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New Jersey Racing News 2005
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Monmouth has sale races again
By DRF STAFF
Monmouth Park in 2006 will once again be the site of the NATC Futurities, a pair of $100,000 races for horses who have passed through the year's 2-year-olds in training sales.
The races, sponsored by the National Association of Two-Year-Old Consignors, are restricted to graduates of 2-year-olds in training sales who were consigned by an association member who also contributes to the group's advertising fund. They were held at Delaware Park for the first three years of their existence and moved to Monmouth in 2005.
The futurities, in male and female divisions, are limited to 14 starters each, with preference given to those with the highest earnings.
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Keegan’s appointment to New Jersey commission is vindication
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Tom De Martini reports in the Thoroughbred Times that Francis X. "Bud" Keegan Jr., past president of the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, was confirmed by the New Jersey Senate on Wednesday as a member of the state’s racing commission.
The confirmation of Keegan, which fills one of two Thoroughbred posts on the racing commission, ends a long and arduous road that began in late 2002. A lawsuit filed by the commission in October of 2002 alleged that leaders of the horsemen’s association misappropriated nearly $1-million in funds on legal and lobbyist fees while cutting healthcare benefits to low-income stable employees.
New Jersey Superior Court judge Clarkson Fisher responded by freezing the association’s expenditures, except for essential expenses. The flap nearly cost Monmouth Park its opportunity to host the 2007 Breeders’ Cup World Thoroughbred Championships. The suit was finally settled earlier this year with no wrongdoing found and no admission of liability.
"It’s absolute vindication," said Dennis Drazin, president and general counsel for the horsemen’s association. "This proves that the allegations made by the commission were false. Why would [acting New Jersey Governor Richard Codey] nominate Bud Keegan if he weren’t right for the job? This clearly demonstrates that someone had a personal vendetta against Mr. Keegan that was without merit."
New Jersey Racing Commission Executive Director Frank Zanzuccki could not be immediately reached for comment.
Keegan, nominated for the commission post by Codey in June, will take office next month. A former Thoroughbred owner, Keegan will give up his racing license in order to serve.
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New Jersey group approves bonus payout for state-breds
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Tom De Martini reports in the Thoroughbred Times that The New Jersey Thoroughbred Breeders' Association approved a retroactive 100% bonus payout Tuesday for state-bred horses who competed and placed in out-of-state races this year.
State-bred horses who won or placed in out-of-state races during 2005 are eligible for the bonus money from the state's breeders association. The bonus structure is similar to that paid to New Jersey-breds at Monmouth Park and the Meadowlands during the live racing season.
The funds to fully pay the out-of-state bonuses for the entire year of 2005 were garnered from pari-mutuel wagering and $90,000 awarded to Thoroughbred horsemen last month by the New Jersey Racing Commission from the Casino Special Simulcasting Fund.
"We weren't sure if we were going to have enough money to pay the entire 100% bonus structure until now," said Tom Swales, vice president of the New Jersey Thoroughbred Breeders' Association. "The out-of-state bonus period started one month before Monmouth Park opened [January 1 through April 14, 2005] and one month after the Meadowlands closed [December 12-31].
We only have 120 live racing dates in the state, which is not enough for breeders to survive," he said. "This effectively gives us 300 dates to work with."
Funding for the 2006 out-of-state bonus structure has yet to be determined, Swales said.
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November 17, 2005
MONMOUTH
PARK'S NEW TURF COURSE BEGINS TO TAKE ROOT
Oceanport, N.J. - A multi-million dollar new turf course project is entering its final stages at Monmouth Park as over a quarter of a mile of grass that is set to play host to the top Thoroughbreds in racing has been laid on the base of the course, which will make its debut at the 2006 racing season.
"I was delighted with the work so far. The underground drainage system will be a vast improvement and it has the makings of an excellent turf course," said multiple Breeders' Cup winner Michael Dickinson, who was on hand to inspect the new course Wednesday morning. "
The 7/8ths of a mile oval replaced the old turf course, which was installed in the late 1940's and used for the first time at the 1950-racing season. That course produced decades of champions that competed on the surface including Mongo, Fort Marcy, Hawaii, Mac Diarmida, John Henry and Cozzene, to name a few.
