MA casino lean likely dooms Suffolk (Update: Deal set for 2015-16)

[Suffolk Shippers]

Originally Posted by ne to socal

Ignoring for now what one may think about contraction in the industry overall...


There's no reason Suffolk couldn't be redeveloped into a much smaller plant/facility for racing (i.e., reducing the size of the grandstand and clubhouse) and a bigger food/drink/hotel complex. People want to shop, drink, and eat so hell...give them what they want by reducing the cavernous and unused grandstand and parking areas.

It's 2 miles from Logan.

It has its own subway stop and the Blue Line is being modernized.

Plenty of land.

Near the beach.

Lou Raffetto talked about this recently, actually, though not on the Suffolk property. Link below to a show down locally in Boston where he said this, but to sum it up:

• NEHPA wants to lease the current facility for 2015 and 2016
• Owners are clear in redeveloping the land (i.e. no track) and they have 2-3 year planning stage
• They're still in talks to run a 65ish day meet in the two years they lease, similar to this past season
• Chip Tuttle and Co. have filed an intent to continue simulcasting in 2015
• The horseman are looking for a new piece of land to build a new track, more in line with what would be suitable (sizewise) for modern days. I imagine this would take an outside entity to pull off. Maybe this is where the rumors of Stronach tie in from a few months back

I still have trouble seeing the financial incentive for the current owners to lease. Hoping it works though, for all involved.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/postime...k-downs-update

[ne to socal]

Originally Posted by Suffolk Shippers

Lou Raffetto talked about this recently, actually, though not on the Suffolk property. Link below to a show down locally in Boston where he said this, but to sum it up:

• NEHPA wants to lease the current facility for 2015 and 2016
• Owners are clear in redeveloping the land (i.e. no track) and they have 2-3 year planning stage
• They're still in talks to run a 65ish day meet in the two years they lease, similar to this past season
• Chip Tuttle and Co. have filed an intent to continue simulcasting in 2015
• The horseman are looking for a new piece of land to build a new track, more in line with what would be suitable (sizewise) for modern days. I imagine this would take an outside entity to pull off. Maybe this is where the rumors of Stronach tie in from a few months back

I still have trouble seeing the financial incentive for the current owners to lease. Hoping it works though, for all involved.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/postime...k-downs-update

Why on god's green earth would anyone want to build an entirely new race track in Mass given everything that's happened this year...never mind land costs and permitting and...i dunno...the existence of a very decent racing oval/turf course that already exists?!

All they need for patrons is a decent sports bar atmosphere...heck maybe a mini sports museum...a small turf club for the hardliners (but lose those 'loaner dress pants'), and a casual food court type area (Santarpio's, Dunkins, Dimino's, etc.) with TVs and seating. Literally 1/3 the size of the existing plant. That leaves plenty of other developable land.

[Alabama Stakes]

they could also make a ton of money having concerts....lotta room there.better sound than fenway or foxboro. plus introduce tons of young fans to the place, and the action

[Suffolk Shippers]

Originally Posted by ne to socal

Why on god's green earth would anyone want to build an entirely new race track in Mass given everything that's happened this year...never mind land costs and permitting and...i dunno...the existence of a very decent racing oval/turf course that already exists?!

All they need for patrons is a decent sports bar atmosphere...heck maybe a mini sports museum...a small turf club for the hardliners (but lose those 'loaner dress pants'), and a casual food court type area (Santarpio's, Dunkins, Dimino's, etc.) with TVs and seating. Literally 1/3 the size of the existing plant. That leaves plenty of other developable land.

Because the current owners don't want to do racing anymore. And the existence of the physical track structure devalues the land in the eyes of potential developers. There is one avenue for racing to continue in MA - two years at a leased Suffolk Downs and then to a new facility. For what it's worth the scaled down version at a new facility is what Raffetto is talking about.

[Alabama Stakes]

maybe if Rafetto gets a little dialogue going with the new mayor, it might be a good place to start. walsh is solid and would love nothing more than to put a bunch of people to work.
A new arena for the celtics/ racetrack complex/ destination could be a good fit. maybe they should hire the boss. im sure he would have some ideas.

[Alabama Stakes]

saw J. Geils Band and Bob sEGER SAT NIGHT AT THE td GARDEN. it's a real dump. the celtics should get the ball rolling here. Arena/hotel/hosstrack/concert venue/ Partiots Place stuff

[ne to socal]

Originally Posted by Alabama Stakes

saw J. Geils Band and Bob sEGER SAT NIGHT AT THE td GARDEN. it's a real dump. the celtics should get the ball rolling here. Arena/hotel/hosstrack/concert venue/ Partiots Place stuff

Get Jordan's Furniture to relocate from Wakefield!!

[Suffolk Shippers]

There is some news around Suffolk Downs from the last week or two. I think the main two being:

-Talks for the horsemen to lease from Suffolk haven't gone very far, not surprisingly, since the horsemen don't have the assets to fund a meet of 50 or 60 days in length.

-Suffolk sent a letter to the MA Gaming Commission stating the above point and that maybe skimming from the Horse Racing development fund could help bridge the lease situation. However, those funds are for purses mostly, so legislation is needed to change that. But, more importantly, the letter includes Suffolk management's intent to possibly forego a deal with the horsemen and run a concentrated, I assume, "boutique" like meet, with purses funded by the development fund. Rumors I have heard peg it at 25-30 days, max.

Interesting development. I have linked the letter below.

http://massgaming.com/wp-content/upl...espondence.pdf