There Swifty goes!

Wonderland's last card end of an era

REVERE - There Swifty goes... and he's probably not coming back around the track.

Wonderland Greyhound Park is slated to hold its final 12 races tonight (post time is 7:25 p.m.) after voters passed a state ballot measure in 2008 ending dog racing in the state.

Wonderland opened its doors 74 years ago and soon after became one of the top nightlife attractions on the North Shore.

But time took its toll on the Route 1A complex, its customer base dwindled, entertainment choices widened and the voters' decision to ban dog racing served as the final straw.

After the final card, Wonderland's greyhound racing season ends and another won't be allowed to start next year as all dog racing in the state must end by January of next year.

Supporters of greyhound racing in the state say nearly 1,200 people will lose their jobs once the ban takes effect. Opponents say the ban already has been approved by voters and claim some track workers already are being trained for other jobs.

So it appears it's the end of an era for Wonderland, although there are several key efforts afoot at the State House level in support of Wonderland and its employees.

Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo, D-Winthrop, who represents the Revere ward in which Wonderland is located, has long been a vocal supporter of slot machines at the state's race tracks, labeling them the "initial threshold" to any upcoming expanded gambling legislation, including a resort casino plan.

Last week, supporters of greyhound racing packed a State House hearing in support of a bill filed by state Rep. Marc Pacheco, D-Taunton, that would delay the racing ban for two years. Another bill, filed by state Rep. David Flynn, D-Bridgewater, would allow the two tracks to continue to take wagers on simulcast races.

Constructed on the site of the old Wonderland Amusement Park, the oval opened on June 12, 1935 when approximately 5,000 watched Pansy Walker win the oval's first-ever race. The parimutuel handle for the first card was $58,462, a princely sum in Depression-era America.

Greyhound racing took off on the North Shore and, just 17 cards later, the handle topped $100,000 and never went under that figure for the remainder of the initial 100-card meet.

Shortly after the World War II conflict ended in Europe, Wonderland hosted 22,607 fans on May 16, 1945, its single-card attendance record.

According to its Web site, Wonderland has featured more All-American greyhounds than any other track in the country. 35 All-American recipients have competed there, including 18 Derby Champions.

Raynham-Taunton Greyhound Park in Raynham, the state's only other dog racing track, holds dog races year-round and will continue to hold live races until the ban officially takes effect in four months.

Dog track sued in $4m loan feud

Adviser says he’s owed

A financial adviser who made a $4 million wager on Wonderland in Revere has yet to see his investment pay off, according to a lawsuit.

E. Mark Noonan, who runs Alouette Capital in Boston, arranged the loan in 2005 for the realty company that controls Wonderland Greyhound Park and the adjacent commuter parking lot, to save the business “from collapse,” according to court records.

“To this day, although Mr. Noonan’s loan matured and should have been repaid in full over a year ago in September 2007, he has not been paid a dime,” the suit states. The complaint was originally filed in Suffolk Superior Court in December but moved to federal court this week.

Noonan, who served as an investment banker and financial adviser to Wonderland since the mid-1980s, claims the company has the means to repay the loan. His suit cites the parking lot’s annual revenue of up to $700,000 as well as payments from a partnership with Suffolk Downs, which secured an option to purchase Wonderland in August.

Patrick Dinardo, a lawyer for Wonderland and other defendants, did not deny that Noonan is owed the money but said the claims “have no merit.” He declined further comment.

In a counterclaim, Wonderland seeks unspecific damages from Noonan alleging that his “interference with the business and contractual relationships” between the defendants violates the state laws on unfair business practices. The counterclaim says Noonan is “motivated by a desire for unjust and illegitimate personal financial gain.”

Noonan, who lives in Lexington, and his attorney could not be reached yesterday.

Wonderland’s parent company, the Westwood Group - owned by Richard Dalton and Charles Sarkis, who are named as defendents in the case - ran into legal trouble in 2003 because of previous financing provided by Noonan.

Westwood agreed to a $10,000 settlement and consent order with Secretary of State William Galvin for allegedly failing to properly disclose loans from Noonan to the company and Sarkis, according to Galvin’s office and a regulatory filing by Westwood.

