GOOD NEWS FRIDAY sponsored by Liberation Farm: SUFFOLK DOWNS IN GOOD HANDS
By Ray Paulick
Richard Fields, the owner of Suffolk Downs in East Boston, Mass., is no shrinking violet when it comes to business. The one-time owner of the Catch a Rising Star comedy clubs became a real-life apprentice to Donald Trump and later trumped The Donald on a billion-dollar deal to develop the Seminole Indian tribe’s Hard Rock casinos in Hollywood and Tampa, Fla.
But by all accounts Fields is just an old softie when it comes to animals. He is a generous supporter of horse retirement and retraining programs, including the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation and CANTER New England. Under his urging, Suffolk Downs became the first track to establish a policy banning trainers whose horses ended up being sold or transported to slaughter plants. He’s also been a longtime supporter of the American Quarter Horse Association Foundation and many of its youth programs, through the Fields Family Foundation and Jackson Land & Cattle, his ranch in Jackson Hole, Wyo., where Fields keeps some retired Thoroughbreds himself.
“I wish we had 10 track owners like him,” a prominent New York Thoroughbred horseman recently told me.
Fields bought Suffolk Downs in 2007 when it appeared the track might be on the ropes for the second time in 20 years. Suffolk was closed for more than two years until the late James Moseley took control and brought it back to life in 1992. During his all-too-short tenure as chairman of the board (Moseley died in 1998), Suffolk Downs enjoyed a revival, highlighted by back-to-back victories in the 1995-96 Massachusetts Handicap by two-time Horse of the Year Cigar. But the economics worsened following Moseley’s death, and Coastal Development, a company owned by Fields, bought controlling interest with the hope of bringing Suffolk Downs back to some semblance of its glory days.
The track opened in 1935 to more than 35,000 fans, and over the next 20 years,
crowds upward of 60,000 showed up to see such racing stars as Seabiscuit, War Admiral, Whirlaway and Stymie. The Beatles came to Suffolk Downs for an infield concert in 1966 that attracted more than 25,000 screaming fans. A few years later, legendary Major League Baseball team owner Bill Veeck (as in wreck) took over management of the track, which by then was in steep decline, bringing his unique and sometimes outrageous brand of marketing to horse racing. (Veeck sent a midget to the plate as a pinch hitter when he owned the Cleveland Indians, had the first exploding scoreboard with fireworks at Comiskey Park in Chicago, dressed his 1970s version of the White Sox in shorts, and had the mother of all bad promotions in 1979, disco demolition night, which resulted in an inside the park riot and cancellation of the second game of a doubleheader ).
There are a couple of odd holdovers from Veeck’s short-lived management of the track: a huge, wood-paneled office he had built, complete with fireplace, overlooking the turf club dining room and racetrack. It currently sits empty, as something of a tribute to Veeck. Adjacent to the office is one-of-a-kind shower, with a dozen evenly-spaced water jets, that Veeck would use after making his morning rounds on the backstretch. (Veeck had a “peg leg” he removed for bathing purposes and apparently had difficulty using a standard shower.)
Back to Fields. He’s done more than demonstrate a real concern for the animals who are at the heart of this game. His humane policies on that front attracted the attention of horse owners Tracy and Carol Farmer and trainer Nick Zito, who cited Fields’ anti-slaughter position when deciding to race recently retired Commentator in the 2008 MassCap. In addition, while recognizing the importance of good corporate citizenship, Fields and his management team have instituted a number of outreach programs, headed by the Community Winner’s Circle, which recognizes individuals and groups who have dedicated themselves to worthy causes in the surrounding communities. It’s a special Saturday program that runs over the first two months of the meeting each spring.
Suffolk Downs is also the host of the Greater Boston Walk Now for Autism. In its first year in 2007, more than 16,000 walkers circled the dirt track, and the 2008 walk attracted more than 20,000 individuals raising money and awareness for the Autism Speaks charity. All told, the track supports nearly 90 charities.
Fields said his goal when he bought controlling interest of Suffolk Downs was to keep Thoroughbred racing alive in New England, and he injected new life immediately by increasing marketing budgets with an eye toward rebuilding the fan base. But he has bigger plans for the facility than simply offering live racing. He hopes to get legislative support allowing him to build a destination resort casino at Suffolk Downs, something that hasn’t been easy to accomplish.
The drive for a resort casino led to the formation of the Coalition for Jobs and Growth (click here for information). Among other things, the organization’s web site keeps an ongoing tally of how much money Massachusetts residents are gambling in the neighboring states of Connecticut, Rhode Island and Maine (the current amount exceeds $700 million for the year). Fields and his management team are hoping to convince legislators that a resort casino in the Boston area (as opposed to a racino or racing operation with slot machines) offers the best chance to greatly increase tax revenue to the state and revive horse racing at Suffolk Downs.
Is this native New Yorker (Fields was born and raised in the Bronx) practicing good corporate citizenship and providing a safer haven for horses merely as a means to convince legislators to pass the casino legislation? I don’t think so. But even if that was the case, he is giving horse racing a good name in New England, a major market that has a great and long association with the sport. It’s a market we can’t afford to lose.
