News & Notes

Former Boston Police Commissioner Paul Evans has been named Executive Vice President, Security and Compliance at Suffolk Downs, effective immediately. Evans began working with the historic 77-year-old thoroughbred racetrack in 2009 as a consultant on security and public safety.

Evans will be responsible for comprehensive public safety planning, working with state and local law enforcement, security and compliance with legal and regulatory standards.

"Paul brings impeccable credentials, a substantial law enforcement background and a history of forging strong community involvement as we work to ensure that our proposal for a world-class gaming and entertainment facility meets the highest standards for public safety, security, compliance and integrity," said Richard Fields, principal owner of Suffolk Downs.

Evans will begin meeting formally with local and state law enforcement officials as well as other public safety and emergency management officials in Boston, Revere and Suffolk Downs' neighboring communities such as Winthrop and Chelsea to solicit local input as the track prepares its plans for the state licensing process. He recently concluded a review of the integrity, security and compliance policies of Caesars' Entertainment, which Suffolk Downs has selected to manage its proposed gaming facility. Evans included in his review site visits to some of Caesars' major gaming venues.

"Suffolk Downs' ownership and management have shown an unwavering commitment as trusted community partners and I'm excited about taking on an expanded role in this area as Suffolk Downs explores the next phases of its business development," said Evans.

While consulting to Suffolk Downs, Evans helped the track initiate a code of conduct for employees, vendors and patrons and established enhanced policies on responsible wagering. In 2011, Suffolk Downs received full accreditation from the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's Safety and Integrity Alliance following a complete review of operations at the facility. The track earned 'Best Practice' ratings in security training, fire safety planning and procedures, and a number of wagering security procedures, including incident investigation protocols.

After leaving his post at the Boston Police Department in 2003, the Government of the United Kingdom hired Evans as the Director of the Police and Crime Standards Directorate in London, where he formulated response and monitoring policies for 42 police agencies throughout England and Wales. Evans held this position until 2007 before returning to the U.S. and beginning an international consulting practice.

During Evans' service as Commissioner of the Boston Police, the city experienced a 31-year low in violent crime as he implemented innovative neighborhood programs and crime prevention policies that were widely emulated across the country. Surveys showed a 50 percent increase in feelings of safety among Boston residents during his tenure.

Evans began his career in law enforcement in 1970 as a patrol officer in the Boston Police Department. A Vietnam Marine Corps veteran, Evans is a graduate of Boston State College and Suffolk University Law School and a member of the Massachusetts Bar.

Active in the community, Evans has served on the Board of Directors of the YMCA of Greater Boston, Pine Street Inn, Boston Police Athletic League, and Police Executive Research Forum. He presently serves on the Board of Advisors of the Colonel Daniel Marr Boys & Girls Club.

The New England Turf Writers Association has selected its champions and award winners for the 2011 racing season. The annual awards dinner is scheduled to take place in July of 2012. The honorees are:

2-year-old filly - Pennies Appeal
2-year-old male - Mighty One
Robert M. O'Malley Memorial Award - 3-year-old - Rodan
Older female - Sassy City
James R. Bishop Memorial Award - Older male - Beijing House
Joseph E. Carney Memorial Award - Turf male - National Hero
Turf female - She's Got Bling
Sprinter - Beijing House
Cliff Sundberg Memorial Award - New England-bred - Tally's Sundance
Special Achievement - Jorge Vargas, Eileen Robidoue, Snow Down
Eli Chiat Memorial Award - Outstanding Jockey - Tammi Piermarini
Gerry Sullivan Memorial Award - Outstanding Trainer - Marcus Vitali
Lou Smith Memorial Award - Tom Creel
Sam McCracken Memorial Award - Monarch Stables

The winner of the James B. Moseley Award for Horse of the Year will be revealed at the awards dinner. The NETWA's Hall of Fame Class of 2012 will be announced in the spring and will also be honored at the awards dinner.

John Kirby, age 85, passed away on December 29 following a short illness.

Kirby, a former Marine, was a successful local breeder and trainer and had been a part of New England racing for the past 36 years, partnering with his son Tim.

Some of the most notable stars to come from his Smokey Valley Farm in Dover, MA were African Prince, who earned nine victories at Suffolk Downs including four stakes wins and a hard-knocking horse named Brik who won 23 of his remarkable 184 starts. John's nickname, given by his wife Patricia, was "Kirb" and Brik is that spelled backwards.

Memorial gifts in John's name can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, PO Box 1893, Memphis, TN 38101-9950.

Perennial powers Tammi Piermarini, John Rigattieri and Monarch Stables took home year-end honors at Suffolk Downs as the track concluded its 2011 live racing season on Saturday, November 5 before a Breeders' Cup Day crowd of 6,521.

Piermarini amassed 109 wins to capture her second straight meet title and the third of her career at Suffolk Downs. The 44-year-old mother of three won with 20% of her mounts for earnings of $1,163,099. Jacqueline Davis was second with 82 wins. Piermarini made history on August 22, becoming just the fifth woman in Thoroughbred racing history to reach the 2,000-win mark. She has since moved into fourth place on the all-time win list for female riders. Piermarini will be taking her tack to Turf Paradise.

Veteran John Rigattieri continued his reign atop the trainer standings, earning his eighth consecutive title at the East Boston oval. Rigattieri saddled 60 winners from 211 starters (28%). Marcus Vitali was second with 45 wins.

Monarch Stables, third in last year's owner standings, made 35 trips to the winner's circle to garner its first Suffolk Downs title since 2006. Charles Fontana was second with 16 wins.

First time starter Dreamed a Dream made her career debut a winning one with a 7 1/4 length triumph in the $50,000 Norman Hall Stakes, completing six furlongs in 1:16 over a muddy track.

Trained and bred by Bobby Raymond and owned by Kathy Raymond, the two-year-old Massachusetts-bred daughter of Agnes Gold (JPN) broke slowly, caught the leaders entering the first turn and drew off comfortably under David Amiss.

"She didn't break very well," said Amiss. "But she is going to be a really nice horse. She proved it today and beat the boys. I just had a ton of horse."

Dreamed a Dream returned $12.80, 4.40 and 3.20. King Colby paid $2.40 and 2.20 while Fonzy returned $2.60.

Burt Shapiro of Malden, MA finished first and earned the top cash prize in the handicapping tournament held Saturday, October 29 at Suffolk Downs, while Kevin McDonough of Medford, MA qualified for the 13th annual Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship.

