study existing regulations in the United States and around the world before they alter their policy statement on Internet gambling.
Friday, June 02, 2006
Legislators and industry officials will meet June 3 to discuss the regulation of pari-mutuel wagering and its pros and cons from state to state.
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Lawmakers will tackle the complicated issue of Internet gambling during a two-hour hearing June 2 during a meeting of the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States in Boston.
Friday, May 12, 2006
The Massachusetts House of Representatives voted April 5 to defeat a proposal adding 8,000 slot machines to the state's four racetracks, one of which is Suffolk Downs, the historic Thoroughbred facility in East Boston.
Thursday, April 06, 2006
At a March 20 statehouse rally in Boston, hundreds of local horsemen, track employees, city mayors, and labor leaders pressed lawmakers for action on a proposal that would add 2,000 slot machines at each of the state's four pari-mutuel facilities.
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Racetracks in Massachusetts could shut down Jan. 1, 2006, should they fail to strike a new agreement on simulcasts.
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
The Massachusetts horse racing industry is taking a day off Sept. 28 to show its support during a hearing in the state House of Representatives on legislation that could impact the industry.
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney said he would veto any legislation seeking to expand gambling in the state. The stance marks a significant change in position since Romney's election to office in 2002.
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Suffolk Downs has suspended its open stakes program, including the Massachusetts Handicap (gr. II) and the James B. Moseley Breeders' Cup Handicap, in order to preserve overnight purses for the 117-day meet that begins April 30.
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
Suffolk Downs has suspended its open stakes program, including the Massachusetts Handicap (gr. II) and the James B. Moseley Breeders' Cup Handicap, in order to preserve overnight purses for the 117-day meet that begins April 30.
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
Paul Cellucci, who formerly served as governor of Massachusetts and United States ambassador to Canada, is the new executive vice president of corporate development for Magna Entertainment Corp. beginning May 1.
Friday, March 18, 2005
HorseRacing TV (HRTV), a subsidiary of Magna Entertainment Corp. (MEC) announced Dec. 16 it had signed a multi-year agreement that provides for HRTV to appear on Comcast systems as part of a digital sports package.
Thursday, December 16, 2004
The New England Turf Writers Association has selected its champions for 2004. The annual awards dinner will take place after the 2005 New England live racing season begins at Suffolk Downs next spring.
Wednesday, December 01, 2004
The Belmont Park signal returned to Suffolk Downs Oct. 21after the track and the New York Racing Association struck a deal outside of the MidAtlantic Cooperative, of which Suffolk is a member.
Friday, October 22, 2004
Zippy Chippy, the popular 13-year-old maiden who has failed to earn a victory in 98 career starts, will give it another shot when he makes his 2004 debut Sept. 4 at the Three-County Fair in Northampton, Mass.
Friday, September 03, 2004
Suffolk Downs has moved the running of the $500,000 Massachusetts Handicap (gr. II) to June 19. The Mass Cap, which is returning from a one-year hiatus, was originally scheduled to be run on May 29.
Thursday, March 11, 2004
As promised, the MassCap will return in 2004 after a one-year hiatus. Suffolk Downs has announced the 64th running of the grade II race will be May 29 with a $500,000 purse.
Wednesday, February 18, 2004
Francis P. Sears Jr., who won the 1983 Preakness Stakes (gr. I) with Deputed Testamony, died Feb. 4 at his home in Hamilton, Mass.
Sunday, February 08, 2004
Senate supporters of a proposal to bring casinos and video slot machines to Massachusetts are abandoning their efforts.
Friday, November 07, 2003
Within the week the Massachusetts legislature is expected to address an economic stimulus package which includes as many as 6,000 slot machines at racetracks. The
Boston Herald reported Wednesday that the amendment was filed by Senator Brian Lees.
Wednesday, November 05, 2003
Call Me Mr. Vain gained a narrow advantage just before the finish to prevail by a half-length over Diplomatical in the "Suffolk Downs Showdown" match race between the two horses with the most wins in North America this year.
Wednesday, October 22, 2003
Horsemen at Suffolk Downs feared they would have nowhere to go if the Boston track's management chose to move the winter meet starting date from January to May. Those fears intensified when on Tuesday the track officials applied for 150-day meet that would open May 1.
Tuesday, September 30, 2003
Legislation to legalize video lottery terminals at Massachusetts racetracks failed to pass the state House of Representatives April 15, but racing industry officials remain upbeat, according to published reports.
Wednesday, April 16, 2003
An extension of its current meet to compensate for the loss of Thoroughbred racing at Rockingham Park led Suffolk Downs to cancel this year's $500,000 Massachusetts Handicap, its premier event.
Tuesday, April 01, 2003
Stakes-placed Pappy's Halo will enter stud for owner Ed Marcello at Briar Hill Farm near Rehoboth, Mass.
Tuesday, December 24, 2002
