May 25, 2004

Longer Meet, Higher Purses

By MIKE FARRELL, Daily Racing Form

Monmouth had been slated to run its traditional schedule, from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend. Under a recent agreement among all segments of the state racing industry, the Monmouth season will now run to Sept. 26.

The additional Monmouth dates had originally been allocated to The Meadowlands racetrack.

Monmouth raced into late September as an experiment last year with generally positive results.

Monmouth will continue to run into late September through 2006 under an agreement worked out among Thoroughbred and Standardbred horsemen and breeders and the racetracks. Monmouth will also tack on four additional weekend dates in May of 2005 and 2006.

Monmouth has not settled on a 2007 schedule. It hopes to host that year's Breeders' Cup and will adjust the schedule if awarded the championship races.

It took months of negotiations to conclude the comprehensive four-year pact, which covers schedules and purse distribution and ends years of fluctuating seasons and purses.

An $86 million supplement from the Atlantic City casinos will lift Monmouth purses to the highest levels in the resort track's 59-year history.

Monmouth's purses before Labor Day will rise to $325,000 daily in 2005, $330,000 in 2006 and $335,000 in 2007. Post-Labor Day purses at Monmouth will be $300,000 per day.

Monmouth paid $290,000 per day last season for the core summer meet and $260,000 in September.

The agreement will have a dramatic impact at The Meadowlands, where purses will average $300,000 for the life of the agreement. They were $190,000 last season.

The Meadowlands will run Oct. 1 to Nov. 13 under the revised schedule.

"This makes our purses more competitive, which is important in this region of the country," said Bruce Garland, the senior executive vice president of racing for the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, which owns and operates Monmouth and The Meadowlands. "It stabilizes the industry, allowing us to make definite plans and it achieves peace within the industry in New Jersey."

Dennis Drazin, legislative council for the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, praised Gov. Jim McGreevey for garnering casino support.

"He was the driving force behind $86 million that the casino industry will be pumping into our industry over the next four years," said Drazin.

The Atlantic City casinos also stand to gain under the agreement. The New Jersey tracks will not push for an expanded-gaming referendum in 2004 or 2005. That allows the casinos time to evaluate the potential impact of slot machines at racetracks in New York and possibly Pennsylvania.

The agreement will be made official next Tuesday when the sports and exhibition authority board signs it.

"Our board will sign on Tuesday an agreement with the Thoroughbred and harness horsemen and the breeders that will give us the foundation for what will be four successful years and beyond," said George Zoffinger, the president of the authority.

May 27, 2004

It's A Shore Thing

By MIKE FARRELL, Daily Racing Form

OCEANPORT, N.J. - The summer wind comes blowin' in for New Jersey racing fans Saturday afternoon when Monmouth Park reopens for its 59th season.

Monmouth gets under way at 12:55 p.m. for the first of 87 dates, with the season continuing through Sept. 26 at the Jersey Shore's resort track.

This should be an upbeat meet thanks to record purse money. A supplement from the state's casinos will enable Monmouth to offer $320,000 per day before Labor Day.

The enhanced purses helped attract 137 entries for the 12-race opening-day card, an average of more than 11 horses a race.

The money also helped lure Stewart Elliott, Smarty Jones's jockey, who will ride at Monmouth this summer.

The Grade 1, $1 million Haskell Invitational on Aug. 8 is the high point of the meet. The 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-olds has traditionally attracted leading Triple Crown runners.

Other major dates include the Independence Day weekend, which features the Grade 1, $750,000 United Nations Handicap on July 3 and the Grade 2, $300,000 Molly Pitcher Breeders' Cup Handicap on July 4. The Grade 2, $200,000 Monmouth Breeders' Cup Oaks takes place on Aug. 15, with the Grade 3, $200,000 Iselin Breeders' Cup Handicap set for Aug. 21.

Monmouth launches the season with a stakes-filled opening weekend. The Grade 3, $100,000 Red Bank Handicap tops the Saturday card, while the Grade 3, $100,000 Jersey Derby is the Monday feature.

Burning Roma will pack top weight of 120 pounds in the Red Bank at one mile on the turf. The 6-year-old Burning Roma, a winner of more than $1.4 million, has been effective throughout his career on both dirt and grass.

In his most recent outing, he finished second in the Grade 2 Maker's Mark on the turf at Keeneland.

Burning Roma tuned up for the Red Bank with a five-furlong work in 1:01 over Monmouth's main track on Monday.

He never got untracked at Monmouth last summer. Burning Roma was pointed toward last year's Red Bank, but trainer Heather Giglio backed off when the horse bled badly in a workout. His lone Monmouth appearance was a badly beaten fifth in the Oceanport Handicap, which was taken off the turf.

"The whole season, it was just one thing after another," said Giglio.

Jesus Castanon has the mount Saturday.

Other contenders in the 13-horse field include the entry of Wudantunoit and Sardaukar from owner Michael Gill; Chilly Rooster, who won the Grade 3 Fort Marcy Handicap at Aqueduct; and Spruce Run, who captured the Bob Harding Stakes here last summer.

2004 Monmouth graded stakes

News & Notes 6/7-12

Oceanport Racing Report.com

Breeders' Cup To Monmouth

Various news organizations are confirming that the Breeders' Cup Board has authorized its management team to move ahead to negotiate a contract with the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority for the 2007 edition of The Breeder's Cup. The Breeders' Cup program consists of eight races with purses totaling $14 million. It has been reported that Breeders' Cup officials toured the Oceanport racing property a month ago.  Bob Kulina, Monmouth Park general manager, was quoted in The Asbury Park Press stating, ""From an operational perspective, we have a lot to do in a relatively short period of time...We're going to have to put quite a few temporary seats up. We have rooms and nooks and crannies in this old facility that haven't been used or have been lightly used that will have to be updated with TVs and mutuels. We need to add a lot of power just for the extra dining. The big thing will be some major work on the turf course...There's just a lot of planning in the next few months and my hope would be to implement a lot of the facility changes as quickly as possible. Not only are they necessary to do the Breeders' Cup, but they're going to enhance this facility. If we're going to redo a room for Breeders' Cup, I'd like to do it now so the fans get the benefit leading up to the Breeders' Cup.""

Some improvements will need to be made as Kulina went on to say, ""It's a different kind of event than an event in the summer...We're going to have to have heated areas, mutuel tents will have to be heated. We're not going to have the luxury of counting on 80 degree weather. The temporary seats willlikely be where the picnic area is, with tents behind, so it has to be done in the two months between the end of the season and the Breeders' Cup. The way the seating company explained it to me is that it's like a small army -- or maybe a large army -- coming in. It's really a blitz. It will be incredibly labor-intensive; we will create an incredible number of jobs for labor unions...Shutting down an old building and then opening it up -- any homeowner who has a shore house knows this -- you never know what's going to happen until you turn the water on, until you turn on the electric.""

The current Monmouth Park was built in 1946 and has held large crowds in the recent past including the 53,638 on hand for last year's Haskell. Stay tuned for further information as it becomes available.

Jockey Injury

Richard Bracho was involved in a spill during the fourth race on Saturday (6/5) when his mount, Beautiful East, fell over Private Christmas after the latter clipped heels and fell while going down the backstretch.  Bracho was admitted to Monmouth Medical Center with a possible cracked vertebra. Luckily fellow jockeys Oscar Gomez and David Mello, also involved in the spill, escaped uninjured along with all three horses involved.  Dixie Shea, Bracho's agent commented that, "An expert will be here Monday morning to look at the X rays...It may be a possible cracked vertebra. Other than that, he's just bruised a little, but he's getting around okay. Once the doctors read the X rays, we'll know more."

June 20, 2004
MONMOUTH PARK SPORTING ACROSS THE BOARD GAINS
Monmouth Park Press Release

With full fields and quality racing the order of business, Monmouth Park is posting substantial gains in attendance and handle through 15 of the 87 racing days at the 2004 meet.

Leading the list of gains is on-track handle.  Through Saturday's card $12,485,646 has been wagered on-track on Monmouth's races, a gain of 24.1%.  Total handle on Monmouth's races is up 13.4% to $49,978,410.  In addition to the handle gains, attendance is also up double digits, 21.7% to 161,856 through June 19.

