Gambling regulators in Massachusetts promised Thursday to explore options for saving thoroughbred racing as the last track in the state, Suffolk Downs, is preparing to close.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission will accept “placeholder” applications by an October 1st deadline to request live racing dates in 2015. Commission chairman Stephen Crosby said a strategy session will be scheduled with horsemen, breeders and other industry stakeholders.
"We are trying to work our way around every impediment that might get in the way of a reasonable good faith effort to keep the door open to a possibility," Crosby said at a commission meeting in Boston.
Suffolk Downs officials say the last day of live racing for the season, and possibly forever, will be Oct. 4th. Simulcasting will continue until the end of December. The 80-year-old track is shutting down after losing a bid for a casino.
