Monmouth Kicks Off 2006 Season Saturday

Monmouth kicks off its 61st season of Thoroughbred racing Saturday with 102 horses entered in 11 races, topped by the $60,000 Red Cross Stakes for fillies and mares.

The New Jersey track will run 91 days during the 2006 meeting, including three Monday cards on the Meadowlands turf. Monmouth's brand new grass course is expected to be ready for action by the end of June.

First post time will be 12:50 p.m. during the meet at Monmouth, except on Haskell (gr. I) day, Aug. 6, when the card will start at 12:30 p.m. Post time for the three programs at the Meadowlands (June 5, 12 and 19) will be 1:10 p.m.

The Red Cross, a 5 1/2-furlong test for fillies and mares, drew a field of seven, including the entry of Whoop's Ah Daisy and Summer Sting, both owned by Gerry Sleeter and trained by Kevin Sleeter.