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J J's Lucky Train Aiming for Haskell

Exactly one year to the day after being claimed for $40,000, J J's Lucky Train will be sent postward in the July 31 Resorts Haskell Invitational (gr. I) at Monmouth Park.

Hill 'n' Dale Farms to Sponsor Molly Pitcher

John Sikura's Hill 'n' Dale Farms will team with Monmouth Park to sponsor the track's biggest race for fillies and mares, the $250,000 Molly Pitcher Stakes (gr. II) Aug. 28.

Monmouth on Verge of Five-Year Deal

Published reports and unofficial word from track management say that a five-year lease deal for a 71-day live meet with an average daily purse level of $400,000 has been struck.

The Week In Photos: April 18, 2011

Images from weekend racing,events and scenes.

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Madman Diaries Goes All the Way in Sapling

Robert Tell and Wesley A. Ward's Madman Diaries took control out of the gate and never looked back, winning the $150,000 Sapling Stakes (gr. III) by a half length Sept. 4 at Monmouth Park.

Sapling Draws Nine Juveniles

A field of nine 2-year-olds will line up for the $150,000 Sapling Stakes (gr. III) Sept. 4 at Monmouth Park, the racetrack's premier event for juvenile runners.

Trappe Shot Wins, On His Way to Haskell

After scoring an impressive victory in the $175,000 Long Branch Stakes July 10 at Monmouth Park, Mill House's Trappe Shot may have earned himself a spot in the Aug. 1 Izod Haskell Invitational (gr. I).

European Invader Chinchon Wins United Nations

Irish-bred Chinchon, making just his second start in the U.S., showed an explosive turn of foot in the stretch and came from off the pace to capture the $760,000 United Nations Stakes (gr. IT) July 3 at Monmouth Park.

Discreetly Mine Cuts Back in Jersey Shore

Grade II winner Discreetly Mine, most recently runner-up in the Woody Stephens (gr. II) last month, will face five rivals including filly Christine Daae in the $200,000 Jersey Shore Stakes (gr. III) July 4 at Monmouth.

Strike It Rich All the Way in Boiling Springs

Waterville Lake Stable's Strike It Rich forged an easy lead at the start and never looked back, rolling to a 1 1/4-length score in the $157,000 Boiling Springs Stakes (gr. IIIT) for 3-year-old fillies June 26 at Monmouth Park

No Breeders' Cup for Rachel Alexandra

Stonestreet Stables' Jess Jackson, majority owner of Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) and BlackBerry Preakness (gr. I) winner Rachel Alexandra, said in a wide-ranging media teleconference June 24 that the superb filly would not race in this year's Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita but that there is a good possibility that she would return in 2010 for a 4-year-old campaign.

Monmouth Posts Daily Handle Increase

Bucking the national trend of racing, Monmouth Park concluded its 2008 meeting on Sept. 28 with significant gains in daily average handle.

Dutrow Pleased with Big Brown's Work

A fast time wasn't what trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. was looking for with Big Brown when the colt breezed on the grass at Aqueduct Sept. 9.

'Passion' Surprises in United Nations

Trainer Mary Hartmann, who has conditioned horses at Monmouth Park for more than a decade, got the biggest win of her career when she saddled Presious Passion for a dramatic front-running upset victory in the $750,000 United Nations Stakes (gr. IT) July 5 at the New Jersey track.

My Princess Jess Holds Off Much Obliged

There are moves and then there are huge moves. On June 28 in the Boiling Springs Handicap (gr. IIIT) at Monmouth Park, My Princess Jess made a "huge" move. But she then had to hold off the late-charging Much Obliged to get the victory.

Hall of Fame Trainer Jimmy Croll Dies

Trainer Warren A. "Jimmy" Croll died the evening of June 6 at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, N.J., after a lengthy illness. The Hall of Famer who resided in Monmouth Beach, N.J., was 88.

Some Not Happy with Breeders' Cup Experience

Some patrons of the Breeders' Cup World Championships didn't have a good time, and they aren't blaming it on the weather.

Wagering Declines on 2007 Breeders' Cup

A total of $111,903,685 was wagered from all sources on the 11-race Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships card at Monmouth Park Oct. 27, according to preliminary data, a decline of 20.3% from the all-time record set at Churchill Downs last year.