"It's a great start and hopefully one we can build on as the meet progresses," said Robert Kulina, vice president and general manager at Monmouth Park.

"Quality, competitive racing sells; plain and simple.  Not only are we offering a quality signal for simulcasting, but an overall entertainment destination for Shore visitors and locals alike."

The Monmouth Park meet runs through Sept. 26 with live racing Wednesday through Sunday.  Special holiday racing will occur on Monday, July 5 and Monday, September 6.  Post time is 12:55 p.m. daily, except Aug. 8, Haskell Day, when the first race is slated for noon.

June 21, 2004

SMARTY JONES ON COURSE FOR HASKELL

Oceanport Racing Report.com

Various sources are reporting that John Servis has mapped out a tentative plan for Kentucky Derby (gr. I) and Preakness (gr. I) winner Smarty Jones that includes the Haskell Invitational Handicap (gr. I), Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II), Pegasus Handicap, and if all goes well the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I).

Smarty Jones availability for the Haskell is dependent upon how quickly the three-year-old recovers from the rigors of the Triple Crown.  Servis is quoted as saying, "Right now, those are the four races we're looking at …I really want to keep him with 3-year-olds until the Classic. The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority told us they'd change the date of the Pegasus to suit our schedule."

As for Smarty Jones, Serivs stated, "He's doing super, he's just been walking under tack and is scheduled to go back to the track on Friday, which would give him 20 days of walking. If he shows us he's ready to get back, then we'll point for the Haskell. If we see that he needs more time, then we'll just go in the Pennsylvania Derby, Pegasus, and Breeders' Cup Classic (to be held at Lone Star Park in Texas)."

June 24, 2004

ELLIOT GETS ESPY NOMINATION

By DRF STAFF
 

Stewart Elliott, who rode Smarty Jones to victories in this year's Kentucky Derby and Preakness before finishing second in the Belmont Stakes, is among four nominees for the 2004 Espy award for best jockey, ESPN has announced. Also nominated was Edgar Prado, who was aboard the Belmont winner, Birdstone, and who won the 2003 George Woolfe Award from The Jockeys' Guild.

Jerry Bailey, the Espy-winning jockey in 1996 and 1997, was nominated again this year, as was Alex Solis, who rode two winners in last year's Breeders' Cup: Pleasantly Perfect in the Classic and Johar, who dead-heated with High Chaparral in the Turf.

 
The winner will be determined by popular vote, accessible via the Internet at espn.go.com/espy2004 through July 9. The Espys will be presented July 14 at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood and telecast July 18 at 9 p.m. Eastern on ESPN.
 

June 24, 2004

MONMOUTH PARK DETERMINED TO BRING SMARTY

By MIKE FARRELL, Daily Racing Form

 
OCEANPORT, N.J. - It has been a good week for the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority in its quest to lure Smarty Jones to its racetracks.  Trainer John Servis indicated New Jersey could have a shot at a Smarty double: the Grade 1, $1 million Haskell Invitational on Aug. 8 at Monmouth Park and the Pegasus Handicap on the opening weekend at The Meadowlands in early October.

"I talked to John [Servis] this morning," said Bob Kulina, vice president of the NJSEA, on Wednesday. "He will look to breeze the horse in eight to 10 days and if the horse does well, there is a strong possibility the Haskell will be on his agenda."

The Haskell would be Smarty Jones's first start since suffering the first career loss in the Belmont Stakes.

 
"If he comes and runs in the Haskell, it will be the biggest day in the history of New Jersey racing," said Kulina.

The next objective would be the Grade 2, $750,000 Pennsylvania Derby on Sept. 6 at Philadelphia Park, where Smarty would get a hero's reception from the hometown fans.

The longer-range goal remains the Grade 1, $4 million Breeders' Cup Classic on Oct. 30 at Lone Star Park.
Smarty Jones will probably need a race between the Pennsylvania Derby and the Breeders' Cup. Enter the Pegasus, dropped last year due to budget cuts. The Meadowlands will slot the Pegasus, at 1 1/8 miles for 3-year-olds, on the opening weekend of the meet that starts Oct. 1. The Meadowlands Cup, a 1 1/8-miles handicap, will go the following weekend as a fallback position if Smarty can't make the Pegasus.
 

The Pegasus, which had been worth $250,000, will likely carry a bonus provision to elevate a Smarty Jones victory into the $250,000 to $500,000 range. "We have some dollars to play with and we will have a purse that warrants a champion," said Kulina.  Past history indicates the NJSEA will do everything and anything to lure Smarty Jones. "We will make this work," said Kulina. The NJSEA has gone the "extra mile" to lure top runners in the past.
 

Examples include:
* Boosting the 1987 Haskell purse to $500,000 to draw Alysheba for an epic showdown with Bet Twice and Lost Code. Bet Twice was the winner in what is widely regarded as the greatest Haskell.

* Shifting the date of the 1988 Meadowlands Cup to accommodate Alysheba when weather scrambled trainer Jack Van Berg's plans. Alysheba got the victory as a stepping-stone to a Breeders' Cup Classic win.

* Increasing the distance and purse of the 1998 Iselin Handicap at Monmouth to snare Skip Away. He won the race that was extended a sixteenth to 1 1/8 miles with the purse doubled to $500,000.

* Dropping the 1997 Meadow-lands Cup and using the money to inflate the Pegasus to $1 million to attract Touch Gold. Behrens won that night as Touch Gold finished last in the four-horse field, well beaten as the 2-5 favorite.

* Paying appearance fees to trainers to bring top contenders to the Haskell.

Holiday weekend stakes
Balto Star, last year's winner, tops the list of 27 nominees for the Grade 1, $750,000 United Nations Stakes on July 3. The U.N. starts an Independence Day weekend that also features the Grade 2, $300,000 Molly Pitcher Breeders' Cup Handicap for fillies and mares on July 4.

 
Balto Star scored a stunning front-running victory last year under Jose Velez, Jr. at 37-1. The 6-year-old gelding most recently finished second by a head in the Grade 1 Gulfstream Park Breeders' Cup Handicap on Feb. 22. Others considered likely to run in the 1-3/8 mile turf race include Megantic, winner of Monmouth's Battlefield Stakes earlier this month, and Rochester, second in Grade 3 races in his last two starts - the Elkhorn at Keeneland and the Louisville Handicap at Churchill Downs.  Trainer Bobby Frankel nominated five: Epicentre, Gigli, King's Drama, Nothing to Lose, and Vangelis.

 
The Molly Pitcher, at 1 1/8 miles, attracted 17 nominations. Probable runners include Pocus Hocus, winner of the Monmouth Beach Stakes, and Final Round, who won the 2003 Grade 3 La Troienne Stakes at Churchill Downs.
 

Social Security heads feature
The consistent Social Security will be the one to beat in the $41,000 allowance feature for fillies and mares going six furlongs on Friday.  Trained by Joe Pierce, she has won three of her last four, working her way up from a $16,000 claiming tag to allowance winner.  She faces five rivals: Niblick, Deacon Lake, Paint it Black, Gulf of Gdansk, and Winner Takes All.
 

July 3-5

News & Notes

Arlington Million In Question

By MIKE FARRELL, Daily Racing Form

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Meteor Storm, the major disappointment in the Grade 1 United Nations on Saturday at Monmouth Park, bled during the race.

The winner of the Grade 1 Manhattan in his previous outing, he was never a factor in the U.N. He had a wide trip while racing in midpack and never kicked in with a serious late run. Meteor Storm finished seventh at 2-1, ending a three-race winning streak.

"It's basically the first time he's bled," said assistant trainer Aimee Dollase the morning after the race. "He's never done that before. It was hot and humid, and he's never run on a day like that."

Meteor Storm came out of the race in otherwise good shape.

"He's fine this morning," said Dollase. "His temperature is normal, and he ate up last night. He lives on to fight again."

Wally Dollase, Aimee's father and Meteor Storm's trainer, had listed Grade 1 Arlington Million on Aug. 14 as an objective for Meteor Storm. The trip to Chicago hinges on how well the 5-year-old bounces back.

