MassCap Day at Suffolk
It's MassCap day at Suffolk Downs and there's a buzz in the air, an excitement around the grandstand unlike anything since the last running of the Massachusetts Handicap in 2004. I arrived a few minutes before the track opened at 11:00 and found a restive gang of fans pressing against the doors. Someone called, "Two more minutes!" and another, "Open the doors or we'll knock them down!" That started to seem possible when someone shouted that it was 11:00 and people began rattling the doors and pounding on the glass as a chant went up: "Open the doors! Open the doors! Open the doors!" Security heeded and the crowd surged in, then politely sorted itself into neat lines to pay the $2 admission into the freshened facility. There's new paint, a grandstand gift shop, a playground and picnic area on the apron, a spiffy new stakes barn, and the best thing of all: A positive vibe on the frontside and the backstretch.
Photos from around the track this morning:
Brass Hat naps in the stakes barn on Saturday morning.
TVG sets up in the paddock to broadcast from Suffolk.
View of the field for Saturday's first race from the catwalk.
All-Star Trumpeters call the field to post.
They're off at Suffolk Downs.
Big stakes, big hat.
More Railbird coverage and photos from MassCap day: Brass Hat wins MassCap, MassCap Day Notes.
Posted by JC, Sep 22, 2007 01:30 PM
Comments
Posted by wmcorrow, Sep 25, 2007 12:35 AM
Is this accurate?
Posted by J.S., Sep 25, 2007 12:49 AM
Calling Saturday a "huge financial disaster" seems extreme, especially since total handle numbers won't be available until the meet ends November 10 and the numbers from MassCap day were pretty impressive: According to Equibase, on-track handle for the 11-race card was $826,415 and simulcast handle $2,311,511. Compare that to the previous Saturday, with its 10-race card, when on-track handle was $142,283 and simulcast handle $407,047. Handle on- and off-track increased nearly five times. Suffolk must be pleased. Now, Saturday's handle might not cover MassCap day purses and expenses, but remember -- new owner Richard Fields put up his own money towards the MassCap purse, no monies were cut elsewhere, and for all the nice things Suffolk officials say about keeping thoroughbred racing in New England, the ownership is pushing hard for slots. In pursuit of both goals -- maintaining racing, getting slots -- MassCap day was an investment and a triumph.
Posted by Jessica, Sep 25, 2007 08:17 AM
"huge financial disaster" doesn't get it . Suffolk
Downs did everything A-OK. They moved traffic like
they hosted 20.000 every Saturday . They hosted a crowd that was the youngest I ever saw at the Downs.
They were prepared to handle the wagering & food needs of the first time starters and they gave the
regulars a card that was better than Belmont's that
day. Suffolk invested in the future. That is what successful people do .
Posted by RDSullivan, Sep 27, 2007 11:14 PM
Great point -- Suffolk did a terrific job promoting MassCap day and handling the crowd.
Posted by Jessica, Sep 30, 2007 10:49 PM
There may have been vibes from the 19,000 plus people who attended Suffolk Downs Saturday, drawn there to watch the Mass. 'Cap; however, the track management incurred a horrific financial loss that will take months to recover. Simply stated, the on-track takeout from handle was paltry, as were the fees earned from the simulcasting. The crowd in attendance did not wager enough to finance a $50,000 allowance race.
Reinstating the Mass. 'Cap in an attempt to relive the past created a huge financial disaster.