The new course will have a chute for five and a half furlong races, something that the old course did not accommodate for. In addition, the new course will feature greatly improved drainage, 12 foot running lanes and new rails.
"It's an exciting project that's been in the works for a couple of years and is now in its closing stages," said Dennis Dowd, senior vice president of racing for the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority. "While there is work that still needs to be completed, it's great to see some grass being laid on the new course as we look forward to the 2006 season, the Breeders' Cup in 2007 and beyond.
"On a more
personal note, I want to thank all the horsemen that have been supportive
throughout the construction of the new course and who have helped in
making this new course a reality."
The entire project is expected to be completed by December.
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N.J. DATES SET FOR 2006
By JIM
DUNLEAVY, Daily Racing Form
The New Jersey Racing commission on Tuesday approved 124 days of Thoroughbred racing in the state for 2006, almost exactly the same as this year's schedule.
Monmouth Park and The Meadowlands, which are operated by the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, were granted 120 days of racing, the same as this year. Monmouth will hold a 90-day meet, May 13-Sept. 24, and The Meadowlands will have a 30-day season, Sept. 29-Nov. 11.
Atlantic City Race Course, owned by Greenwood Racing, will conduct a four-day meet, April 26-27 and May 3-4. The 2006 meet will not include any steeplechase racing. This season, Atlantic City ran two days of flat racing and two days of steeplechase racing. The meet will allow Atlantic City to keep its year-round simulcasting license in force.
According to Ray Molski, assistant director of the New Jersey Racing Commission, Hal Handel, president of Atlantic City Race Course, said at the commission meeting that Greenwood Racing is considering making improvements to its grandstand, which has fallen into disrepair, and requesting additional racing dates in coming years.
The commission approved 352 harness dates for 2006, 160 at The Meadowlands and 192 at Freehold Raceway.
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ACCOUNT WAGERING
CELEBRATES FIRST YEAR
BIG M.com Press Release
Account wagering in New Jersey celebrated its first anniversary on October
28, meeting and exceeding all expectations.Since
the launch of Internet wagering at
www.4njbets.com,
more than 4,600 horse racing fans have set up accounts. On May 3, 2005
automated phone wagering joined the options for New Jersey Account
Wagering [NJAW] clients.
To date, nearly $41.5 million in wagers have passed through the NJAW
system.
“The good news in New Jersey horse racing is clearly account wagering,”
said Dennis Dowd, senior vice president for racing for the New Jersey
Sports & Exposition Authority. “Our first year has far exceeded our
expectations. Account wagering operations, under the guidance of Director
of Account Wagering Carol Ciarco, have operated smoothly. The feedback we
receive has been very positive.”
New Jersey Account Wagering – known as NJAW – is available for New Jersey
residents only, age 18 and older. Betting is offered not only on New
Jersey’s tracks – Meadowlands, Monmouth Park and Freehold – but also on
the incoming simulcasting signals offered by those facilities.
The Internet service offers live streaming video for nearly all tracks and
the phone system features current day scratches and changes.
A single NJAW account can be used to bet online, by phone and at the
self-service terminals at New Jersey’s racetracks. Races from most NJAW
tracks can be viewed on live streaming video.
"A great feature of the system is the ability to have access to your funds
online, on the phone or at the track,” Dowd added. “It is truly a
‘universal account’ for New Jersey horseplayers. We have received a lot
of feedback on the system and its offerings, and in the coming year we are
looking to make improvements and upgrade the user experience."
For information on setting up an NJAW account, call 800-498-9557 or
201-460-4141.
NJAW is a joint venture between the New Jersey Sports & Exposition
Authority [NJSEA] and Pennwood Racing.
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NEW JERSEY WAGERING ON BREEDERS' CUP TOP $3.5 MILLION
Big M.com Press Release
New Jersey racing fans wagered more than $3.5 million on the eight Breeders’ Cup races, which were contested at Belmont Park on Saturday afternoon.