"We'll take him home to California and see how he looks," said Aimee Dollase. "He's run hard so far this year. This was his sixth race this year."

The U.N. was the first time the Dollases had run a horse at Monmouth.

"It was a great trip," said Dollase. "The hospitality was wonderful. Everything was great, until the race. Unfortunately, it didn't work out."

Compromised by course

The U.N. didn't work out for Megantic either, but his trainer, Norman Pointer, had only one complaint: the condition of the parched turf course.

"I wish the racetrack wasn't so biased," said Pointer. "The horse ran good, but nobody was making up any ground. Megantic is a come-from-behind horse, and we didn't have an opportunity."

Megantic turned in the best performance among the local horses. The winner of Monmouth's Battlefield Stakes rallied six wide entering the lane and closed well to get fourth.

"I was satisfied," said Pointer. "He tried. He ran big."

Pointer had no immediate plans for Megantic.

"I'm letting him dry out for a little while," he said.

Some stakes purses raised

The stakes got juicier for the Haskell undercard and the New Jersey Thoroughbred Festival.

The four overnight stakes on Haskell Day, Aug. 8 - the Teddy Drone, the Lady's Secret Stakes, the Regret Stakes, and the Ocean Place Resort Stakes - were each increased from $85,000 to $100,000.

The same increase applies to the New Jersey Thoroughbred Festival on Sunday, Aug. 29, which is an all-statebred card. The original schedule called for three stakes races - the Colts Neck Handicap, Jersey Breeders' Turf Highweight, and Eleven North Handicap - for which purses have been raised from $85,000 to $100,000. Two more stakes have been added to the card, the $100,000 Jersey Girl Stakes and the $75,000 Pappa Riccio Stakes.

Backstretch picnic time

Danny Perlsweig launched the first Monmouth Backstretch Appreciation Day Picnic Day 12 years ago as a tribute to groom Charlie Butler.

For 30 years, Butler meticulously tended Perlsweig's top horses, including Lord Avie, the champion 2-year-old of 1980.

Perlsweig wanted to give something back to all backstretch workers, whose unheralded labor is integral to the sport.

"The people who take care of the horses don't get as much recognition as they should for the job they do," said Perlsweig.

The annual nonprofit, all-volunteer event returns to Monmouth's picnic area on Monday from noon to 3 p.m. Tuesday, July 13, is reserved as the rain date.

Over the years, the picnic has grown into a major event attended by 1,500 backstretch workers and their families. In addition to food and drink, the picnic features Jack Russell races and games for kids and adults.

Perlsweig, who paid for the first picnic out of his own pocket, has seen the event grow to a point where a large roster of sponsors contribute food, drinks, and prizes.

The Monmouth picnic proved so popular that Perlsweig now stages a similar event at Gulfstream Park.

Perlsweig, who retired from training four years ago, has one wish for future picnics.

____________________________________________________

Sunday, July 4, 2004

Monmouth Park.com Press Release

STAKES PURSES HIKED FOR HASKELL DAY, JERSEY FESTIVAL DAY

Purses for the four undercard stakes on Haskell Day, Aug. 8, have been increased to $100,000, Bob Kulina, vice-president of Thoroughbred racing and general manager of Monmouth, announced today. In addition, two stakes have been added for the New Jersey-bred program on Aug. 29 and purses were increased to $100,000 for three scheduled stakes that day.

The 14-race program on Sunday, Aug. 8 will be headed by the $1 million Haskell Invitational (G1). Also scheduled is the Grade 3 Oceanport Handicap. There are four ungraded stakes on the program - the Teddy Drone Stakes, the Lady's Secret Stakes, the Regret Stakes and the Ocean Place Resort Stakes. All had their purses increased from $85,000 to $100,000.

The New Jersey Thoroughbred Festival Presented by the Malouf Auto Group on Sunday, August 29, features an all-statebred card. The original schedule called for three stakes races - the Colts Neck Handicap, Jersey Breeders' Turf Highweight and Eleven North Handicap - for which purses have been raised from $85,000 to $100,000. Two more stakes have been added to the card, the $100,000 Jersey Girl Stakes and the $75,000 Pappa Riccio Stakes.

July 13, 2004

Monmouth Park
Good Loophole For Pick Four Players
By KENNY PECK, Daily Racing Form

OCEANPORT, N. J. - They're giving money away at Monmouth Park this year. Really. Due to an intriguing law on the books of the New Jersey Racing Commission, players at this track have been able to take shots at carryover pools in pick four wagers on a handful of occasions this year. In these instances, a rare "positive expectation" has been created, in that the track pays out above what the handle is on a given pool.

According to Chris McErlean, vice president and general manager of The Meadowlands Racetrack for the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, rules for the pick four in this state  fall under the guidelines of what's referred to as a pick "N" wager. That covers any multi-race bet, including any pick five or pick six wagers that may be offered.

"There was no specific language for the pick four," said McErlean, who has helped implement $75,000 guaranteed pick four pools every Saturday at the current Meadowlands harness meet. "There are special rules for the pick three in place, but nothing for the pick four."

With any pick "N" wager, racetrack officials have two options. The first is to pay a "consolation payout" to holders of tickets with fewer than the maximum number of winners for the bet, in this case four, even when there are winning tickets with all four winners. This would be similar to the situation which applies to most pick six wagers across the country, when five of six winners yields a consolation even when the pick six is hit. Obviously, this wouldn't work well with the pick four, given the relatively small pools. The payouts for tickets with all four correct would be diluted to reward those players who failed to hit all four legs with token consolations.

The other option is the rule currently in place, which on days nobody picks four winners, mandates a payout of 25 percent of the net pool (after the track's 15 percent takeout) to those players with the most winners on their tickets (usually three of four), with a carryover of the remaining 75 percent to the next scheduled pick four. For the last couple of years, that was the next racing day. This year, however, Monmouth Park started offering two daily pick four bets, currently on the first four races of the day and the last four. If no one selects all four winners on the late pick four, the next card's early pick four contains the carryover pool. If the first gimmick of the day isn't hit, the carryover goes into effect for the late pick four on that same card.

Given the fact that most fans these days are not on site - and therefore not always privy to track announcements - there are a good number of simulcast players unaware there even is a carryover, an opportunity to take a shot at a surplus of cash they're not technically entitled to win. After all, it belongs to the winning bettors from the previous pick four. Since there weren't any, it's up for grabs, given away to winners of the next bet.

There have been three instances at this meet where there have been carryovers, and each time it was the early pick four that went unhit. On June 6, $7,242 was carried into the late pick four, which paid $3,738.20. Without a carryover, it would have been worth $2,289.60. On June 30, $9,775 was seeded into the late pick four, which paid $1,145.40. Sans a carryover, winning tickets would have paid $844.60. And on the July 4 card, $12,312 was carried over when no one had a perfect ticket early. Then, in the nightcap, one person collected it all - plus the entire pool of the late pick four, as the holder of the only ticket with all four winners of that bet. Total payout: $43,488.30.

 

July 22, 2004

Monmouth Park Haskell Lineup Coming Into Focus

By MIKE FARRELL, Daily Racing Form
 

OCEANPORT, N.J. - The field has started to take shape for the $1 million Haskell Invitational on Aug. 8, the premier event of the Monmouth Park season. The track extended invitations to 24 3-year-olds, and the race office is starting to get feedback from the connections. Racing secretary Mike Dempsey expects the first three finishers in last weekend's Long Branch Stakes - Lion Heart, My Snookie's Boy, and Royal Assault - to come back for the 1 1/8-mile Haskell.  Dempsey is hopeful that Wood Memorial winner Tapit will make the race. Tapit has not started since running ninth in the Kentucky Derby.  Other possible Haskell runners include Eddington, Pollard's Vision, and the first three finishers from Hollywood Park's Swaps Stakes: Rock Hard Ten, Suave, and Boomzeeboom.
Haskell weights will be released Friday.

