News & Notes

Orlando Bocachica rode three winners on Wednesday's nine-race card at Suffolk Downs and now leads the jockey standings with 31 victories for the season, two ahead of 2008 leading rider Winston Thompson. The hat trick marked Bocachica's third multi-win day in as many days of racing,

Bocachica started off the day with a gate-to-wire win aboard Specialicious ($5.00). He guided heavy favorite Unbridled Whisper ($4.20) to a two-length score in the sixth race and capped off his trifecta with a 7 ¾ length triumph in the eighth race with Rampant ($5.60).

Markswayornoway made a strong late run to prevail by a head over the favored Hot Chile Soup in Tuesday's featured allowance race, completing a mile 1:39 2/5 over a fast racetrack.

Ridden by Pedro Gonzalez and trained by Juan Camilo, the three-year-old daughter of Lightnin N Thunder returned $12.60, 6.20 and 4.20. Hot Chile Soup settled for second after setting the pace and paid $3.60 and 2.40. Goodness Greatness returned $2.80.

Orlando Bocachica rode three winners on Monday's eight-race card at Suffolk Downs and is second in the rider standings with 26 wins, two behind 2008 leading jockey Winston Thompson.

Bocachica started off the day with a 2-½ length win aboard Kentucky Magic ($3.60). He then prevailed in a photo finish with My Buddy Richie ($9.40) for trainer Brenda McCarthy in the third race. He and McCarthy teamed up again for a victory with Email ($7.40) in the eighth race.

No More Goodbyes rolled through the fog to take the $50,000 Rise Jim Stakes for Massachusetts-breds by 7 ¼ lengths, completing six furlongs in 1:11 1/5 over a fast racetrack.

Ridden by Yamil Rosario for trainer Brenda McCarthy, the four-year-old son of More Than Ready earned his third consecutive win of the year to remain undefeated for the season.

"He did not break too sharp today," said Rosario. "I was under pressure until the half mile pole, but he was simply much the best today."

No More Goodbyes returned $3.20, 2.20 and 2.20. Wheely prevailed in a four-horse battle for the place position and paid $18.00 and 14.60. Episode on Tour returned $4.40 to show.

Jockey David Amiss rode three winners on Saturday's nine-race card at Suffolk Downs as the East Boston racetrack celebrated “Chelsea Day.”

Amiss started his triple with a three-length win aboard the heavily favored Put it Back Opie ($2.80) in the first race. In the third, he went gate-to-wire with Brogue ($5.20). In the ninth and final race of the afternoon, Amiss guided Western Scandal ($4.80) to a 16-¼ length triumph.

Prior to the day’s first race, Terrell James, a junior at Chelsea High School, sang the national anthem as the Chelsea Soldiers’ Home Honor Guard presented the colors. James has been a member of the Boston Children’s Chorus for four years and is currently taking part in the Berklee School of Music Mentoring Program.

The following Chelsea organizations were recognized in the track’s “Community Winner’s Circle”: the Chelsea Council on Elder Affairs, Chelsea Soldiers’ Home, Chelsea Hunger Network, Charcoll - Chelsea Artists’ Collaborative, Jordan Boys & Girls Club, Chelsea Pride Football and North Shore Young Marines.

The “Community Winner’s Circle” was established last year by Suffolk Downs in a continuation of the track’s long-standing community outreach program. Each “Community Winner’s Circle” honoree is recognized by the track in a post-race winner’s circle ceremony and with a contribution to their cause.

“We are grateful to Suffolk Downs for helping us to recognize the champions in our community,” said Chelsea City Manger Jay Ash, who was on hand to participate in the day’s festivities. “Like every race at Suffolk Downs, we have winners who should be hailed for their efforts.”

Additional beneficiaries of the Chelsea Day activities were Interact of Chelsea H.S. and Chelsea Green Space.

Parking and admission were free for Chelsea residents. In addition to a full card of live racing, the track provided free family entertainment, including pony rides, carnival games, face painting and a balloon artist, at its outdoor tent, picnic area and playground. All in attendance had the opportunity to have their picture taken with a racehorse and jockey at the track’s “Fan Photo Experience.”

The remaining schedule of “Commitment to Community” days at Suffolk Downs is as follows: Salem (July 11), Lynn (July 18), Winthrop (July 25), Revere (August 1), Saugus (August 8) and East Boston (August 22). Everett Day was celebrated on June 13.

Suffolk Downs will not conduct the Massachusetts Handicap in 2009 due to current economic conditions, track officials announced today.

"It's a difficult decision because it means so much to the loyal racing fans of New England and to everyone at the track, but our partnership does not think we can responsibly incur the expense of the MassCap when we are fighting to save jobs and maintain current purse levels for the horsemen who are here every day," said Richard Fields, Suffolk Downs’ principal shareholder. "Like so many businesses and families in the Boston area and throughout the country that are tightening their belts to weather the current economic storm, we have also been forced to make some difficult choices. We hope this is a temporary setback and that the local fans will continue to support our efforts to enhance racing in Massachusetts."

“We are disappointed that there will be no MassCap this year but Suffolk Downs’ ownership raised purse levels in 2007 and has been working hard to maintain them and to support our horsemen and local farms despite tough economic conditions,” said Al Balestra, president of the New England Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association.

The MassCap was run every year from the track's inaugural season in 1935 until it closed in 1989. After the track re-opened in 1992, the MassCap did not return until the 1995 season. It was suspended in 2003, 2005 and 2006.

Suffolk Downs will be celebrating individuals and organizations in the city of Chelsea that make a positive difference in their community on “Chelsea Day,” Saturday, June 20. It is the second of eight days on which the track will recognize individual cities and towns as part of its 2009 “Commitment to Community” program.

Parking and admission will be free for Chelsea residents (with proper ID). In addition to a full card of live racing, the track will provide family entertainment, including pony rides, carnival games, face painting and a balloon artist, at the outdoor tent, picnic area and playground. All in attendance will have the opportunity to have their picture taken with a racehorse and jockey at the track’s “Fan Photo Experience.” The family fun begins at 12:30 p.m. First post time for live racing is 12:45 p.m.

The following Chelsea organizations will be recognized in the track’s “Community Winner’s Circle”: Charcoll - Chelsea Artists’ Collaborative, the Chelsea Council on Aging, North Shore Young Marines, Chelsea Pride Football, Chelsea Soldiers’ Home, Chelsea Hunger Network and the Jordan Boys & Girls Club.

The “Community Winner’s Circle” was established last year by Suffolk Downs in a continuation of the track’s long-standing community outreach program. Each “Community Winner’s Circle” honoree is recognized by the track in a post-race winner’s circle ceremony and with a contribution to their cause.

