Economic woes thwart 2009 MassCap

Suffolk Downs canceled the Massachusetts Handicap for 2009, citing a desire to use the money that would be spent on the high-profile race to save jobs and maintain daily payouts at the East Boston racetrack.

It's the fourth time since 2003 that the MassCap, which once drew top horses like Seabiscuit, War Admiral and John Henry to the track, has been called off as the circuit struggles with declining attendance and revenue.

But this time, the national economy is also playing a part.

"We are fighting to save jobs and maintain current purse levels for the horsemen who are here every day," track owner Richard Fields said Friday. "We have also been forced to make some difficult choices. We hope this is a temporary setback and that the local fans will continue to support our efforts to enhance racing in Massachusetts."

The MassCap ran every year from when the track opened in 1935 until it closed in '89, but its history has been spotty since then. The track reopened in 1992 and the race returned in '95, when Cigar took home the winner's share of the record $650,000 purse and went on to earn horse of the year honors.

Cigar was back to repeat in '96, but the purse was down to $400,000 and it has been at $300,000 since 2001. The race also was suspended in '03, '05 and '06.

"We are disappointed that there will be no MassCap this year," said Al Balestra, president of the New England Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association. "But Suffolk Downs' ownership raised purse levels in 2007 and has been working hard to maintain them and to support our horsemen and local farms despite tough economic conditions."