Raynham Park Files Last Minute Application for Massachusetts Race Track

George Carney, owner of Raynham Park, put in an application to host live thoroughbred horse racing just ahead of the October 1^st deadline. The application was submitted to the state gaming commission on Tuesday. The commission expressed its intention last week to be flexible about the application deadline for the racing license, saying it was willing to accept “placeholder” applications.

Carney is also the owner of the former Raynham dog race track along with the Brockton Fair. Brockton is considered a potential site for horseracing, but Carney has not responded to inquiries about his plans for the venue.

Regarding accepting applications, chair of the gaming commission Stephen Crosby said last week “Number one, we’ve said we’ll be very flexible. Yes, get us something on October 1, get us an expression of interest, we will be very flexible in letting you come back after the dust settles and you’ve had a chance to put together a plan, we’ll be very flexible in letting you come back to amend that.”

Commission spokesman Hank Shafran said that after today’s 5 p.m. deadline has passed the commission will be meeting to discuss what comes next, including when the applications for the racing license will be released to the public.

The Massachusetts gaming commission has been busy with expansion, having awarded a license for a resort casino last month. Suffolk Downs was looking to secure the license in a partnership with Mohegan Sun Massachusetts. The campaign would have helped Suffolk Downs salvage something of its racing reputation by building the resort in Revere near its racetrack, but that license was ultimately awarded to Wynn Resorts. Wynn plans to build the resort in Everett, which caused Suffolk Downs to announce that it will close after its Saturday races conclude.

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