Additional beneficiaries of the Chelsea Day festivities will be Interact of Chelsea H.S. and Chelsea Green Space.

Terrell James, a student at Chelsea High School, will be performing the national anthem. The Chelsea Soldiers’ Home honor guard will present the colors for the anthem.

The remaining schedule of “Commitment to Community” days at Suffolk Downs is as follows: Salem (July 11), Lynn (July 18), Winthrop (July 25), Revere (August 1), Saugus (August 8) and East Boston (August 22).

The New England Turf Writers Association has elected its Hall of Fame class of 2009, which will be honored along with the 2008 NETWA award winners at the organization’s 67th Annual Awards Dinner on Thursday, July 16 at the Danversport Yacht Club in Danvers, MA.

The class consists of champion Seabiscuit, jockey Chris McCarron, trainer Edward “Ned” Allard, owner and breeder Gil Campbell and reporter and handicapper Dave Wilson. The Hall of Fame was founded in 2005.

Seabiscuit was a regular on the New England racing circuit prior to becoming a national icon, having competed at Suffolk Downs and Agawam (MA), Narragansett (RI) and Rockingham (NH) Parks. He made 22 total starts in New England, including 14 as a two-year-old, winning twice at both Suffolk Downs and Narragansett and once at Agawam. Seabiscuit returned to New England in 1937 to win the Massachusetts Handicap with jockey Red Pollard.

McCarron retired in 2002 as one of the most decorated jockeys in the history of thoroughbred racing. His career purse earnings of over $264,000,000 were at the time the most ever posted by a rider and he is one of just seven jockeys to have won more than 7,000 races. McCarron grew up in Dorchester, MA and his introduction to thoroughbred racing began on the backsides of both Suffolk Downs and Rockingham Park. McCarron won the Eclipse Award as Champion Apprentice Jockey in 1974 and as a journeyman in 1980. He won the MassCap, Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes each on two occasions; in addition, he won nine Breeders’ Cup races, including five victories in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. His MassCap victory aboard Waquoit in 1987 is one of the most historic moments in New England racing history.

Allard began his training career in 1970 at Lincoln Downs and became one of the leading trainers in New England for the next two decades. Allard gained national attention in 1985, conditioning Eclipse Award-winning filly Mom’s Command for New England Racing Hall of Famer Peter Fuller. Since moving out of the region, Allard has continued to support New England racing, shipping his horses in on a regular basis. In 2008, he won the Mom’s Command Stakes at Suffolk Downs with Anofficerandalady. Over the course of his career, Allard has amassed approximately 2,600 wins, including 175 stakes, nearly half of which were at New England tracks.

Campbell, a prominent local real estate developer, bought an interest in his first horse, Shananie, who he co-owned with Fuller. Shananie went on to become a stakes winner on both coasts, but enjoyed a lot of his early success at Suffolk Downs. Campbell also campaigned local stakes winners Von Groovey, Demetroula and Unreal Madness, among others. In addition, Campbell also bred multiple Grade I winner Marlin and bred, owned and campaigned millionaire Blazing Sword and Grade II winner Ivanavinalot. Campbell remains a supporter of New England racing and has a string of horses with Allard.

The late Wilson was known as "The King" for good reason. For four decades as handicapper and reporter for the Boston Record American, he was the man the vast majority of horse players relied on to pick a winner for them and keep them updated on all the racing news. It could be said that Wilson sold more newspapers than any reporter the paper ever had. People would wait at the newsstands for the Record American “Green Sheet” to come out at 11:00 p.m. just to see who The King would pick in the next day's races.

The names of this year's inductees will be added to a plaque that is on permanent display in the New England Thoroughbred racing exhibit at the Sports Museum located in the TD Banknorth Garden.

The panel of voters consisted of current active NETWA members. A two-thirds majority among the voters was required for election.

Tickets for the awards dinner are $60 each and tables of ten are available for $600. To purchase tickets, call 617 568-3220.

Risky Gamble launched an explosive bid mid-stretch and drew off easily under jockey Orlando Bocachica to take Wednesday's featured turf allowance race at Suffolk Downs in a time of :59 3/5 over a firm turf course.

Trained by Joseph Signore, Jr., the three-year-old bay daughter of During returned $19.60, 8.00 and 3.40. Courting Elaine, sent off as the 2-1 favorite, finished a game second and paid $4.00 and 2.40. Laurens Go Go returned $2.40 to show and was moved up to third after Sillisaraoflucena was disqualified and placed last for interference at the break.

Go Angel Go and Orlando Bocachica rated just off the front-runners and made a strong move in mid-stretch to prevail by a length in Tuesday's feature race at Suffolk Downs, completing six furlongs in 1:11 4/5 over a fast track.

Trained by Charles Assimakopoulos, the four-year-old gray gelded son of Wekiva Springs earned his first victory of the year and returned $5.40, 2.60 and 2.20 as the 8-5 favorite. C G's Strikers battled for second and paid $5.20 and 2.60, a head over Northern Duke who returned $2.40.

No More Goodbyes and jockey Yamil Rosario were victorious in the “City of Everett Classic,” Saturday’s featured $22,400 allowance race at Suffolk Downs, as the East Boston racetrack celebrated “Everett Day.”

No More Goodbyes, a Massachusetts-bred son of More Than Ready, has now won four of 11 career starts for earnings of $56,215.

Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria presented the trophy to the winning connections of No More Goodbyes in the Suffolk Downs winner’s circle.

The day began when Kelsey Devlin, a 2009 graduate of Everett High School who will be attending Berklee College of Music in the fall, sang the national anthem while the City of Everett Police Honor Guard presented the colors. Devlin was to audition for “American Idol” the following day.

The following Everett organizations were recognized in the track’s “Community Winner’s Circle”: Everett Boys & Girls Club, Everett Council on Aging, Joint Committee for Children’s Health Care in Everett, Portal to Hope, and Teens in Everett Against Substance Abuse (TEASA).

The “Community Winner’s Circle” was established last year by Suffolk Downs in a continuation of the track’s long-standing community outreach program. Each “Community Winner’s Circle” honoree is recognized by the track in a post-race winner’s circle ceremony and with a contribution to their cause.

Additional beneficiaries of the Everett Day activities were the Friends of Everett Library and the Everett Beautification Program.

Parking and admission were free for Everett residents. In addition to a full card of live racing, the track provided free family entertainment, including pony rides, carnival games, face painting and a balloon artist, at its outdoor tent, picnic area and playground. All in attendance had the opportunity to have their picture taken with a racehorse and jockey at the track’s “Fan Photo Experience.”