Nice spot for Constant Touch
Constant Touch, an improving 4-year-old filly, will face several more-experienced rivals in Monmouth's Friday feature, a $43,000 optional claiming race for fillies and mares at one mile on the turf. Constant Touch should be up to the assignment, if she continues her development for trainer Vicki Oliver.  Constant Touch scored an allowance win on the opening weekend of the meet. Stewart Elliott negotiated a ground-saving trip from the rail as Constant Touch, as far back as eighth at one point, slipped through on the rail to get up by a half-length.  "She just had the perfect trip," said Elliott. "And we were able to find room." She next tackled stakes company for the first time in Monmouth's Politely and drew the outside slot in the nine-horse field. She wound up wide and finished sixth, 2 1/2 lengths behind Snowdrops. "She didn't get the same kind of trip from post 9," said Elliott. "She didn't get to save any ground, but she still ran well."

Constant Touch, who had won three in a row prior to the Politely, will try to launch a new winning streak on the drop back to allowance company.  "She always tries hard," said Elliott. "She should be tough in this spot."  While Constant Touch will be making her seventh career start, Won Jenelle is the hardened veteran in the race as she runs for the 47th time, still in search of her fourth win.  The 8-year-old Won Jenelle, in for a $45,000 claiming tag, most recently ran second for $30,000 at Monmouth on June 30 in her first start since last fall. Felix Ortiz will ride for owner-trainer Eugenio Abbruzzese.  Bitterroot River has won her last two starts in allowances at Gulfstream Park and Monmouth. The 4-year-old Bitterroot River is a stout closer who got up last time by a head at the end of a prolonged drive. Eibar Coa has the mount.
 

Salvator tops weekend stakes
The Grade 3, $100,000 Salvator Mile on Sunday tops Monmouth's weekend stakes lineup.
Possible runners include Highway Prospector, Max Forever, Presidential affair, and Roaring Fever.
 

The weekend kicks off Saturday with a pair of $60,000 stakes: the Spruce Fir for New Jersey-bred fillies and mares at one mile on the turf, and the Serena's Song for 3-year-old fillies at one mile and 70 yards.  The $55,000 Anderson Fowler at five furlongs on the turf will be the supporting stakes on Sunday.
 

Tuesday, August 3, 2004

FIVE DAYS TO 37TH HASKELL AT MONMOUTH PARK

Monmouth Park.com Press Release
 

August 4, 2004

37^TH RENEWAL OF MONMOUTH’S HASKELL INVITATIONAL (Pre-Draw Preview)

Oceanport Racing Report.com

Oceanport, New Jersey – With Monmouth Park’s marquee race rapidly approaching the lineup for the Grade I event is still in limbo.  For three-year-olds at this time of year the picture tends to blur as to who is still racing, who has retired, who is injured and then there are always a bunch of horses that we don’t know enough about.  The Haskell lineup is a hodgepodge of all the above as the beginning of the fall campaign begins Sunday.  For some it will be a march most likely towards Saratoga and The Travers and hopefully down the line the Breeders’ Cup Classic, but for others the result will make the connections of those not so successful in the race reevaluate just how good they are and where they need to be heading.  Lets take a look at the fact and the fiction surrounding this years Haskell:

1.  Still racing – Lion Heart is at the top of the list and will most likely be the morning line favorite for this years race.  After two second place finishes in The Kentucky Derby and The Preakness to Smarty Jones, this colt came back to Monmouth and won a hard fought victory over My Snookie’s Boy, in a bob at the wire, in The Grade III Long Branch Stakes on July 17^th.  Trainer Patrick Biancone has stated that his colt was not as sharp as he could have been claiming,  "I took a little gamble with him and worked him only four times leading up to that race…I didn't want him dead-fit for the Long Branch and then have him go down in the Haskell. It was worth it, because he won by a head. If he had lost by a nose . . ."   Second is Rock Hard Ten from the barn of Jason Orman.  Rock Hard Ten posted an impressive win in his last outing, the Grade 2 Swaps Breeders' Cup Stakes at Hollywood Park. He scored a 3 3/4-length victory for his first win since an allowance score at Santa Anita on March 3. A disqualification from second to third in the Santa Anita Derby cost him the graded stakes earnings needed to make the Kentucky Derby. He ran second in the Preakness and fifth in the Belmont Stakes. Rock Hard Ten will carry 120 pounds in the Haskell, one fewer than Lion Heart in his return to Monmouth. The rest of the contenders are home track entrant My Snookie’s Boy, who gave Lion Heart all he wanted in the Long Branch, then there is California shipper, Wimplestiltskin, from the barn of Marcelo Polanco, whose presence is expected to affect the running of the 1 1/8-mile race. While Wimplestiltskin has yet to run quickly enough to suggest he can win this race, many think he is he is quick enough to pester Lion Heart in the early stages and thus deny him an easy lead. He worked a half-mile in 48.20 seconds at Del Mar on Tuesday and was scheduled to arrive at Monmouth on Wednesday.

Trainer Nick Zito said that Pie's Prospect, who recently ran third in the Grade 3 Leonard Richards Stakes at Delaware Park, could join stablemate Royal Assault in the Haskell starting gate. Tap Day was confirmed as a starter by trainer Mark Hennig Wednesday joining My Snookie's Boy as the only Monmouth-based horses in the race.

Other possible runners such as Swingforthefences, and Courageous Act are still considered possible runners for event.

2.  Retired/Injured – There was probably no bigger disappointment for the Monmouth Park racing secretary's office than the decision by the connections of Derby and Preakness winner Smarty Jones to skip the Haskell.  Trainer John Servis was working with the colt to get him ready for the fall but thought the Haskell would be too soon as one of the connections fall goals was to have him run before his home crowd at Philadelphia Park in the Pennsylvania Derby.  The officials at Monmouth even considered moving the Pegasus from The Meadowlands to Monmouth in September to get the classic winner to run in New Jersey.  Amid all the rumors swirling around last week it was eventually announced earlier this week, by the three-year-old champions connections, that due to hoof problems the colt was being retired.  The news was truly disappointing to the racing offices of Monmouth Park, and for that matter Philadelphia Park who was bracing for large crowds at their Derby, and to the racing world at large but the colt does not owe us or his owners anything as he made more of his seven or eight starts than any other horse one could think of and he deserves a nice retirement.  The Haskell will go on without Smarty as well as without Tapit. The race lost a major contender in Tapit over the weekend (7/31-8/1), when trainer Michael Dickinson withdrew his colt from consideration after he suffered an entrapped epiglottis during a workout at Delaware Park. The Wood Memorial winner, is to undergo surgery to correct the problem, which will keep him out of the Haskell and the Travers at Saratoga.

These two losses have tempered the enthusiasm of many that follow Monmouth and the Haskell but nevertheless the Haskell usually turns out to be bigger than any one horse.  As a matter of fact horses that have run in the Triple Crown races come in and are usually bet down to the chalk, but there tends to be a sense of vulnerability in these horses as they are many times tested by a horse that the crowd has overlooked.  The Haskell will not be a walk-over for Lion Heart or Rock Hard Ten unless the speed bias gets to the point where the track cannot be somewhat fair.  With that said the Monmouth people put on a good day and the card will be the best of the year. 

Here are a few facts that one might want to know in planning their Haskell day:

* Sunday, Aug. 8.

* 14 race card

* Gates open at 10:00 a.m.

* First race post time 12:00 p.m.

* Haskell live on ESPN2 from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.

* Haskell post-time 6:20 p.m.

* Seven stakes races, including three graded events.

* Traditional Haskell Cap giveaway to all paid admissions.

* Great Purse Pursuit competition.

Thursday, August 5, 2004
LION HEART, ROCK HARD TEN HEAD NINE IN SUNDAY'S HASKELL

Monmouth Park.com Press Release

August 8, 2004

Monmouth Park                    

Lion Heart, Bravo, take Haskell   

By MIKE FARRELL, Daily Racing Form

 
OCEANPORT, N.J. - Joe Bravo couldn't stop grinning as he pulled up Lion Heart after they teamed to win the Grade 1, $1 million Haskell Invitational Sunday at Monmouth Park.

Bravo, nine times the leading rider at Monmouth, finally had a victory in the biggest race at the track he calls home.

"It was such a great feeling, having the whole crowd behind you at my hometown track" said Bravo. "What a feeling!"

