I guess that's good news that the MassCap is returning. IMO it's the only race that "Suffering Downs" has to offer. Since the legislature created the "Suffolk Law" (my term)..mere mention of the place upsets me. For those unfamiliar, the Suffolk Law only allows for 2 other tracks to offer simulcast wagering while Sufflok is racing. You have to wait until the last race is over before you can wager at any track other than the 2 allowed (currently Belmont + Churchill) It's a major inconvenience, especially on Saturdays when tracks across the USA offer their best programs. If you were waiting on a horse to run and he happens to be entered on a Sat. at say Pimlico or
Monmouth in the 3rd or 4th race....your screwed if your at any Mass. simulcast outlet. If you have a phone acct. (@ Plainridge raceway) you can't even call in until Suffolk's last race goes off.
So while it's nice to see a traditional race like the Mass Cap returning.... I wouldn't shed any tears if Suffering Downs was transformed into a giant parking lot or condo complex.

You're very much correct and I certainly have sympathy for you, the laws are somewhat garbage, as to what tracks in Massachusetts can offer when Suffolk Downs is running live races. The actual law can be found:

http://law.justia.com/massachusetts/...oc/128c-2.html

Plainridge certainly gets the short end of the stick, because a) they dont have as much pull on Beacon Hill as the Suffolk people do, and b) they are in the same county as Raynham-Taunton and the Carney owners, who also have some heavy pull up at the state capital.

You would hope that the situation improves, but we shall see. You look to be from RI, have you no love for Lincoln Park/Twin River :cool:

Mass Cap set for 9/22. Five weeks out from the Breeders Cup. Good timing.

$300K to the winner, plus some bonuses for Grade 1 winners over a mile in 2007 that could push the winner's share to over half a million.

Should draw a solid field, even as just a Handicap Race with no graded status.

any of you from up that way know the future of any of the new england fair meets. i used to love going to great barrington, marshfield, northhampton, etc.

Suffolk isn't that bad at all. As my home track I have to love it. I know I will get lots of excoriating comments with this statement: It definitely beats Rockingham Park. Especially since there is no smoking inside. Walking into Rockingham Park you experience instant asphyxiation from the ubiquitous cloud of cigarette smoke. On a good day at Suffolk Downs you can get a beautiful ocean breeze (the Atlantic is about 1/2 mile east - or 4 furlongs if you prefer)

If you aren't far it is definitely worth the trip. And if you are far the MassCap is worth the ride.

When the MassCap was tentatively moved to the fall last year and then ultimately cancelled, it was thougth that it might be used as a prep race for the Breeder's Cup races. Maybe that is the thought here. The last MassCap with Funny Cide and Offlee Wild was great to watch. A good turn out without being completely mobbed.

I hope to see lots of DTers there.

I'm pretty sure all are gone, with Northhampton being the last to close.

I just read Beyer's "My $50,000 Year at the Races" and felt cheated that I never was able to go to those fairs.

As best I can tell, there is nothing this summer up these parts, but I'd love to find out I was wrong.

I'm with you. Sufolk Downs isn't half bad at all. I grew up outside of (40 mins.) Saratoga so when I first moved to Boston I definilty looked down my nose at the place. But throughout the years the place has grown on me in a big way. It's easy to get to either by car or by subway. Parking is great. The place is clean, it may not have any astetic charm or anything but it is clean and the under utilized turf is beutiful. Any track in SoCal would be jealous of their turf course. It has cheap beer and it has the best hot dogs in Boston, barnone
I am soo phsyced the MassCap is back, Sept. 22 and the timing couldn't have been better.

With all this talk of getting a Casino out here in Mass. I can't believe the place was never in talks for having it there. The land in and around the track is huge the space is perfect, more than enough Parking, easy acces off of a major highway Rt1A, and the subway drops off right out in front. Only partially abuts any residential, but the way the traffic is configured it would have absolutly no impact on it. plus with all these old puritan holdouts about not expanding gambling, it would have kept gambling all in the same area.
would havel oved to have seen a Gulfstream park like track at Suffolk

I will certainly be there. I live about 40 minutes south, but on days when the cool breeze kicks off the Atlantic, there is really no better hang out to stay cool. The racing is low level, without question, but like Suffolk Girl says, it's my home track, so I enjoy it and it is not as bad as people make it out to be.

i'll probably go as well. i'm only 90 minutes north, so what the hey, why not?

we should probably meet somewhere there. all 3 of us.

I think that sounds like a plan. We should have a Derby Trail MassCap get together.

cool!

i'll bring the fiji water

I'll be there as well.
Hopefully we can get a good crew of DTers there.

First 2 are gone. Northampton did have a few races on the weekends last year. Not sure about this year. It's always around Labor Day. I'll let you know as the time gets closer. I have some friends who take a couple of horses there so they should know.

It takes us about 2 1/2 hours to get to Suffolk from our home in Connecticut, so I haven't been there since the last MassCap. (We're also about 2 1/2 hrs from Saratoga, and ??? depending on traffic etc from Belmont) But I will certainly return, if I can, for a new MassCap.

Although it does not take too long for me to go to Northampton, I never went to the races there. I think it was just too jarring after weekends at Saratoga.