An official with Monmouth Park has reportedly said the New Jersey track was not selected to host the 2013 Breeders’ Cup World Championships but is continuing to pursue hosting the event in 2014.
Bob Kulina, president of Monmouth Park operator Darby Developments, told the Newark Star-Ledger that the track has not yet officially been notified its bid for the 2013 World Championships was not accepted, though it was told to pursue a 2014 bid.
“They (Breeders’ Cup) haven’t come to us with an official rejection (for 2013), but they want us to continue to pursue (2014),” Kulina said July 26 at the post position draw press conference for the $1 million Haskell Invitational Handicap (gr. I) that will be run July 29.
When Monmouth hosted the 2007 World Championshps, the first under the two-day format, the track was deluged with a monsoon on Friday and heavy rains for the Saturday card. Attendance totaled 69,584, with all-sources wagering $147,227,784 for the two days.
Darby Developments is operating Monmouth on behalf of the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, which is leasing the track from the state.
The Breeders’ Cup has a policy of not commenting on site selection until an official site announcement is made.
On July 13, Breeders’ Cup chairman Tom Ludt said the organization’s board of directors has settled on a site for the 2013 World Championships, but an announcement of the location would not be forthcoming for several more weeks.
“The board has determined what we think is the best deal,” Ludt said at the time, but he added, "there are still a number of details to be negotiated.”