Edited press release
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.
The Massachusetts racetrack is dedicating this year’s live racing season in memory of O’Malley. The 102-day meet concludes Nov. 10.
Purses for most allowance and maiden special weight races have been raised by $1,100, which represents increases ranging from 5% to 6.9%. The top money allowance purse is now $23,100, while purses for maiden special weight events are up to $17,100.
Purses for $5,000 maiden-claiming races and conditional $4,000 and $5,000 claimers have been boosted 12.9%, from $6,200 to $7,000. Starter allowance tests and all other claiming races had their purses increased by $1,000 (between 10% and 14.3%).
Suffolk Downs will join racetracks across North America May 5 in supporting the newly created NTRA Charities - Barbaro Memorial Fund, which is designed to raise awareness and money for equine health and safety research in the name of the 2006 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner.
Post time at Suffolk Downs is 12:55 p.m. Eastern time for opening day, and 12:45 thereafter. On opening day, patrons will receive a season’s pass with paid admission of $2.
On the racing side, jockey Winston Thompson and trainer John Rigattieri are back to defend their respective crowns. Thompson has captured the last three riding titles at the East Boston track, while Rigattieri has been the leading trainer three years in a row.
Suffolk Downs will offer a 10-cent superfecta on any race that has superfecta wagering. The wager requires a minimum investment of $1.
Here’s the racing schedule for the meet:
May 9-19: Wednesdays and Saturdays
May 21-30: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays
June, July, and August: Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays
September and October: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays
Nov. 1-10: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays