Tuttle: Future of horse racing in Revere hinges on support for casino plan

REVERE – Top Suffolk Downs executive Chip Tuttle is relieved “politicking” associated with the competitive casino licensing process ends this week when the state Gaming Commission picks Revere or Everett for a gambling complex.If Suffolk gets a license, the track?s chief operating officer said its owners and their Mohegan Sun partners are “willing to work with the commission on every aspect of state gaming law.” Tuttle called the license review process pitting plans proposed by Suffolk-Mohegan and Wynn Everett “imperfect.”?The competitive nature of the process, while hopefully beneficial to the commonwealth, can lead to politicking from both sides that I?m not sure is the most productive thing,” Tuttle said.Tuttle on Monday said Suffolk-Mohegan addressed a commission recommendation to add $100 million in financing for the Suffolk plan. He said the partners are best positioned among the two competing casino plans to address state concerns about a Revere complex.?It is a better site with shortcomings that are easily mitigated,” he said.Revere Mayor Daniel Rizzo described the Suffolk site as “shovel-ready, with no unresolved permitting?” in a Sept. 12 letter to the commission.?Mohegan Sun offers a superior site, easier site access, a comprehensive mitigation package, predictable permitting, a realistic marketing plan, retained racing jobs and an earlier opening date,” Rizzo wrote.But a Revere casino plan faces local opposition with First Congregational Church Pastor Tim Bogertman, who said a casino will bring crime and “addiction” to the city. Bogertman urged local voters last February to oppose the Suffolk Downs/Mohegan Sun plan, but the vote was in favor by a 2-to-1 margin.?We hold from the stance that a casino will have a significant impact with the negative outweighing the positive,” Bogertman said. Jay Bernardini of Lynn races 40 horses at Suffolk Downs and said a casino will preserve 850 racing jobs at the track and bring in new jobs. He said a commission decision to put a casino at Suffolk Downs could revive the track?s sinking fortunes.?It?s good it is coming to a climax. We?ve been in a holding pattern for 10 years,” Bernardini said.Tuttle said horse racing at Suffolk Downs “has not been profitable” since 2006 because many other tracks located between Maine and Florida are pairing with casino gambling directly or indirectly. He said a commission decision favoring Wynn will end racing at Suffolk Downs and consign the track?s 160 acres to future development.?Unfortunately, that means putting a lot of people out of work,” he said.