Suffolk Downs

[Texarkana]

[QUOTE=Barnfairy;3361019]

I like the idea of a small ATM fee, though, for tracks that have them.[/QUOTE]

I don’t! Last time I used the ATM at Kentucky Downs and Churchill Downs, I think there was already a $3 or $4 dollar fee per transaction! :eek:

I’ve never seen such high ATM fees outside racetracks (or casinos for that matter).

Although I do like the idea of Dime Savings Bank donating a dime to the NY tracks. :yes:

[Glimmerglass]

Good news for the Boston crowd …Zito eyes Mass Cap for Commentator:

The Massachusetts Handicap, once one of the most prestigious handicap races in the country, offers a purse of $500,000 and will be run on Sept. 20.

“The timing is good and the distance of a mile and one-eighth is obviously good,” Zito said early Sunday morning. “I can’t get a two-turn race for him at a mile and one-eighth at Belmont Park.”

[b]Zito also cited the recent announcement by Suffolk Downs owner Richard Fields of taking a zero tolerance stand against horse slaughter commerce at his racetrack as another reason he’d like to send Commentator to Boston for the Mass Cap.

“I like what Richard Fields does for horses,” said Zito. “The owners of Suffolk Downs are humanitarians and are doing what they can to rescue horses, and I believe strongly in what they are trying to accomplish.”[/b]

[equinelaundry]

I’ve been referred over to this thread by some wonderful gals via PM.

You are all my heros. You have all gone to such great lengths to save a wonderful breed of horse. It is just amazing and very heartwarming.

[FatDinah]

I jsut want to repeat what I posted on the Saratoga thread:

Nick Zito is so classy. He really does walk the walk.

[rcloisonne]

Question? How does a horse qualify for the Mass Cap?

Thank you.

[spooky01]

Because of the distance the field is limited to 10, although we will get quite a few horses nominated we may not get more than 8 to 10 actually entered. If we do, males are preferred over females, then graded stakes earnings, I believe.

[Glimmerglass]

@rcloisonne;3395357

Question? How does a horse qualify for the Mass Cap?

The horse needs to be nominated to the race. It is for 3-Year-Olds & Up

Historical data on the race including the 2007 press release with Brass Hat’s victory

Worth citing: John Henry ran in the MassCap in 1979

1979—Future champion John Henry finishes tenth in a 13-horse MassCap field. He runs so poorly that he does not even earn a comment in the chart footnotes of the race. He’s eleven lengths behind race winner Island Sultan.

This year, the 66th MassCap at 1 1/8 mi for $500k will be Saturday, September 20, 2008 @ 4:00 PM ET. It is a “win and you’re in” Breeders Cup Race

The mega $5M bonus offer for Curlin and Big Brown is off the table since both have lost in their last starts.

[rcloisonne]

Thanks Spooky and Glimmer. Interesting a filly or mare has never won it. Are they discriminated against and not really allowed in the race?

Now for the really just-fell-off-the-potato-wagon questions. How do you nominate a horse for this race? Cost? How many horses are typically nominated?

And BTW, I’ve ordered Not By A Longshot.

Thanks again!

[Barnfairy]

I’ve pulled up the 2007 MassCap info from the condition book (which is put together by the racing secretary and lists the conditions [type of race –claiming, allowance, stakes– restrictions –non winners of two, fillies & mares, maidens, etc.-- distance, track surface –dirt, turf, or all weather– and so on so forth] under which races are to be run, a little like a prize list for a horse show. I’d have posted 2008’s, but that block of the condition book isn’t online just yet.) Hopefully this will give you a better idea of how it works:

SEVENTY-FIFTH DAY – Saturday, September 22, 2007

Entries Close on Wednesday September 19, 2007

…

---

11 ELEVENTH RACE HANDICAP STAKE

The 66th Running of the Massachusetts Handicap
$500,000 Guaranteed

A HANDICAP FOR 3 YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD By subscription of $100 each by Monday September 10, $2500 to pass the entry box and $2500 to start. Weights: Saturday, September 15. Starters to be named through the entry box by the usual time of closing. Trophy to winning owner, trainer, and jockey. If this is not divided it will be limited to 14 starters. ** The money to be divided as follows: ** 60% of all monies to the winner, 20% to second, 10% to third, 5% to fourth, 3% to fifth, and 2% to sixth. To the winner, any horse who has won multiple Grade I or Group I Stakes at a mile or over in 2007, and additional $200,000. Any other graded stakes at a mile or over in 2007, an additional $100,000.

