Suffolk workers staying optimistic about casino decision

REVERE – Jay Bernardini has worked in horse racing for 30 years, and he could find out as early as next week if his career is going to continue at Suffolk Downs or shift to another track.The Massachusetts Gaming Commission hopes to decide by Wednesday if Suffolk Downs and Mohegan Sun or Wynn Everett get a state license to run a casino in Eastern Massachusetts.?It?s going to be a good or a bad day,” he said.Both developers plan to build big casino complexes filled with games, hotels and restaurants, but Suffolk-Mohegan also plans to keep live horse racing at the track on the Revere-East Boston line.If the state license goes to Suffolk, Bernardini and his 10-member crew will continue training and racing 40 horses. The Lynn resident, who landed his first job walking race horses for a dollar a day, divides his stable?s time between Suffolk and Maryland.?I?m told that if we don?t win the bid, there won?t be racing here,” Bernardini said.Bernardini started working at Suffolk right out of high school, embracing a career that demands a 365-day-a-year commitment to 1,100-pound animals capable of sprinting down a track at 35 miles per hour.?It takes 100 percent dedication. On Christmas Day, you take care of the horses, then you eat dinner,” he said.People who care for horses wake up at 4:30 a.m. and get to bed at midnight when an emergency strikes.?When a horse gets sick, you need to be there right away,” said Suffolk-Mohegan communications director and horse owner Jessica Paquette.Bernardini is relieved the gambling commission is finally approaching decision day on a Suffolk or Wynn casino. He said a Suffolk casino combined with a race track will attract gamblers as well as casual casino visitors who have never enjoyed live racing.?A casino with a track could boom here,” he said.If the commission passes over Suffolk, Bernardini said “thousands of jobs are going to move” as Suffolk workers and the larger economy of delivery firms, suppliers and specialized companies that serve the track face difficult decisions about remaining open locally or resettling.?It?s not just the track: It?s the whole big thing that goes along with it,” he said.Bernardini doubts racing at Suffolk will continue another year if Wynn gets a license. Crew member Cindy Servideo doesn?t know what she will do if Suffolk-Mohegan does not get a casino license, but she is remaining optimistic about Suffolk?s chances.?I think we?re going to get it,” she said.Richard Sheehan also likes Suffolk-Mohegan?s chances of landing a license. The veterinarian has treated track horses for 26 years, and his father and namesake worked for 35 years at Suffolk.?With the Mohegan proposal supporting an industry that?s been here 75 years, it makes it a two-for-one benefit; but this is Massachusetts – you never know – in politics the right thing isn?t what is always done,” Sheehan said.Bernardini said some of his crew members live at the track and he considers them “all stars” when it comes to caring for horses. He plans to keep training horses as long as he can take them to a track to race.?I?m blessed? I get to come in here and make a living every day,” he said.