The remaining schedule of “Commitment to Community” days at Suffolk Downs is as follows: Chelsea (June 20), Salem (July 11), Lynn (July 18), Winthrop (July 25), Revere (August 1), Saugus (August 8) and East Boston (August 22).

Lulu's Secret and jockey Pedro Gonzalez went gate-to-wire to pull off the upset Sunday at Suffolk Downs, completing the five furlong contest in :59 1/5 over a fast track in front of 11,561 fans enjoying the Hot Dog Safari Day festivities.

Sent off at 9-1, the five-year-old daughter of Unbridled Time broke alertly and was able to hold off a late charge by the 9-5 favorite Gold Jolie to prevail by 1-¼ lengths. Trained by Joe Signore, Jr., Lulu's Secret returned $21.60, 7.60 and 5.40. Gold Jolie paid $3.60 and 2.80 while longshot Graceful Bay returned $10.60.

The Hot Dog Safari was created 20 years ago by longtime Boston sports radio personality Eddie Andelman. The event benefits the Joey Fund and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Over the last two decades, the Safari has generated more than $3.25 million for these charities. Andelman served as Grand Marshal for this year's Safari, produced by the Phantom Gourmet.

James “Jim” Bishop, long-time track handicapper and publicist at Suffolk Downs, died Sunday from cancer at his home in Revere, MA. He was 56.

Bishop’s handicapping analysis in the track program has been read with great interest by the Suffolk Downs faithful for most of the last two decades. Affectionately known as “Bish,” he began his career at the East Boston oval in the 1970s working at the test barn. He set the morning-line odds for a period of time in the 1980s and served as a chart caller for Equibase at both Suffolk Downs and Rockingham Park in the early 1990s.

“Bish was one of those people who made being part of the track community truly memorable,” said Chip Tuttle, Chief Operating Officer of Suffolk Downs. “He had a unique perspective on life and a wonderful sense of humor that was rooted in his experience as a handicapper - that you're likely to lose more than you win but that you should enjoy the experience either way.”

Bishop was a 1971 graduate of Revere High School. He attended Boston State College, earning his degree in 1975.

Bishop is survived by his mother Flora “Flo” (MacDonald) Bishop of Peabody, MA.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Restoration Fund at Immaculate Conception Parish, 22 Lowe St., Revere, MA 02151.

Hit Another Gear prevailed by a nose in a thrilling stretch duel in Monday's featured allowance race before a Memorial Day crowd of 3,429, completing the mile and seventy yard contest in 1:45 1/5 over a firm turf course.

Ridden by Winston Thompson for trainer Robert Raymond, the six-year-old gelded son of Golden Gear returned $7.80, 4.40 and 4.20. Pace setter Conduct of Honour battled on gamely for second and paid $4.80 and 5.20. Longshot Dadsfourwheeldrive returned $8.00 to show.

Roger George Saccardo, age 95 of Peabody, formerly of Medford died Monday at Renaissance Gardens of Brooksby Village following a lengthy illness. He was the husband of the late Anna M. (Prato) Saccardo.

Mr. Saccardo was born in Boston, MA, son of the late Charles and Annie (Giuditta) Saccardo. In earlier years he worked for the U.S. Post office. He is the beloved father of RoseMarie DeCoste and her husband Richard of Bourne, Charles Saccardo and his wife Judith of RI, Samuel Saccardo and his wife Joan of Lynnfield, George Saccardo and his wife Lucille of Peabody. Loving grandfather of Michelle and her husband Grant, David and his wife Jennifer, Marisa and her husband Jose, Stacey, Jamie, Andrea and Mark. Loving great grandfather of Gabriel and Jacob. Dear brother of Charles Saccardo and his wife Teresa of Stoneham, Eugene Saccardo and his wife Nina of Tewksbury and the late Amy and her husband Angelo Moccia, Viola and her husband Tino Novello and Ernest Saccardo. Brother in law of Mildred Saccardo of Wakefield. Also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Funeral from Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., MEDFORD Friday at 9 AM followed by a funeral mass celebrated in St. Joseph Church, 118 High Street, Medford, at 10AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours Thursday, May 7, from 4 thru 8.

Services will conclude with burial at Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Roger’s name may be sent to the Make A Wish Foundation Of Massachusetts, One Bulfinch Place, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA 02114.

Jockeys Winston Thompson and Orlando Bocachica each won three races on the nine-race Opening Day card before an enthusiastic Kentucky Derby Day crowd of 16,336.

Bocachica started off the day with an 11-¼ length score aboard Pop Rocket ($6.80) in the opener. He took the third race in front-running fashion with Red Magic ($5.40). In the sixth race, Bocachica finished in a dead heat for first aboard BL's Metropolitan ($2.80). All three victories came for the owner and trainer combination of Michael Gill and Marcus Vitali, who teamed up for a fourth win on the card with jockey Laurent Beaucamp and Touch a Prince ($6.20) in the day’s fifth race.

Thompson won three races on the card for trainer Rafael Ramos, starting with the fourth race with the favored Storm Door ($3.80). Thompson then guided champion mare Nijinsky Bullet ($8.00) to victory over the males in the featured allowance race and followed that up with Phil C ($5.00) in the ninth race.

“There’s nothing like a beautiful day, a great crowd and the Kentucky Derby to get the season off on the right foot,” said Chip Tuttle, Chief Operating Officer of Suffolk Downs.

The track also commenced it's 2009 "Commitment to Community” program, which will feature a series of Saturdays celebrating individuals and organizations that make a positive difference in eight surrounding communities: East Boston, Revere, Winthrop, Chelsea, Everett, Lynn, Saugus and Salem. On these days, the designated city or town will be recognized in a variety of ways, including “Community Winner’s Circle” presentations which honor individuals and groups who have dedicated themselves to worthy causes in the local community, honor guard presentations, national anthem performances and other unique opportunities.

Opening Day of the 2009 live racing season at Suffolk Downs is this Saturday, May 2, Kentucky Derby Day. Gates open at 10 a.m. First post time for the nine-race program is 1:15 p.m.

In addition to live racing, the track will simulcast the 135th running of the Kentucky Derby from Churchill Downs. Wagering on the Kentucky Derby will be available both Friday and Saturday.

On Opening Day, patrons can receive a 2009 season pass with a $5 donation to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. The TRF will have a booth on the first floor of the Grandstand, where they will also be conducting a silent auction featuring racing and Boston sports memorabilia.

Patrons can also have their picture taken with a racehorse and jockey at the Fan Photo Experience located at the main Clubhouse entrance. Hours are 12:15-3:15 (weather permitting).