The 6,905 on hand at the Meadowlands bet $2.1 million, up 3.1 percent over 2004, while another $995,000 was handled at Monmouth Park. A New Jersey Account Wagering record of $441,358 [versus $426,943 last year] was added to the pool by phone and Internet.
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CHOOSE SIX & GROUP
BET TO JOIN WAGERING MENU
Big M.com Press Release
The Meadowlands Racetrack and
The bets will likely debut
in mid-winter of 2006.
The availability of the two new games was made possible by Scientific
Games Racing LLC, a subsidiary of Scientific Games Corporation (NASDAQ:
SGMS), and Cantor Index LLC. Scientific Games is the Meadowlands and
The Choose Six requires the bettor to choose the winner of any six races
on the racing program. There are two fundamental differences from a
traditional Pick Six: First, the bettor, not the track, chooses the six
races in their Choose Six. Second, the bettor has the option of buying
back into the pool if they are eliminated, as long as there are at least
six races remaining on the card. The Meadowlands will begin offering
Choose Six wagering upon approval of the New Jersey Racing Commission.
The Group Bet provides the fans with a one in three chance of winning each
race by placing horses into three different categories, but all within the
win pool. The morning line favorite remains a separate win bet, while the
remainder of the field is placed into one of the two groups, Group A or
Group B. Group A will be made up of the “contenders” while Group B is the
“longshots,” or every other horse in the race. The Group Bet is a win bet
on every horse in the chosen group. The bettor need not be concerned with
which member of their Group wins, as the payout will be the same.
"We hope the Choose Six and Group Bet will help in creating a new and
varied wagering option for our guests on and off-track,” said Dennis Dowd,
senior vice president-racing for the New Jersey Sports & Exposition
Authority, which owns and operates both the Meadowlands and Monmouth
Park. “Both wagers have the potential to stimulate interest from current
and casual racing fans."
The Choose Six debuted at
“We are thrilled that both the Meadowlands and
“The availability of new content and bet types is very important to growth
in racing,” said Lorne Weil, chairman and CEO of Scientific Games Corp.
“It speaks to the visionary spirit of the NJSEA that they are adopting
these new bets to offer their fans more options and more opportunities and
we’re pleased that they have elected to do this with the Choose Six and
the Group Bet.”
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FAGLIARONE NAMED
TRACK OPS SUPERVISOR AT MEADOWLANDS; NEW TITLE FOR CHEVALIER
Big M.com
Mike Fagliarone, a former horseman and veteran trackman, has joined the
track operations management team at the Meadowlands Racetrack.
Fagliarone was assistant
manager of Gaitway Farms, a standardbred training facility located in
Fagliarone will share the title of track operations supervisor with Dave
Ryder, who has been with the track maintenance department since 1977.
Additionally, John Chevalier has been named assistant vice president –
properties and track. Chevalier, who has been with the Meadowlands since
1976, previously held the title of director of properties. Chevalier will
oversee the day-to-day operations of the track maintenance department, in
addition to the backstretch and site areas.
The new appointments were brought about by the October 1 retirements of
Track Superintendent Bob Ashelman and Track Operations Supervisor Charles
Marthinson. Both Ashelman and Marthinson had been with the New Jersey
Sports & Exposition Authority for more than 20 years.
Chevalier and the Meadowlands’ track maintenance department recently
completed the installation of a new racing surface for the 2005
thoroughbred meet. More than 11,000 tons of material were double-screened
for stones and compacted to create the sand, loam and clay racing surface
on the one-mile oval.
Fagliarone resides in Freehold,
“It’s not easy being the new kid on the street, but I’ve been here many
times and I have a good feel for the facility,” Fagliarone said. “It’s
not easy to fill the shoes of someone who has been here for 25 years, but
I’ll see what I can do.”
The 2005 Meadowlands thoroughbred meet runs through Saturday, November
12. Post time is 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday nights and 1:10
p.m. on Tuesday afternoons [October only].
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May 3, 2005
NEW JERSEY PHONE WAGERING LAUNCHES TODAY
Monmouth Park.com Press Release
Phone wagering in New Jersey opened for business on Tuesday, May 3, 2005.
