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

[Suffolk Shippers]

So, the first hurdle in the way for any kind of a return for Suffolk Downs was the ballot initiative on casino gaming. A yes vote would have repealed the law allowing casinos and a no was to keep status quo. "No" won handsomely, 59%-41%, I believe.

This means casino construction will move forward and the slots parlor at Plainridge Harness (run by Penn National) is set to open in 2015. This will start feeding money to the horse industry fund, which the New England Horsemen and Lou Raffetto hopes to use in some fashion to continue operations under a lease agreement with Suffolk's ownership team.

I believe the next "big" date is mid-November when the racing/gaming commission is set to award 2015 dates. The horsemen applied for one day in hopes to amend that and run around 60 days.

[Suffolk Shippers]

Actually, the next date of note was yesterday, where the racing commission approved the placeholder applications of both the NE Horseman and the Carney family to run at the Brockton Fair. The groups now need to have detailed applications submitted to the board.

Also, with the $85m deposited by both Wynn and MGM for their casinos, 5% of that immediately goes to the horse fund, so $8.5m. Steve, any word if Lou Raffetto is coming to chat soon to update the masses?

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-raci...-massachusetts

[Kasept]

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-raci...perate-suffolk

New England HBPA files to run at SUF. Deal with Fields/Tuttle next hurdle to continuing racing in East Boston..

[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.

[Alabama Stakes]

thats using the old bean....good idea

[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.

[richard burch]

i don't know why it means the "end". It will take some creative and commited help to stay racing but it can be done.

I will use this man as a great example of how to get it done right.





http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeffrey_Gural

[Kasept]

Originally Posted by richard burch

i don't know why it means the "end". It will take some creative and commited help to stay racing but it can be done.

I will use this man as a great example of how to get it done right.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeffrey_Gural

He's a preening schmoe and complete phony.

[saratogadew]

That's a shock to me. Steve, I don't doubt you on this. As an outsider, I always thought he was good for harness racing. Ive been to Tioga Downs, which is a nice, smaller size type racino. When he took over the Med, built the new facility, I thought it was a good thing. Is he just all about the slot dollars? Was the new Med facility only built to try and attract slots there? Give me the lowdown on this guy???

[Kasept]

Everything he does is a posture designed to provide an image of someone trying valiantly to preserve harness racing when in fact all he really wants are casino licenses. He's a self indulgent bully. Joe Faraldo called it right on him from day one and has run rings around him.

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by Kasept

He's a preening schmoe and complete phony.

Not a bad bio for a schmo?

[Alabama Stakes]

Originally Posted by freddymo

Not a bad bio for a schmo?

note all his work for charity.... the boss is right as usual,

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by Alabama Stakes

note all his work for charity.... the boss is right as usual,

I dont know the guy from Adam but he certainly has a very successful career to date. Doesnt mean he is the salt of the earth but doesnt appear to be a stooge either. Steve is more likely right then wrong especially if he feels so strongly about him. My point was just to add a bit of balance, he isnt without business skills

[jms62]

Originally Posted by freddymo

I dont know the guy from Adam but he certainly has a very successful career to date. Doesnt mean he is the salt of the earth but doesnt appear to be a stooge either. Steve is more likely right then wrong especially if he feels so strongly about him. My point was just to add a bit of balance, he isnt without business skills

That is the fundamental difference between you and Steve. He measures a man's worth by his character.