Monmouth Park Events Schedule Released

Food Truck Wars will now be a two-day event

Monmouth Park's 2013 events schedule will yet again be highlighted by four of the track's ever-popular food festivals including the now two-day Jersey Shore Food Truck Wars on Saturday, May 25 and Sunday, May 26. Held for the first time in 2012, the food truck wars attracted a crowd of over 23,000 as a one-day event. The festival has expanded to two days for the 2013 season. "We already have over two dozen food trucks signed on to be here," Monmouth Park Vice President of Marketing Pete Verdee said. "It proved a great success last year, one we're looking to build on in 2013 and in the years to come." Monmouth Park will also play host to the following festivals: • The 43rd Annual NJ Irish Festival - Sunday, June 9 • Win and Wine Weekend …

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Monmouth Park Ready If Sports Betting in New Jersey is Approved

William Hill hired as Monmouth Park's sports betting provider

If sports betting becomes legalized in New Jersey, Monmouth Park says it is ready to bring it to the Oceanport racetrack. Monmouth Park has teamed with William Hill, a sports betting company, for a long-term agreement to become the racetrack's exclusive sports betting provider. "We are looking forward to a long and successful partnership with Monmouth Park," William Hill US CEO Joe Asher said during a press conference on Tuesday. Should sports betting become legal under federal law, William Hill will develop a Las Vegas-style sports book at Monmouth Park once New Jersey gaming regulatory authorities approve of the plan. The state enacted a law legalizing sports betting in 2012 following a voter referendum that passed by a 2-to-1 margin. …

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Monmouth Park Looking To Grow Under Second Year of New Ownership

Improvements, new facilities planned for park

Monmouth Park's second year under the ownership of the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (NJTHA) and Darby Development LLC is looking like it will be as productive as 2012. The park's racing season kicks off on Saturday, May 11 and runs through Oct. 6, and many improvements are planned for this season and the future, NJTHA and Darby Development Advisor Dennis Drazin said during a press conference Tuesday afternoon. "To say its been a successful first year for us is an understatement," Drazin said. "We inherited a race track in turmoil and placed her on the path to prosperity." The NJTHA signed an initial five-year lease deal with the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority last year, which includes three 10-year extensions…

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Monmouth Park to Open Early for Kentucky Derby Simulcast

Monmouth Park gates will open at 9:30 am on Friday, May 3 and Saturday, May 4 for simulcasting of Churchill Downs’ Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby Day cards, respectively.

Reminder: Oceanport Mini Golf Tournament Set For Today

Tournament set for 12 a.m.

Front Runner: Monmouth Park Charity Fund Kentucky Derby Gala

The Monmouth Park Charity Fund will be hosting the 10th Annual Kentucky Derby Day Celebration on Saturday, May 4 at Monmouth Park Racetrack in Oceanport.

Sandy Causes Delays for Monmouth Park Improvements

Superstorm Sandy threw a monkey wrench into plans for the track this year that included a concert venue and boardwalk.

Plans to add new venues to the Monmouth Park site for the 2013 season, including an amphitheater and boardwalk, have been put on hold after the track sustained $5 million in damages during Superstorm Sandy, according to a report in The Hub. After an 8-foot wall of water hit the racetrack's stables during the Oct. 29 storm and took out electric service, track officials decided to scale back from plans to have the 2,500 to 7,500-seat theater and boardwalk ready for the season, which kicks off May 11. Instead, work will be concentrated on improving existing features, like renovating the first floor of the clubhouse and enhancing the new miniature golf feature. Longer-term goals for the Oceanport racetrack include an on-site hotel, indoor …

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New Logo for a New Season at Monmouth Park

The Oceanport racetrack will kick off its 68th season on May 11.

As Monmouth Park gears up for its 68th racing season, it has introduced a new logo to commemorate its first calendar year under new management. The silhouette of the horse charging across the Oceanport racetrack's new logo is modeled after 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra and her winning run in that year’s Haskell Invitational. “It’s an exciting logo that marries Monmouth Park of the 19th century with that of the 21st,” said Bill Knauf, vice president of business operations. “While continuing to use the traditional green that has long been associated with Monmouth Park, the new logo adds an ocean blue creating the Monmouth Park summer atmosphere.” Monmouth Park opens for its 2013 season on May 11 and will feature 61 days of racing …

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Shelter to Close at Monmouth Park

The racetrack's club house has served as a shelter for a few hundred residents displaced by Superstorm Sandy.

The shelter at Monmouth Park is slated to close at the end of the week as many of those displaced by Superstorm Sandy have found temporary housing placements, the Christie administration announced Tuesday. “At this point, most of the individuals and families who remain in emergency shelter are those who struggled financially and experienced chronic homelessness even before Hurricane Sandy,” said NJ Department of Human Services Commissioner Jennifer Velez of the closing of both remaining state supported shelters. While three weeks ago there were 7,000 people in shelters throughout the state, as of Tuesday morning only 110 New Jersey residents remained in both locations, according to a release by the NJDHS. The second shelter is the Arthur …

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Hurricane Sandy

Sandy County-Run Distribution Sites Close 5 p.m. Sunday

Donations still accepted at Thompson Park in Lincroft

Monmouth County government's two remaining supply distribution sites will close at 5 p.m. today. Holy Family Church in Hazlet and Monmouth Park in Oceanport will discontinue operations while the county's third distribution site, Circle Factory Outlets in Wall, was shut down Friday. "The distribution sites have served our residents well over the past 11 days,” Sheriff Shaun Golden said. “We thank our partners and the volunteers who helped our residents through some difficult days.” However, donations are still being accepted at Thompson Park (805 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft) from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily and will be distributed directly to municipalities and nonprofit organizations. Towels and blankets are among the most frequently …

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