FAQ: Questions from Social Media
Q: Who is the owner behind The Fairgrounds?
There have been numerous rumors and assumptions circulating on social media. This addresses people's concerns about the character of the owner by The Fairgrounds, and provides clarity on the question, "Who is Richard Fields, really?"
Richard Fields is a respected businessman in the entertainment and hospitality industries for nearly five decades. He has identified and managed talent (like Pat Benatar and Jerry Seinfeld), and owned and operated numerous other businesses.
He developed the Hard Rock hotels and casinos in Florida, which are the most successful in the country. He is the majority shareholder at Suffolk Downs in Boston. He continues to be deemed suitable in multiple jurisdictions, including the Massachusetts Gaming Commission and the Florida Gaming Commission.
In his work at Suffolk Downs, he implemented the first anti-slaughter and anti-doping regulations in horse racing. These measures were adopted by HISA, and are nationally recognized. He created a horse therapy program for inmates in Plymouth, MA.
Fields has spent his career supporting various non-profits, like Farm Aid (which he cycled off the board in 2022 to pursue other avenues), NYPD, horse rescue groups, and building agricultural classroom programs for kids.
Like any long career in very competitive and heavily regulated industries, Richard has been involved in some colorful business litigation, including being sued by Donald Trump. But people against this project will go to any length to besmirch his reputation by twisting the truth and not getting facts straight.
Q: What is the Race Horse Development Fund? Does the owner of the track get access to that money?
The Race Horse Development Fund is highly restrictive and is earmarked for racing purse money, health benefits for retirees, and funding for a statewide breeding program. Disbursement of the funds are strictly controlled by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission and can only be distributed to the Horsemen’s association for those specific categories. The funds are not available to the owner of a race track.
Link to legislation: https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter23K/Section60
Q: I’ve heard horse racing results in alot of injuries, is that still true?
For the first time in the United States since data has been recorded, the racing-related fatality rate at racetracks subject to the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority's (HISA) rules fell below 1.00 per 1,000 starts for a calendar year, the regulator said in a press release on Thursday morning.
In 2024, 99.91% of starts did not result in a fatality. From January 1 through December 31, 2024, 47 racetracks across 19 states operating under HISA's rules recorded an aggregate racing-related fatality rate of 0.90 per 1,000 starts, an approximate 27% decrease from the 1.23 rate reported by HISA in 2023 and a 55% decrease from when The Jockey Club's Equine Injury Database began reporting fatalities in 2009 at a rate of 2.00.
To learn more about how the welfare and safety of horses is a top priority for The Fairgrounds, click here
Q: Explain the litigation between the EPA, Suffolk Downs & Richard Fields
Suffolks Downs, which was built on mud flats in east Boston in 1935, was out of compliance with modern environmental regulations when Richard Fields became the majority shareholder. Fields hired engineers, spent millions of dollars, and installed a state of the art water treatment facility. That was the settlement agreement. Once Mr. Fields was made aware of the problem, he agreed to fix it.
Q: I live near the proposed site, what will happen to my property value if this venue is built?
Replacing a landfill with Fairgrounds that will be used as a thoroughbred race track a couple weekends a year, along with all of the street improvements, will only enhance the value of nearby properties. The Fairgrounds will also lead to new jobs and a positive effect on local small businesses.
Q: How will Police and EMT’s have access to the venue on Race Days?
The Mass Gaming Commission will require Bay State to have at least one, if not two, ambulances on site whenever they are racing, paid for by Bay State. BSR will also pay for all police details on race days to manage traffic.