It was also a huge moment for Lion Heart ($5.80) as he won his second straight stakes and got his first Grade 1 win since the Hollywood Futurity at the end of his 2-year-old season.

Lion Heart controlled the 1 1/8 miles race for 3-year-olds from start to finish. He took charge early and held a clear lead throughout. Rock Hard Ten, the 9-10 favorite, chased the pace thrown down by Lion Heart but had no response in the lane.

"The Triple Crown is a long series," said jockey Corey Nakatani after Rock Hard Ten faded to sixth. "He ran really big in the Swaps. To fly all the way back to the East Coast might have been a bit much for him."

Rock Hard Ten, who was second in the Preakness and fifth in the Belmont Stakes, had rebounded with a strong win in the Swaps Stakes at Hollywood Park.

Many handicappers expected the Haskell to turn into a two-horse battle between Lion Heart and Rock Hard Ten.

In the end, only My Snookie's Boy, Lion Heart's archrival, took up the chase in the lane.

They hooked up last time out in Monmouth's Grade 3 Long Branch Stakes. Lion Heart, making his first start finishing fourth in the Preakness, got up in the final jumps to win by a head.

Trainer Patrick Biancone and Bravo both maintained the Long Branch was only a prep and that Lion Heart would move forward. The chestnut colt backed them up as he looked like the Lion Heart of the spring when he posted game runner-up finishes in the Kentucky Derby and Blue Grass Stakes.

My Snookie's Boy rallied as hard as he could but there were no finish-line dramatics this time.

Lion Heart prevailed by a comfortable length as he stopped the clock in 1:48.95. Pies Prospect, trained by Nick Zito, ran third.

"This horse is unbelievable," said Biancone. "I've never had a horse like this who is so intelligent. It's emotional to train him because he understands everything we want."

Biancone will now point Lion Heart toward the Grade 1 Travers at Saratoga on Aug. 28.

August 8, 2004

Monmouth Park                    

Breeders' Cup eyes Monmouth in 2007

By MIKE FARRELL, Daily Racing Form

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Monmouth Park moved a step closer to hosting the 2007 Breeders' Cup with the signing of a memorandum of understanding among the parties.

It will be the first time the Breeders' Cup comes to New Jersey and the Mid Atlantic region.

Monmouth will host the 24th Breeders' Cup on either the last weekend in October or the first weekend of November, 2007.

Officials from Breeders' Cup Limited, the state of New Jersey and the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority signed the document Sunday at a press conference in Monmouth's library.

"It indicates that we have agreed on the major points that will now be incorporated with some finer points into a full-blown contract," said D.G. Van Clief, Jr., the president of the Breeders' Cup.

All signs indicated the full contract could be completed by the end of this year or early next year.

"We think we'll reach a contract fairly soon," said George Zoffinger, the president and chief executive officer of the NJSEA which owns and operates Monmouth. "We don't have many major points that need clarification. We are committed to do what we have to do."

Gov. James McGreevey represented the state and called it "an historic day for the state of New Jersey."

McGreevey, Zoffinger and Van Clief signed the memorandum.

The 2005 Breeders Cup will be held at Lone Star Park on Oct. 30.              

Sunday, August 8, 2004

BREEDERS’ CUP AND NJSEA REACH MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR MONMOUTH PARK TO HOST 2007 BREEDERS’ CUP

Monmouth Park.com

Officials of the Breeders' Cup Limited and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) have reached a memorandum of understanding with the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA) for Monmouth Park in Oceanport, New Jersey, to be the host site for the 2007 Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships.

The 24th running of the Breeders' Cup, consisting of eight races with purses and awards totaling $14 million, will be run during the last weekend of October or the first weekend in November of 2007.

"We are delighted to bring the Breeders' Cup to New Jersey and Monmouth Park for the 2007 World Thoroughbred Championships," said Breeders' Cup President D.G. Van Clief, Jr. "We have been extremely impressed with the enthusiasm and professionalism of the NJSEA team, one that has developed an outstanding reputation in handling major league sporting and special events over years. Furthermore, we believe that Monmouth Park has earned its place as one of  America's finest and most popular Thoroughbred facilities and will provide an excellent showcase to stage the world's greatest day of international racing."

"Bringing the jewel of Thoroughbred racing to Monmouth Park is not only great for the mid-Atlantic region, but more specifically, the State of New Jersey," said George R. Zoffinger, President and Chief Executive Officer of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority.  "This world championship of racing will focus global attention on the state and will deliver a direct economic impact of $80 to $100 million.  For us, it represents a win-win.  We've worked long and hard to make this happen and are proud that so many race fans will get a chance to see how we put on major events."

"The Authority and the state are extremely proud to be hosting this magnificent event," said Carl Goldberg, Chairman of the NJSEA.  "It is a great testimony to the cooperation of the Thoroughbred horsemen, especially Dennis Drazin, and the New Jersey Racing Commission. It represents a meaningful contribution to both the pride and the pocketbooks of all New Jersey taxpayers.  Hosting this event continues to make our state one of the premier sports and entertainment destinations in North America."

This will be the first time that Monmouth Park has hosted the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships and the first time the event will be held in the Middle Atlantic region. During its 20-year history, the Breeders' Cup also has been held at Hollywood Park and Santa Anita Park in California, Arlington Park in Illinois, Churchill Downs in Kentucky, Gulfstream Park in Florida, Aqueduct Racetrack and Belmont Park in New York and Woodbine in Ontario, Canada. This year's Breeders' Cup will be run at Lone Star Park in the Dallas suburb of Grand Prairie, Texas on Saturday October 30. The 2005 Breeders' Cup will be held at Belmont Park and the 2006 event is scheduled to be held at Churchill Downs.

Present day Monmouth Park, built near the site of the 1870 original, opened its doors on July 19, 1946, after pari-mutuel wagering was legalized in New Jersey.  The beautiful new plant, nicknamed the "Resort of Racing" for its prominent place on the Jersey Shore, was an immediate financial and artistic success, attracting large crowds and champion Thoroughbreds.  Through the years, Monmouth has presented some of the finest racing in the nation, with the $1 million Haskell Invitational – richest invitational in North America – the centerpiece of each meeting.

The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority purchased Monmouth Park Jockey Club in 1986 and continues its mission to bring the best of sports and entertainment to the Garden State.  In addition to Monmouth Park, the NJSEA owns and operates the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, NJ, which includes Giants Stadium, Meadowlands Racetrack and Continental Airlines Arena, Atlantic City Convention Center and Wildwoods Convention Center.

Sunday, August 8, 2004

LION HEART CAPTURES HASKELL INVITATIONAL BY LENGTH BEFORE 45,365 AT MONMOUTH; BETTING RECORD SET ON CARD

Monmouth Park.com

Lion Heart had all the courage he needed in the stretch as he held off a determined My Snookie's Boy to register a one-length victory Sunday in the $1 million Haskell Invitational (G1) before a crowd of 45,365, third highest in the history of Monmouth Park.

Wagering on the 14-race card totaled a record $12,686,430, with $3,802,494 of that bet on-track, second highest in Monmouth history.

The first two finishers in the mile and an eighth Haskell reaffirmed the validity of the Long Branch Breeders' Cup Stakes finish, when Lion Heart beat My Snookie's Boy by a head.

But the roles were reversed on Sunday as jockey Joe Bravo seized the day by pushing Lion Heart into the lead right out of the gate. The colt by Tale of the Cat was in front at every pole and had plenty left in the tank when My Snookie's Boy put in a game run through the stretch.

Pies Prospect and Royal Assault, the two Nick Zito-trained horses, finished third and fourth, with Swingforthefences fifth.

Rock Hard Ten, the 9-10 favorite in the field of eight, pressed the pace early and then tired to finish sixth, with Tap Day and Wimplestiltskin trailing in behind.

Lion Heart earned a prize of $600,000 for his owners, Derrick Smith and Michael Tabor, and brought his career total to $1,380,800 on a record of 5-3-0 in nine starts. His sire, Tale of the Cat, broke his maiden at Monmouth Park when he was trained by John Forbes.