Shapiro finished with a total mythical bankroll of $90.60, besting McDonough ($83) by $7.60. As the highest-placed NHC Tour member in the tournament, McDonough earned a berth in the National Championship to be held January 27-28, 2012 at Treasure Island Las Vegas.

The tournament drew 94 entrants from eight states. Players were required to place mythical $2 win and place wagers on one horse in each of 15 pre-selected races from Suffolk Downs, Belmont, Keeneland and Santa Anita. With the cancellation of the four scheduled races from Belmont, the tournament was reduced to 11 races. All selections had to be submitted prior to the first race of the tournament and there was no cap on prices.

Prize money was determined by the number of entrants. The entry fee was $60, creating a total pool of $5,640, all of which was returned to the players. The winner received 50 percent, while the runner-up got 20 percent. Cash prizes were awarded to the top 10 finishers:

NAME, RESIDENCE - BANKROLL
1. Burt Shapiro, Malden, MA - $90.60
2. Kevin McDonough*, Medford, MA - $83.00
3. Ed Zielinski*, Salem, MA - $77.40
4. Michael Mullavey*, Dunstable, MA - $72.40
5. Danny Pancila, Flushing, NY - $70.20
6. Georgianna Zagarella, Haverhill, MA - $67.40
7. Albert Coulombe*, Biddeford, ME - $64.60
8. Scott Fitzgerald*, Hopkinton, MA - $62.80
9. Dennis Johnson*, Everett, MA - $62.60
10. Russell Sponsler, Norway, ME -$62.40

*NHC Tour member

If you participated in the tournament and would like to know where you finished, send us an e-mail and we will let you know.

New England's reigning Horse of the Year Lovethatdirtywater earned his first victory of the season with a 1/2 length triumph in Wednesday's feature, completing six furlongs in 1:12 2/5 over a fast track.

Ridden by Jordano Tunon for trainer John Botty, the four-year-old son of City Place broke sharply and rated behind front-runner Exchange the Limit before seizing command at the top of the stretch and holding off a late run from Dealing Lucky.

Lovethatdirtywater, who in addition to the title of Horse of the Year was New England's champion juvenile in 2009 and three-year-old in 2010, returned $18.40, 8.20 and 4.20. Dealing Lucky paid $8.40 and 2.60 while Classic Speed returned $2.60.

It's Me Mom prevailed by a nose over 6-5 favorite Nicole H in the $100,000 Robert M. O'Malley Sprint Stakes on Saturday at Suffolk Downs before an exuberant crowd of 10,103 fans who were also treated to the track's first-ever Food Truck Festival.

It's Me Mom, ridden to victory by Willie Martinez for trainer Lynne Scace, broke sharply and rolled through demanding early fractions of :21.17, :43.63 and :55.91 before completing the six furlongs in 1:09.67.

"Our main concern was the dirt, because she is such a synthetic freak," said Martinez, who rode Brass Hat to victory in the 2007 Massachusetts Handicap at the East Boston oval. "We knew she was incredibly fast, and when I asked her for more, she responded. All the credit goes to her."

It's Me Mom, a three-year-old daughter of Put it Back, paid $25.80, 10.60 and 6.80. Nicole H returned $3.20 and 2.40, while Karmageddon returned $5.80.

Also on the card, Silk Spinner earned his second consecutive stakes victory with a five-and-three-quarter length triumph under Gary Wales, completing the one mile and seventy yards in 1:45.53. A homebred three-year-old son of Silk Broker trained by Adel Salim, Silk Spinner broke sharply and held off a late charge from reigning New England champion juvenile Miscoe Gray for the win.

Silk Spinner returned $3.80, 2.80 and 2.20. Miscoe Gray paid $6.40 and 3.80, while Sociano's Legacy returned $3.80.

The stakes races were the featured events on a special 10-race program conducted in conjunction with a food truck festival that included 15 gourmet food trucks serving a wide variety of specialty items.

Suffolk Downs recognized several local charitable organizations at the Food Truck Festival as part of its "Community Winner's Circle" program. The honorees were the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, Friends of Belle Isle Marsh, and Winthrop Charities. The "Community Winner's Circle" program was established in 2008 in a continuation of the track's long-standing community outreach program.

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) announced Thursday, October 20 that Suffolk Downs has been fully accredited by the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance following a complete review of all racing operations at the facility.

The accreditation of Suffolk Downs was the culmination of a lengthy certification process that began with the track's completion of a 48-page written application and continued as Suffolk Downs hosted several meetings with Alliance officials. The on-site review included inspections of all facets of the racing facility, and interviews with track executives, racetrack personnel, jockeys, owners, trainers, stewards and fans. The inspection team was comprised of Ronald Jensen, DVM; racing official Richard Lewis; Mike Kilpack of the Organization of Racetrack Investigators (ORI); and Mike Ziegler, Executive Director of the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance.

"Suffolk Downs was reviewed this year during its current live meeting," said Ziegler. "It received 'Best Practice' ratings in several areas including aftercare and transition of retired racehorses; security training; fire safety planning and procedures; and a number of wagering security procedures, including incident investigation protocols. Suffolk Downs should also be publicly commended for strongly advocating to the Massachusetts State Racing Commission that it adopt several ARCI Model Rules not presently in effect within the state."

"It is gratifying for Suffolk Downs to receive this accreditation because the safety of our athletes, equine and human, is one of our primary objectives," said Chip Tuttle, Chief Operating Officer of Suffolk Downs. "We are especially proud of the proactive role we have played in making Thoroughbred aftercare a priority in our industry, and we want to thank our employees and horsemen as well as recognize the ongoing commitment of the Massachusetts State Racing Commission in helping us to achieve this accreditation."

Suffolk Downs is now the 21st racing facility to receive full accreditation, joining Churchill Downs, Keeneland, Belmont Park, Delaware Park, Hollywood Park, Monmouth Park, Arlington Park, Saratoga Race Course, Calder Race Course, Turfway Park, the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Oak Tree at Santa Anita/Santa Anita Park, Fair Grounds, Aqueduct Racetrack, Golden Gate Fields, Woodbine, Pimlico, Canterbury Park, Sunland Park and, most recently, Finger Lakes Casino and Racetrack.