For the month of May, live racing will be held every Wednesday and Saturday, as well as Memorial Day (May 25) and Sunday, May 31, the date of the 20th annual Hot Dog Safari. Usual first post time is 12:45 p.m. Post time on Opening Day and subsequent Triple Crown race days is 1:15 p.m.

As of June 3, the track will conduct a Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday-Saturday racing schedule until the conclusion of the meet on Saturday, November 7. First post time will be 12:45 p.m. daily.

Suffolk Downs will be offering a 10-cent superfecta wager on all of its races. The track added this exotic wager to its daily menu on a limited basis in 2007 and continued it last year.

The track’s marquee event, the Massachusetts Handicap, which has earned Grade III status by the American Graded Stakes Committee, is slated for the fall. Track officials are in the process of finalizing the timing of the MassCap and will announce the date in the coming weeks.

“Commitment to Community” Theme of 2009 Racing Season

The 2009 live racing season at Suffolk Downs will consist of 101 racing days, the track announced on Wednesday, April 22, as it introduced its complete racing schedule, several special events and its “Commitment to Community” program for the upcoming meet, which begins Saturday, May 2.

The “Commitment to Community” program, which commences on Opening Day, will feature a series of Saturdays celebrating individuals and organizations that make a positive difference in eight surrounding communities: East Boston, Revere, Winthrop, Chelsea, Everett, Lynn, Saugus and Salem.

The track’s marquee event, the Massachusetts Handicap, which has earned Grade III status by the American Graded Stakes Committee, is slated for the fall. Track officials are in the process of finalizing the timing of the MassCap and will announce the date in the coming weeks.

“We’ve got a strong contingent of horses here already with more arriving each day, an enhanced local outreach program and some fun special events and promotions,” said Chip Tuttle, Suffolk Downs’ Chief Operating Officer. “We’re looking forward to the 2009 race meet at this historic facility.”

For the month of May, live racing will be held every Wednesday and Saturday, as well as Memorial Day (May 25) and Sunday, May 31, the date of the 20th annual Hot Dog Safari. Usual first post time is 12:45 p.m. Post time on Opening Day and subsequent Triple Crown race days is 1:15 p.m.

As of June 3, the track will conduct a Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday-Saturday racing schedule until the conclusion of the meet on Saturday, November 7. First post time will be 12:45 p.m. daily.

Suffolk Downs will now be offering a 10-cent superfecta wager on all of its races. The track added this exotic wager to its daily menu on a limited basis in 2007 and continued it last year.

On each “Commitment to Community” day, the designated city or town will be celebrated in a variety of ways, including “Community Winner’s Circle” presentations which honor individuals and groups who have dedicated themselves to worthy causes in the local community, honor guard presentations, national anthem performances and other unique opportunities.

The “Community Winner’s Circle” was established last year by Suffolk Downs in a continuation of the track’s long-standing community outreach program. Each “Community Winner’s Circle” honoree is recognized by the track in a winner’s circle ceremony and with a contribution to a cause of their choice.

Suffolk Downs has been a trusted community partner since first opening its gates in 1935, playing an active role in both the local community and the Thoroughbred racing community through numerous charities, service organizations and youth programs.

Parking and admission will be free for residents of the designated community on their day (with photo ID) and the outdoor tent area will be reserved for them. Family entertainment, including face painters, balloon artists and more, will be provided at the tent, which is located next to the track’s outdoor picnic and play area.

The schedule of days for the designated cities and towns is as follows:

June 13 - Everett
June 20 - Chelsea
July 11 - Salem
July 18 - Lynn
July 25 - Winthrop
August 1 - Revere
August 8 - Saugus
August 22 - East Boston

Suffolk Downs will once again host two major fundraising events this year: the 20th Annual Hot Dog Safari, which benefits the Joey Fund and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and the Greater Boston Walk Now for Autism. The Hot Dog Safari will take place in conjunction with live racing on Sunday, May 31, while walkers will take to the track on an off day from racing, Sunday, October 18, for the third consecutive year.

The track will also host a pair of events with the popular Phantom Gourmet franchise. The three-day BBQ Beach Party, featuring barbecue teams from around the world, will take place Friday through Sunday, June 26-28. The Beer and Food Phest, held for the first time in 2008, returns this year as an expanded two-day affair on Saturday and Sunday, October 24-25. Live racing will be featured on Saturday during both events.

The track will celebrate July 4th by offering patrons a free golf umbrella with paid admission.

Colin Sheehan and Matt Cagno have launched an all new thoroughbred talk show called "Track Talk." The show made its debut on Friday, March 27, and will air every Friday at 11 p.m., live on Blogtalkradio.com. The show will focus on all the major headlines in thoroughbred racing, but will also bring listeners the latest information on what is happening at Suffolk Downs.

“Track Talk will be an excellent resource for horse racing fans to quickly catch up on all that is happening in the sport, in a fun, energetic setting that is catered to horse racing fans in Boston and around New England,” said co-host Sheehan. “The listeners’ ability to interact on the show will be very easy and will provide New England horse racing fans with a place to voice their opinion on a variety of topics.”

Hosted by Sheehan and Cagno, both greater Boston area natives, the show will include both special guests and specials segments such as “Down the Stretch,” (a segment handicapping an upcoming major race) and the “Call to the Post,” (a segment updating what you may have missed in the last week). The show will air live each week and all shows can be listened to on the show pages archive. The show page and schedule can be seen here.

Sheehan is a life-long horse racing fan who contributes a blog to NESN.com titled “Starting Gate.” Sheehan and Cagno have traveled to various racetracks such as Saratoga, Gulfstream and Pimlico. They are using their experience in handicapping races and will be having fun with it, but are not considered "experts."

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Mr. Donald E. "Ronnie" Kielty, 67, passed away January 17, 2009 at West Marion Community Hospital. He was born in Boston, MA and moved to Ocala in 1976 from South Easton, MA. He was a thoroughbred horse trainer and owned Great Luck Farm in Ocala. Two of his champion horses were Darn Special and Hold on Smokey. He also enjoyed playing cards. He attended Blessed Trinity Catholic Church.

He is survived by Joyce M. Kielty,, his wife of 44 years of Ocala, sons Ronald Edward (Lori) Kielty, Brian John (Sherri) Kielty all of Ocala, brother John Kielty of Ocala, sisters Dorothy Pike and Donna Kielty both of Boston, MA, also four grandchildren Timothy Knight, Elizabeth, Christina, and Katherine Kielty. He was preceded in death by a daughter Mary Anne Knight, a brother Richard Kielty and a sister Mary Duffy.

