Suffolk Meadows Shoutout on Friday's Show

[ScottJ]

Not often do I get the chance to hear "At The Races", but this morning was an exception. It brought an inner glow to hear Paul Matteis mention Suffolk Meadows on Long Island. While not many folks remember this Suffolk County 5/8ths bull ring for quarter horse racing, I was very familiar with it in both versions, Parr Meadows (1977) and Suffolk Meadows (1986).

Constructed in the middle 1970s, the track was barely completed by the Parr Organization after being saved from a variety of potential disasters. Located at the Northwest corner of the Long Island Expressway and Exit 68 (William Floyd Parkway), Parr Meadows was designed to attract the summer crowd while bringing the quarters to the Northeast in parallel with Tioga Park (launched in 1976). Tioga Park is now the home to harness racing as Tioga Downs.

I still have dozens of programs from that 1977 season including the second night of the season on May 20, 1977. Originally, DRF covered the races in the big newspaper, but eventually dropped coverage leading the track to develop a "Doc Robins" style program that was used for the remainder of the season.

Sunday afternoons were a staple at Parr Meadows, particularly while the thoroughbreds were upstates and the trotters were at Yonkers.

Six distances were run : 350, 400, 440, 660, 770, and 870 yards. The distances up to a quarter mile were straight-away action while the longer races were around the hook. I recall that Dick Longtin was track announcer for that one season.

The track planned to come back for the 1978 season, but was not able secure funding given the debts associated with the construction of a 25,000 seat grandstand.

[ScottJ]

In 1986, the racetrack was reopened by the Bonadonna (spelling) family with daughter Theresa running the show as Suffolk Meadows - very hands-on in the early days. I can recall going in April 1986 to see some preview races held for state stewards to make sure that the racecourse was ready to reopen.

The second edition was haunted by a short horse population although some very competitive programs were fielded particularly in July 1986. Bo Aka was the "big horse" that 1986 season having won several of the sprinting stakes.

The season was cut short in mid-October 1986 due mostly to short fields and handle which had decreased to about $100,000 per program including limited OTB monies.

Jack Lee did call the races and there is an old video on You Tube of Jack discussing the races at Suffolk including a race replay - it is the only known surviving video of which I am aware from either Parr Meadows or Suffolk Meadows.

The intent was to return in 1987 and include limited thoroughbred racing. I always thought that this was a great potential if a partnership with NYRA could have been formed, but it never came to fruition. As a result of this and many other issues, the facility finally closed for business.

The grandstand was razed in the last 20 years so the only remnants remaining are some overhead views of the oval, an egg-shaped 5/8ths.

If anyone is interested in seeing some of the old programs and such, let me know.

[ScottJ]

Some interesting links of these racetracks.

Parr/Suffolk Course : http://www.horseracing-tracks.com/tr...y/photoPm.html

Tioga Park Course : http://tiogapark.net/

Jack Lee Interview / Suffolk Meadows (9/28/86, Race 3) : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdUrH4RYFRc