The automated phone system is the latest addition to New Jersey Account Wagering [NJAW], which debuted on October 28, 2004 with the Internet-only service, www.4njbets.com.
"Technically, everything is running smoothly," said Senior Vice President Dennis O. Dowd. "We’ve already exceeded 3,000 accounts, and we’re projecting a handle of more than $35 million for 2005, which is 20 percent beyond our expectations. With the high profile Triple Crown races, starting with the Kentucky Derby on May 7; the opening of Monmouth Park on May 14; the stakes-laden Championship Harness Meet at the Meadowlands and the addition of the touch tone voice recognition system, we anticipate even more interest in account wagering."
New Jersey Account Wagering – known as NJAW – is available for New Jersey residents only, age 18 and older. Betting is offered not only on New Jersey’s tracks – Meadowlands, Monmouth Park and Freehold – but also on the incoming simulcasting signals offered by those facilities.
The Internet service offers live streaming video for nearly all tracks and the new phone system will feature current day scratches and changes.
"In a short time New Jersey Account Wagering has grown by leaps and bounds," Dowd noted. "We have done a lot of internal marketing to our core customers and the response has been very positive. The Internet wagering has gone smoothly, and we have been able to gain valuable experience in building our business office. We now will be making a much stronger push for customers and in broadening the awareness that this opportunity exists for New Jersey residents to wager off-track."
A single NJAW account can be used to bet online, by phone and at the self-service terminals at New Jersey’s racetracks.
"A great feature of the system is the ability to have access to your funds online, on the phone or at the track," Dowd added. "It is truly a ‘universal account’ for New Jersey horseplayers. We have received a lot of feedback on the system and its offerings, and we are always looking to make improvements and upgrade the user experience."
For information on setting up an NJAW account, call 800-498-9557 or 201-460-4141.
NJAW is a joint venture between the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority [NJSEA] and Pennwood Racing.
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May 3, 2005
SURVIVAL AT THE SHORE BACK AT WWW.MONMOUTHPARK.COM
Monmouth Park.com Press Release
Monmouth Park's popular "Survival at the Shore" is back for its second
season, and fans can begin signing up for this year's free online
handicapping challenge starting on Wednesday, May 4.
The contest, similar to last year, will challenge players to pick a horse
in each of three designated races on the card. To "survive" the player's
selections must finish first, second or third in all three races and their
bankroll will be credited with a mythical $2 across the board wager on
that selection.
While the contest is free, the prizes are galore, with six ways to win:
1. Grand Prize - the person with the highest bankroll will receive $1,000
plus a berth in the NTRA/DRF National Handicapping Championship at Bally's
- Las Vegas in January of 2006 (includes hotel accommodations and
round-trip airfare for two). Participants must be 21 or older to be
eligible for the Grand Prize.
2. Second Place - the person with the second highest bankroll will win
$500 and Continental Airlines round-trip tickets for two anywhere in the
continental United States.
3. Third Place - the person with the third highest bankroll will receive
$250 and a 27" Sharp Electronics flat-screen television.
4. Most Number of Wins - the player who finishes with the most number of
wins will take home $500 and a 13" Sharp Electronics flat-screen LCD AQUOS
television.
5. Most "Three-for-Three" Winning Days - the player who accumulates the
most "three-for-three" winning days will receive a Sharp Electronics
Digital Viewcam.
6. New for this year's Survival is a weekly prize, awarded to the player
with the highest bankroll from Wednesday through Tuesday. The winner will
receive their weekly bankroll value in cash.
Every player who survives the contest, which runs from May 28 through
Sept. 5, will receive a Monmouth Park gift pack, including a 2006 season
pass (valued at $65). All prizes will be paid at the end of the contest.
For a complete list of rules or to sign-up for this year's "Survival at
the Shore" visit
www.monmouthpark.com.
Monmouth Park kicks off its 60th season of Thoroughbred sport on Saturday,
May 14.