Liberation Farm celebrates the many horsemen and horsewomen who strive each day to make things better for horses and those who work with them. To learn more about Liberation Farm, click here.
Copyright © 2009, The Paulick Report
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Tags: american quarter horse association, Bill Veeck, CANTER, Catch a Rising Star, Coalition for Jobs and Growth, Donald Trump, Fields Family Foundation, Good News Friday, Jackson Land & Cattle, liberation farm, nick zito, Paulick Report, Ray Paulick, richard fields, suffolk downs, thoroughbred retirement foundation
October 9th, 2009 at 8:25 am
Great piece on a great guy…Suffolk’s anti-slaughter policy is obviously great for the horses but it’s also great for business. First, you eliminate the scum that put their athletes on the slaughter trucks (an offense much worse than the end result)…Second, you attract horses such as Tracy and Carol Farmer’s Commentator to the Mass Cap. Trainer Nick Zito could have sent Commentatoir to New York for a bigger purse but the anti-slaughter policy tipped the scale in Suffolk’s favor. Because of Commentator’s presence the tyrack increased attendance, handle, hot dog sales and good will. And Commentator didn’t disappoint…winning by 13 1/2 lengths in a walkover. Also, Suffolk’s Sam Elliott and trainer Lorita Lindemann who have partnered with the TRF to create more places for more deserving athletes. Good job all around, Ray..
October 9th, 2009 at 8:33 am
If Fields and his management team cared so much about horses, they would not have reinstated the trainers who were “permanently banned” under the track’s no-tolerance anti-slaughter policy. The hypocrites at Suffolk banned trainers right before a meet ended and patted themselves on the back for taking such a strong stance. Then they reinstated them right before the next meet began when they needed horses to fill the entries. I haven’t wagered a dollar on Suffolk since and will never wager on or support this track in any way unless new ownership and management is put in place. These people are a disgrace.
October 9th, 2009 at 9:14 am
You really need to take a breath, Roger. Tracks like Suffolk Downs, Penn National and the Maryland tracks have lots of older horses who have run for years at other places. They reach the ends of their careers at these tracks which have to deal with them.
Suffolk Downs has done as much or more than any track in the country to make sure they find good homes or get to the TRF, etc…
I happen to know that last week Sam Elliott bought a horse out of an auction in Ohio that had not raced at Suffolk Downs since 2007! There were hundreds of people connected to that horse in its career but these guys are the ones who stepped up.
If you aren’t betting Suffolk Downs races because they don’t do enough, then you can’t bet anyone’s races.
October 9th, 2009 at 10:05 am
As a Bostonian I’m certainly glad that Mr. Fields stepped up and bought Suffolk Downs and that he’s implemented measures geared towards the safety of racing and retired horses.
That said, I live 3 miles away from Suffolk and don’t attend much anymore.
Why?
In the 3 years that Fields has owned Suffolk Downs there certainly have been more promotions to get people to the track, but besides a handful of flat-screen tv’s (10?) there has been little done to get the passionate fan back to the track.
I’d love to see the top races from around the country on a nice large screen. I’d love to hear the races and also have a beer and bbq while enjoying the races that make the cover of our favorite industry publications. I can’t do that at Suffolk Downs and until I can I’ll take my online wagering, my clicker, my grill and frig at home.
When I can buy a beer, burger and hear the Grade I on a flat-screen TV, let me know and I’ll be back.
Is that really asking much?
The fact that I can’t receive that at Suffolk makes me think Fields just made a large wager on slots being approved in Mass and that is a losing wager which he’ll eventually realize and force him to sell the land to a developer. California style.
October 9th, 2009 at 10:59 am
Thanks Ray, for a great story! Suffolk has also been the host of Eddie Aldelman/Phantom Gourmet’s annual “HOT DOG SAFARI”, which for the past two decades has drawn over 15,000 fans for All-you-can-eat Hot Dogs, Sausages, Soda, & Ice Cream, to benefit Cystic Fibrosis Research.
My only disappointment with Suffolk Honchos was not biting the bullet & retaining THE MASSCAP,which had been recently upgraded to a “Grade 3″ race,& was a “Win & You’re In!”
for the Breeders Cup. With crowds reaching 20,000 for the big day, Suffolk certainly should have found a way to keep it in their stakes program!
October 9th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
Thanks for the story on Richard Fields and Suffolk Downs. His concern and support for the welfare of race horses after they are no longer race horses is unquestionable. In this particular area, he’s setting an example that other tracks around the country should emulate.
