Monmouth Park Set for Ground-Breaking Meet

When Monmouth Park begins a new season of racing May 14, fans will notice a few new items around the racetrack, including a banner for Zayat Stables' American Pharoah  , this year's inductee into the Oceanport, N.J., track's Hall of Champions.

"American Pharoah, the Zayat family, and trainer Bob Baffert gave racing fans a day they'll never forget when they brought their Triple Crown winner to Monmouth Park last year," said Bob Kulina, president of Monmouth operator Darby Development. "We saw records fall across the board and are incredibly grateful to the entire 'Pharoah' team for making the Haskell their first stop after winning the Triple Crown."

Honoring the best horses ever to compete at Monmouth Park, the Hall of Champions is located on the first floor of the Grandstand. American Pharoah's banner will be hoisted on opening day as he joins his 65 fellow Hall of Champions members.

And the American Pharoah banner won't be the only new thing fans notice right away; there is a new tote board in the infield. Featuring two video boards of its own, the new tote board will give fans a crisper view of current odds and wagering pools.

Among the not so visible additions is a new roof atop the grandstand.

"That's just one of the infrastructure projects that needed to be completed," Kulina said. "We've had quite a few capital improvements made to the facility. Unfortunately, they won't be noticeable to the fans, but they're certainly necessary to ensure the proper upkeep of a facility that's more than 70 years old."

Marking the fifth year under the leadership of Darby Development, Monmouth's race meet will again be highlighted by the $1 million Haskell Invitational (gr. I) set forJuly 31. This year's race picks up a new sponsor in Betfair.

"We've gone from a facility that was previously operated by the state at losses of more than $12.5 million a year and was on the verge of shutting down," said Dennis Drazin, adviser to Darby Development. "And now we've turned that corner, have nearly eradicated those deficits, and placed us on firmer ground and on a path toward a solid future.

"In just four short years we have added a new (off-track wagering facility), built a 36-hole miniature golf course, erected Blu Grotto restaurant, opened our own fantasy sports site, and made capital improvements to the racetrack. All the while we continue our fight to bring sports betting to New Jersey and are set to become the first in the nation to offer exchange wagering."

Exchange wagering, which launched May 10, allows for fixed-odds and in-race wagering by matching "peer-to-peer" bets.

"It has been more than four years in the making, but exchange wagering is finally here," Drazin said. "We are proud that New Jersey Thoroughbred racing is once again leading the way. This new and innovative gaming idea will prove yet another new revenue stream that will help put us on the path to profitability and ensure the viability of Thoroughbred racing in the Garden State."

In addition to the advent of exchange wagering, a decision on the most recent sports betting arguments at the Third Circuit is expected in the coming months as is the opening of Blu Grotto, Monmouth's new restaurant located near the top of the homestretch. With conservatory dining, multi-tiered outdoor seating, and a large beer garden, Blu Grotto will offer modern and classic adaptations of regional Italian favorites, hand-made pastas, fresh seafood, and prime steak coupled with a deep and eclectic wine list and artisanal cocktails.

"While we have accomplished much, we must continue to persevere to ensure a bright future for New Jersey racing," Drazin said. "Our management team is committed to our all of the above strategy when it comes to making a fan-friendly racing and entertainment destination that is second to none."

Monmouth's 2016 season runs 57 days through Sept. 25. Gates will open at 11:30 a.m. EDT daily with first post set for 12:50 p.m.

On the track, a few new faces, and some returning after a hiatus, will join the Monmouth backstretch and jockey colony this year. Trainers Chad Brown, Nick Zito, and John Servis will all have a string of horses, while Butch Reid, who enjoyed success here in the past, will have his horses bedded down in Barn 10.

In the jockeys' room, Roberto Alvarado Jr., who had ridden regularly here in the past, as well as Pablo Fragoso and Pedro Cotto Jr., will be returning. Joining the rider ranks for the first time this year will be J.J. Gonzalez, who has been riding successfully in Florida the past several years.