The Alliance, formed in October 2008 with the goal of establishing national uniform standards in the areas of safety and integrity, includes 55 racetracks in North America and every major national horsemen's organization. Alliance certification standards cover six broad areas: injury reporting and prevention; creating a safer racing environment; aftercare and transition of retired racehorses; uniform medication, testing and penalties; safety research; and wagering security. Within those six categories, specific standards focus on areas including:

Systematic reporting of equine injuries
Aftercare of racehorses
Pre- and post-race veterinary examinations
Post-mortem examinations
Health and safety of jockeys
Riding crops and their use
Horse shoes and hoof care
Safety research
Safety equipment for jockeys and horse handlers
Exogenous Anabolic Steroids
Alkalinizing agents (TCO2)
On-track emergency medical care for humans and equines
Out-of-competition testing
Freezing and retrospective testing of post race samples
Continuing education
Security assessment and training
Totalizator technology and "stop wagering" protocols
Wagering incident investigation

The NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance is a standing organization whose purpose is to establish standards and practices to promote safety and integrity in horseracing and to secure their implementation. Information on the Alliance, including the Alliance Code of Standards, can be found at www.NTRAalliance.com.

A full field of 12 fillies and mares has been entered for the $100,000 Robert M. O'Malley Sprint Stakes to be run at six furlongs over the main track at Suffolk Downs on Saturday.

Headlining the field is graded stakes winner Nicole H, who will be making her first start since a front-running victory in the Distaff Handicap (G2) at Aqueduct on April 16. The four-year-old daughter of Mr. Greeley is trained by Michael Hushion and veteran New England jockey Taylor Hole has been named to ride.

Also in the field is a pair of former New England champions, Sassy City and Winning Image. Sassy City was last seen finishing second in the Endine Stakes (G3) at Delaware Park for trainer John Botty while Winning Image was third in an allowance race at Parx in October for trainer Michael Aro.

The O'Malley Stakes is the eighth race on the special 10-race program being conducted in conjunction with the first-ever Suffolk Downs Food Truck Festival. The event will feature more than a dozen local gourmet food trucks and will run from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. First post time is 12:45 p.m.

Also on the card is the $50,000 John Kirby Stakes for Massachusetts-bred three-year-olds to be run at a mile and seventy yards which drew a field of eight. The Kirby Stakes is the fourth race on the card. Silk Spinner, part of an entry for trainer Adel Salim along with stablemate Silks Solotude, will try to earn his second consecutive stakes victory after a three-length triumph in the African Prince Stakes on September 24.

Live racing is being conducted on a Monday-Wednesday-Saturday schedule through the conclusion of the meet on Saturday, November 5. There will be a special live card on Friday, November 4 in conjunction with Day 1 of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships.

Olde Kings Highway made his turf debut a winning one with a one-length upset in Monday’s featured allowance race at Suffolk Downs, completing about a mile and seventy yards over a good turf course in 1:47 1/5.

Trained by Thomas O'Hearn and ridden by Laurent Beaucamp, the three-year-old son of Eddington earned his was forwardly placed early and seized command heading into the backstretch before drawing off and holding off a late rallying Nugget of Wisdom.

Olde Kings Highway returned $21.80, 8.80 and 6.00. Longshot Nugget of Wisdom paid $18.60 and 12.60 while Zai Jian returned $5.60.

Also on the nine race card, leading rider Tammi Piermarini extended her lead in the jockey standings with a three-win day.

Piermarini began her triple in the fourth race with Raylou ($5.40) for Mike Catalano, Jr. In the seventh race, she teamed up with Marcus Vitali for a win aboard longshot A Smart Judge ($20.00) and capped off her day in the ninth race for Edward "Ned" Allard with Galofmydreams ($6.60)

Piermarini, who took home leading rider honors in 2010, tops the jockey standings with 93 victories.

Thousands of walkers joined together at Suffolk Downs on Sunday, October 2 to raise much-needed funds for critical scientific research and to increase autism awareness at the 11th Annual Greater Boston Walk Now for Autism Speaks.

Just as thoroughbred racehorses do four days a week at Suffolk Downs, walkers gathered in the paddock before proceeding onto the racetrack where they made their way around the one-mile dirt surface. The event also included a community resource fair and various forms of family entertainment, including live music, games and other activities for kids. Suffolk Downs has hosted the Greater Boston walk since 2007.

"Suffolk Downs has been an incredible partner," said Erica Giunta, Executive Director of the New England chapter of Autism Speaks. "Not only have they provided us with an outstanding venue for our walk, but their staff puts in a lot of effort into making our event so successful each year. They couldn't be more accommodating."

All proceeds from the event benefit Autism Speaks, the nation's leading autism advocacy organization. Established in 2000, the Walk Now for Autism Speaks events are the signature fundraising events for Autism Speaks and have attracted hundreds of thousands of walkers worldwide who have raised tens of millions of dollars for autism research. Over the last five years, the Greater Boston walk at Suffolk Downs has raised a total of $5 million dollars for Autism Speaks.

Autism is a complex neurological disorder that inhibits a person's ability to communicate and develop social relationships, and is often accompanied by extreme behavioral challenges.

Jacqueline Davis dominated Saturday's nine-race card at Suffolk Downs with three consecutive victories.

Davis began her triple with a maiden win aboard Real Gone ($8.80) for Tom McCooey, Jr. and swept the early double in the second race with Security Breach ($10.20) for Colin Sherwood. She was back in the winner's circle in the next race with trainer Mike Collins after a rail skimming victory aboard Code Taker ($15.60).

Davis, a graduate of Dorchester-native Chris McCarron's North American Riding Academy, is in her second season at Suffolk Downs and is currently second in the jockey standings with 69, 18 behind Tammi Piermarini.

Tammi Piermarini enjoyed a remarkable day on Wednesday, September 28 at Suffolk Downs, winning the first five races on the card and becoming the fourth winningest female jockey of all time in the process.

Piermarini began her historic day by guiding Riparian Right ($7.00) to victory in the opener. She followed that up with wins aboard Dr. Mulligan ($2.60), Sevenisthenumber ($13.00), Wolf Moon ($4.40) and New England champion Technically Wicked ($6.40), respectively.

She completed the day with five wins and one second from seven mounts.

Piermarini, who earlier in the year became the fifth woman to reach the 2,000-win milestone, has eclipsed Vicki Baze and is now the fourth winningest female rider in history with 2,024 career victories, 113 behind third-place Patti Cooksey (2,137). Julie Krone (3,704) and Rosemary Homeister (2,438) top the list.

Riparian Right, trained by Marcus Vitali, gave Piermarini her 2,020th victory. Vitali also saddled Sugar Trade to give Piermarini her 2,000th career win on August 22, as well as Hometown, who Piermarini rode to tie Baze yesterday.

"Raising a family, riding racehorses - it takes a lot of work and a lot of perseverance but it's worth it," said Piermarini, a mother of three. "Now I've got to keep climbing the ladder."

Piermarini, who earned her second Suffolk Downs riding title in 2010, currently sits atop the local jockey standings with 86 wins.

