Wonderland Racetrack

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Wonderland Racetrack is located in Revere, Massachusetts. It is constructed on the site of the old Wonderland Amusement Park. Wonderland opened on June 12,1935, and was allowed an initial 100 night season.

The first years of Wonderland were troubled years, up until Boston buisnessman Joe Linsey bought the track. With him prosperity and security followed. However the track experienced its biggest boom when Wonderland was bought by restaurateurs and insurance men Charles Sarkis and James Kelley. From there it became the Northeast's and at one time the nation's most successful dog track. The Revere track now runs 270 dates a year.

The track has not been without its controversy. Kelley and Sarkis bought Linsey's Wonderland holdings in a controversial take over maneuver infuriating George Carney the owner of Raynham dog track. With Kelley's political clout and ability to get things done on Beacon Hill, the Sarkis and Kelley marriage paid off handsomely when Kelley was a factor in shaping the 1978 omnibus racing bill that was so economically beneficial to their Wonderland track. This was followed by the move by Wonderland dog track owners Charles Sarkis and James Kelley to force non-controlling stockholders to accept long-term subordinated debentures in place of their stock.

At one point in the history of Wonderland Dog Track, Sarkis was reported as saying that he felt his life was in danger after his fight with George Carney and his partner Kelley. It was reported that Sarkis had to go to his father, Abe Sarkis, the famed New England bookie for help to calm Carney and Kelley. Carney, who has long been known to "run" Brockton, Massachusetts and have extensive political and Mafia ties throughout the area; as well as Kelley, once known as "the wiseguy" around Boston, decided to resolve matters quietly after Charles' father interceded.

Today, Wonderland is operated by Sarkis, although since the 1980's his interest has cooled. In Massachusetts racing is frequently challenged to be made illegal and almost passed in 2002. It is expected that dog racing will be made illegal in Massachusetts by 2010.

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