Wednesday, July 07 2010

Suffolk Downs Unveils Development Concepts

EAST BOSTON, MA - Bolstered by the potential of creating thousands of new jobs and enhancing the regional economy, Suffolk Downs today unveiled preliminary development concepts that would transform the historic Boston racetrack into a world class, resort-style entertainment and gaming complex, should the Commonwealth approve expanded gaming at the site.

The first phase of the resort-style development at the track’s 163-acre property in East Boston and Revere, including major renovation of the existing grandstand structure and new construction of a hotel-restaurant-retail complex, would immediately create an estimated 1,500-2,000 construction jobs and 2,250 permanent jobs, while preserving 1,500 existing jobs and thousands of acres of open space in the state by revitalizing Thoroughbred racing in Massachusetts. Track officials have also begun to solicit local community input and as a result have started the process of developing and implementing a comprehensive local transportation and infrastructure improvement plan for the area.

Saturday, June 05 2010

First Win for Jockey Jorge Fuller Vargas

EAST BOSTON, MA – Apprentice jockey Jorge Fuller Vargas, son of former New England jockeys Abby Fuller and Jorge Vargas, recorded the first win of his career on Saturday at Suffolk Downs before an appreciative crowd of 6,813.

After trailing the field for the first half-mile, Vargas improved position aboard Morgan, a three-year-old filly, before surging past the leaders in deep stretch to post a three-length victory in the day’s third race, a maiden claiming event for three-year-olds and up contested at one mile over the fast main track. Morgan covered the mile in 1:44.46 and paid $11.40, 4.20 and 3.00.

Tuesday, May 11 2010

Suffolk Downs Opens 75th Anniversary Season This Saturday

EAST BOSTON, MA - Opening Day of the 2010 live racing season at Suffolk Downs is this Saturday, May 15, Preakness Stakes Day. Gates open at 10:00 a.m. and first post time for the nine-race program is 1:15 p.m. The track is offering free admission as it opens the gates for its 75th anniversary season.

In addition to live racing, the track will simulcast the 135th running of the Preakness Stakes from Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, MD, where Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver will continue his quest for racing’s elusive Triple Crown. Wagering on the Preakness Stakes will be available both Friday and Saturday.

Tuesday, March 16 2010

Win tickets to our 75th anniversary celebration!

This year marks the 75th anniversary of Suffolk Downs. We will be celebrating this historic occasion throughout the year. To learn more about our rich history, visit our special 75th anniversary page.

As part of our celebration, we want to know: What is your favorite Suffolk Downs memory?

Saturday, March 06 2010

House Speaker DeLeo Outlines His Plan for Expanded Gaming in Massachusetts

“House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo today outlined his plan to bring gambling to Massachusetts, saying he supports construction of two resort-style casinos and a limited number of slots at the state's four racetracks.”
- Boston.com 3/4/10

Please click here to read more about the Speaker’s message yesterday at his speech to the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce.

Saturday, December 19 2009

Help us celebrate the heritage of Suffolk Downs

Were you at Suffolk Downs in 1935?

Suffolk Downs will be celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2010. We are currently searching for photos, video footage and memorabilia from the construction and opening of the track in 1935. Additionally, we are trying to locate any of the 3,000 workers who helped build Suffolk Downs, as well as people who were here on the track’s first opening day as an employee, fan, horseman or otherwise.

Monday, November 23 2009

TALAMO WINS FIVE, INCLUDING MOCCASIN ABOARD BICKERSONS

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (Nov. 22, 2009) — Jockey Joe Talamo capped a four-win afternoon with a victory aboard eastern horse Bickersons in the $100,000 Moccasin Stakes on Sunday at Hollywood Park.

Talamo, 19, rode a perfect race, briefly relinquishing the lead on the backstretch when Bickersons was challenged by Neeko, and the Canadian-bred had plenty left when challenged by favorite Crisis of Spirit rounding the far turn.

Friday, November 13 2009

RESULTS MIXED FOR SUFFOLK DOWNS’ 2009 MEET

EAST BOSTON, MA - Suffolk Downs wrapped up its 2009 racing season with an increase in all-sources handle and a decline in live wagering, track officials announced today.

All-sources handle for the 101-day live meet was up 7% from last year on the strength of 10% growth in transmitted handle. On-track handle was down 22% from last year.

Wednesday, November 11 2009

Retired Thoroughbreds arrive at Plymouth County Sheriff’s Farm

PLYMOUTH, MA - The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) and Suffolk Downs, through the support of the Fields Family Foundation, have established a home for retired racehorses at the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Farm in Plymouth, MA, where inmates from the Plymouth County Correctional Facility will care for the horses as part of the facility’s extensive vocational program.

On Tuesday, four retired thoroughbreds from Suffolk Downs arrived at the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation’s Second Chances at Plymouth County Sheriff’s Farm, where they were brought to their new stalls in a barn renovated by inmates. They will be joined by additional retirees in the future.

Friday, October 23 2009

Action-packed weekends ahead at Suffolk Downs

This Weekend: Phantom Gourmet Beer & Food Phest

Phantom Gourmet Beer & Food PhestSaturday, October 24, 12-10 PM
Sunday, October 25, 12-7 PM
Live racing on Saturday, 12:45 PM post time

The Phantom Gourmet returns for its second Beer & Food Phest. First held last fall, the Beer & Food Phest is now a 2-day affair with live racing on Saturday. This mostly indoor event will serve up Phantom's favorite beers and foods and include free entertainment, including mechanical bull rides, sumo wrestling, twister, bouncy boxing and a dance floor. The event will feature a live Phantom Gourmet broadcast on Saturday on 96.9 FM WTKK. Also on Saturday, WAAF's Greg Hill will host the Ms. Beer & Food Phest Pageant. On Sunday, watch the pro football game from London on a giant TV.

Wednesday, October 14 2009

FULL SIBLINGS WIN CONSECUTIVE RACES

EAST BOSTON, MA - Full siblings Mount Wilton and East Coaster won consecutive races at Suffolk Downs on Wednesday. Both horses are by Graeme Hall out of the Our Emblem mare Eastlynne and were bred in Florida by Eugene Melnyk.

In the sixth race, Mount Wilton earned his first local victory with a two-and-three-quarter length triumph. Ridden by Carlos Quinones and trained by John Rigattieri, the five-year-old gelding returned $9.80, 4.80 and 3.80.

Wednesday, September 23 2009

FORMER BOSTON POLICE COMMISSIONER JOINS SUFFOLK DOWNS AS CONSULTANT ON PUBLIC SAFETY AND COMPLIANCE

EAST BOSTON, MA - Former Boston Police Commissioner Paul Evans has joined Suffolk Downs as a consultant on public safety and compliance policies, the thoroughbred track announced today. Evans, who served as Commissioner of the Boston Police Department from 1993-2003, is advising the East Boston track as it assesses future business development options.

"Over the last few years, we have placed greater emphasis on issues of integrity, public safety and regulatory compliance," said Suffolk Downs Chief Operating Officer Chip Tuttle. "We identified Paul as someone whose vast expertise in these areas will be beneficial as we not only look at our existing operations but as we contemplate possible development and expansion opportunities."