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CAMPING RETAILER, CABELA’S, TO BE CONSIDERING PURCHASE OF ATLANTIC CITY RACE COURSE
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Press of Atlantic City Staff Writer, Andrew Johnson, is reporting that Nebraska camping retailer, Cabela’s, is to be considering a purchase of 240 of the 250 available acres at Atlantic City Race Course in Mays Landing New Jersey.
A meeting on Thursday, April 28 is to convene with state Sen. Bill Gormley, R-Atlantic, and township officials at Gormley's office to discuss the possible deal.
Mayor John Sacchinelli said Cabela's has expressed interest in buying about 240 acres of the seaside property. The racetrack owners would retain the remaining 10 acres, for which the Atlantic City Race Course has promised an off-track betting site near the existing track by later this year, according to Hal Handel, CEO of Greenwood Racing, which owns and operates ACRC.
Atlantic City Race Course opened in 1946 to big crowds and rave reviews but currently runs an abbreviated all turf meet primarily so they can retain their simulcast license.
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April 7, 2005
HORSES BACK AT MONMOUTH PARK - STABLE AREA OPENS FOR 2005 SEASON
Monmouth Park.com Press
Release
Oceanport, N.J. - The horses
returned to Monmouth Park Racetrack this morning, a sure sign that the
summer months are fast approaching with the racing season at the Oceanport
oval set to get underway on Saturday, May 14.
The first of the arrivals came
from the barn of Gregg Sacco, whose Speeding Jim, owned by Jimmy Frangella,
was the first to set foot down in the Monmouth backstretch at 7:30 a.m.
before being bedded down in barn six.
"Every year I can't wait to get
back to Monmouth," said Sacco, who will have a stable of 20 for the
summer. "Our family's been training here since Monmouth opened, going
back to my father (William Sacco, leading Monmouth trainer in 1962) and
three uncle's in the 1940s. It's always been like home."
As for his racing stock, "We've
got some really nice horses this year. Mr. Brunetti (John Brunetti of Red
Oak Farm) has some really nice horses this year, probably some of the best
stock he's had, so that's very exciting. I'm really looking forward to a
great season and some really terrific racing."
Joining Sacco for the opening day
of the stable area were trainers Kelly John Breen, Frank Costa and Frank
Generazio.
Some new faces expected to join
the familiar ranks of the Monmouth trainers this year are: Stanley Hough,
John Hennig, Kirk Ziadie, Ben Feliciano, Lynn Scace and D. Wayne Lukas,
who will be stabling at Monmouth for the first time since the 2000 season.
The racing surface is scheduled
to open for training toward the end of next week for this year's 60th
season of sport. Saturday, May 14 will kick off the race meet, which runs
90 days through Sept. 25. Post time for the 2005 season will be 1:15 p.m.
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March 30, 2005
NBC'S LAW & ORDER WRAPS THREE-DAY SHOOT AT
MONMOUTH PARK
Monmouth Park.com Press Release
Oceanport, N.J. - NBC
television's Law & Order wrapped a three-day shoot at Monmouth Park
Racetrack on Wednesday evening, completing scenes in the barn area,
jockey's room, trackside and the paddock.
With a crew of over 100
on-hand for the three days the Oceanport Racetrack was transformed into
the fictional New York Downs, the center of an investigation into the
mysterious death of a jockey found murdered in New York City.
Also on-hand for the three
days of filming were stars Dennis Farina (Detective Fontana) and Emmy
winner Michael Imperioli (Detective Falco). Emmy winner and Oscar nominee
Sam Waterston (Assistant District Attorney McCoy) was at Monmouth for
Wednesdays filming, as was Annie Parisse (Assistant District Attorney
Borgia), who joined the cast this season.
The episode shot at Monmouth
Park will air on Wednesday, May 4. Law & Order airs on NBC, Wednesday's
at 10 p.m. EST.
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April 4, 2005
MONMOUTH PARK REQUIRING FLORIDA AND KENTUCKY SHIPPERS TO HAVE VET
INSPECTION BEFORE ARRIVAL
Monmouth Park.com Press Release
Oceanport, N.J. - Monmouth Park
will require all horses shipping from racetracks and training centers in
Florida and Kentucky to have a certificate of veterinary inspection dated
within two days of their arrival. The certificate must include a
declaration by the examining vet that the horse has not been on premises
under quarantine for, or exposed to, strangles, or has not shown signs of
the disease, and has not had a fever in the previous three weeks.