BENSON, Michael R. of Saugus and Winthrop, December 26, 2008. Beloved husband of Karen M. (Savarese) Benson. Cherished son of Jeanette (Saggese) Benson and the late Robert F. Benson. Devoted father of Paige Marie Benson and Patrick Paisano both of Saugus. Brother of Robert Benson of Lynnfield. Dear cousin and friend of Kristine Gaddis of Winthrop. Nephew of Tommy and Betsey Benson of Winthrop and Sandra and Jim Dary of Hampton, N.H. Adored uncle of Robert, Scout, and Jagger Benson of Lynnfield. Son-in-law of Al Savarese of Revere.

Donations may be made to either the MSPCA-Angell, Att. Donations, 350 S. Huntington Ave. Boston, MA, 02130 or at www.mspca.org., or The Animal Rescue League of Boston 10 Chandler St. Boston, MA, 02116 or at www.arlboston.org. Member and Vice President of the New England H.B.P.A., Mass. Breeders Assn., New England Pinto Assn., and the Winthrop Lodge of Elks #1078.

The American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association has presented its listing of U.S. Graded Stakes for 2009, the results of its annual grading session conducted November 24 in Lexington, KY.

The Committee reviewed 746 unrestricted U.S. stakes races with a purse of at least $75,000, and assigned graded status to 488 of them, seven more than were graded in 2008. A total of 13 graded races were upgraded, including six new Grade I races and seven new Grade II races; 10 new Grade III races were identified. Two races which carried Grade III status in 2008 are no longer eligible for grading.

Six races were upgraded to Grade I status for 2009: the Sentient Flight Group Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint and TVG Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, the Jamaica H. at Belmont Park, Pat O’Brien H. at Del Mar, Clement L. Hirsch H. at Del Mar and Vinery Madison S. at Keeneland.

One race was downgraded from Grade I to Grade II for 2009: the Suburban H. at Belmont Park.

Seven races were upgraded to Grade II status for 2009: the Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, Nashua S. at Aqueduct, Churchill Downs Distaff Turf Mile S. at Churchill Downs, Colonial Turf Cup S. at Colonial Downs, Fayette S. and Thoroughbred Club of America S. at Keeneland and West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer Park.

No races were downgraded from Grade II to Grade III in 2009.

Ten races were upgraded to Grade III status for 2009: the Fall Highweight H. at Aqueduct, Derby Trial S. at Churchill Downs, Round Table H. at Hollywood Park, Woodford S. at Keeneland, Presque Isle Downs Masters S. at Presque Isle Downs, Thunder Road H. and Daytona H. at Santa Anita Park, With Anticipation S. at Saratoga, Massachusetts H. at Suffolk Downs and Sam F. Davis S. at Tampa Bay Downs.

Four races were downgraded from Grade III to Ungraded status for 2009: the Gravesend H. at Aqueduct, Bay Meadows Sprint H. at Bay Meadows, Bill Hartack Memorial H. at Hawthorne Race Course and Kentucky Cup Juvenile S. at Turfway Park. The Memorial Day H. at Calder Race Course and Deputy Minister H. at Gulfstream Park were not eligible for grading in 2009.

Edited press release from the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) and Daily Racing Form (DRF) announced that signups for the 2009 NHC Tour are now being accepted online. The registration fee is $125. The NHC Tour is a yearlong bonus series offering additional prize money and qualifying berths to the DRF/NTRA National Handicapping Championship (NHC). The NHC Tour is open only to officially registered contestants and will be based on performances at NHC qualifying events throughout the year.

NHC Tour members receive NHC Tour points for finishing in the top 10 percent of the field in NHC qualifying events held during the year. Final, end-of-year standings will be based only on a participant’s five best scores. At the end of the year’s qualifying events, the overall NHC Tour point leader will receive a bonus of $100,000. Should the overall NHC Tour winner go on to capture first place in the January 2010 NHC finals, he or she will receive a $2 million bonus.

In addition, the top five 2009 NHC Tour point scorers will receive automatic entry into NHC XII, which will be held in January 2011 in Las Vegas.

The official kick-off of the 2009 NHC Tour will be the inaugural Red Rock Shootout scheduled for Sunday, January 25, 2009 at Red Rock Resort, Casino and Spa in Las Vegas. The Red Rock Shootout will take place immediately following the 2009 DRF/NTRA National Handicapping Championship, which will be held January 23-24 at Red Rock.

All NHC Tour members will receive automatic membership in the NTRA Horseplayers Coalition, which supports federal lobbying on issues that affect the nation’s 30 million horseplayers and racing fans. All Tour members will also become eligible for the NTRA Advantage programs, featuring discounts on products from John Deere, Sherwin Williams, OfficeDepot, UPS, Toshiba, Equine Travel Advantage and Moxie Equestrian. In addition, those who register for the 2009 NHC Tour during the month of December 2008 will receive a free NHC Tour t-shirt.

“The 2008 NHC Tour year attracted more than 900 participants, one of whom will be playing for $2.5 million at the NHC in January,” said Keith Chamblin, senior vice president for the NTRA. “We anticipate a bigger and better year for the NHC Tour in 2009, and we believe the Tour’s new format for awarding NHC berths will do an even better job of rewarding our top finishers.”

In just its tenth year, the Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship is the most important tournament of the year for horseplayers and is the culmination of a year-long series of NTRA-sanctioned local tournaments conducted by racetracks, casino race books, off-track betting facilities and horse racing and handicapping Web sites, each of which sends its top qualifiers to the national finals.

The New England Turf Writers Association has selected its champions and award winners for 2008. The annual awards dinner will take place in July of 2009 during the live racing season at Suffolk Downs. The honorees are:

2-year-old filly – Snow Down
2-year-old male – Mr. Jolson
3-year-old filly – Shorty Puffs
Robert M. O’Malley Memorial Award – 3-year-old colt – Hold On Smokey
Older female – Nijinsky Bullet
Older male – Southern Rainbow
Joseph E. Carney Memorial Award – Turf – Gator’s Tracks
Sprinter – Nijinsky Bullet
Cliff Sundberg Memorial Award - New England-bred – Flirt for Fame
Special Achievement – Donald Kielty, Little Tara
Eli Chiat Memorial Award – Outstanding Jockey – Winston Thompson
Gerry Sullivan Memorial Award – Outstanding Trainer – Rafael Ramos
Lou Smith Memorial Award – Yearly Achievement – Lorita Lindemann
Sam McCracken Memorial Award – Lifetime Achievement – Edward “Ned” Allard

Allard began his training career in 1970 at Lincoln Downs and became one of the leading trainers in New England for the next two decades. Allard gained national attention in 1985, conditioning Eclipse Award-winning filly Mom’s Command for New England Racing Hall of Famer Peter Fuller. Since moving out of the region, Allard has continued to support New England racing, shipping his horses in on a regular basis. In 2008, he won the Mom’s Command Stakes at Suffolk Downs with Anofficerandalady. Over the course of his career, Allard has amassed approximately 2,600 wins, including 175 stakes, nearly half of which were at New England tracks.

