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

[Suffolk Shippers]

Originally Posted by Kasept

Gaming panel gave minimal weight to saving Suffolk's horse-racing jobs
http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/bl....html?page=all


Interesting piece in Boston Biz Journal. Discussed exactly this with Lynne Snierson on Wednesday.. Prospect of new track raised given the Thoroughbred Development Fund monies that will be generated...

Good piece, Steve. Also really enjoyed your commentary on Wednesday and Lynne's contribution. Really nailed it, the commission is giving more weight to potential jobs in casinos and the temporary construction work on the HOPE that the Wynn project ever actually has a shovel in the ground. All after basing the whole decision on the Plainridge slots parlor license on saving jobs in the harness industry. Mind-boggling flip flop.

I also think there is potential, if done right, for a future track to compete in Massachusetts once the fund for horse racing is being bankrolled by casinos and slots. There is also one remaining casino license to go out in MA for the southeast region, which an interesting thought would be to partner a smaller operation track along with anyone who gets involved in that region.

Lastly, Lynne reported in the Bloodhorse that the Carney family has reached out to the NE horseman in hopes they'd be interested in running a meet at the Brockton Fair in 2015. The Carney's will be applying for dates. I can't see the horseman turning that down, so it'll be interesting to see if maybe the fair circuit makes a small revival as well.

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-raci...#disqus_thread