The fall schedule at Suffolk Downs will include higher purses, two additional four-day race weeks, and the running of the $100,000 Robert M. O'Malley Sprint Stakes.

The O'Malley Stakes, named for the track's longtime executive who died in 2007, will take place on Saturday, October 22. The race is a six-furlong sprint over the main track for fillies and mares age three and up. Nominations for the race close Saturday, October 8. The undercard will include the John Kirby Stakes, a one mile and 70 yard route for three-year-olds bred in Massachusetts.

Purses for all allowance races, including maiden special weights, have been increased by $2,000 per race, while purses for all claiming races have been increased by $1,500. An additional increase will go into effect for the final two weeks of the racing season, which concludes Saturday, November 5.

Suffolk Downs will continue its current Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday-Saturday live racing schedule through the first full week of October. The track moved to a four-day week in August. Live racing was added on Tuesday, September 27 and Tuesday, October 4 to make up for the forced cancellation of two racing days in August due to the effects of Hurricane Irene. First post time remains 12:45 p.m.

Tammi Piermarini, who earlier in the year became the fifth woman to reach the 2,000 win milestone, is now tied for fourth in the standings with Vickie Baze following a two-win day on Tuesday.

"It's another milestone," said Piermarini. "Now to keep climbing the ladder."

In the opener, she teamed up with Robert Gorham, Jr. for a 5 1/4 length score aboard Ashquar ($12.20) and earned her 2,019th career victory with a maiden breaking win with Hometown ($2.80) in the seventh.

The tying victory came for trainer Marcus Vitali, who also saddled Sugar Trade to give Piermarini her historic 2,000th career victory on August 22,

"We make a good team," said Piermarini.

Going into Wednesday's nine race card, Piermarini has seven mounts.

Suffolk Downs is the subject of Boston-area photographer Joshua Touster's "Racing Life" exhibit currently on display at the prestigious OK Harris art gallery in Manhattan's SoHo district.

Touster's work documents the world of Suffolk Downs from daybreak to dusk across the seasons through a series of color photographs that explore the lives of the people and horses at the track, a diverse yet communal family.

The exhibit opened on September 17 and runs through October 22.

The OK Harris gallery is located at 383 West Broadway.

Silk Spinner, a homebred for trainer Adel Salim, rallied from off the pace to take Saturday's $50,000 African Prince Stakes by three lengths, completing six furlongs in 1:14 2/5 over a sloppy track.

The three-year-old Massachusetts-bred son of Silk Broker broke sharply under Gary Wales and contested the pace with reigning champion juvenile filly Sociano's Legacy before putting away his game rival and splashing home over an off track.

"I let the filly go to the lead," said Wales. "I went with her, and then I hoped I’d have something left and when I asked, he did." The victory gave Wales the first stakes victory of his three-year career riding in the United States and he was quick to credit his agent for his success.

Silk Spinner, earning the second win of his career, returned $8.00, 4.20 and 5.00. Gold Star Dancer paid $6.60 and 5.50 while Silk Spinner's entrymate, Silks Solutde, finished third.

Also on the card, David Amiss and Jorge Vargas dominated the card with three winners each.

Amiss began his triple in the opener with Silver Man Can ($15.60) for Jay Bernardini. He was back in the winner's circle in for the fifth race with Same Day Pleasure ($5.60) for Anthony Ryan and followed that up in the sixth race with a win aboard Ashtyn Too ($8.60) for Alison Hassig. Amiss is currently fifth in the standings with 52 victories.

Vargas kicked off his hat trick in the second race with Aiming High ($36.40) for Arthur Duffy, Jr., giving the trainer his 500th career victory. Vargas followed that up in the third race with a win aboard Hula Party ($5.40) and capped off his day in the ninth Sgt. Embleton ($5.80) for Tim Kirby. Vargas is currently tied for ninth in the standings with 18 wins.

Tom Schwigen, the longtime starter at Suffolk Downs, died unexpectedly of a heart attack on Thursday, September 8 at his home in Chester, New Hampshire. He was 67 years old.

Schwigen has been the track's starter since 1992. He served as the starter at Rockingham Park (from 1986-2002) and several other New England tracks over the course of his career. In 2010, Schwigen had the opportunity to be a member of the starting gate crew at the Kentucky Derby.

"Tom was not only the best starter I have ever seen, he was a one-of-a-kind," said Sam Elliott, the track's Vice President of Racing. "He was a gentleman, a storyteller and great guy. He will be sorely missed by anyone who ever had the pleasure to meet him."

A memorial service will be held at the six-furlong chute, where Schwigen most frequently plied his trade, on Saturday, September 24 at 11:15 a.m.

Let's Get Ready and Gilbert Estrella rolled to a five-length victory in Saturday's featured allowance race, completing about a mile in 1:41 3/5 over a good turf course.

Trained by Irving Walling, the four-year-old daughter of More Than Ready settled towards the back of the field of ten before seizing command at the top of the stretch and drawing off under Estrella.

Let's Get Ready returned $8.60, 4.60 and 2.60. Zai Jian was a game second and paid $6.80 and longshot Casually Put returned $13.20.

Sociano's Legacy held on gamely to earn the second stakes victory of her career in Saturday’s $50,000 Louise Kimball Stakes, prevailing by half a length and completing six furlongs in 1:14 2/5.

Ridden by Hector Ramos and trained by George Brown, the three-year-old daughter of Massachusetts stallion Sociano broke sharply and was hooked early by first-time starter Navy Nurse, put away that rival and was able to hold Ladder.

"She ran great," said Ramos. "We were under pressure the whole way and then she kicked again. Then when the other horse came she just fought back."

Last year, Sociano's Legacy took home champion juvenile filly honors after defeating male rivals in the Norman Hall Stakes.

Sociano's Legacy returned $3.40 and 2.80 while Ladder paid $9.00. There was no show wagering.

The Louise Kimball Stakes was the first of three winners for Ramos on the nine-race card. He followed it up in the fifth race with an upset victory aboard Jesse's Gang ($23.80) for Tom McCooey, Jr. and teamed up with Tim Kirby in the eighth race with Sir Taypot ($6.80).

Tammi Piermarini recorded the 2,000th win of her career on Monday, August 22 at Suffolk Downs, becoming just the fifth woman in racing history to reach that milestone. Piermarini piloted Sugar Trade in the third race to accomplish her feat.

"It feels excellent to get this win at Suffolk Downs," said Piermarini, a native of Amesbury, MA who entered the day with 1,998 wins before winning with her first two mounts. "This is home. Most of these trainers and owners are who got me here."

