Boston.com -- Suffolk Downs and Wonderland Greyhound Park agreed today to form a partnership to "protect the thousands of existing jobs" at both race tracks and strengthen their position to build a resort-style casino if the state expands gambling, according to a joint statement. By joining forces, the tracks gain significant economic benefits they lack as separate entities. Wonderland gains the greater financial strength of its East Boston counterpart, while Suffolk gains access to potentially lucrative development opportunities in Revere. “We have been working on this kind of agreement for a while, but the time has been well spent because we now have gotten it right," said Richard Fields, Suffolk Downs’ principal shareholder. In today's statement, Sarkis said, “All along during discussions with Suffolk Downs, we had one big goal in mind: protect the jobs of nearby residents who, in many cases, have spent their whole lives working at this facility." Suffolk Downs was seen as the leading contender for a Boston-area casino, with a politically connected ownership group and a large tract of land within minutes of Logan International Airport. But Wonderland was a pesky second option, and owners held casino partnership discussions with a wide number of investors, including Donald Trump, Foxwoods, Mohegan Sun, and the Aquinnah Wampanoag tribe of Martha's Vineyard.

HAHAHA! Donald Trump wanted to buy fucking Wonderland!!  Holy shit, you can’t make that up.  Obviously he’s never had the soup.  Anyway I think this is great news for all area degenerates.  Again, I think.  More money in the pools = more money spent gambling trying to win the money in the pools.  Plus this is all part of Menino's "master plan" to bring a casino to Boston which would save everyone the 1.5 hour ride to Foxwoods on the 2 a.m. Bonanza. Also I noticed they said something about “protecting the jobs of people who have spent their whole lives working there”.  That's great. But don’t forget about the people who have spent their whole lives living there.   On any given night, especially during the winter, you can count at least 15-20 people inside Wonderland who call the “First Turn Pub” their home.