Suffolk Downs to celebrate 75 years in business

Personalities from its historic past, throw-back promotions, a tee shirt

giveaway and two $75,000 stakes races will help Suffolk Downs celebrate its 75th

anniversary on on July 10, the Boston track has announced.

Hall of Fame jockeys Chris McCarron and Jerry Bailey and local favorite

Abigail Fuller will return to Suffolk Downs for a special program commemorating

great moments from the track's history.

The $75,000 Seabiscuit S. at five furlongs on the turf and the $75,000 James

B. Moseley Sprint S. at six furlongs on the main track will highlight the racing

program.

Buddy Marino of Revere, Massachusetts, who attended the track's opening day

on July 10, 1935, will be on hand for a winner's circle presentation.

The day will feature a series of turn-back-the-clock elements, including a

carousel, carnival games, 1930s era street performers, a Dixieland band, bugler,

antique cars, and trolley service from the Suffolk Downs MBTA station to the

main Clubhouse entrance. A display of photos and memorabilia from throughout the

track's history, including an original barbershop chair and a row of authentic

1935 Grandstand seats, will be on display on the first floor of the Clubhouse.

Mayor Thomas M. Menino will present a proclamation commemorating Suffolk

Downs' 75th anniversary. Officials from the neighboring communities of East

Boston, Revere, Winthrop, and Chelsea and representatives from area Chambers of

Commerce and neighborhood groups will join in marking the 75th anniversary.

"For 75 years, Suffolk Downs has been a well-known sports venue filled with

tradition and rich history,"  Mayor Menino said. "I am excited to be

celebrating the track's 75th anniversary and hope that its history continues to

grow."

The first 5,000 fans who pay admission to the track will receive a

commemorative tee shirt with the track's 75th anniversary logo and all

admissions and parking revenue from the day will be donated to local community

charities.

"Suffolk Downs has been one of the area's premier sports and entertainment

venues since 1935 and we're looking forward to celebrating our legacy with some

old friends, our neighbors and racing fans from across New England on July 10 as

we look ahead to the next 75 years," Suffolk Downs principal owner Richard

Fields said.

McCarron, a Dorchester, Massachusetts, native who began his racing career

working on the backstretch at Suffolk Downs, will discuss his riding career and

his famous victory aboard hometown favorite Waquoit in the 1987 Massachusetts

H., immortalized by track announcer Jim Hannon's call, at a kick-off event at

the track on July 8.

McCarron, who retired in 2002 as the all-time leader in career purse earnings

among jockeys, recorded 7,141 wins, including two each in the Kentucky Derby

(G1), Preakness S. (G1) and Belmont S. (G1). He was inducted into Thoroughbred

racing's Hall of Fame in 1989. McCarron is currently the Executive Director of

the North American Racing Academy in Lexington, Kentucky. McCarron founded the

school in 2006 to teach aspiring jockeys the horsemanship and life skills needed

to become a successful jockey.

Bailey, currently the color analyst for ESPN's horse racing telecasts, won

the Massachsuetts H. four times in a seven-year span, including consecutive

triumphs aboard the legendary Cigar in 1995 and 1996 as part of the Hall of Fame

Thoroughbred's 16-race win streak. Bailey, who was inducted into racing's Hall

of Fame in 1995, retired in 2006 with 5,893 wins, capturing each of the three

Triple Crown races twice.

Fuller, the daughter of prominent local businessman and horse owner Peter

Fuller, began her career as a jockey in 1982 and competed at Suffolk Downs for

two decades, gaining national acclaim in 1985 when she went out of town to ride

Mom's Command to New York's prestigious Triple Tiara for her father and trainer

Ned Allard. Mom's Command was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007. Fuller

also served as a racing analyst at Suffolk Downs and has continued to work with

horses in various capacities.

"So many people have made their mark on our great history and we are

privileged to welcome some of them back to help us celebrate this special

occasion," said Chip Tuttle, Chief Operating Officer of Suffolk Downs. "Chris,

Jerry and Abby are just three of the countless prominent racing personalities

who have put their considerable talents on display for our loyal racing fans

over the last 75 years."

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, including Seabiscuit, Whirlaway, Riva Ridge, Cigar and Skip

Away.

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.