Piermarini, 44, joins Julie Krone (3,704), Rosemary Homeister (2,438), Patti Cooksey (2,137) and Vicki (Aragon) Baze (2,019) in the exclusive group of women with 2,000 or more career victories.

"My next stepping-stone is to move up to fourth all-time, then keep going," Piermarini said when asked about trying to reach 3,000 wins. "I may never get to Julie. She is my idol."

Piermarini began her riding career in 1985 as Tammi Campbell. She earned her first victory on August 30, 1985 at age 18 aboard Go Darby and Joan, also at Suffolk Downs. Despite enduring several battles with viral meningitis, she was still able to amass 986 wins through 1998, when she took some time off to address her recurring health concerns. During that time, she married John Piermarini, and upon her return to racing in 1999, she began competing under her married name with John as her agent. Since that time, Piermarini has been free from the illnesses that had plagued her earlier in her career, enabling her to win 1,014 races and reach the 2,000 mark.

Piermarini has had some time away from racing in the last decade, but it's been by choice, having given birth to three children: Izabella (9), Johnny (4) and Sophia-Lawren (16 months). She has not let motherhood slow down her career. In 2007, Piermarini became just the third woman in Suffolk Downs history to win a meet riding title. She garnered her second title in 2010 and is currently atop this year's jockey standings with 62 wins, 14 ahead of Jacqueline Davis. Piermarini is also a two-time recipient of the Eli Chiat Memorial Outstanding Jockey Award presented by the New England Turf Writers Association (2007 and 2010).

One of Piermarini's earliest career highlights came in 1987 aboard Tour d'Or, who equaled the track record for 1 1/16 miles at Belmont Park while winning an allowance race. The duo would go on to compete in the 1987 Massachusetts Handicap (Grade II), finishing third behind Waquoit and Broad Brush in one of the most thrilling editions of the signature race at Suffolk Downs.

Piermarini has won races at 15 different racetracks over the course of her 27-year career, with the vast majority of her triumphs - 1,586 - coming at Suffolk Downs.

Click here to watch the race.

Reigning New England champion turf horse National Hero prevailed by a neck over front-running rival Swampy Town to remain undefeated in Boston in 2011 with four consecutive victories on the turf.

Trained by John Pimental and ridden by Hector Ramos, the nine-year-old son of El Prado carried the colors of Old First Ward Stable to earn his eleventh local victory from fifteen starts.

National Hero returned $4.80, 3.20 and 2.20. Pace setter Swampy Town paid $4.60 and 4.00 while Risk It All For Me returned $6.60.

Former New England champion Southern Rainbow defeated a stellar group of seven rivals, including three other former New England award winners, in Tuesday's featured race on August 23, completing the mile in 1:39 over a fast track.

Ridden by Hector Ramos for his second win of the day, the seven-year-old son of Thunderello broke sharply and dueled with All the Bases before putting away that rival and drawing off by 4 ½ lengths and holding off the mare Technically Wicked and closer Beijing House.

Trained by Charles Assimakopoulos and carrying the colors of Yasou Stable Trust, Southern Rainbow earned his fifteenth career victory and returned $7.40, 3.60 and 2.40. Technically Wicked paid $3.80 and 2.40 while Beijing House returned $2.20.

Southoftheborder rallied to a 4 3/4 length victory in Saturday's $50,000 First Episode Stakes, completing the mile and seventy yard contest for state-bred fillies and mares in 1:43 4/5 over a fast track.

A homebred for trainer Lloyd Lockhart, Southoftheborder earned her second career stakes victory. She also won the First Episode in 2009.

Ridden to victory by Jorge Vargas, the eight-year-old daughter of Senor Conquistador settled to the middle of the pack before making her move in the middle of the track and drawing clear in the final sixteenth.

"She broke really sharp," said Vargas. "I knew I had a lot of horse and when I asked her she just took off."

Southoftheborder returned $15.00, 5.80 and 3.20. Out of Goodbyes held on for second after setting the pace and paid $4.40 and 3.00 while Tally's Sundance returned $2.60.

Also on the card, jockey Jacqueline Davis rode three winners.

Davis kicked off her triple in the third race with a 1-½ length victory aboard Kissinacop ($12.20) for Charles Carey. She teamed up with Joe Signore, Jr. in the sixth race for a front-running win with Catreign ($5.40) and capped off the day with a two-length score for Mike Collins with Mopleasant ($5.80).

Carl H. Hanford, age 95, of Wilmington, DE passed away at home on Sunday, August 14, 2011.

Carl started his career as a jockey before he became a trainer and steward at racetracks all over the U.S. including Delaware Park. He was inducted into the National Museum of Racing's Hall of Fame in 2006, Nebraska Racing Hall of Fame in 1968, Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame in 1999 and Delaware Park Wall of Fame in 2009. He retired in 1988. He served in the Army Remount Corps during WW II at Fort Robinson, NB.

On July 10, 1935, Carl piloted Eddie Wrack to victory in the first race ever run at Suffolk Downs. He is most well-known for being the trainer of Kelso, the only five-time Horse of the Year in the history of American Throughbred racing.

He is survived by his daughter, Gail Hanford of Wilmington, DE and his sister, Bernice Burgett of Ottumwa, IA. He was predeceased by his wife, Mildred, his brothers, Walter and Ira Hanford and Thomas Moore.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, August 19 at 10 a.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 2503 Centerville Rd., Wilmington. Burial will be in All Saints Cemetery. Friends may call at the Doherty Funeral Home, 3200 Limestone Rd., Pike Creek on Thursday, August 18 from 6-8 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Heartland Hospice, 256 Chapman Rd., Suite 102, Newark, DE 19702; Thoroughbred Charities of America, P. O. Box 910668, Lexington, KY, 40591 and CANTER Mid Atlantic, c/o D. Dansa, 13709 Arctic Avenue, Rockville, MD 20853.

To send condolences, visit: www.dohertyfh.com.

A field of ten Massachusetts-bred fillies and mares are scheduled to go to post in Saturday's $50,000 First Episode Stakes, to be run at a mile and seventy yards on the main track.

Headlining the field is Tally's Sundance, fresh off of a victory over male rivals in the $50,000 Last Dance Stakes on August 6. Trained by Wayne Marcoux and ridden by Taylor Hole, the five-year-old daughter of Sundance Ridge rallied from off the pace in her last race to pull the upset at 23-1, earning her third career victory.

