Monmouth, New Jersey Racing Enjoy Spotlight

When the racing spotlight falls on Monmouth Park this weekend, Dennis Drazin, who has helped guide the track in recent years, is confident fans who attend and watch on national television will see the Oceanport, N.J. track has turned a corner.

With Triple Crown winner American Pharoah entered to run in the William Hill Haskell Invitational Stakes (gr. I) Sunday, Aug. 2 at Monmouth, the track opted to bump the purse to a state record $1.75 million. Officials expect a record crowd, and the race will be part of an NBC broadcast.

Drazin, who advises Darby Development, which operates Monmouth for the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, couldn't be happier after owner Ahmed Zayat opted to run American Pharoah at his family's home-state track in his first start after winning the Triple Crown.

"This is going to be a historic day for Monmouth Park. I'm so proud to have a stellar Haskell field led by Triple Crown champion American Pharoah. I'm grateful to the Zayat family and Bob Baffert for bringing the horse here," Drazin said. "I just want to let everyone know that this is really about Monmouth Park and racing for New Jersey. I'm proud of the team we have here at Monmouth led by (Darby president) Bob Kulina. I'm proud of the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, who let us operate the track through Darby. 

"This has been a dream for us—getting a Triple Crown winner here to Monmouth Park. The Zayat family has been great to work with."

Drazin noted that it was less than four years ago, in late 2011, that Gov. Chris Christie threatened to shut down Monmouth if it could not be moved from state control, under the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, to a private operation. New Jersey horsemen eventually filled that void, taking control before the 2012 meet under a lease of at least five years.

For the first time under that lease, the track made money last year.

"Monmouth Park has turned itself around from the days that the governor was thinking about closing it. Last year we made a profit," Drazin said. "We think our future is very rosy here."

Beyond the racing product, Drazin is hopeful legislation in the state that would allow sports wagering will move forward. The track already has an agreement with bookmaker William Hill, which sponsors the Haskell, to handle sports wagering at the track if it becomes a reality. The track hopes to use this weekend to show New Jersey what horse racing can bring to the state.

"Casinos expanding outside of Atlantic City will come before the voters next year. Although Monmouth Park may not get a casino, it will get a revenue-share. We'll be able to increase our purses; we'll be able to increase our days," Drazin said. "The breeding industry will be able to come back somewhat. We'll save a billion-dollar industry, 13,000 jobs, open space, farm preservation."

Drazin knows the showcase weekend begins with American Pharoah. Zayat Stable racing manager Justin Zayat also wants to see a successful event.

"It's all about the fun with this horse and we're really for the fans. I want this place to be bumping on Sunday," Zayat said. "I want everyone to have the greatest day and I want people to be influenced by American Pharoah, by giving back, by wanting to own a horse like this, and getting involved in racing. It's something back for the fans and the sport."

American Pharoah will be the first Triple Crown winner to race at Monmouth Park and the fifth to race in New Jersey after sweeping the three races (along with Assault, Citation, Seattle Slew, and Whirlaway.)

"We all talk about, 'I was there when Secretariat ran. I was there when Seattle Slew ran. I was there when Affirmed ran. Now we have a legend here with American Pharoah," Drazin said. "People are going to be talking about being here the day American Pharoah ran at Monmouth Park in the Haskell."