New Racing Season Viewed as Time for Growth at Monmouth

The last few years could be described as formative at Monmouth Park.

The litany of problems caused by the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with the introduction of sports betting in 2018 and fixed-odds wagering last year, made "work in progress" the operative term at the Oceanport, N.J., track.

So now, with a 51-day summer meet set to begin May 13, the time for implementation and problem solving has given way to a year when growth can begin in earnest.

"COVID seems to have settled down, so we are not restricted in our ability to operate," said Monmouth's Dennis Drazin, the CEO and chairman of Darby Development, which operates Monmouth Park. "Everyone seems to have come together to make this the best meet we've had in recent years. It's always nice to look back, but we've had some glitches the last few years, primarily due to COVID and its impact. Now we are excited about moving forward."

The main focal point of the meet will be a schedule of 48 stakes (10 graded) worth more than $7.7 million, topped by the July 22 $1 million Haskell Invitational (G1) for 3-year-olds. But what will be scrutinized quite closely is year two of fixed-odds wagering.

Launched a year ago through a partnership with BetMakers Technology Group, wagering was restricted to Monmouth Park races on site at Monmouth only. The ability to lock in win, place, or show odds on a horse will be expanded this year with more tracks and an online component through the new MonmouthBets app that is expected to be operational for opening day.

"One of the ways to grow your revenue is through fixed-odds wagering," Drazin said. "Last year was the infancy of what we're going to do with fixed odds, but we are going to grow the handle across the United States through it. I believe it will spread into other states as we get going with this."

Jake Henson, CEO of the Australia-based BetMakers, said the expanded menu of available tracks will include Tampa Bay Downs, Parx Racing, Canterbury Park, Emerald Downs, and Century Downs Racetrack & Casino along with about a half-dozen Latin American and South American tracks. He said more tracks are expected to be announced within another week or so.

"Last year helped with offering just Monmouth Park, but now we have about a dozen tracks and we are nursing them along so they can get comfortable with the economics," Henson said. "We're confident we will get more tracks but also understand we can't rush anyone and respect that."

The key to success for fixed odds would appear to rest with landing one of the sport's major tracks, and so far they have adopted a wait-and-see approach. Dave O'Rourke, CEO and president of the New York Racing Association, spoke favorably about fixed-odds wagering a few years ago, but there was no substantial movement on it while NYRA sought a $455 million loan to redevelop Belmont Park that was secured last week. 

One NYRA official said talk about fixed odds has "stalled" at the moment due to other pressing concerns.

"It's frustrating that things don't happen overnight, but we respect the process," Henson said. "We have 12 tracks and those are the ones we will support 100% and do our best for them. In time we believe more will come on board."

On the racing front, Drazin was pleased that the barn area will be at its full 1,400-horse capacity, including divisions from New York mainstays Todd Pletcher and Chad Brown. Shug McGaughey will stable horses for the first time at Monmouth, where there are no charges for workman's compensation.

Other trainers on hand include 2022 champ Claudio Gonzalez, who will have 69 horses; Kelly Breen, Tim Hills, Pat McBurney, and Kathleen O'Connell.

Paco Lopez, who won his ninth Monmouth crown last year, heads a jockey colony that also includes Angel Rodriguez, Jairo Rendon, Samy Camacho, and newcomers Lane Luzzi and Chantal Sutherland.

The highlight of the meet will be the Haskell Day card that features the track's other grade 1, the $600,000 United Nations Stakes (G1T), as well as the $400,000 Monmouth Cup (G3), $500,000 Molly Pitcher Stakes ($500,000), and $300,000 Matchmaker Stakes (G3T).

Missing from the schedule is the $500,000 Now Now Now Stakes for 2-year-olds on the turf, which was dropped.

Monmouth Park notes

• Saturday's opening day will feature the opening of the Winner's Circle terrace, an open-air setting on the second floor of the clubhouse.
• Monmouth announced May 9 that McBurney is the recipient of the Virgil "Buddy" Raines Distinguished Achievement Award. Now president of the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, McBurney has operated his own stable since 2007 after a lengthy stint as an assistant to 2006 Raines Award recipient John Forbes. "It's a fitting honor for someone who has done so much to promote Thoroughbred racing in New Jersey," Drazin said.
• Monmouth will race Friday-Sunday through Sept. 10 with post time of 12:40 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays and 2 p.m. Fridays.
• Racing from Monmouth will be aired on FanDuel TV.