Monmouth Park, which has delayed the start of its racing season until July 3, has revised its stakes schedule to include 35 races totaling $5,050,000. The schedule's traditional anchor race, the $1-million GI TVG.com Haskell S. remains scheduled for July 18, but will not be run as an invitational in 2020. The nine-furlong race will be contested as a stakes race and nominations will close June 26. The July 18 card will also feature the $300,000 GI United Nations S., GIII $300,000 Monmouth Cup S., $250,000 GIII Molly Pitcher S., and $150,000 GIII WinStar Matchmaker S. Haskell day will include six stakes events worth more than $2 million.
“We continue to develop plans to ensure the safety of our staff, horsemen and fans,” said Dennis Drazin, Chairman and CEO of Darby Development LLC, operators of Monmouth Park. “These plans are fluid and will continuously be monitored and updated as necessary. We have studied other racetracks' operational plans and are in a position to tailor those to the uniqueness of Monmouth Park and our geographical location as it pertains to the pandemic. Our protocols will address racing with or without fans and will be in effect as soon as horses return to Oceanport. In the end, all plans are subject to the governor's approval and we'll continue to take our cues from his office. Governor Murphy has shown exceptional leadership throughout this crisis and I'm confident that a review of our submitted plans will yield a positive result for all stakeholders.”
Monmouth's 37-day race meet is expected to be held Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from July 3 through Sept. 27. Post time Fridays will be 5 p.m., while all other days will start at 12:50 p.m. Exceptions include Haskell Day, when first post will be noon, and Friday, Sept. 4, with a first post of 12:50 p.m.
The Monmouth Park stable area is set to open on June 1.
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