Berkshire Downs (racetrack)

Last updated November 01, 2024

Berkshire Downs was an American horse racing track located in Hancock, Berkshire County, Massachusetts. 42°25′16″N73°20′46″W / 42.421°N 73.346°W / 42.421; -73.346 The track opened for its first season of racing on 19 September 1960 ^[1] and in 1962 counted Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin as investors.^[2] The track struggled from outset due to poor weather, corruption, and proximity to other nearby tracks including Green Mountain Race Track, a much larger track that opened in 1963 only 30 miles due north.

The track ownership included many infamous names in mafia circles such as Angelo Bruno and Raymond L.S. Patriarca.^[3] In the early 1970s, the track made national headlines when the owners were compelled to appear before a Senate Sub Committee investigating racketeering, but Sinatra and Martin were cleared of wrongdoing.^[4] The facility closed in 1976 and is now used as a private horse breeding and training business, Sebring Stables.

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[1] Berkshire Downs: Racing's Non-Success Story

[2] "Mysteries from the morgue: A castle in Adams, Sinatra and a mob boss in Hancock". The Berkshire Eagle. 2019-01-18. Retrieved 2020-01-24.

[3] Sinatra's `Associations' With Mob Sinister Relationship Or Friendship And Loyalty? Here's A Look., Philadelphia Inquirer, May 18, 1998

[4] Hear Sinatra in High Fie ^{[ permanent dead link ]}

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