Spurred in part by a record handle on NYRA Bets Haskell Stakes Day, Monmouth Park continued its upward trend with increases in both total and on-track handle for the fourth straight year, while jockey Paco Lopez and trainer Claudio Gonzalez were repeat winners of their respective titles as the 50-day meet came to an end on Sunday.
Total average handle was $4,251,965, a 5.4% increase over last year's average of $4,032,648 during a 51-day meet.
On-track handle averaged $352,939, a 3.7% increase over last year's average of $340,257.
In addition, the total handle of $212,598,246 for the 50 days was an increase of nearly $7 million over last year's 51-day total handle of $205,665,035.
The overall on-track handle also increased despite one less day of live racing, finishing at $17,646,973 compared to $17,353,093 in 2023.
“It's a testament to the owners, trainers and the quality of racing that we were able to show an increase in handle once again,” said Dennis Drazin, Chairman and CEO of Darby Development, LLC, lessee and operator of Monmouth Park. “With everything we have on the horizon, from the state-of-the-art Caesars Sportsbook now under construction to the development that is planned for the property, the future of Monmouth Park has never been brighter.”
Haskell Day produced a record total handle of $21,748,294 for the 14-race card, eclipsing the record set a year earlier. The crowd of 38,976 was the largest for Haskell Day since 2015.
Among the future enhancements to the facility is the 16,000 square foot Caesars trackside sportsbook, which is currently under construction. Completion is scheduled for next year.
JEMB, of which Morris Baily is the chairman of the board, has partnered with Darby Development and Monmouth Park to develop 80 acres of the track property, with plans calling for multi-family housing, a hotel and retail and youth sports facilities.
On the racing front, Lopez won his 11th Monmouth Park riding title overall and 10th in the past 12 years, finishing with 76 winners to 65 for runner-up Jairo Rendon.
Gonzalez won his third straight Monmouth Park training total, holding a 34-32 advantage over Mario Serey, Jr.
Robert Reidy, a Rumson resident, earned his first leading owner's title with 14 winners from 66 starts. Reidy has been an owner since 2010.
Thoroughbred racing in the state shifts to East Rutherford starting on Friday for the boutique Monmouth-at-Meadowlands all-turf meet. Live racing will run from Sept. 20 to Oct. 18 on Fridays and Saturdays, with the six-race cards starting at 7 p.m.
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