October 9th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
nada. real concern for welfare of horses, as opposed the salivating pavlovs dog variety where “anti slaughter” becomes the buzzword, would be educating yourself indeed as to what constitutes “the best interest” of retired horses. there is another school of thought to this that is more grounded in the reality of a grim situation for OTBs. These horses might be better off in the long run if our race tracks declined to interfere in owner decisions regarding disposal, and took cognizance that most pawned off retired race horses face abuse and neglect, sooner rather than later. “retiring” a horse instead of sending it to humane slaugher, for most of these, should any bother to research, is hardly doing them a favor. A well meaning teenager–the only real market for a retired race horse–who takes on the responsbility, 3 months later her and her family understand what they have gotten themselves into. This is where the trouble begins. I have come to figure out that every horse I have given away in the last 20 years eventually ends up in a neglect situation. These horses are better off dead, and the more humane policy is for the tracks to quit interfering in the decisions.
October 9th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
All tracks everywhere should ban bad people who are ungrateful to horses. Horses deserve a good end to their racing careers either in a new career or retiring to green pastures. Horses earn the money and deserve to have some set aside for them. Everybody who makes money from horses should have to give back to the horses by contributing to equine rehabilitation and retirement.
October 9th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
I use to go to Suffolk 2-3 times a week,mostly I play twinspires now or go to Plainridge.
I got tired of the Poor conditions.food is terrible,beer selection is terrible,old televisions(about 20yrs.old)
and on and on…
I lived better growing up on welfare 35 years ago.
Good luck to Mr. fields.I can appreciate someone who gambles his own money on getting Casino/slots.I just hope he can appreciate the Horseplayer someday.
October 9th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
ratherrapid…
Shame on ,if every otb you gave away ended up in a “neglect” situation..YOU obviously didn’t do your homework when finding the horses a SUITABLE home. I happen to own a tbrd off the track. She is now 23 years old and I got her when she was 3…and believe me, this horse would not have been “better off dead”. she’s lived in the lap of luxury and has wanted for nothing! Not every thoroughbred is a problem horse. MANY go onto wonderful homes and live a LONG, HAPPY life.. I’m sorry your horses didn’t find better homes, but that doesn’t mean you have to right to condemn ALL tbrds to the slaughterhouse!!!
October 9th, 2009 at 10:33 pm
Good for you LCM.
Ratherrapid - even if you’re right, and placing retired Thoroughbreds is completely impossible, I have to wonder why you are so determined to slaughter them. In case you hadn’t heard, a horse can be humanely euthanized.
October 10th, 2009 at 9:24 am
Thank you Noelle. Vet-assisted euthanasia is not in Ratherrapid’s repertoire and others pro-slaughter Neatherdals like him. Complete dominion and disposing of their equine “property” without remorse is top priority. I pity their horses. With such attitude they go through many horses and need an expedient way to dispose of them. Horses that become unwanted for racing, breeding, riding, have to be under their thumb until the end, including making one last buck sending them to the killers. Humane euthanasia is not part of their moral values. Dominion over animals and the meat trade is part of the cowboy culture. They view compassionate animal advocates as a threat to their virility. They never refer to rescued Thoroughbreds that become highly accomplished sport horses, even winning Olympic medal(s), or the immense pride and joy that horses on the brink bring to grateful owners for years.
October 10th, 2009 at 10:43 am
Well, I was going to flame “ratherrapid”, but see (thankfully) that previous posters have.
rr: Sorry, but CBG (or God knows what else) IS NOT HUMANE EUTHANASIA! The only one I know off is chem (or qualified gunshot)…but you gotta pay for that, don’t ya and spend some time and/or presence to see it through?!?!? What I don’t understand is that to euthanize with it’s associated cost would be a tax deduction, wouldn’t it? Or do the accelerated IRS tax laws not allow that for racehorses? Or better yet, are you such a poor money manager that you need that measely $100-200 bucks selling to the KBs? While we are at it, ever give any of those doomed rr horses bute???? Then you broke the law regarding food safety. You’re a piece of work, but still chuggin’ I’d bet. I pity your horses.
You’re a perfect example, maybe even poster child for the warped, sorry excuse for horse ownership and what’s wrong with this industry; ilinformed, stubborn, arrogant, heartless.
My last check, Mr. Field’s did not reinstate all the individuals involved in the infamous situation. I could be wrong, but as to the current human consumption horse slaughter death and it’s inhumanity, I am not.
October 10th, 2009 at 11:00 am
I’ve gotten some clarification on the reinstated trainers at Suffolk Downs.
First, they were not reinstated because their horses were needed to fill races. Those trainers had very few stalls, according to a track spokesman. Second, the trainers who were banned and subsequently reinstated all said they were duped by the two people who took their horses. The HBPA lobbied heavily to get them reinstated. The trainers all had to sign a letter acknowledging the policy and saying they would not violate it, and all went through an orientation program via the New England HBPA.
If anyone wants to criticize, lets look at the many tracks around the country that have not adopted a similar policy, instead of knocking the track that showed the leadership to start this anti-slaughter movement. I congratulate Mr. Fields and Suffolk Downs on adoption of this policy and their generous support of New England CANTER and the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation.
October 16th, 2009 at 7:05 am
Ray your clarification is correct! Congratulations to Mr. Fields, the New England HBPA, and the Suffolk Downs horsemen for all their cooperation in the new anti-slaughter program!
It is a sucess.