Monmouth Park Postpones Meet and Stable Opening

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Monmouth Park will delay the opening of its stabling area until June 1 with live racing scheduled to commence July Fourth weekend, the New Jersey racetrack announced April 8. The meet, which had been scheduled to begin May 2, runs through Sept. 27.

"We want to keep our horsemen and fans as informed as possible," said Dennis Drazin, the chairman and CEO of Darby Development, the operators of Monmouth Park. "With Gov. (Phil) Murphy extending the health care emergency in New Jersey by an additional 30 days, it became impossible for us to move forward with our planned May 1 opening for stabling. We’ll continue to follow the governor’s leadership and look forward to a great season of racing at the Jersey Shore."

Through April 7, 1,232 people had died in New Jersey from COVID-19, Murphy said, and 44,416 had tested positive. Neighboring New York is considered the epicenter of the virus in the United States.

The centerpiece of the Monmouth Park season, the $1 million TVG.com Haskell Invitational Stakes (G1), remains scheduled for Saturday, July 18.

Run at 1 1/8 miles, the Haskell is a "Win and You’re In" qualifier for the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) and may further serve as a prep this year for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) at Churchill Downs, now slated for Sept. 5.

Since the postponement of the Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs officials have not announced additional points-earning qualifiers leading up to the race, though major graded races for 3-year-olds are expected to be added.