About Suffolk Downs
For over 75 years, Suffolk Downs has been a place where people from all walks of life are welcome. Millions of fans have walked through the turnstiles and thousands of hard-working men and women have earned their living at the track as employees. In a city steeped in history, Suffolk Downs maintains a significant spot in Bostons rich heritage.
When the Commonwealth of Massachusetts created the State Racing Commission in 1934 and legalized pari-mutuel wagering, the Eastern Racing Association wasted no time in constructing the states first Thoroughbred racetrack, which it named Suffolk Downs. Among the directors of the Eastern Racing Association was Charles F. Adams, founder and president of the Boston Bruins.
The group secured roughly 200 acres of mud flats in East Boston and Revere and contracted A.G. Tomasello & Son to transform the property into one of the finest racing facilities in the country. Leading the project was Joseph A. Tomasello, who employed over 3,000 laborers, including 900 carpenters, 200 electricians and plumbers and 100 plasterers. They were assisted by 638 trucks, 36 bulldozers and 24 power shovels.
The project was completed in an amazing 62 days, at the cost of approximately $2 million. The nations first concrete grandstand seated 16,000, making it the biggest grandstand in the country as well. The clubhouse accommodated 5,000, reported to be the largest in the world. The grandstand and clubhouse were separated by an area that included a path from the paddock to the track.
On July 10, 1935, the track opened its doors and over 35,000 people walked through them to watch and wager on the eight-race program. Thoroughbred racing in Massachusetts had arrived.
Later in its inaugural year, the track began its greatest tradition, the Massachusetts Handicap. Boasting substantial purse money, the MassCap immediately attracted some of racings biggest names. Hall of Fame jockey George Woolf rode Top Row to victory in the first MassCap. In 1937, the track welcomed the legendary Seabiscuit for the third running of the MassCap. Seabiscuit and jockey Johnny Red Pollard did not disappoint the throng of over 40,000 that was present to see them, winning the race in record time. Over the years, the MassCap has continued to be a stage for Thoroughbred racings top performers as the track has played host to Hall of Famers both equine and human.
Immediately the track became entrenched into the citys sporting and social fabric, attracting an average daily attendance of nearly 15,000 in its first year, a figure that peaked at 18,388 in 1945. Interest in racing was so high that the daily double payoff was frequently posted in large print across the very top of the front page of the Boston Globe. Average attendance remained five figures until the early 1970s, when the racing schedule was drastically expanded to as many as 200 days a year
After roughly a quarter-century, the track underwent its first significant renovation in the early 1960s when the open-air grandstand was enclosed and the appearance of the clubhouse entrance was drastically changed. The grandstand and clubhouse were joined together and a new paddock and walking ring was constructed between the track and the grandstand.
On August 18, 1966, the Beatles took the stage for an historic performance, one of their last official concerts as a group. Over 25,000 fans packed the track to witness what would prove to be the Beatles final Boston appearance.
Further changes, both cosmetic and philosophical, were realized from 1969-70 when the innovative Bill Veeck served as track president. In addition to making physical improvements in the box seating area, Veeck, who is enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame for his accomplishments as a pioneering baseball owner, brought his promotional genius to the racetrack, where he gained publicity with chariot races and livestock giveaways, among other things.
The track enjoyed one of its finest moments in 1987, w
About
For over 75 years, Suffolk Downs has been a place where people from all walks of life are welcome. Millions of fans have walked through the turnstiles and thousands of hard-working men and women have earned their living at the track as employees. In a city steeped in history, Suffolk Downs maintains a significant spot in Bostons rich heritage.
When the Commonwealth of Massachusetts created the State Racing Commission in 1934 and legalized pari-mutuel wagering, the Eastern Racing Association wasted no time in constructing the states first Thoroughbred racetrack, which it named Suffolk Downs. Among the directors of the Eastern Racing Association was Charles F. Adams, founder and president of the Boston Bruins.
The group secured roughly 200 acres of mud flats in East Boston and Revere and contracted A.G. Tomasello & Son to transform the property into one of the finest racing facilities in the country. Leading the project was Joseph A. Tomasello, who employed over 3,000 laborers, including 900 carpenters, 200 electricians and plumbers and 100 plasterers. They were assisted by 638 trucks, 36 bulldozers and 24 power shovels.
The project was completed in an amazing 62 days, at the cost of approximately $2 million. The nations first concrete grandstand seated 16,000, making it the biggest grandstand in the country as well. The clubhouse accommodated 5,000, reported to be the largest in the world. The grandstand and clubhouse were separated by an area that included a path from the paddock to the track.
On July 10, 1935, the track opened its doors and over 35,000 people walked through them to watch and wager on the eight-race program. Thoroughbred racing in Massachusetts had arrived.
Later in its inaugural year, the track began its greatest tradition, the Massachusetts Handicap. Boasting substantial purse money, the MassCap immediately attracted some of racings biggest names. Hall of Fame jockey George Woolf rode Top Row to victory in the first MassCap. In 1937, the track welcomed the legendary Seabiscuit for the third running of the MassCap. Seabiscuit and jockey Johnny Red Pollard did not disappoint the throng of over 40,000 that was present to see them, winning the race in record time. Over the years, the MassCap has continued to be a stage for Thoroughbred racings top performers as the track has played host to Hall of Famers both equine and human.
Immediately the track became entrenched into the citys sporting and social fabric, attracting an average daily attendance of nearly 15,000 in its first year, a figure that peaked at 18,388 in 1945. Interest in racing was so high that the daily double payoff was frequently posted in large print across the very top of the front page of the Boston Globe. Average attendance remained five figures until the early 1970s, when the racing schedule was drastically expanded to as many as 200 days a year
After roughly a quarter-century, the track underwent its first significant renovation in the early 1960s when the open-air grandstand was enclosed and the appearance of the clubhouse entrance was drastically changed. The grandstand and clubhouse were joined together and a new paddock and walking ring was constructed between the track and the grandstand.
On August 18, 1966, the Beatles took the stage for an historic performance, one of their last official concerts as a group. Over 25,000 fans packed the track to witness what would prove to be the Beatles final Boston appearance.
Further changes, both cosmetic and philosophical, were realized from 1969-70 when the innovative Bill Veeck served as track president. In addition to making physical improvements in the box seating area, Veeck, who is enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame for his accomplishments as a pioneering baseball owner, brought his promotional genius to the racetrack, where he gained publicity with chariot races and livestock giveaways, among other things.
The track enjoyed one of its finest moments in 1987, w