He is just an unbelievable horse," said trainer Patrick Biancone. "Joe Bravo said he would like to be in the first or second spot from the break, and if Rock Hard Ten tried to chase us, he will not survive. "This horse is more mature now than he was in the spring, he can carry his speed. The early fraction (23 seconds) was the key. Three months ago, it would have been 22 and change. But he is a sensible horse now, and he is extremely fit. He is unbelievable." "Patrick told me I'd have more horse today than I did in his last race (Long Branch)," Bravo said, "and he was right. He broke so sharp, right out of the gate I had a length on the field. We were going to the lead today. I just wanted to let him run his race, and he did. He was awesome.

"Our horse was going so easy down the backside he made Rock Hard Ten run and work to stay with him. When I called on him, he had plenty left. When horses run like that, it makes it easy."

Jason Orman, trainer of Rock Hard Ten, took some of the blame for his horse's performance.
 "We were just asking too much of this horse," Orman said. "We should have given him some more time off. We've shipped him across the country four times now, and that's too much."

Stewart Elliott, who rode My Snookie's Boy, said, "My horse ran great. Coming to the eighth pole, I thought if Lion Heart is finished I got a shot to beat him. But when I got to him, he had a little left." The crowd was third best in Monmouth history behind only last year's state record 53,638 and the 2001 gate of 47,127. The total betting on the day topped last year's total of $12,536,345. On-track betting was second only to last year's $3,965,648.

 In the $100,000 Matchmaker Stakes (G3), Moyglare Stud Farm's Where We Left Off made a stout run through the stretch to catch pace-setting Mrs. M and drew off to a one-length victory.
 It was the second stakes victory of the day for Nakatani, who won the Ocean Place Resort Stakes aboard Forest Grove. Where We Left Off, trained by Christophe Clement, raced the mile and an eighth over the firm turf in 1:48 4/5 and paid $7, $4.40 and $3.40 across the board as the lukewarm favorite in the field of nine fillies and mares. Mrs. M held second to complete the $81.80 exacta, and Spin Control was third.
The English-bred Where We Left Off earned a prize of $60,000 for her owners as she won for the fourth time in five starts this season.

The $100,000 Oceanport Handicap (G3) went to Marylou Whitney Stable's Gulch Approval, who rallied on the rail and held off Kathir by a nose. It was another nose back to Stormy Roman in third. Gulch Approval, trained by Nick Zito and ridden by Pat Day, raced the mile and a sixteenth in 1:42 1/5 on firm turf and paid $9.20, $4 and $3.40 across the board. Kathir, the favorite in the field of 10 older horses, completed the $26 exacta.
Gulch Approval, a 4-year-old son of Gulch, won his third straight since being switched to the grass. He took Monmouth's Elkwood Stakes here last month. There were also four overnight stakes races on the day's card.

Marie and Aaron Jones' Forest Grove scored by a length and a quarter in the $100,000 Ocean Place Resort Stakes at a $28 win mutuel. Wasabi Cat rallied for the place to complete a $374.80 exacta. Favored Grand Heritage was third. The winner, trained by Todd Pletcher, scored his first career turf victory in the race, running the mile and a sixteenth in 1:36 3/5 with Nakatani aboard.
 The $100,000 Lady's Secret Stakes produced another upset as Nancy Lee Farm's Chrusciki outlasted favored Misty Sixes to win by a neck. Chrusciki, trained by A. Ferris Allen 3rd and ridden by Stewart Elliott, paid $17.60, $5 and $2.80 across the board after racing the mile and a sixteenth in 1:44 over the fast main track. The exacta returned $49.40. Saintly Action was third.

Mrs. E. Paul Robsham's Canadian Frontier took command in deep stretch to win the $100,000 Teddy Drone Stakes by a length over favored Wildcat Heir. Stanley Hough trains the winner, who zipped the six furlongs in 1:09 flat with Eibar Coa aboard and paid $7, $4 and $3.20 across the board.  Wildcat Heir completed the $22.20 exacta. Here's Zealous was third.

The $100,000 Regret Stakes went to favored Travelator, who sat behind the speed and gained the lead in midstretch. The Stanley Hough-trained filly scored by two and a quarter lengths over Cupid Season with Hidden Ransom third. Travelator, ridden by Aaron Gryder, paid $4.40, $3.20 and $2.80 across the board and topped a $50.20 exacta. The daughter of A.P. Indy raced the six furlongs over a fast track in 1:10 flat.

August 8, 2004

Haskell Review:  A Great Day Of Racing And A Great Day For New Jersey Racing

Oceanport Racing Report.com

Oceanport, New Jersey – August on the Jersey Shore is usually a steamy place where unless you are heading to the beach you are heading to a cool air-conditioned place in the shade.  Fortunately for the 45,365 thoroughbred race fans that were admitted to Monmouth Park Sunday, the third largest crowd in the history of Monmouth Park, the weather gods smiled down upon them with picture perfect weather for a great day of racing.  It seems that every year Haskell day becomes more and more a festival like day at the track and that seems to be translating into more and more fans attending New Jersey’s biggest day of racing.  An early card, first post 12:00 pm, saw fourteen (14) races with seven stakes slated while the main event, The Haskell, would be a battle between morning line favorite Lion Heart from the barn of Patrick Biancone and Rock Hard Ten from the barn of Jason Orman.  While the day crept into the afternoon the size of the crowd really started to come into focus around the finish of the seventh race as the noise from the grandstand was as loud as any crowd at the track in recent memory.  Considering the retirement of Smart Jones and the injury of Tapit a crowd of 45,000 was larger than many had anticipated.

With the media hype surrounding Rock Hard Ten the week leading up to the Haskell many in the crowd seemed to have jumped on to the bandwagon as it was loading into the starting gate for race 13.  The crowd sent the California shipper off as the 3/5 favorite as Lion Heart, the morning line favorite, was allowed to go off at nearly 2-to-1.   After his impressive win in the Swaps Stakes, Rock Hard Ten had made some believers as others may have thought that Lion Heart worked way to hard for his victory in The Grade III Long Branch when My Snookie’s Boy gave him all he could handle that day.  As with many horses that come off the Triple Crown trail and run in the Haskell they can be vulnerable running back in their first Grade I after a grueling spring.  No need to look any further than Funny Cide in last year’s edition.  With that said there were some other horses in the race that could be a factor if the two favorites did not run their race, some even if they did run their race.  And as the gates opened Lion Heart would go right to the lead.  No surprise here as Rock Hard Ten would go with him.  What was a surprise was that as the race started in the far turn Rock Hard Ten could not keep up and the $353,000 plus dollars in the win pool could not push him closer to the front.  Lion Heart caught a great strip for his front running style and the others would not keep up except for a little horse called My Snookie’s Boy who would make a run at the leader in deep stretch but would come up short at the wire.  The win by Lion Heart gave Joe Bravo his first Haskell Invitational win, kind of hard to believe after all these years.  The win now puts Lion Heart right in the mix for 3yo. Horse of The Year honors.  A win in The Travers at Saratoga and a good showing in The Breeders’ Cup Classic and many think he could win the title.  Strange to think considering Smarty Jones just ran away from him this past spring.  What a Haskell that would have been if Smarty could have made this party, at least it would have been something to talk about anyway.  As for Rock Hard Ten it’s back to the drawing board.  Trainer Jason Orman and jockey Corey Nakatani think the travel might have zapped their colts’ energy.  Maybe, maybe not, it really doesn’t matter Lion Heart won and My Snookie’s Boy might have made the biggest impact in the race as he will probably get another shot at Lion Heart in The Travers.  This combination may turn into a nice rivalry going into the fall and it is nice to have good rivalries in this sport.  Good rivalries make for good racing.

And as for news off the track, on the Jersey front congratulations should be given to the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority for getting a commitment from the Breeders’ Cup to host the 2007 Edition of horse racing’s richest day which was announced during yesterday’s card.  Hopefully the authority will not forget the local horsemen on the way to hosting this prestigious event.  While hosting the Breeders’ Cup for one year is a great challenge and an accomplishment the local horsemen are the ones that make the product work year round.  For all the complaining the NJSEA did last year for a bad meet hiking purses has really changed their tune and its too bad it took a Breeder’s Cup to make them see it.  But it is a great thing to have the championships on the shore and the local economy will be rewarded and the self-fulfilling prophecy can be realized and it is about time.  Congrats to all who made this event happen.  All and all it was a good day of hopefully many more to come.  See you next August, Good luck at the races!

