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Community Corner

NJ Thoroughbred Festival a Success Despite Chilly Temperatures

With the future of racing up in the air, a good crowd for a day of all-Jersey horses and horsemen proves how this sport would be missed if it were to end.

Chilly and cloudy weather didn’t keep the crowds away from the New Jersey Thoroughbred Festival at on Saturday, Sept. 17.

Witnessing races where every horse running was a Jersey bred one, paid admission also gave those in attendance a free backpack sponsored by the New Jersey Thoroughbred Festival and Malouf Auto Group.

Horses winning cups included Beacon Beach (ridden by Felix Ortiz), Final Forest (ridden by Chuck C. Lopez), Salad Girl (ridden by Elvis Trujillo), Clear Faith (ridden by Paco Lopez), Fo Fo Fo (ridden by Paco Lopez), Jersey Blue Giant (ridden by Chris DeCarlo), Themanmythnlegend (ridden by Angel Serpa), Y To Kat (ridden by Shannon Uske) and Crafty Kisses (ridden by Jose Ferrer).

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In addition to these races, there were also three stakes races. Voodoo Charm (ridden by Chris DeCarlo) took home the cup in The New Jersey Breeders’ Handicap. Hermosillo (ridden by Chuck C. Lopez) won The Charles Hesse III Handicap. The final stakes race saw Karmageddon (ridden by Angel Serpa) take home The Jersey Girl Handicap cup.

Ben W. Perkins, Jr., who trained Final Forest (winner of the second race), stated, “He ran well, at times a little greedly.” As far as Monmouth Park is concerned, the Medford and Asbury Park resident added, “This is a beautiful facility. This is a really good meet, yet the state doesn’t support it like they should.”

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Mike and Laura Cumberton of Pot O’ Gold Stable, the owners of Voodoo Charm, have been involved with horse racing for 6 years. “We started out in partnerships with various syndicates. Now, we breed the horses ourselves,” stated the Cumbertons. “We have 2 horses that are currently racing, with 1 running today. This is only the third horse that we ever raced and we have our first stakes win. Voodoo Charm is an unassuming horse, bring him to his stall and he goes to sleep.”

Residing in Clark, the Cumbertons own a stallion (Alex’s Pal), who stands at Birch Creek Farm in Cream Ridge. A proud Gregory D. Sacco, who trains Voodoo Charm, stated, “I was confident he was doing to do well.”

Patrick Rochette of Neptune has owned Clear Faith, the winner of the fifth race, for approximately 4 months. He could lose ownership of the horse today because he was racing in a Claiming Race. “This is the best horse I’ve had,” stated Rochette. “Jane Cibelli (Clear Faith’s trainer) and her staff are the greatest.” Cibelli trains Clear Faith, which is currently Rochette’s only horse, right here at Monmouth Park. In the racing game for 6 years, Rochette added, “I liked the way he looked on paper.”

Currently residing in West Long Branch, Trainer Douglas Nunn displayed a boyish excitement as Karmageddon won The Jersey Girl Handicap. “She was a 2 year old champion and a 3 year old champion,” stated Nunn. “I figured that the horse is doing well, so why change here?” Nunn’s excitement was probably escalated due to him also training the winner of the race before this one, Themanmythnlegend. Nunn has been training horses for 22 years. A second generation trainer, Nunn is currently working with 20 horses.

With , Nunn had some very strong thoughts. “I think the governor should step in. This is a historical place and they have been racing better quality horses over fewer days.”

Brian Skirka of Atlantic Highlands, Marketing and Publicity Assistant at Monmouth Park, continued with this topic by stating, “Nobody knows what is going on at this point. Horse racing is not a dying sport. With the current weather, I expect approximately 8,000 – 9,000 people to be here today. We are constantly coming up with new ideas to attract younger people to the track.”

Bob Kulina has been the General Manager at Monmouth Park since 1991. He began working here in 1972. Although Monmouth Park has been around since the late 1800s, the current building opened in 1946. “I worked with horses all through high school,” stated Kulina. “The best part of what I do is the horses. I was a trainer’s son. My all-time favorite horse is Kelso, who was Horse of the Year for 5 years in a row.” This was around 1960 – 1965.

“Even though it was a little chilly, it was a solid day,” continued Kulina. “Horse Racing is an evolving sport. We are continually creating new events, as well as growing the old ones. We are definitely event-driven. We present the gaming, along with the pageantry. We are an historical facility gem along the Jersey Shore. With the season winding down (open weekends until November 6th), we have great plans for 2012. I hope people have enjoyed our events.”

For more information, visit www.monmouthpark.com.       

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