Suffolk Downs/Great Barrington, MA Track

[snaffle1987]

With the news that Suffolk Downs has reached an agreement to restore the old Great Barrington Racetrack in MA and open it for summer meets. Some think this is absolutely absurd but I think it is incredibly good news; exciting to say the least. The racetrack is historic, racing has been held there since 1859. Great Barrington is a very historic town; rated one of the top small towns in New England. Think…Saratoga.

I am thinking this could be an incredible opportunity for everyone and if done right; could be right up there with the best of the best boutique meets. It would be very neat if they took this in the direction of Kentucky Downs and did all turf; no dirt (the track is currently all grass and overgrown). Even at the end of the last racing days at Great Barrington; the handle at the track was still an impressive one.

The fairgrounds are owned by a private husband and wife who purchase it several years ago to save it. It is in very rough shape but not to a point where it could not be restored to its former glory. It is very much in original shape. It is in a very quiet area of western Mass but it is surrounded by a very wealthy area of NYC transplants who have summer homes and such. The track is in an area that people would travel and go to like they do at Saratoga.

From what I have heard of people in the area, the majority of comments I have heard are from non horse people and they are very excited to see this press release and they think it is very neat. The facebook comments alone are very exciting

I truly, truly hope that those on the committee do not rush into getting this track ready and take the time to do it right. I personally think this is a tremendous opportunity for everyone involved; the community of Great Barrington, the surrounding areas who would like to go to the track to spend the day, and the horseman of the northeast (and surrounding areas who could potentially travel-in for races). This place could have the look and feel of Saratoga on a slightly smaller level and that is the type of thing that attracts people to the NY track in hoards. So if anyone from the Suffolk community is reading this; DO IT RIGHT and it will turn out to be quite the place for all involved.

Would be even better if they held the country fair again at the grounds in the autumn. make it a destination and people will come.

[kylemorris]

Yes, I can agree with you on 100%. They need to change the method for finding of new viewers if they want to became more popular place

[amb]

Holy cats, good job! If any of the involved people are reading this, great start and good luck!

The history and status of Suffolk Downs and racing in Massachusetts in general seems weird and political, and I’ve about given up on actually figuring out what’s really going to happen and what’s not. I suspect it’s all figured out in smoke-filled back rooms.

PS: speaking of things that weren’t supposed to happen, looks like a nice weekend of racing at Suffolk coming up!

[tbchick84]

An autumn meet would be great there. So many people are already up there for the foliage. It would make a great addition to the area.

[snaffle1987]

there is lots of $$$ in the area too and its a short drive from Saratoga. Hold the meet after Saratoga is closed for the season when foliage is peak, keep the county fair on the grounds, and make sure the track and grounds are in tip top shape. These people have a gold mine in their pockets and I don’t even think they know it. They’re only focus is getting the track going in time for next year. The place is currently completely run down; as is Suffolk. Any good country fair in southern new England is jam packed; add in a boutique meet at the track and it’s a winner

But with the record that the Suffolk Downs people have; I think they are just going to rush through this, get the track going again and hack their way into having live racing. IMHO; this is NOT the way to go about it.