Pletcher Reviews Breeders' Cup Starters

Two days before the Oct. 26-27 Breeders' Cup World Championships, trainer Todd Pletcher reviewed his 11 starters and shared his thoughts on the upcoming races, including possible scratches should the surfaces turn up wet or yielding due to weekend showers.

Tom Proctor Relaxed for Purim's Mile Run

If the relaxed confidence of trainer Tom Proctor could be passed on to his Netjets Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT) candidate Purim, then the 5-year-old will have a major advantage over his rivals come the $2 million race at Monmouth Park Oct. 27.

Breeders' Cup Will Showcase Solid 3-year-old Crop

There are five top 3-year-olds in the Breeders' Cup Classic - Powered by Dodge (gr. I), but there are strong 3-year-old contenders in at least three other World Championship races.

Wednesday Morning Line: A Little Damp Around the Edges

It's 10 a.m. Time for the first group meeting of the "Big Event Team" put together by the Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau. In all 22 agents are prowling the backstretch of Monmouth Park 24/7 looking for evil doers.

Pletcher-Trained Indian Vale Distaff Favorite

It's not surprising a Todd Pletcher-trained filly was made the favorite for the Oct. 27 Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I), it's just a little surprising which one.

Street Sense Sizzles in Final BC Work

With Calvin Borel up, Street Sense had his final work Oct. 23 for the Breeders' Cup Classic - Powered by Dodge (gr. I) four days later, rolling around the Monmouth Park turn and finishing a five-furlong work in 1:01 1/5.

Morning Line: Monday Monday

Walking in through the main gates at Monmouth Park, it's amazing the transformation that has taken place here. We take in a deep breath. What's that familiar aroma? No, it's not New Jersey...its fresh paint.

Breeders' Cup Focus: Grand Couturier (Turf)

In his last victory, the Aug. 11 Sword Dancer (gr. IT) at Saratoga, Grand Couturier hardly got the respect he deserved. That may change Oct. 27 in the John Deere Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT).

Breeders' Cup Starters Arrive; Shore Do Breezes at Monmouth

Harry Aleo's Smokey Stover and Charles Laloggia's Clearly Foxy both shipped into Monmouth Park Oct. 18, and trainer Chuck Peery sent 2-year-old Shore Do out for a five-furlong breeze this morning.

'Hollywood' Herb McCauley in Comeback Win

Late last night, in a $14,000 claiming race at the Meadowlands, Red Oak Stable's Missed The Prom sailed to an eight length win under a jockey who had not won a race since 1998. As the Greg Sacco trainee was led into the winners' circle, his rider couldn't help breathing a sigh of relief. It had taken nine years to reach this place, and the sweetness of the moment was overwhelming. Herb McCauley's comeback was complete.

Tale of Ekati, Benny the Bull Drill for Breeders' Cup

Breeders' Cup prospects Tale of Ekati and Benny the Bull both breezed on the fast Monmouth Park track Oct. 16 in preparation for their respective races, the Bessemer Trust Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) and the TVG Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I).

Betting Group Launches Protest Actions

A group of bettors angered at the divisive state of advance deposit wagering has taken action by staging what it termed a "buycott" at a New Mexico racetrack, and also launched a protest Web site against a content provider.

Much to Like About India in Molly Pitcher

As a handicapper, there are three fine reasons to like 4-year-old filly India in the $300,000 Molly Pitcher Breeders' Cup Handicap (gr. II) Aug. 25 at Monmouth Park: She is guided by the nation's top trainer, Todd Pletcher; aboard will be Joe Bravo, the perennial leader at Monmouth; and India seems to relish the Monmouth dirt, having gone 2-for-2 in New Jersey, including a resounding 4 1/2-length victory in the Miss Liberty Stakes July 6.

Gottcha Gold Proves to be No Fluke

Back on June 23, Gottcha Gold defeated Lawyer Ron by a neck in the Salvator Mile Handicap (gr. III) at Monmouth Park. Bettors apparently considered that a fluke, as they let the son of Coronado's Quest go off at odds of 15-1 in the $300,000 Philip H. Iselin Breeders' Cup Handicap (gr. III) at Monmouth Aug. 18. But the 4-year-old colt blew past his seven rivals to take the 1 1/8-mile route in convincing fashion.