Also in the field is Out of Goodbyes, winner of the $50,000 Isadorable Stakes in her most recent start on July 30. The four-year-old daughter of Out of Place is a three-time local stakes winner for trainer Tom McCooey, Jr. and owners TK n Stride Stable. Regular rider Luis Garcia is named in the irons.

Going into Saturday's nine race program, leading rider Tammi Piermarini is four wins away from reaching the 2,000 win milestone. She is scheduled to ride Dreamin Dixie, last seen finishing third in the Isadorable for Louis Tisbert.

Classic Speed and Jacqueline Davis took advantage of a sloppy track and splashed home to a 6 1/2 length victory in Monday's featured allowance race, completing six furlongs in 1:13 1/5.

Trained and owned by Randy Lovin, Classic Speed rated just behind the front-running Masabi King before making his move on the rail and pulling away from his rival. The four-year-old gelded son of Wekiva Springs earned his first victory of the year and fourth career victory.

Classic Speed returned $ 17.80, 6.00 and 2.60. Masabi King held on for second and paid $3.00 and 2.60 while Disco Capote returned $2.40.

Jockey Tammi Piermarini drew within seven wins of the 2,000 victory milestone on Saturday, August 13, at Suffolk Downs with three winners on the nine-race card.

Piermarini, who took home leading rider honors in 2010 and currently tops the jockey standings with 55 victories, began her hat trick in the third race with a maiden victory on the turf with Real American ($3.40) for Christophe Clement. She teamed up with Marcus Vitali for another win over the lawn in the eighth race with Tom Kitten ($3.40) and swept the late double with Port Macquarie ($7.80) in the ninth.

Trainer Bobby Raymond saddled three horses to victory on the nine-race card on Tuesday, August 9, all carrying the maroon and white colors of Touchdown Stable.

Raymond teamed up with apprentice rider Megan Fadlovich for victories with Chillin Dylan ($3.20) in the second and Storm Slew ($9.00) in the sixth. In the featured eighth race, Tammi Piermarini guided New England’s reigning champion older mare Technically Wicked ($3.40) to a five-length victory.

Veteran jockey Jorge Vargas recorded his 3,000th career victory on Monday, August 8 at Suffolk Downs when his mount Want Ad was elevated via disqualification to win the fourth race of the afternoon.

"That wasn't how I wanted to get it," said Vargas, a 53-year-old veteran of New England racing. "But, it is been a long career with a lot of injuries and I'm just glad I made it here. It meant a lot to do this here, at home."

Want Ad, a three-year-old son of Mass Media trained by Robert Monahan II, paid $28.60, 7.60 and 4.00.

Vargas, a native of Puerto Rico, scored the first win of his stateside career on May 20, 1979, also at Suffolk Downs. In 1980, his 227 victories were second among all apprentice riders and he was the leading rider for the Spring meet at Suffolk Downs, the first of his four meet titles at the East Boston oval.

Also on the nine-race card, Jacqueline Davis rode three winners and is currently second in the jockey standings with 36 victories, 13 behind 2010 leading rider Tammi Piermarini.

Davis began her hat trick by sweeping the early double with Be That It May ($3.00) and Leon's Rose ($11.80). She was back in the winner's circle following a victory in the featured eighth race with Victoria Drive ($7.60).

Sam Frankel of Quincy, MA finished first and earned the top cash prize in the handicapping tournament held Saturday, August 6 at Suffolk Downs, while Charlotte Couris of Saugus, MA and Coleen Curley of North Scituate, RI qualified for the 13th annual Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship.

Frankel finished with a total mythical bankroll of $129.90, besting Russ Sponsler ($127) of Norway, Maine by $2.90. James Wakely of Medford, MA finished third with a bankroll of $125.40.

Couris ($119.70) and Curley ($119) finished fourth and fifth, respectively, but as the highest-placed NHC Tour members in the tournament, both earned berths in the National Championship to be held in January of 2012 at Treasure Island Las Vegas.

The tournament drew 129 entrants from 11 states. Players were required to place mythical $2 win and place wagers on one horse in each of 15 pre-selected races from Suffolk Downs, Del Mar, Monmouth and Saratoga. All selections had to be submitted prior to the first race of the tournament and there was no cap on prices.

Prize money was determined by the number of entrants. The entry fee was $60, creating a total pool of $7,740, all of which was returned to the players. The winner received 50 percent, while the runner-up got 20 percent. Cash prizes were awarded to the top 10 finishers:

NAME, RESIDENCE - BANKROLL
1. Sam Frankel, Quincy, MA - $129.90
2. Russ Sponsler, Norway, ME - $127.00
3. James Wakely, Medford, MA - $125.40
4. Charlotte Couris*, Saugus, MA - $119.70
5. Coleen Curley*, North Scituate, RI - $119.00
6. Teresa Deranian, Saugus, MA - $107.60
7. Pam Leisey, Nahant, MA - $101.80
8. Don Gledhill, South Attleboro, MA - $100.40
9. Scott Sivo*, Weymouth, MA - $99.90
10. Gerard Lynch*, Quincy, MA - $99.00

*NHC Tour member

If you are not among the top 10 finishers and would like to find out where you finished, send us an e-mail.

Tally's Sundance and Taylor Hole pulled off the upset in the $50,000 Last Dance Stakes on Saturday, August 6 to defeat a field of ten rival Massachusetts-breds by 3 1/2 lengths, completing a mile and seventy yards in 1:46 3/5.

After settling towards the back of the pack, the five-year-old daughter of Sundance Ridge made a bold move approaching the stretch to split horses and draw off comfortably. She was a late pick-up mount for New England veteran jockey Hole who also piloted Big Cash ($26.20) to victory in the sixth race.

"I had never ridden her before," said Hole. "I was told to let her settle and make sure you have a spot. Everything was perfect, I didn't ask her until the last quarter mile and boy, she just pinned her ears and opened up." Also on the nine-race card, Luis Garcia rode three winners.

Garcia began his hat trick in the fourth race with a front-running score aboard Sebastian's Girl ($14.60). He followed that up in the next race with an upset-victory with Grand Madam ($39.80) on the turf and capped off the day with another win on the lawn with Angel of the House ($14.00) in the ninth race.

As of August 1, Suffolk Downs has expanded to a four-day race week. Live racing is now being conducted on a Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday-Saturday schedule. First post time is 12:45 p.m.

A pair of former New England award winners returned to championship form Wednesday, August 3, at Suffolk Downs, with Beijing House defeating a star-studded field in the fourth race and Snow Down gallantly prevailing in the eighth.