August 28, 2004

THE STORY OF U.S GOLD COMES FULL CIRCLE AT MONMOUTH

Monmouth Park.com Press Release

The timing is perfect - a story about U.S. Gold during the Olympics.

U.S. Gold is a 9-year-old Thoroughbred who will enjoy a peaceful retirement because one of his previous owners cared enough to give him a pension. The gelding by U.S. Flag - April Gold, by Gold and Myrrh, will find a spot at one of the Thoroughbred retirement programs, possibly as early as next week.

The horse, bred in New Jersey by Ed Broome, has had 10 different owners and trainers during a 100-start career that started in July of 1997 in maiden special weight company and finished on Aug. 19 this year in $5,000 claiming company.

Maggi Moss, an attorney from Chicago who owned U.S. Gold most of 2001, arranged to purchase the horse privately this week from Kyle Kennedy.

"She called me out of the blue," said trainer Kim Laudati, who was assistant to Gary Contessa when the horse was in Contessa's barn in 2001. "She saw the horse in the Form and that he was running for $5,000.

"U.S. Gold made more than $100,000 for Maggi in the short time she had him," Laudati said, "and she decided it was time he was retired. She called me to help out in purchasing the horse.

Moss bought U.S. Gold for $2,500, and is currently contacting the various Thoroughbred retirement agencies to find him a permanent home.

"He's been in my barn this week," Laudati said. "He just walks and grazes near the barn every day, and he's confused. He's a professional racehorse and he knows the routine, and I think he's wondering why he's not going to the track."

U.S. Gold, who compiled a record of 21-18-18 in 100 starts with earnings of $513,037, has turned out to be a real winner.

September 1, 2004

WHOOP’S AH DAISY RETIRES

Oceanport Racing Report.com

The Bloodhorse reports that the Sleeter family has retired its homebred stakes winner Whoop’s Ah Daisy after she finished third in the Eleven North Handicap on Sunday at Monmouth Park.

"I debated about running Whoop’s Ah Daisy [on Sunday] because of her ankles, but I decided to give her one last start," trainer Kevin Sleeter said. "I tell you, I felt like a winner after the race when she walked off the track with no problems."

Kevin’s mother, Carolyn, bred Whoop’s Ah Daisy in New Jersey, and Kevin trained the daughter of Northern Idol for his father, Gerry. The five-year-old bay mare will now join the family’s broodmare band.

"We’ll give her a couple of weeks here at the track before we send her to the farm," Kevin said. "She’ll be turned out with the other broodmares—we have ten right now—and I’ll look for a stallion to breed her to. Right now, I’m leaning toward [Maryland-based stallions] Lion Hearted or Not For Love, but we haven’t made any decision."

Whoop’s Ah Daisy won seven of 21 starts and earned $259,710. Her biggest win came in her five-year-old debut in the $60,000 Open Mind Handicap at Monmouth. She also placed in five stakes during her three-season career.

September 4, 2004

JANET LASZLO RECEIVES 2004 BUDDY RAINES AWARD

Monmouth Park.com Press Release

Janet Laszlo, an owner and breeder whose horses have been successful at Monmouth Park over the last decade, has been named the 2004 recipient of the Virgil "Buddy" Raines Distinguished Achievement Award.

Mrs. Laszlo will be honored in winner's circle ceremonies following the sixth race here on Sunday.

The Raines Award, instituted at Monmouth in 1996, honors men and women who have demonstrated a continuing commitment to the sport of Thoroughbred racing as an owner or trainer, and whose conduct has been exemplary for professionalism, integrity and service to the sport.

Mrs. Laszlo is the ninth recipient of the Raines Award, following J. Willard Thompson (1996); Danny Perlsweig (1997); Warren A. "Jimmy" Croll (1998), Joe Pierce Jr. (1999), Peter Shannon (2000), Dennis Drazin (2001), Sam Fieramosca (2002) and Charles and Marianne Hesse (2003).

"Janet Laszlo is certainly a deserving winner of the Raines Award," said Bob Kulina, vice president of racing and general manager of Monmouth Park. "She is a loyal New Jersey owner-breeder and exemplifies what owning racehorses is all about.

"She has been a wonderful part of Monmouth Park racing, and we appreciate her support and dedication. She thoroughly loves the game, she loves Monmouth Park, and she's great for racing."

In 1981, after raising two children and running a small stable of hunter-jumpers, Mrs. Laszlo combined her nursing skills and horse sense to take the first Thoroughbred lay-up at Hunters Run Farm in Wall Township, N.J., that she and her husband Joe were developing. She began her foaling business at the farm in 1989, a successful endeavor that continues today.

In 1991, after her two daughters left for Alaska and West Africa, she and her husband decided to become Thoroughbred owners and breeders for the first time. Four years later, they sold their first homebred, Intrepid Son, who went on to win two Grade 2 stakes and was named best New Jersey-bred 2-year-old colt of 1995.

September 5, 2004

KARAMANOS JOINS MONMOUTH COLONY, IGNACIO SET TO RETURN

Monmouth Park.com Press Release

Jockey Horacio Karamanos, one of the leading riders on the Maryland circuit for the past several years, has moved his tack to Monmouth Park.  Albert Barrera has the book for the 30-year-old native of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Karamanos was one of the top riders in Argentina for nearly ten years before moving to South Florida in 2001.  He later shifted his tack north to Maryland, finishing third in the standings in 2002 and 22nd nationally with 237 victories.  His mounts that year earned more than $5 million.  He holds a record at Laurel Park, riding seven winners on one card on Oct. 26, 2002.

"He'll be here through the end of this meet and then make a decision about the Meadowlands," said Barrera, son of Hall of Fame trainer Laz Barrera.

Karamanos is named on six horses for Monday's card, including both halves of the entry in the $60,000 Icecapade Stakes, named at 4-1 on the line, and the $55,000 Candy Éclair Stakes, 9-2 on the morning line set by Brad Thomas.  All of his mounts are for owner Michael Gill and trainer Gamaliel Vazquez.

In addition to Karamanos, Barrera is looking forward to the return of his other rider, Rudy Ignacio.  Ignacio broke his right leg in a spill here on July 29, when he was unseated by his mount Princess Krista following the fourth race. He has spent the past month and a half recovering.

"He just finished a week of physical therapy and he's got one week to go," Barrera said.  "After that he'll get on some horses in the morning and he'll be ready to ride after that."

Prior to his injury, the 20-year-old apprentice from Guerrero, Mexico had ridden two winners from 52 mounts.

September 9, 2004

MONMOUTH WILL BE JUMPING ON CLOSING DAY, SEPT. 26

Monmouth Park.com Press Release

The steeplechasers will return to Monmouth Park after an absence of more than a decade for two races on closing day, Sunday, Sept. 26.

The two jump events will be carded as the first and third races on the final Monmouth program. The first race will be a $20,000 allowance event, and the second will be the $50,000 Metcalf Memorial Novice 'Chase, the first leg of a fall series for novice jumpers. Both races will be run at two and a quarter miles over National fences.

This will be the first time the jumpers have raced here since Labor Day of 1992, when Monmouth presented four live steeplechases and simulcast 11 races from the Meadowlands.

The Metcalf, once a fixture at the Red Bank hunt meeting on the former Amory Haskell estate in Navesink, is being renewed for the first time at Monmouth since the Red Bank meet was abandoned in 1995.

September 11, 2004

LOPEZ TO MISS 2 TO 3 WEEKS WITH DISLOCATED SHOULDER

Monmouth Park.com Press Release

Oceanport, N.J. -- Jockey Chuck C. Lopez is expected to miss two to three weeks of action after dislocating his right shoulder when he was unseated by Quoit Alarming during the running of the first race at Monmouth Park on Saturday.

Lopez was sent to Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch following the incident where he continued to receive medical attention throughout the afternoon.

