New Jersey Senate Honors Monmouth Park
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The New Jersey State Senate honored Monmouth Park and the racetrack's recent success in hosting American Pharoah Aug. 13, after the Triple Crown winner captured the William Hill Haskell Invitational Stakes (gr. I) Aug. 2.
In a ceremony on the Senate floor Thursday afternoon, Sens. Stephen Sweeney, Joe Kyrillos and Jennifer Beck presented representatives of the racetrack a resolution, declaring, among other things, "It is both proper and fitting for this House to pause in its deliberations to acknowledge Dennis Drazin and Monmouth Park Racetrack for their considerable contributions to this state."
Prior to presenting the resolution, numerous senators expressed their support for Monmouth and the horse racing industry. Specifically, Sens. Beck, Richard Codey, Kyrillos, Raymond Lesniak, Paul Sarlo, and Robert Singer spoke on behalf of the benefits of horse racing in the Garden State.
"We're overjoyed to receive this honor from the state Senate," said Drazin, advisor to Darby Development LLC, which operates Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J. "The entire horse racing community came together for this year's Haskell and saw records fall across the board in New Jersey. We're so thankful to the connections of American Pharoah for showcasing their champion in New Jersey and equally proud of the Monmouth Park team, who worked tirelessly to put on a day of racing that will long be remembered.
"And of course the fans, who were part of history, as Monmouth Park hosted the Pharoah Phan Phestival, which saw over 10,000 watch the Triple Crown winner gallop in the morning, and over 60,000 witness (who saw) American Pharoah race into the history books with his impressive Haskell victory."
ANGST: American Pharoah Takes Haskell With Ease
New Jersey horse racing saw a record-setting crowd of 60,983 at the Haskell, as more than $20 million was wagered on the 14-race program, also a Garden State record. With little urging from jockey Victor Espinoza, American Pharoah took the lead at the top of the stretch and cruised to an easy win in the $1.75 million Haskell, a record purse for New Jersey's richest horse race.
Monmouth Park's 2015 racing season continues through Sept. 27.