Monmouth will require the examining vet to list the horse's temperature on
the health certificate. This policy will be enforced immediately and
continue until further notice.
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CUP TO PROCEED AT MONMOUTH
By MATT HEGARTY, Daily Racing Form
The Breeders' Cup has renewed its commitment to hold its 2007 championship event at Monmouth Park in New Jersey after a superior court judge accepted a settlement on Thursday between state regulators and horsemen, according to the Breeders' Cup president, D.G. Van Clief.
"I don't see any reason why we can't reinitiate the planning process," Van Clief said Friday. "The dispute is settled, and we can all move forward."
The settlement, accepted by Judge Alexander Lehrer of New Jersey Superior Court on Thursday, put an end to a long-running dispute between the New Jersey Racing Commission and New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association that escalated when the commission sued the horsemen late last year. Negotiations between the two parties to resolve the suit broke down last week, but Breeders' Cup compelled the organizations to return to the bargaining table by threatening to pull its support for the 2007 event if a resolution was not reached by April 9.
Breeders' Cup officials said that their policy was not to hold the event in any state in which litigation threatened relations between the state's horse racing groups.
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March 31, 2005
TAYLOR MADE TEAMS WITH MONMOUTH TO SPONSOR MATCHMAKER STAKES
Monmouth Park.com Press Release
Oceanport, N.J. - Leading
industry player Taylor Made Farm in Nicholasville, Kentucky has teamed up
with Monmouth Park Racetrack to sponsor "The Taylor Made Matchmaker
Stakes," a Grade 3 event worth $150,000 to be run on Haskell Day, Sunday,
Aug. 7, this year.
"We're extremely pleased to
have a first class farm like Taylor Made sponsor the Matchmaker," said
Mike Dempsey, racing secretary at Monmouth Park. "Their reputation in the
industry of standing some of the nation's top stallions, and producing the
highest quality runners is well known. We believe that with Taylor Made
sponsoring the Matchmaker the value of the race for the first three
finishers has just been elevated to a new level."
The deal between Taylor Made
Stallions and Monmouth Park is for the next two years with the stallions
to the top three finishers to be determined. Currently, at its
Nicholasville facility, Taylor Made stands Forestry, Northern Afleet, Our
Emblem, Real Quiet and Unbridled's Song.
The Matchmaker originated at
Atlantic City Race Course in 1967 with the top three finishers choosing a
mating with one of three stallions. The winner selects first, with the
place horse second and the show finisher third.
"In years past, the
Matchmaker has played host to some of the nations top fillies and mares
including numerous champions," said Ben Taylor, vice president of Taylor
Made Stallions. "We're looking forward to this new venture."
Champions who have competed
in the Matchmaker include Gamely, Gallant Bloom, Office Queen, Numbered
Account, Susan's Girl, Desert Vixen and Just A Game.
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NEW JERSEY GROUPS SETTLE DISPUTE BEFORE BC DEADLINE
By MATT HEGARTY, Daily Racing Form
New Jersey's horsemen and the state's racing commission have settled a dispute that threatened to cost Monmouth Park the 2007 Breeders' Cup, the general counsel to the horsemen's group, Dennis Drazin, said Wednesday.
The settlement, which Drazin said will be submitted to New Jersey Superior Court for approval on Thursday, will bring to a close a long-simmering political dispute between the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and the New Jersey Racing Commission. Last week, Breeders' Cup officials told state racing officials that the Breeders' Cup would be pulled from Monmouth Park if the dispute were not settled by April 9.
"The most important thing to the horsemen was getting the Breeders' Cup," Drazin said. "We thought it would be very silly for this dispute to cost us that event."
Frank Zanzuccki, the executive director of the New Jersey Racing Commission, said Wednesday that he could not comment on any part of the settlement.