"It looks like two to three weeks," said Joe Rosen, agent for the 44-year-old rider.  "It just takes a little time to heal, so he'll take it easy.  We'll be targeting the Meadowlands for a return, that'll be three weeks from yesterday (opening day for the Meadowlands is Oct. 1)."

Lopez, who was leading rider at Monmouth in 1998 and top jockey at the Meadowlands last year, has ridden 65 winners from 342 mounts this year, good for fourth in the overall jockey standings.

Quoit Alarming, a 6-year-old mare trained by Mark Fusco, was uninjured in the incident.  

September 12, 2004

LOPEZ RESTING AT HOME, PLANS TO RETURN FOR BIG M OCT. 1

Monmouth Park.com Press Release

Jockey Chuck C. Lopez is resting at his home in Morganville, N.J. after dislocating his right shoulder in the first race at Monmouth Park Saturday when he was unseated by his mount Quoit Alarming going down the backstretch.

"It's really swollen," said the 44-year-old Lopez.  "It doesn't really hurt, but I attribute that to the swelling.  I don't have a lot of feeling in it right now.

"The doctors said it was a classic dislocation and I'll be out about two weeks, that's how long it takes the swelling to go down."

Two weeks puts Lopez on target for a return at the Meadowlands, where he is set to defend his title as top jockey.  Lopez captured the 2003 Meadowlands title, 24 years after taking the Big M title as an apprentice.

"I'm pretty sure I'll be back in time for the Meadowlands opener," Lopez said.  "It's great that I'm back to defend my title, but until then I'll just take it easy and get some rest."

Lopez, leading rider at Monmouth in 1998, is currently fourth in the standings with 65 wins from 342 mounts.

Quoit Alarming, a 6-year-old mare trained by Mark Fusco, was uninjured in the incident.

September 24, 2004

Monmouth Park

MONMOUTH PARK ALEXANDER GETS GOING

By MIKE FARRELL DRF.com

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Bruce Alexander, one of the top-percentage trainers at Fort Erie and Woodbine this summer, has relocated to New Jersey for The Meadowlands meet that begins Oct. 1. Alexander isn't waiting for opening night to take the local plunge. He entered Emerald Earrings in the $60,000 Without Feathers Stakes at Monmouth Park on Saturday.

Emerald Earrings looks like the one to beat in the mile and 70-yard race for 3-year-old fillies following consecutive impressive turf victories at Woodbine. She earned career-best Beyer Speed Figures of 89 for both one-mile
efforts, an allowance race and the Ontario Colleen Handicap. "We're going from turf to dirt and around two turns for the first time, but we think she's up to it," said Alexander.  Emerald Earrings has a record of two wins and a second in three main-track starts, all sprints.

Alexander said that her regular rider, Jake Barton, "thought she ran better and felt more comfortable on the main track." Stewart Elliott gets the mount on Saturday. A Lulu of a Menifee, trained by Barclay Tagg, could offer the main competition. She has been keeping fast company, running seventh in the Grade 1 Alabama at Saratoga and third in the Grade 2 Delaware Oaks at Delaware Park. Joe Bravo will be aboard.

The Saturday card also features another stakes for females, the $60,000 Girl Powder Handicap for New Jersey-breds at six furlongs. This could be the breakthrough spot for Eastern Gale, who has 2 seconds and
2 thirds in 4 statebred handicaps this meet.

Lopez out for the year
Chuck Lopez won't get an opportunity to defend his riding title at The Meadowlands.  Lopez dislocated his right shoulder when he was unseated in a race at Monmouth on Sept. 11. The initial prognosis had him sidelined two to three weeks, but further tests revealed a torn rotator cuff that will require surgery. Lopez, fourth in the Monmouth standings, will return in January or February at Gulfstream Park.

North East Bound retired
North East Bound, who almost pulled off a monumental upset in the 2000 Breeders' Cup Mile, has been retired.
The 8-year-old gelding, trained by Bill Perry, will spend his days at Sunny Oak Farm in Kentucky. He earned $1,363,228, winning 12 of 50 career starts.

Fans will best remember him for the fall of 2000, when he won The Meadowlands Cup and nearly took the Breeders' Cup as a 42-1 shot. North East Bound shot right to the lead and was caught by War Chant in the final jump.

Meadowlands surface raises concern
Some riders have expressed concerns about the safety of The Meadowlands track after a Jockeys' Guild representative, Larry Saumell, dug up samples of the newly laid strip Tuesday and found it full of pebbles and stones. The Meadowlands, a harness track most of the year, is converted for Thoroughbred racing every fall.

"Based on what we saw, the riders aren't happy with it," said Saumell, who has 30 years' of experience as a jockey. Saumell received assurances from track management that the strip will be sifted before opening night to remove debris. The jockeys will review the surface next week to monitor the progress.

"It's a safety issue," said jockey Eddie King. "We don't want it to come to a point where we don't ride."
Foreign material in the track is a sensitive issue for Saumell, who was hit in the left eye with a clod of frozen mud and rock salt in March 1974 at Garden State Park. It cracked three pair of goggles and damaged Saumell's
cornea. Saumell needed 14 operations on the eye.
 

September 26, 2004

MONMOUTH PARK'S 87-DAY MEETING ENDS ON HIGH NOTE WITH SUBSTANTIAL GAINS IN MUTUEL HANDLE, ATTENDANCE

Monmouth Park.com Press Release

OCEANPORT, N.J. -Spurred by the largest single-day mutuel handle in the track's history, Monmouth Park showed across-the-board gains in betting and attendance for the 87-day 2004 meeting that came to a close here Sunday.

The Haskell Day throng of 45,365 on Aug. 8 - third largest in track history - helped raise total attendance for the meet to 790,451. Total betting that day of $12,686,430 - largest one-day handle in Monmouth history - helped push total wagering to $247,388,290. The on-track handle that day was $3,802,494, second highest in track history.

Average daily attendance of 9,086 for the 87 days was 4.2 percent higher than in 2003, while average daily total handle of $2,843,544 was 17.2 percent above the previous year.

On-track handle totaled $61,474,831 for a daily average of $706,607, an increase of 5.6 percent over the 2003 average.

"Quality racing sells," said Bob Kulina, vice-president of Thoroughbred racing and general manager. "With the increased purses, we were able to offer an improved racing product and better racing leads directly to better business."

Lion Heart, owned by Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith and trained by Patrick Biancone, powered his way to a gate-to-wire victory in the $1 million Haskell Invitational (G1) with My Snookie's Boy second. A son of Monmouth winner Tale of the Cat, Lion Heart became a millionaire as the Haskell winner's prize of  $600,000 raised his career total of $1,380,800.

He was ridden that day by Joe Bravo, who won a record 10th title at Monmouth Park for most wins at the meet. Top apprentice jockey this year was Michael Baze, a member of the famous riding family.

Tim Hills won his second Monmouth training title this season after finishing second last year. Hills took his first Monmouth crown in 2002. Michael Gill was the leading owner for the second year in a row.

In stakes events on Sunday's final card, Sur La Tete took the $75,000 Metcalf Memorial Steeplechase (G2), and Mystery's Jules won the $60,000 Just Smashing Stakes at six furlongs.

Sure La Tete, trained by Neil Morris and ridden by Christopher Read, scored by 12 lengths in the Metcalf, run at two and a half miles over National fences. The 6-year-old son of Sky Classic returned $6, $2.80 and $2.40 across the board. Favored Tres Touche was second to complete the $14.20 exacta. The first two finishers are headed for the Breeders' Cup Steeplechase (G1) at Far Hills, N.J., on Oct. 23.

In the Just Smashing, Mystery's Jules took the track from the start and never looked back, getting the six furlongs on a fast track in 1:10 3/5. Trained by Scott Lake and ridden by Julian Pimentel, the filly by Jules paid $12.60, $6.60 and $5.80. Storm Minstrel closed for second to complete the $56 exacta. Humor Me Molly was third.

The Meadowlands picks up Thoroughbred action in New Jersey starting Friday night, Oct. 1, with the $300,000 Pegasus Stakes (G3) the top event. The Meadowlands races days on Tuesdays with first post 1:10 p.m. and nights Wednesday through Saturday, with a 7:35 start.
 

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