Lindemann, a licensed owner and trainer at Suffolk Downs, is being recognized for her tireless and selfless commitment to finding suitable homes for thoroughbreds upon their retirement from racing. As Suffolk Downs gained national attention this year for becoming the first track in the country to institute a firm anti-slaughter policy, Lindemann’s efforts over the last decade serve as a great example for others in the industry to follow.

The winner of the James B. Moseley Award for Horse of the Year will be announced at the awards dinner. The NETWA’s Hall of Fame Class of 2009 will be announced in the spring and will also be honored at the awards dinner.

Suffolk Downs wrapped up its 2008 racing season with declines in live wagering and attendance and an increase in all-sources handle, track officials announced today.

On-track handle for the 102-day live meet was down 7% from last year, as was attendance. All-sources handle was up 11% on the strength of 13% growth in transmitted handle.

"We averaged almost one horse more per race this year and that combined with increased coverage from TVG helped bettors around the country find the Suffolk Downs' simulcast signal," said Chip Tuttle, Chief Operating Officer of Suffolk Downs. "Even with those gains, declines in attendance, live handle and our overall handle on-site and the deteriorating economy make business conditions very difficult for facilities like ours that do not have the competitive advantage of expanded gaming."

In 2007, Suffolk Downs bucked national trends with increases in live handle (14%) and attendance (22%). The partnership that owns Suffolk Downs has invested substantially in the facility and the racing product but the operation has not been profitable for the last several years.

The highlight of the meet was Commentator's victory in the 66th running of the $500,000 Massachusetts Handicap on September 20 before a crowd of 17,712. The MassCap was part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You're In" Classic Division. According to his owner, Tracy Farmer, Commentator’s presence in the MassCap was due, in part, to Suffolk Downs’ groundbreaking zero-tolerance anti-slaughter policy that the track instituted under new ownership in 2007.

Winston Thompson bounced back from an injury-shortened 2007 campaign to capture his fourth Suffolk Downs riding title in five years and his fifth overall at the East Boston oval. Thompson was the lone rider to top the century mark for the meet, recording 101 wins from 647 mounts (16%) to finish 11 wins ahead of David Amiss. Defending title-holder Tammi Piermarini was fifth with 63 wins.

"It was a lot of hard work," said Thompson. "I had to earn it. I just kept on working."

John Rigattieri continued his reign atop the trainer standings, earning his fifth consecutive title. Rigattieri saddled 66 winners from 295 starters (22%). Marcus Vitali was second with 45 wins. Former Eclipse Award winner Michael Gill topped the owner standings for the fourth time with 42 wins, having last done it in 2005. Monarch Stables was second with 32 wins.

Winston Thompson bounced back from an injury-shortened 2007 campaign to capture his fourth Suffolk Downs riding title in five years and his fifth overall at the East Boston oval.

Thompson was the lone rider to top the century mark for the meet, recording 101 wins from 647 mounts (15.6%) to finish 11 wins ahead of David Amiss. Defending title holder Tammi Piermarini was fifth with 63 wins.

“It was a lot of hard work," said Thompson. "I had to earn it. I just kept on working."

John Rigattieri continued his reign atop the trainer standings, earning his fifth consecutive title. Rigattieri saddled 66 winners from 295 starters (22%). Marcus Vitali was second with 45 wins.

Former Eclipse Award winner Michael Gill topped the owner standings for the fourth time with 42 wins, having last done it in 2005. Monarch Stables was second with 32 wins.

Same Day Pleasure led at every call to take the $50,000 Norman Hall Stakes by 7 ½ lengths, completing the six-furlong contest for two-year-old registered Massachusetts-breds at Suffolk Downs in 1:12 4/5 over a fast track.

Ridden by David Amiss for trainer Lloyd Lockhart, the two-year-old son of Senor Conquistador broke alertly and went right to the lead, holding off Long Hill Glider before drawing off comfortably in the stretch to earn his first career victory from four starts.

Sent off as the even-money favorite, Same Day Pleasure returned $4.00, 3.00 and 2.20. Long Hill Glider held on for second and paid $5.20 and 3.00 over 2-1 second choice, In My Chamber who returned $2.20 to show.

Jockey David Amiss won three races on Saturday's card to remain in second place in the jockey standings with 87 wins. In addition to the Norman Hall Stakes, Amiss won the second race with Sami's Magic ($5.00) and the seventh with Nana's Hope ($17.20).

Wheely, a recent $5,000 claim for owner-trainer Diane Cerundolo, went right to the front and never looked back registering an impressive seven-length victory over 2-to-5 favorite Double Devilish in Monday's $50,000 John Kirby Stakes.

Ridden by Clifford Dooley, the 3-year-old son of Wheelaway recorded his first stakes victory after covering the mile and seventy yards in 1:47 3/5 over a racetrack labeled "good". Wheely paid $12.20 and 3.60 and Double Devilish returned 2.20 for 3-year-olds bred in the state of Massachusetts.

Thousands of walkers – including individuals with autism, their families and friends – joined together at Suffolk Downs on Sunday, October 19 to raise much-needed funds for critical scientific research and to increase autism awareness at the 8th Annual Greater Boston Walk Now For Autism.

City of Boston Mayor Thomas Menino was present to address the walkers before they made their way onto the track, which is a one-mile oval. The event also included various forms of family entertainment, including live music, games and other activities for kids.

All proceeds from the event benefit Autism Speaks, the nation’s leading autism advocacy organization. A growing health crisis, autism now affects one in every 150 children. Greater Boston walkers raised more than $1.3 million dollars at this event in 2007, when it was held at Suffolk Downs for the first time.

Established in 2000, the Autism Speaks Walk Now for Autism events are the signature fundraising events for Autism Speaks and have attracted hundreds of thousands of walkers worldwide who have raised tens of millions of dollars for autism research.

Autism is a complex brain disorder that inhibits a person’s ability to communicate and develop social relationships, and is often accompanied by extreme behavioral challenges. Another child is diagnosed every 20 minutes.

Mark Lambley of Naples, FL took top honors in the qualifying tournament held Saturday, October 18 to earn a spot in the DRF/NTRA National Handicapping Championship, which will be held January 23-24 at Red Rock Casino, Resort and Spa in Las Vegas.

Lambley finished with a total mythical bankroll of $254.40, besting Pierre Poulin of Boston, MA by $8.20. Lambley and Poulin were two of four contestants who had Stormy’s Smile, the winner of the fifth race at Belmont, who paid $153.00 to win and $46.00 to place.

