Suffolk Downs commenced its inaugural race meet on July 10, 1935. The cost of building Suffolk was $2-million in Depression-era currency as the project from start to finish, took 62 days. Discovery was victorious by 15 lengths in the `35 Bunker Hill Handicap at Suffolk which was the largest winning margin of his race career. Massachusetts Handicap winners include Seabiscuit (1937), Whirlaway (1942), Stymie (1947), Riva Ridge (1972), Cigar (1995-`96), and Skip Away (1997-`98) -- all are either current or future members of the Hall of Fame. The Beatles staged a concert at Suffolk in 1964; admission to this cost $5 per person. Bill Veeck, best known for his baseball exploits, was president of Suffolk from 1969-`70 and wrote a lively kiss-and-tell book about the experience, "Thirty Tons a Day." Jockey Carl Gambardella, who retired a few years ago with well over 6,000 career wins, spent most of his four decades on riding on the New England circuit.