Jim Gluckson, a spokesman for Breeders' Cup Ltd., said that Drazin had informed Breeders' Cup officials about the possible settlement on Tuesday night. He said Breeders' Cup officials believed that the settlement would satisfy the organization's concerns, but cautioned that follow-up conversations with the horsemen and racing commission would be necessary.
"We think the settlement is certainly good news, but we have to wait for the formalization of the settlement before we go forward," Gluckson said.
The racing commission and the horsemen's association have been at odds for several years over how the association spends its funds, which are principally raised from handle. The commission has contended that the horsemen's association has spent far too much on political actions and legal fees, while the horsemen's association has said that its lobbying and political expenses are legitimate.
The commission sued the horsemen's group last year, but the two sides had been attempting to work out a settlement through New Jersey Superior Court Judge Alexander Lehrer. Last week, the negotiations broke down, and Lehrer set a trial date for Oct. 24, triggering the Breeders' Cup deadline.
According to Drazin, the settlement will not restrict how the horsemen's association spends its funds in the future. Also as part of the settlement, five of the association's eight board members have agreed that they will not run for re-election.
Monmouth Park is owned and operated by the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, a state agency. Officials for the authority had lobbied intensely over the past several years to pitch Monmouth Park to the Breeders' Cup, and last year, the two groups signed a memorandum of understanding designating Monmouth as the host site in 2007. The memorandum contained language that made the deal contingent on improved relations between the commission and the horsemen's group.
Drazin said that New Jersey Gov. Richard Codey, a horse racing supporter, intervened this week in the dispute, appearing before the commission to urge a settlement.
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DISPUTE COULD COST MONMOUTH 2007 CUP
By MATT HEGARTY, Daily Racing Form
A longstanding dispute between the New
Jersey Racing Commission and the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's
Association is threatening Monmouth Park's selection as the host site of
the 2007 Breeders' Cup, according to a Breeders' Cup spokesman.
The Breeders' Cup has set a deadline of April 9 for the two sides to come to an agreement before the organization begins negotiations to select an alternate site, according to Jim Gluckson, the spokesman. He said that a memorandum of understanding signed by the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, which owns Monmouth, includes language that requires the dispute to be settled in order for Monmouth to act as a host track.
"Right now, there is still a firm commitment to Monmouth Park and New Jersey, but that commitment will be dropped unless there is a resolution," Gluckson said Friday. "We don't want to be in an environment where there is this type of dispute."
The racing commission and the horsemen's association have been at odds for several years, and negotiations to resolve the dispute reportedly fell apart on Wednesday, according to a report in The Asbury Park Press. Recently, the commission filed a complaint in state court accusing the horsemen's association of financial mismanagement, and it has called for the state to require strict controls on how the association spends its money. The horsemen's group has accused the commission of being politically motivated.
Officials of the racing commission, the horsemen's association, and the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority could not be reached on Friday, a holiday in many state offices.
The dispute is being arbitrated by Superior Court Judge Alexander D. Lehrer, according to The Asbury Park Press. After the negotiations broke down on Wednesday, Lehrer set a trial date for Oct. 24.
The Breeders' Cup is scheduled for Belmont Park this year and Churchill Downs in 2006. The 2007 event would be the first one held in New Jersey.
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GARLAND TO RETIRE; DOWD AND MC ERLEAN PROMOTED
The Big M.com Press
Release
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ
– February 2, 2005 – Bruce Garland, senior executive vice president for
the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority [NJSEA], has announced his
retirement after nearly 30 years in public service.
Since his arrival
at the Meadowlands in 1991, Garland has emphasized quality racing
supported by superior guest services and integrity in racing. The NJSEA
was an innovator in televising races and providing information to the
public. Last year, he helped make an $86 million purse agreement with the
Atlantic City casinos, put in place a four-year guaranteed purse and date
agreement with the industry and led the charge to bring the renowned
Breeders’ Cup to Monmouth Park.
“I’ve been
privileged to work with the professional staff at the NJSEA; they are the
best in racing,” said Garland.
The Meadowlands
generates more on-site business than any track in North America and is the
world’s number one harness track. Monmouth Park continues to be a
world-class facility that will be the home of the 2007 Breeders’ Cup.