The tournament drew 176 entrants from 13 states and Canada. Players were required to place mythical $2 win and place wagers on one horse in each of 15 pre-selected races from Suffolk Downs, Belmont Park, Keeneland and Oak Tree at Santa Anita. All selections had to be submitted prior to the first race of the tournament and there was no cap on prices.

Cash prizes were awarded to the top 10 finishers:

NAME, RESIDENCE, BANKROLL
1. Mark Lambley, Naples, FL, $254.40
2. Pierre Poulin, Boston, MA, $246.20
3. David Small, Merrimac, MA, $229.00
4. Ray DiGianvittorio, East Boston, MA, $203.00
5. Eric Torres, Worcester, MA, $119.40
6. Scott Cook, West Roxbury, MA, $111.70
7. Sid Weiner, Stoneham, MA, $107.40
8. Tony Butler, Tewksbury, MA, $104.30
9. Bob Bruton, Melrose, MA, $101.60
10. Paul Daley, Clinton, MA, $97.20

Lambley will join Dean Goulet of Nashua, NH and Doug Beaton of Salem, NH in representing Suffolk Downs at the National Championship. The pair of Granite-staters qualified in a previous tournament held August 2.

Ask Queenie, prevailed in a thrilling stretch duel with Episode on Tour to capture her fourth consecutive Thomas F. Moran Stakes Saturday at Suffolk Downs, completing the mile and a sixteenth in 1:47 over a fast track.

After stumbling at the break, jockey Josue Marcano angled the seven-year-old daughter of Key Contender to the outside and allowed her to relax just off the front-running Episode on Tour. Turning for home, she hooked up with her main rival and slugged it out to the wire, eventually drawing off by two-lengths.

Earning her first victory of the year and the first career victory as a licensed trainer for owner Laurine Barreira, Ask Queenie returned $5.00, 2.60 and 2.40. Episode on Tour paid $2.80 and 2.20 while Sundance Richie returned $4.60 to show.

Also on the card, Jockey Winston Thompson moved up to tie with Orlando Bocachica atop the jockey standings with 69 wins each. David Amiss is in second with 68 wins so far for the season.

Thompson started off the day winning the third race aboard the favorite Bullish Force ($3.60) and guided 6-5 favorite Divine Symphony ($4.40) to victory in the fifth. In the seventh race, he led them gate-to-wire with King Mongo ($6.60).

Commentator and jockey John Velazquez sat patiently in second position before taking the lead entering the far turn and driving home to a record-setting 14-length victory in the 66th running of the $500,000 Massachusetts Handicap at Suffolk Downs on Saturday before an exuberant crowd of 17,712.

Commentator, trained by Hall of Famer Nick Zito for owner Tracy Farmer, was sent off at odds of 1-to-10, joining Cigar (1996) as the heaviest-favorite in the history of the race. The seven-year-old gelded son of Distorted Humor covered the mile-and-an-eighth in 1:48.97 and returned $2.20 across the board. Won Awesome Dude (4.60 and 3.00) was second, a length ahead of Cuba (2.80).

"It's a wonderful blessing for me to have a horse like this," said Zito, who added his first MassCap victory to his illustrious resume. "He ranks up there with all the other great ones I've had. We have a horse at the top of his game. You'd have to say that Curlin, Big Brown and Commentator are the top three."

This year's MassCap is one of five races in the Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You're In" Classic Division, with the winner automatically qualifying for the Breeders' Cup Classic to be held October 25 at Oak Tree at Santa Anita in Arcadia, CA. Commentator had already qualified for the Classic by virtue of his win in the Whitney Handicap at Saratoga on July 26.

"If he goes to the Breeders' Cup, it would be the Classic," said Farmer. "I would enjoy seeing Big Brown and Curlin take him on. We'll have to see what Nick says."

Commentator's 14-length margin of victory easily surpassed the MassCap record set in 1938 by Menow, who won by eight lengths over a field that included the heavily-favored War Admiral, who finished fourth.

"He relaxed very well," said Velazquez, who won his second MassCap. "I really didn't want to be in a speed duel, so I was very content with the way we were going up the backside. I eased him away and he moved very confidently."

Riversrunrylee and jockey Pedro Gonzalez set fast fractions of 23.04 for the first quarter and 46.11 for the half mile before relinquishing the lead to Commentator and fading to the back of the pack.

Dr. Pleasure, third in last year's MassCap and the second choice this year, was fourth.

Real Estate prevailed by a length over Cavallo Pazzo in the $100,000 James B. Moseley Sprint Handicap on the MassCap undercard, stopping the clock in 1:08 4/5 in the six furlong race after the duo dueled through demanding early fractions of 21 4/5 and 44 flat.

Ridden for the first time by John Velazquez, the four-year-old son of High Yield is trained by Bruce Levine and was saddled by local trainer Ambrose Pascucci.

"I've never ridden this horse before," said Velazquez. "I got instructions yesterday from Bruce Levine and he told me to just put him on the lead. I knew we were rolling along pretty fast and I hoped I had enough left. I like this horse because he's a fighter, the more I asked him the more he'd try."

Real Estate, favored at 6-5, returned $4.60, 2.40 and 2.20. Cavallo Pazzo, the second choice at 7-5, was second and paid $2.40 and 2.20 over locally based Southern Rainbow, who returned $2.80 to show.

Earlier on the card, Hold On Smokey and jockey Jose Lopez made every call a winning won in his grass debut, taking the inaugural $50,000 Robert O'Malley Stakes by three-lengths in :58 1/5 over a firm turf course.

"The trainer wanted me to break out of there and put him in front," said Lopez. "At about the 3/8 pole I asked him a little to make a run. He switched leads for me and at the head of the lane he was very comfortable. At mid-stretch, he was going easy and at the wire he wanted to just keep going."

Trained by Don Kielty, the son of Concorde's Tune earned his fifth victory of the year and returned $6.00, 4.40 and 2.80.

Thunders Dove took the $50,000 Drumtop Stakes to give trainer Nick Zito the second of his three winners on the day, drawing off by three lengths to complete the six-furlong contest in 1:09 2/5.

Ridden by John Velazquez, the four-year-old daughter of Thunderello broke on front and maintained a comfortable lead throughout, holding off Intentional Fever and Nijinsky Bullet to earn her second consecutive win.

"There wasn't much speed in the race," said Velazquez. "I talked to Nick and he told me to put her on the lead if I could. So I did ask her coming out of the gate. But after that, it was pretty easy."