Nominations close Monday, September 10, 2007

ONE MILE AND ONE EIGHTH

---

So, for last year’s MassCap, conditions were $100 to nominate, $2500 to enter, and $2500 to start…for a total cost of $5100.

Obviously the MassCap is not restricted to fillies & mares. Generally speaking, trainers want to enter horses into a race in which the horse stands a good chance of winning or at least hitting the board, and usually it takes an exceptional filly to beat the boys at the stakes level.

Keeping that in mind, note that there was a bonus offered in addition to the purse – clearly an attempt to draw bigger name stakes runners, which in turn help attract more people into the Grandstand to watch & wager. Should a filly or mare with enough graded stakes earnings (and therefore, most likely possessing a bit of “celebrity status” along with it) want in to the MassCap, methinks she wouldn’t be turned away.

Nominations for the MassCap in recent years have been announced in industry publications. For example: Blood Horse article listing all horses nominated to the 2004 MassCap. There were 35 horses nominated that year; last year 34 horses were nominated.

'Hope that helps.

[Glimmerglass]

[QUOTE=rcloisonne;3395572]
And BTW, I’ve ordered Not By A Longshot[/QUOTE]

You should enjoy it as it is anything but a dull book. The good, the bad, the worts and all of life - human and equine - at a track that has seen the highs of the sports as any track can enjoy which exist outside of Keeneland and Saratoga. Those two are almost always going to enjoy a position in this sport of being the belle at the ball.

Suffolk Downs at the time of the article and even today is by no means the bottom of the barrel. Folks can tease with a nickname that disparrages the track but still there are dozens of more hardscrable tracks. I sincerely hope that Mr Fields continues in his steady efforts to improve the racing, the experience for fans, and the quality of life for the runners there.

That book in the context of the MassCap discusses when Cigar, just before he was super hot, and his connections were treated and courted like royalty and a year later it was rewarded right back by running again.

Off topic but I’m reminded of a relative of mine who was very key in getting Tiger Woods - when he was just starting to play mind you - at the now gone B.C. Open in upstate NY. They treated him very well and he returned the favor when he was bigger by returning as a form of payback.

[system]

[QUOTE=rcloisonne;3395572]
Thanks Spooky and Glimmer. Interesting a filly or mare has never won it. Are they discriminated against and not really allowed in the race?[/QUOTE]

IIRC, a mare named Picture Hat ran against Cigar in '96.

[rcloisonne]

Barnfairy,
That was VERY helpful. Thank you. I guess nominating a local claimer would be foolish. :lol:

Thanks again, Glimmer, for sharing your wealth of knowledge.

And to everyone who has taken the time to answer, much appreciated!

rc

[spooky01]

I spoke to Mr. Bradley after Brass Hat’s win last year and he said that he had never been treated so well by any track. Also that he hoped that his horse would still be running next year, because he would love to come back in 2008. No word yet if they are planning on coming, but I keep my fingers crossed!

[Glimmerglass]

[QUOTE=spooky01;3400547]
I spoke to Mr. Bradley after Brass Hat’s win last year and he said that he had never been treated so well by any track. Also that he hoped that his horse would still be running next year, because he would love to come back in 2008. No word yet if they are planning on coming, but I keep my fingers crossed![/QUOTE]

Sadly no and not because they don’t want to.

Rather Brass Hat is sidelined until at least the early part of 2009

The trainer said July 29 he will take Brass Hat back to the farm to rest and heal.

“We had planned to enter him (July 29) for a race in West Virginia, and hoped to have run him (in the Massachusetts Handicap, a race he won in 2007) in September,” Bradley said.

"We still feel that there is a chance for him to come back and compete next year. If he does not come back at 100% both physically and mentally, he will get to have fun turned out in the paddock with Magic (his pony buddy) for years to come.