Drazin, Monmouth Park Feeling the Heat

Dennis Drazin is surely feeling the heat these days—literally and figuratively.

On the eve of the TVG.com Haskell Invitational Stakes (G1) and Monmouth Park's biggest day of racing, the racetrack's chairman and CEO said he's sticking with plans to begin the July 20 program at noon as scheduled but adds that the card and/or the Haskell could be delayed if the expected 96-degree temperatures create unsafe racing conditions.

"We've been running horses in hot weather at Monmouth Park since before I was alive. They also run in hot jurisdictions such as Florida and California. Horses live and thrive in all kinds of climates," Drazin said. "Yet I have the luxury of being able to move the races. If I think it's too hot during the day and horses seem to be suffering in the conditions, I can make the post time 8 p.m. (ET) for the Haskell if I want. We have a long day. I am very mindful of that and have been talking about that with our team for a few days. That's the backup plan. 

"So if we find we need to do something, we'll move the card back. We'll start with the first race at noon and figure it from there. They say the heat of the day might be from 3-4 p.m. We'll see how the day goes, and if we need to take a little break, we will and delay the card. At the end of the day, it's the safety of our horses and jockeys that's most important to us."

Monmouth Park's decision to race Saturday comes as racetracks in nearby states canceled their programs because of the heat wave. Saratoga Race Course, Parx Racing, Delaware Park and Laurel Park will be shuttered Saturday.

In addition, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals issued a statement saying, "Heat kills, so it's extremely foolish and reckless for Monmouth Park to stay open with temperatures soaring to record highs."

According to the National Weather Service, temperatures in Oceanport, N.J., will reach a high of 96 degrees Saturday with a heat index that could rise to 106.

A key factor in Drazin's decision is Monmouth's proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and the sea breezes that can offer some relief from the brutal heat during racing.

'When you consider that a lot of other tracks have closed, which maybe they would not have done if not for the high scrutiny on the horse racing industry because of the issues at Santa Anita Park this winter, you also have to consider that we are a sea shore track. Sometimes I'm on the paddock side and it's scorching. Then I go trackside, and with the cool breezes off the ocean, it can be cold," Drazin said. "It will be a little cooler Saturday because of the breezes, and I think we will be fine."

NBC is scheduled to televise the Haskell (5:47 p.m. ET) during a 5-6 p.m. show, but Drazin said the telecast will not play a role in any decision to alter the post time for the 1 1/8-mile stakes.

John Heims, Monmouth's director of racing/racing secretary, said horsemen have been supportive of the decision to continue racing.

"The horsemen are ecstatic that we are running. They are with the horses every day. They know what to expect and know what the horses like. They have expressed zero concerns. The jockeys have also said nothing to us about Saturday. If you are in places like Delaware or Philadelphia, it's different. We have the coast. The breeze comes off the water, and it can be perfectly fine," said Heims, adding track officials will be in contact with state veterinarians throughout the day.

Heims said extra precautions such as shorter post parades will be in place so that horses and riders will be on the track for a shorter period of time. There will be additional water hoses, ice, and medical personnel available.

"The horses will walk from the barn to the paddock, and when they get there, they will be under cover or will be under the misting machines that spray them with water. They will go to the track, have a quick warm-up, and they'll go right to the gate," Heims said.

Heims pointed out that past runnings of the Haskell, including the 2009 edition won by Rachel Alexandra, were contested in temperatures above 90 degrees.

"That day in 2009 went off without a hitch, and let's hope that happens tomorrow. So far, we're handling it. Today, after the first race, the jockeys told the paddock judge that the conditions were not as bad as they thought, and they said we could add an extra minute back to the post parade," Heims said Friday, when the temperatures reached the upper 80s.

Trainer Pat McBurney, who has been stabled at Monmouth for about 40 years, said dealing with heat and humidity is part of everyday life at the summer racetrack.

"I think that since every track around us has canceled, we're going to be under a microscope. But we have been dealing with this for years," McBurney said Friday. "It seems that extreme temperatures can affect horses for a 24-hour period when it first hits. At this point in the year, they have seen enough heat to handle it. I ran a horse at Parx on Tuesday, and my phone said it was 93 degrees. It's 86 today, so it's cooler and you get some breezes. There is a breeze on the backside, so it's not as hot as it can be. Above all, as horsemen, we understand the situation and take precautions to help the horses."

The Haskell drew a field of seven topped by Maximum Security, who finished first in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) but was disqualified and placed 17th.

The grade 1 stakes for 3-year-olds is scheduled as the 12th of 14 races on a card with five graded stakes. Also on the program is the $150,000 Molly Pitcher Stakes (G3) for fillies and mares with a field of eight, including Midnight Bisou, who is ranked third in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Top 10. The Molly Pitcher will be the eighth race, with an approximate post time of 3:27 p.m.