Reply #2: Seabiscuit, others to be inducted into New England Hall of Fame.

[two gun sid]

The legendary horse Seabiscuit was among those voted into the New England Racing Hall of Fame last week, just days before the race that made him a star was canceled for this year.

The Massachusetts Handicap, which Seabiscuit won in 1937, will run in 2009, Suffolk Downs racetrack announced Friday. Christian Teja, a Woodstock native who is vice president of marketing at the Boston track, cited difficult economic conditions. Known as “The MassCap,” the $500,000 event has been New England’s most recognized horse race, drawing famous trainers and jockeys from all over the country.

“Our partnership does not think we can responsibly incur the expense of the MassCap when we are fighting to save jobs and maintain current purse levels for the horsemen who are here every day,” Richard Fields, Suffolk’s principal owner, said in a statement.

Massachusetts-born jockey John “Chris” McCarron, trainer Edward “Ned” Allard, owner and breeder Gil Campbell, and handicapper Dave Wilson are this year’s other Hall of Fame inductees. They will be honored at the New England Turf Writers Association annual dinner on July 16 in Danvers, Mass. The names of the four will be added to a plaque on exhibit at the TD BankNorth Garden’s Sports Museum. The Hall of Fame started in 2005.

http://www.norwichbulletin.com/sports/x931199234/Horse-Racing-Seabiscuit-others-to-be-inducted-into-New-England-Hall-of-Fame