Just Pass the Bill!!

And they did! After years of extensions New England Horsemen finally got more than a temporary extension to the racing bill.  Suffolk Downs has increased the purse structure and planned a full stakes schedule to run up to the Massachusetts Handicap in June.  To kick off the new year Yasou Stable's Yasou A Team won his fourth straight race.

Yasou A Team makes it four in a row

The Private Terms

The best sprinters in New England gathered for this year's race named after the 1989 Mass Cap winner.  What was supposed to be an easy win for Yasou A Team turned into an exciting stretch drive between the Yasou Stable color bearer and last year's champion sprinter, Goodbar. At the line Esteemed Friend snuck up on the outside to snag the place spot as Goodbar was the victor in a tight three way finish.

   Goodbar seems relaxed in the  paddock

Winston Thompson looks shocked to see Esteemed Friend just after the finish line

The Collegian Stakes

In 1990 Manfred Roos owned the best three-year old in New England, Collegian. Roos has dominated the race named in Collegian's honor.  Last year Roos' Cliffdiver captured this race on his way to capturing the 3yo division. In the  '02 edition the Massachusetts Bred Stylish Sultan drew off to a five and one half length victory. Stylish Sultan won the Norman Hall Stakes as a two-year old.

Stylish Sultan scores an easy victory