In the fourth race, Beijing House ($5.00) rallied from off the pace to win by two-lengths over rivals Southern Rainbow and Lovethatdirtywater. The six-year-old son of Mutakdimm was trained by Tom McCooey, Jr. and ridden to victory by Taylor Hole. In 2007, Beijing House was New England’s champion two-year-old.

In the eighth race, Snow Down ($5.80) and Jordano Tunon made every call a winning one and held on by a determined head over Catreign for trainer John Botty and Eighth Note Stable. The five-year-old daughter of Snow Ridge took home champion juvenile filly honors in 2008.

Viola George and apprentice Megan Fadlovich pulled off the upset at 60-1 in Monday's featured allowance race, holding on by a head after setting the pace to complete a mile and a sixteenth in 1:48 3/5 over a firm turf course.

It was the second victory of the day for trainer Larry Hall, who also sent out Mesnebee ($23.80) to a maiden victory in the sixth race.

Viola George, a five-year-old son of Concorde's Tune, earned his first victory of the year and returned $124.20, 47.20 and 19.40. Torcello held on for second and paid $9.60 and 6.60 while Youbethecan returned $4.00.

Out of Goodbyes went gate to wire to earn the second stakes victory of her career in the $50,000 Isadorable Stakes on Saturday, July 30, completing the six furlong contest in 1:13 4/5 over a fast track.

Ridden by Luis Garcia and trained by Tom McCooey, Jr. for TK n Stride Stable, the four-year-old Massachusetts-bred daughter of Out of Place broke alertly, seized command early and had enough left to hold off Sociano's Treasure.

"She impressed me so much when she ran with the boys in the Rise Jim," said Garcia. "I knew if I could keep her calm, she would run her race and she was great today."

Out of Goodbyes returned $8.20, 4.80 and 3.40. Sociano's Treasure paid $5.40 and 3.40 while Dreamin Dixie returned $2.60.

Jockey Jacqueline Davis rode three winners on Monday's nine-race card.

Davis began her hat trick in the second race with a 4 1/4 length score aboard Bill's Jewell ($4.40) for Elizabeth Lezell. In the sixth race, she wore the colors of Glenridge Stable and guided Catreign ($11.60) to a two-length victory. She teamed up with Tom McCooey, Jr. for his second win of the day in the ninth and final race with Jane ($3.60).

Going into Wednesday's ten race card, Davis is second in the jockey standings with 28 victories, fourteen behind leading rider Tammi Piermarini.

Lovethatdirtywater, New England's champion three-year-old in 2010, was named the recipient of the 2010 James B. Moseley Horse of the Year Award by the New England Turf Writers Association at its 69th Annual Awards Dinner held Thursday, July 21 at the Danversport Yacht Club in Danvers, MA.

Owned and trained by John Botty, Lovethatdirtywater had previously earned champion juvenile honors in 2009.

Lovethatdirtywater returned to Suffolk Downs to kick off his sophomore campaign and was fourth in his first start back. He quickly returned to championship form with three consecutive victories against strong fields and capped off his season with a gallant runner-up finish behind an upset winner after dueling through blistering fractions. The aptly-named Boston-based runner thrilled local fans from July to November and ended his season with three wins and one second from five starts.

Other divisional winners honored at the awards dinner were:

2-year-old filly - Sociano's Legacy
2-year-old male - Miscoe Gray
3-year-old filly - Winning Image
Robert M. O'Malley Memorial Award - 3-year-old colt - Lovethatdirtywater
Older female - Technically Wicked
James R. Bishop Memorial Award - Older male - Western Tease
Joseph E. Carney Memorial Award - Turf male - National Hero
Turf female - Battingstar
Sprinter - Western Tease
Cliff Sundberg Memorial Award - New England-bred - Mr. Meso
Special Achievement - Jacqueline Davis, Hector Ramos, Hi Time Scott, Glenridge Stable & Joe Signore, Jr. and Nick Zito
Eli Chiat Memorial Award - Outstanding Jockey - Tammi Piermarini
Gerry Sullivan Memorial Award - Outstanding Trainer - Charles Assimakopoulos
Lou Smith Memorial Award - Yearly Achievement - Ask Queenie
Sam McCracken Memorial Award - Lifetime Achievement - Michael Blowen

The New England Turf Writers Association also inducted its Hall of Fame Class of 2011, which consists of trainer Ronald Dandy, jockey Henry Wajda, Francis "Skip" McDonnell, James "Judge" Dooley and reporter and handicapper Bob Waldo. A plaque bearing the names of all of the inductees is on permanent display at the Sports Museum located in the TD Banknorth Garden.

Jockey Hector Ramos rode three winners on Monday's ten-race card.

Ramos began his triple in the opener with a 1 ¼ length victory aboard Wedding Bells Soon ($5.80) for M.C. Reardon. He was back in the winner's circle following the fifth race with favored Bulletproof Spirit ($3.80) for John Pimental and won the eighth via disqualification with longshot Mr. Jolson ($25.00) for William Sienkewicz.

Going into Wednesday's eleven race card, Ramos is currently tied with Jacqueline Davis for second in the standings with 24 wins each, 16 behind Tammi Piermarini.

Sultan's Prince came rolling down the middle of the track to take the $50,000 Rise Jim Stakes by 1 1/4 lengths on Saturday, July 16, completing six furlongs in 1:13 1/5 over a fast track.

Ryan Barber picked up the mount for Timothy Kirby after regular rider Vernon Bush came off his mounts for the day following a spill in the morning.

"I hadn't ridden him before," said Barber. "But, he was a super horse to ride. I was a little worried with the full field and the inside post position, but he just accelerated when I asked him."

Sultan's Prince defeated a full field of thirteen rival state-breds to earn his third stakes victory and returned $16.40, 9.20 and 5.80. Same Day Pleasure paid $15.00 and 9.40 while Lord Kyle's Quest returned $8.60.

Former New England champion Beijing House defeated a stellar field, including two other local award winners, with a 5 ½ length victory from off the pace to complete six furlongs in a 1:11 over a fast track.

Trained by Tom McCooey, Jr. and ridden to victory by Taylor Hole, 2007's champion juvenile colt earned his eighth career victory and fourth local win.

Beijing House returned $9.40, 4.40 and 2.20. Reigning champion sophomore Lovethatdirtwater held on gamely after setting the pace and paid $4.80 and 2.40 while former champion older male Southern Rainbow returned $2.20.

The aptly-named National Hero earned his second consecutive victory with a ½ length triumph over Swampy Town, completing about five furlongs on the turf in :58 2/5.