First Defence on Offense in Monmouth's Long Branch Stakes

First Defence will tackle the field when six horses go postward in Saturday's Long Branch Breeders' Cup Stakes at Monmouth Park.

Lawyer Ron Heads Salvator Mile

Lawyer Ron will look to add a fifth graded stakes victory to his resume when he takes on four others in the $150,000 Salvator Mile Handicap (gr. III) at Monmouth Park June 23.

Monmouth Opens 62nd Meet Saturday

Monmouth Park opens its 62nd season of Thoroughbred racing on Saturday with an 11-race program scheduled, topped by the $60,000 Decathlon Stakes.

Garden State

By Dan Liebman - New Jersey's Monmouth Park was formally announced as the host site in the fall of 2004, and from the look of the plant in mid-March, the first-time site will be ready to take racing's center stage, though much still remains to be done.

Haskell Highlights Monmouth Park Stakes Schedule

Headed by the $1-million Haskell Invitational presented by Vonage (gr. I) Aug. 5, Monmouth Park will offer $4.4 million in stakes for the 2007 meet that includes the Breeders' Cup World Championships.

Monmouth Track Superintendent Harrington Dead

Dave Harrington, Monmouth's track superintendent the past several years after being an assistant starter, died Dec. 29 after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Ambitious Monmouth Improvements Progress

Work is in full swing on more than $30 million of renovations and improvements to Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J., as the shore oval prepares not only for its 62nd season of racing, but to host the Breeders' Cup World Championships set for Oct. 27.

Wire To Wire Cut from Revamped ESPN Lineup

ESPN's "Wire To Wire" digest show will be eliminated in 2007, but the amount of live coverage hours of horse racing on the network will increase slightly, part of a retooling of the lineups for the sports cable company and affiliated broadcast network ABC.

TVG Gains Exclusive Rights to New Jersey Tracks

TVG has won exclusive television distribution and account wagering rights from the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority for its racetracks, the network announced Dec. 8.

Breeders' Cup Official: All Systems Go for Monmouth

Breeders' Cup officials visited Monmouth Park in New Jersey for a tour Nov. 28, but they said it wasn't because the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority-operated racetrack was in danger of losing the 2007 Breeders' Cup World Championships as published reports had suggested.

Monmouth Figures Slip While Purses Gain

Monmouth Park closed out its 2006 racing season Sept. 24 with declines in handle and attendance while paying the highest purses in track history.

First New Jersey Horse Industry Symposium Sept. 20

The first New Jersey Horse Industry Symposium will be held at Monmouth Park on Sept. 20.

Chuck Lopez Breaks Finger in Monmouth Fall

Jockey Chuck C. Lopez, who was unseated when his mount fell in the fourth race at Monmouth Park Sunday, suffered a fractured finger on his left hand and will be sidelined about three weeks.

Monmouth Calls Off Races Due to High Winds

Monmouth Park Racetrack has canceled its live Thoroughbred racing card for Saturday due to high winds and heavy rains that are remnants of Tropical Storm Ernesto.

Master Command Totes Top Weight in Iselin

Master Command will carry top weight of 121 pounds while breaking from the rail Saturday at Monmouth Park in the 72nd Philip H. Iselin Breeders' Cup Handicap (gr. III) and face seven rivals. The Iselin, worth $250,000, has a post time of approximately 4:52 p.m. EDT.

Jockey Eddie Castro Sent to Hospital After Fall

Jockey Eddie Castro was sent to Monmouth Medical Center after being unseated by his mount Stormin Gracie in a two-horse incident that occurred during the running of the eighth race at Monmouth Park on Saturday.

Bluegrass Cat, Strong Contender Head Field of 9 in Haskell

If any 3-year-old is going to head to the Aug. 26 Travers Stakes (gr. I) with a legitimate shot to knock off the Bernardini, he will have to show what he's made of in Sunday's $1-million Haskell Invitational (gr. I) at Monmouth Park.

No Baffert Runner in 2006 Haskell

Trainer Bob Baffert, who has won the Haskell (gr. I) three times, including last year with Roman Ruler, will not have a runner in the Aug. 6 Monmouth Park race this year.