Suffolk Downs will celebrate what is very likely the final day of racing at
the 79-year-old racetrack on Saturday with a series of tributes featuring the
horses and the people who have built the track’s rich tradition dating back to
its opening in 1935.
From the day’s first race, “The Eddie Wrack,” named for the horse that won
the track’s inaugural race on July 10, 1935, to the ninth and final race on
Saturday’s card, “The Seabiscuit,” Suffolk Downs will honor the its most
famous performers and performances all afternoon long with live winner’s circle
and video presentations.
“We are looking forward to Saturday and to providing thousands of local
racing fans what we hope is an appropriate appreciation of this facility’s
legacy as one of the area’s most historic sports and entertainment venues,” said
Chip Tuttle, the track’s Chief Operating Officer.
Local jockeys Rudy Baez and Carl Gambardella, who competed as rivals at
Suffolk Downs for years, will be on hand for a winner’s
circle presentation commemorating their achievements as two of the most
accomplished riders in track history.
Hall of Fame jockeys Jerry Bailey, who rode Cigar during his 16-race winning
streak, which included the 1995 and 1996 Massachusetts Handicaps, and Dorchester
native Chris McCarron, who famously won the 1987 MassCap aboard hometown
favorite Waquoit, are unable to attend Saturday but have sent video
tributes about their fond memories at Suffolk Downs. Former Suffolk Downs track
announcer Larry Collmus, the voice of the Triple Crown on NBC and currently the
track announcer at Churchill Downs, Gulfstream Park and the New
York Racing Association, will also have a message for Suffolk Downs
fans from the rooftop of Churchill Downs, between it’s famed Twin Spires.
The day’s second race is named in honor of James B. Moseley, the Hamilton,
Massachusetts horseman and investor who spearheaded the reopening of Suffolk
Downs in 1992 after it had closed in 1989 and was instrumental in reviving the MassCap in
1995. Other races on the nine race card are named for Cigar, Whirlaway, Waquoit, Skip
Away and, of course, The Beatles, whose last Boston area concert was at Suffolk
Downs in 1966.
Suffolk Downs is also cleaning out its promotional inventory on Saturday. The
track will be selling vintage souvenirs — MassCap hats, Boston Strong Suffolk
Downs’ logo t-shirts and other memorabilia — with proceeds benefiting CANTER
New England and the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, the track’s two primary
partners in its industry-leading commitment to humane aftercare and retirement
programs for its equine athletes.
Heading into closing day of the 65-day 2014 racing season, Jay Bernardini
tops the trainer standings with 58 victories and will be awarded with his first
training title. New Hampshire native David Amiss is in the lead to earn his
first riding title at Suffolk Downs with 61 wins, five ahead of Dyn Panell.
Frank Bertolino’s Monarch Stables will take home their fourth consecutive
leading owner title with 21 wins for the meet.
Rich Garrick of the All-Star Buglers will be on hand to play the National
Anthem and the call to post on Saturday. First post for live racing is 12:45
p.m. (EDT).
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