For Immediate Release Contact:
April 22, 2010 Christian Teja, (857) 231-6788
cteja@suffolkdowns.com
SUFFOLK DOWNS ANNOUNCES 2010 RACING SCHEDULE
Historic Track Celebrating its 75th Anniversary
EAST BOSTON, MA - The 2010 live racing season at Suffolk Downs will begin Saturday, May 15 and consist of 101 racing days, the track announced today as it introduced its complete racing schedule for its 75th anniversary season.
Opening Day is scheduled on Preakness Stakes Day this year, two weeks later than the track’s traditional opening on Kentucky Derby Day. First post time on Opening Day is 1:15 PM.
“As more and more of the New England horsemen and horses winter in Florida, Delaware and Pennsylvania where purses are enhanced due to expanded gaming, extending our opening for even a couple weeks makes it easier for us to get top quality horses to return here,” said Chip Tuttle, Suffolk Downs’ Chief Operating Officer. “Based on the recent legislative action in Massachusetts, we look forward to our 75th anniversary season with a renewed sense of optimism for the future.”
The track will be hosting Boston’s Biggest and Best Kentucky Derby Party on Saturday, May 1. In addition to the standard simulcast areas, fans will be able to watch the Derby and other races on large outdoor television screens as part of a festival featuring live bands and an assortment of food and beverages.
After the May 15th opening, live racing will be held on Wednesdays and Saturdays for the remainder of the month of May. Starting Memorial Day, May 31, the track will conduct a Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday-Saturday racing schedule until the conclusion of the meet on Saturday, November 13. Usual first race post time is 12:45 PM.
For the start of the 2010 racing season, Suffolk Downs projects average daily overnight purses consistent with 2009’s level of $90,000 per day. The track will announce its 2010 stakes program in the coming weeks.
Suffolk Downs will celebrate its 75th anniversary throughout the season. Built by 3,000 workers in just 62 days, the historic track opened on July 10, 1935 and has been a showcase for some of the most famous names in Thoroughbred racing history.
The legendary Seabiscuit first raced at the track in its inaugural season and would return in 1937 to win the track’s signature race, the Massachusetts Handicap. Champion racehorses War Admiral, Whirlaway, John Henry and Cigar have all competed at Suffolk Downs, as have Hall of Fame jockeys Eddie Arcaro, Chris McCarron, Angel Cordero and Jerry Bailey.
The track’s rich tradition extends beyond Thoroughbred racing. On August 18, 1966, the Beatles took the stage on the racetrack for an historic performance, one of their last official concerts as a group. Over 25,000 fans packed the house to witness what would prove to be the Beatles’ final Boston appearance.
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