Ridden to victory by Hector Ramos for John Pimental and carrying the colors of Old First Ward Stable, the nine-year-old son of El Prado earned his ninth local victory and returned $3.60, 2.60 and 2.20. Swampy Town, game in defeat after setting the pace, paid $3.80 and 2.40 while E.J. Little Boy returned $2.60.

In 2010, National Hero took home champion turf horse honors.

The New England Turf Writers Association has elected its Hall of Fame class of 2011, which will be honored along with the 2010 NETWA award winners at the organization's 69th Annual Awards Dinner on Thursday, July 21 at the Danversport Yacht Club in Danvers, MA.

The class consists of trainer Ron Dandy, jockey Henry Wajda, owner and breeder Francis "Skip" McDonnell, Narragansett Park co-founder James "Judge" Dooley, and reporter and handicapper Bob Waldo.

Dandy has been one of the most successful trainers in the history of New England racing, winning 15 meet titles at Suffolk Downs, including 10 in a row from 1998 to 2003. Dandy has been honored by the New England Turf Writers with the Gerry Sullivan Award for Outstanding Trainer and was the recipient of the Sam McCracken Memorial Award for lifetime achievement in 2004.

Henry Wajda of Newmarket, NH was one of the premier riders on the New England circuit before his life came to a tragic end at age 39 when he died from injuries suffered in a riding accident at Rockingham Park in 1973. Wajda was a dominant force in the region in the late 1950s and early 1960s, capturing five meet titles at Rockingham Park (1958, '60, '61, '63 and '64) and four at Suffolk Downs (1961-63, '66). His 266 victories in 1963 were good for fifth in the country.

Francis "Skip" McDonnell of New Hampshire bred and owned numerous New England champions in his lifetime, including Cimarron Secret, Nana's Toy and Sandy Gator. McDonnell and trainer George Handy were jointly honored by the NETWA with the 2001 Lou Smith Award for yearly achievement to New England racing and McDonnell was also the recipient of the NETWA's McCracken Award for lifetime achievement in 2007. McDonnell passed away in 2009.

James E. "Judge" Dooley was one of the initial investors and founders of Narragansett Park racetrack and was instrumental in legalizing pari-mutuel wagering in Rhode Island. After 15 years of trying, Dooley finally won General Assembly approval of the legislation in 1934 and the track was built in two months and opened that same year. Dooley first served as secretary of the Narragansett Racing Association before becoming president in 1938, a position he held until his death in 1960.

The late Bob Waldo worked alongside Dave Wilson to produce the highly regarded "Green Sheet" for the Boston Record American. He worked 44 years for the Record American and later the Boston Herald, covering racing across New England. In addition to his career as a turf writer, he also served in the Army Air Corps during World War II.

The names of this year's inductees will be added to a plaque that is on permanent display in the New England Thoroughbred racing exhibit at the Sports Museum located in the TD Banknorth Garden.

The panel of voters consisted of current active NETWA members. A two-thirds majority among the voters was required for election.

Tickets for the awards dinner are $60 each and tables of ten are available for $600. To purchase tickets, call 617 568-3220.

Suffolk Downs has postponed its card scheduled for Wednesday, May 25 due to insufficient entries. The day will be rescheduled at a date to be determined later in the meet.

"While we have over 600 horses at the facility, the weather of the last few weeks has interrupted training and, in turn, put a strain on entries," said Suffolk Downs' Chief Operating Officer Chip Tuttle. "We anticipate that things will pick up over the next several days and we can resume racing as scheduled."

The track will be open for simulcasting on Wednesday. Live racing will resume on Saturday. First post time is 12:45 p.m.

Suffolk Downs opened its 2011 racing season Saturday, May 21 with a nine-race program before an enthusiastic crowd of 11,372, who also came out to watch and wager on the Preakness Stakes. The stars of the day were jockeys Hector Ramos and Jacqueline Davis, who each posted multiple wins.

In the third race, Ramos teamed up with trainer John Pimental for a neck-decision aboard One Chin Again ($7.20). Those two made another trip to the winner's circle in the sixth race with the favored Sunshine Nikki ($6.20). Ramos finished second in the jockey standings last season with 81 victories.

In the seventh race, Jacqueline Davis guided Mopleasant ($7.40) to a 9-1/4 maiden victory through dense fog. She capped off the day in the ninth race with a win aboard Get Ready Go ($5.00). Davis, a 24-year-old graduate of Dorchester-native Chris McCarron's North American Riding Academy, finished sixth in the standings with 72 victories in her first season at Suffolk Downs.

On Opening Day, Suffolk Downs honored three "Community Winner's Circle" recipients for their positive contributions to their local communities. The honorees were the Neighborhood of Affordable Housing (NOAH) of East Boston, the 2010-11 Revere Girls High School Basketball team that posted a perfect 20-0 regular season, and the Winthrop Parks and Recreation Department. The "Community Winner's Circle" program was established in 2008 as a continuation of the track's long-standing community outreach program. Each honoree is recognized by the track in a winner's circle ceremony and with a contribution.

Members of the East Boston High School Jr. ROTC presented the colors for the national anthem, which was performed by Jason Rambler of the All-Star Buglers.

The track will conduct a Monday-Wednesday-Saturday racing schedule until the conclusion of the meet on Saturday, November 5. Usual first race post time is 12:45 p.m.

Opening Day of the 2011 live racing season at Suffolk Downs is this Saturday, May 21, Preakness Stakes Day. Gates open at 10:00 a.m. and first post time for the nine-race program is 1:15 p.m. Parking and admission will be free on Opening Day and for the duration of the live meet.

In addition to live racing, the track will simulcast the 136th running of the Preakness Stakes from Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, MD, where Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom will continue his quest for racing's elusive Triple Crown. Wagering on the Preakness Stakes will be available both Friday and Saturday.

Daily overnight purses for the 2011 meet will be $103,125, which represents a 30% increase from 2010 purse levels. After the May 21st opening, live racing will be conducted on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays for the remainder of the meet. The final week of the meet will include a special Friday card in conjunction with the start of the two-day Breeders' Cup World Championships, which will take place November 4th and 5th. Additional racing days will be scheduled in the summer and fall to ensure the track meets its statutory and contractual requirements. Usual first race post time is 12:45 p.m.

An additional attraction for horseplayers will be the lowering of the base amount on Pick Three and Pick Four wagers from one dollar to 50 cents. These 50-cent multi-race wagers will complement the 10-cent superfecta on the exotic wagering menu. The 10-cent superfecta was introduced on a limited basis in 2007 and has been available on all races since 2009.

On Opening Day, Suffolk Downs will honor three "Community Winner's Circle" recipients for their positive contributions to their l