“We are sorry to
see Bruce go; he has been a great leader for the industry and racing
interests in New Jersey,” said NJSEA CEO George R. Zoffinger. “When he
came here, racing faced significant issues. There was a real concern
about not just the future of racing in New Jersey, but the future of
racing in America. He was instrumental in changing the course of an
industry by maintaining the leadership position of racing in New Jersey.”
Dennis Dowd, the
current vice president of off track wagering, has been promoted to the new
senior vice president of racing. Chris McErlean, now the general manager
of the Meadowlands Racetrack, will take on the new title of vice president
of racing operations for both the Meadowlands and Monmouth Park.
Dowd had this to
say: “I am happy that Bruce will assist in the transition. We are
preparing for the Breeders’ Cup in two years, so he will be a key element
and active nationally on behalf of New Jersey racing.”
______________________________________
2005 NATC FUTURITY TO BE RUN AT MONMOUTH PARK
Oceanport Racing Report.com
The National Association of Two-Year-Old Consignors has announced that their Fourth Annual Edition of the NATC Futurities will be held at Monmouth Park on September 24, 2005. Futurity day is the organizations yearly showcase of two-year-old colts, geldings and fillies that were bought at the two-year-old sales. The day and the organization were formed to promote and raise awareness of the many racing success stories coming from two-year-old sales.
There will be a colts and geldings division along with a division for fillies both to be run at a distance of six furlongs. All eligible entrants for the two races will be two-year-olds cataloged during 2005 and have paid the 2005 Advertising Fund Fee. This information is designated by the NATC logo on their sales catalog page. The fields will be limited to 14 starters with preference given to the highest earners during the 2005 racing season.
Mike Mulligan, NATC board member told the Bloodhorse, "The NATC is excited that buyers and consignors support 2-year-old in training sales and have enabled us to achieve our goal to enhance the sales of juveniles…These races were run at Delaware Park the first three years, and it really jump started the program. We feel moving the series to Monmouth, on the Jersey Shore, will add a new dimension, attracting both horsemen and racing fans."
For more information on the National Association of Two-Year-Old Consignors and their Futurity day logon to www.natc.cc.
_____________________________
2005 MONMOUTH PARK STAKES SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHTED BY AUG. 7 HASKELL
Monmouth Park.com Press Release
Oceanport, N.J.
- Highlighted by the $1,000,000 Grade 1 Haskell Invitational on Aug. 7,
the 2005 Monmouth Park stakes schedule features $4,450,000 in purses over
20 races, 14 of them graded worth $3.8 million.
In addition to the Haskell for 3-year-olds, other features of the 2005
season, which runs from May 14 through Sept. 25, include the Grade 1
$750,000 United Nations on July 2, and the Grade 2 $300,000 Molly Pitcher
Breeders' Cup Stakes on July 9.
"It's really just the tip of the iceberg," said Robert Kulina, vice
president and general manager for Monmouth Park. "In addition to the
major stakes that we're announcing today, the overnight stakes schedule
will bring the total number of stakes purses to more than $8 million.
"With overnight purses set for $325,000 per day, the highest ever for
Monmouth Park, the meet should attract the highest quality runners from
coast-to-coast."
Eight stakes got a purse increase of $50,000 to $150,000 for the 2005
season: Red Bank Handicap (G3) on May 28, Eatontown Handicap (G3) on July
3, Jersey Shore Breeders' Cup Stakes (G3) on July 4, Long Branch Breeders'
Cup Stakes (G3) on July 16, Salvator Mile Handicap (G3) on July 24,
Oceanport Stakes (G3) on Aug. 7, Matchmaker Stakes (G3) on Aug. 7 and the
Sapling Stakes (G3) on Aug. 20.
Also getting a $50,000 increase to $250,000 is the Philip H. Iselin
Breeders' Cup Handicap (G3) on Aug. 28, which was captured last year by
Breeders' Cup Classic winner Ghostzapper.
The 2005 stakes schedule, with purses of $100,000 or more, is:
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* Includes Breeders’ Cup Fund Money
____________________________________________
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©2000-2005 Oceanport Racing Report.com. All rights reserved.