Thunders Dove, sent off as the 4-5 favorite, returned $3.80, 2.80 and 2.20.

Judiths Wild Rush, a three-time Canadian champion, battled with front-running Riversrunrylee to prevail by ¾ of a length in Saturday's $50,000 Waquoit Stakes at Suffolk Downs, completing the mile and a sixteenth in 1:46 3/5.

Judiths Wild Rush, a seven-year-old gray son of Wild Rush trained by Julian Canet, made a big move at the top of the stretch to draw even with the pace-setter. Riversrunrylee gamely dug in and fought on but was unable to hold off Orlando Bocachica and Judiths Wild Rush.

"I was concerned when Riversrunrylee opened up by two lengths, " said jockey Orlando Bocachica. "I had to work hard to get by him but my horse is a pro. He did it the right way."

Jalil, purchased for $9.7 million as a yearling by Godolphin Racing, was sent off as the 1-5 favorite and finished third.

"He ran like he trained," said Rick Mettee, trainer Saeed bin Suroor’s stateside assistant. "He didn't show much before on the Belmont or Saratoga dirt track. He is much better suited to turf or synthetic surfaces."

Judiths Wild Rush returned $9.00, 5.00 and 2.20. Riversrunrylee paid $9.00 and 2.60 while Jalil returned $2.20 to show.

In the sixth race on Saturday, Nijinsky Bullet ($5.40) defeated a field of five males in a six-furlong allowance race. New England's champion mare of 2007 made a bold move on the rail to draw off by 2 ½ lengths for trainer Rafael Ramos and owner Aurora Springs Stable.

Smokey Valley Racing Stable's Sultan's Prince, sent off at 1-to-2 by the Sunday afternoon crowd, ran down No More Goodbyes in deep stretch then held off a furious late rush by 40-to-1 longshot Double Devilish to post a head decision in Sunday's $50,000 African Prince Stakes at Suffolk Downs.

Ridden by Vernon Bush, the 3-year-old son of Sundance Ridge recorded his second career victor, both in stakes races, after covering the six furlongs in 1:12 2/5 over the fast racetrack.

Sultan's Ridge paid $3.00, 2.60 and 2.20. Double Devilish with Clifford Dooley aboard returned 18.20 and 7.20 in a game effort and No More Goodbyes held on for third and paid 2.60 in a race restricted to 3-year-olds bred in the state of Massachusetts.

Edward "Ned" Allard who trained the locally based Champion Mom's Command throughout her illustrious career, shipped Anofficerandalady in from Pennsylvania to capture the $50,000 Mom's Command stakes on Saturday afternoon at Suffolk Downs.

Ridden by David Amiss, the 4-year-old daughter of Officer stalked the two favorites Sophie's Salad and Stylish Wildcat, as they dueled head-n-head through the first half-mile, before pulling away to an easy three-length victory and second stakes tally of her career.

Anofficerandalady paid $8.60, 5.60 and 3.00. British Event made a late run through the lane to get up for second and returned 8.80 and 4.60 and 25-to-1 longshot Le Cordon paid 9.40 in third.

Suffolk Downs has adjusted its live racing schedule for the current meet. For the last full week of August, there will be live racing on August 24 (Sunday), August 25 (Monday), August 27 (Wednesday) and August 30 (Saturday). There will be no live racing on Sunday, August 31. Daily first post time is 12:45 p.m.

As of Labor Day, September 1, live racing will be conducted every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday through the conclusion of the meet on Saturday, November 8. First post time is 12:45 p.m. daily.

The 66th running of the $500,000 Massachusetts Handicap will take place on Saturday, September 20.

Suffolk Downs remains open for simulcasting seven days a week.

Joint Resources Will Now Focus on Future Entertainment, Gaming Possibilities

August 13, 2008 (East Boston, Mass.)—Sterling Suffolk Racecourse, the operator of the 73-year-old Suffolk Downs, and the Westwood Group, owner of Wonderland Greyhound Park in Revere, today announced a final agreement for a partnership between the two entities which will help protect the thousands of existing jobs at both sites and strengthen the effort to bring a resort-style casino to the East Boston-Revere area should the state decide to expand gaming.

The partnership agreement gives Suffolk Downs an option to purchase Wonderland and for the two entities to share in the potential benefits from future development at both sites. Both Suffolk Downs and Wonderland have been operating as pari-mutuel wagering facilities since 1935.

“We have been working on this kind of agreement for a while but the time has been well spent because we now have gotten it right; we have today an excellent understanding that will protect existing jobs as much as possible into the future and will commit the joint resources of our companies to the goal of a premium resort-style casino which will bring new jobs to the area and provide the state with much needed revenue,” said Richard Fields, Suffolk Downs’ principal shareholder.

Both facilities will remain separately owned and operated while they work collaboratively to expand the gaming and entertainment opportunities available to their patrons, expand employment opportunities for their workers and increase revenues for local and state coffers.

“Today is an important day for the dedicated workers and staff at Wonderland Park,” said Wonderland owner Charles Sarkis. “All along during discussions with Suffolk Downs, we had one big goal in mind: protect the jobs of nearby residents who, in many cases, have spent their whole lives working at this facility. I thank Richard Fields and Joe O’Donnell for their commitment to do all they can to protect those people and their livelihoods,” Sarkis added.

Under the new partnership, horse racing will continue at historic Suffolk Downs. Since Fields acquired his interest in the track in April of 2007, the track has undertaken a series of improvements, including the addition of a family picnic area on the grandstand apron, refurbishments in the barn area and the restoration of the track’s signature event, the Massachusetts Handicap, with a purse of $500,000.

“Charlie Sarkis and I have been friends for 35 years. We have been working toward this day for a long time and, as a former stockholder in Wonderland and an Everett native, I am pleased that this agreement will help re-develop both sites so that they can survive and thrive in these challenging times,” said Joseph O’Donnell, Suffolk Downs principal and longtime shareholder.

Fields also announced today that he is providing funding for Wonderland’s greyhound adoption program to ensure that all retired dogs find good homes.

Suffolk Downs and Wonderland are less than two miles apart, with Suffolk covering 167 acres and Wonderland including 35 acres.

Adel Salim's Silks Crown ran down the odds-on favorite Considering in deep stretch and drew off to an impressive one-and-a-half length victory in Sunday's $50,000 Louise Kimball stakes at Suffolk Downs.

Under a precisely timed ride by jockey Orlando Bocachica, the 3-year-old daughter of Silk Broker swung out three-wide coming off the turn and ran down the odds-on choice in deep stretch for her first career victory in a race restricted to 3-year-old fillies bred in the state of Massachusetts.

Silks Crown paid $6.20, 2.80 and 2.20. Consideri