Boston Herald

Margery Eagan has it right

Humans will be real losers when Raynham, Wonderland shuttered

You walk into Raynham Park dog track. Right away you see Manny Sarras, worked there 50 years, son Andy Sarras, worked there 34 years. They’re walking with greyhounds that the shut-down-the-dog-track side convinced voters they’ve “tortured” - I guess - in the Sarras’ case for 84 years combined.

On a bench watching the last race Friday afternoon were five workers who’ve been at Raynham more than 100 years between them. You hear about Doris the Ticket Taker, 48 years, her friend Karen, nearly 60 years. Longevity. Jobs for whole families for generations. This was common at Raynham.

So was the misguided belief that Massachusetts voters, as kennel owner Vin Savill put it, would never do what we just did: vote to shut down the entire dog-racing industry. “And we’ve done nothing wrong,” he says. “I mean, look around.”

Boston Herald - Full Story

Anti-greyhound racing group considers NH ban

SEABROOK — Now that greyhound racing has been banned in Massachusetts, Grey 2K USA is considering its next step — in New Hampshire.

"We're obviously pretty excited with what voters decided in Massachusetts," said Paul LaFlamme, who serves on the board of directors of Grey 2K USA. "By the same token, what's right in Massachusetts isn't necessarily right in New Hampshire."

Grey 2K USA of Somerville, Mass., initiated the ballot question to ban greyhound racing in Massachusetts by 2010. Massachusetts passed the law by voter referendum. In New Hampshire, legislators would have to get onboard with a bill.

(Seacoast Online-Full Story)

Rep seeks track vote

REVERE - She admits it is a long shot, but state Rep. Kathi-Anne Reinstein is exploring the possibility of asking fellow legislators to overturn last week's referendum vote closing dog tracks in 2010.

"I will file a petition if I can. We are looking into how to go about reversing it," Reinstein said.

Ban proponents labeled their victory "a clear message that we will not tolerate an industry that causes thousands of dogs to endure lives of terrible confinement."

Reinstein sides with workers and kennel owners who called proponents' mistreatment claims exaggerated. She contrasted the dog ban to a marijuana decriminalization referendum voters also approved.

"It's tragic that it is OK to smoke pot but not OK to make an honest day's living."

(Lynn Daily Item - Full Story)

In defeat, dog tracks seek slots to save 1,000 jobs

The fight to ban greyhound racing is over, replaced by the battle to bring slot machines to the dog tracks.

One day after voters approved a ballot initiative prohibiting greyhound dog racing in 2010, track owners are hoping the Legislature will approve slot machines at the state’s two facilities and spare 1,000 jobs.

“The most reasonable solution is to allow slot machines at the racetracks,” said Richard Dalton, president of Wonderland Greyhound Park in Revere. “If legislation is approved, we could create 4,000 jobs and bring the state $500 million in taxes.” (Boston Herald - Full Story)

City fears loss of jobs, income if voters OK dog-racing ban

Predictions in recent years regarding the future of Wonderland Greyhound Park have not centered on if - but when - it will close if slot machines or casino games are not added to the attractions.

But on Tuesday, a question seeking to ban dog racing in the state may cement the struggling track's expiration date, as well as Raynham-Taunton Greyhound Park's, to Jan. 1, 2010. (Boston.com-Full Story)

City fears effects of dog-racing ban's passage

Predictions in recent years regarding the future of Wonderland Greyhound Park have not centered on if - but when - it will close if slot machines or casino games are not added to the attractions.

But on Tuesday, a question seeking to ban dog racing in the state may cement the struggling track's expiration date, as well as Raynham-Taunton Greyhound Park's, to Jan. 1, 2010.

The Committee to Protect Dogs, sponsors of the ballot petition, wants to phase out the state's 70-year dog-racing industry, arguing that it is cruel and inhumane. (Boston.com-Full Story)

Wonderland owners pay Revere $752,301

REVERE - Owners of Wonderland Greyhound Park wired a lump sum payment yesterday of $752,301 to the City of Revere to cover two years' worth of back taxes and utility bills, as well as the first two quarters of the current tax year, including interest, city officials said.

The payment makes the track current on its debts to the city through Dec. 30, takes it out of foreclosure, and comes just in time for a reapplication hearing for its operating license this afternoon with the State Racing Commission. (Boston Globe-Full Story)