Suffolk Downs

Address:111 Waldemar Avenue
East Boston, Massachusetts

Horseracing fanatics who visit "Beantown" will enjoy visiting Suffolk Downs Racetrack. Suffolk Downs Racetrack, in East Boston, offers live thoroughbred horseracing in a season that typically runs from May through November. The racetrack is known for its fast racing strip and carefully groomed landscaping, and is considered one of New England's premier racetracks. Over its seven decades, many fans have bet on races and enjoyed the thrill of the home stretch here.

In addition to its regular live races, Suffolk Downs Racetrack plays host to special regional stakes events of significance, including its flagship event The Massachusetts Handicap. Other stakes run here include the Moseley Breeders Cup Handicap, the Suffolk Downs Racetrack Oaks, Old Ironsides Stakes, and the Bruce G. Smith Memorial. The track is a one-mile dirt oval, and there is also a seven-furlong inner turf oval.

To most racing fans, Suffolk Downs means the MassCap. But few are familiar with the Boston track's long and colorful history. Suffolk Downs was constructed on the mud flats of East Boston, and opened its gates in 1935 as Boston's, and the Commonwealth's, first major racetrack. The track was state-of-the-art, with the first concrete grandstand in America. An estimated 35,000 people attended the opening. Many great thoroughbreds have raced at Suffolk Downs including the world renowned Seabiscuit, Whirlaway, and Cigar. The most famous race that took place at Suffolk Downs was on August 7th, 1937, when the legendary Seabiscuit, the odds-on favorite, bested a field of 12 others in the third running of the Massachusetts Handicap.

Suffolk Downs has been used for a host of other events, in addition to horse racing. One of the most memorable was the Beatles concert on August 8th 1966, attended by 25,000 fans. Charismatic owner and promoter Bill Veeck held unusual events here including the "Jockettes," chariot races, boxing matches, and mock Indian battles in the infield.

Suffolk Downs is located at the junction of Routes 1A and 145, just two miles north of Logan Airport. The track is conveniently accessible by public transportation via the MBTA subway. Take the Blue Line to the Suffolk Downs stop, where you can catch one of the free shuttle buses that run to and from the track every 10 minutes.