The new racing season is seen as a time for growth at Monmouth

The past few years can be described as taking shape at Monmouth Park.

The series of problems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, coupled with the introduction of sports betting in 2018 and fixed odds betting last year, has made “work in progress” became the term in effect at Oceanport, NJ, track.

So now, with the 51-day summer meeting set to begin on May 13, the time to work on and solve the problem has given way to a year when development can begin on its own. serious.

“Covid seems to have subsided, so we are not limited in our ability to operate,” said Dennis Drazin of Monmouth, CEO and president of Darby Development, which operates Monmouth Park. “Everyone seems to have put together the best meeting we’ve had in recent years. It’s always been a good thing to look back on, but we’ve had some hiccups over the past few years, mainly due to COVID and its impact. Now we’re excited about moving forward.”

The main focus of the meeting will be a schedule of 48 shares (10 categories) worth more than $7.7 million, topped by a $1 million Haskell Invitational (G1) July 22 for children. 3 years old. But what will be scrutinized is the second year of fixed odds betting.

Launched a year ago through a partnership with BetMakers Technology Group, betting is limited to races at Monmouth Park at the Monmouth venue. The ability to win, place or show odds on horses will be expanded this year with more tracks and an online component through the new MonmouthBets app expected to go live on opening day.

“One of the ways to increase your revenue is through fixed odds betting,” says Drazin. “Last year was the infancy of what we’re going to do with fixed odds, but we’re going to grow processing capabilities across the US through it. I believe it’s going to spread to the states. different when we started doing this.”

Jake Henson, CEO of Australia-based BetMakers, says the expanded menu of available tracks will include Tampa . Bay, The Parx . Race, Canterbury Park, EmeraldAnd Century Downs . Racetrack & Casino along with about half a dozen Latin American and South American songs. He said more songs are expected to be announced within a week.

“Last year helped provide only Monmouth Park, but now we have about a dozen tracks and we are taking care of them so they can be comfortable with the economy,” Henson said. “We’re confident we’ll get more songs but also understand that we can’t rush anyone and respect that.”

The key to success for fixed odds seems to lie in landing on one of the sport’s main tracks, and so far they’ve adopted a wait-and-see approach. Dave O’Rourke, CEO and president of the New York Racing Association, spoke favorably of fixed odds betting a few years ago, but there was no significant movement during the NYRA. seeking a $455 million loan to redevelop Belmont Park. week.

An NYRA official said talk about fixed-odds has “stagnated” at the moment due to other pressing concerns.

“It’s frustrating when things don’t happen overnight, but we respect the process,” Henson said. “We have 12 tracks and those are the ones that we will 100% support and give our best. We believe there will be more races in the near future.”

On the racing front, Drazin is pleased that the barn site will be running at full capacity of 1,400 horses, including parts from New York mainstays Todd Pletcher and Chad Brown. Shug McGaughey will first stabilize horses at Monmouth, which does not charge workers compensation.

Other trainers on hand include 2022 champion Claudio Gonzalez, who will have 69 horses; Kelly Breen, Tim Hills, Pat McBurney and Kathleen O’Connell.

Paco Lopez, who won a ninth Monmouth crown last year, heads a racing team that includes Angel Rodriguez, Jairo Rendon, Samy Camacho, and newcomers Lane Luzzi and Chantal Sutherland.

The highlight of the encounter will be a Haskell Day card featuring another level 1 of the track, $600,000 in United Nations (G1T) stakes, as well as $400,000 Monmouth Cup (G3), $500,000 in coins Molly Pitcher bet ($500,000) and $300,000 Stock Matchmaker (G3T).

Missing from the schedule was $500,000 Now Now Now Stakes for 2-year-olds on the field, which have been removed.

Monmouth Park Notes

• Saturday’s opening day will feature the opening of the Winner’s Circle terrace, an outdoor setting on the second floor of the clubhouse.
• Monmouth announced on May 9 that McBurney is the recipient of the Virgil “Buddy” Raines Distinguished Achievement Award. Now president of the New Jersey Thoroughbred Riders Association, McBurney has run his own stables since 2007 after a long stint as assistant to 2006 Raines Award recipient John Forbes. “It’s an honor for someone who has done so much to promote Purebred racing in New Jersey,” Drazin said.
• Monmouth will race Friday through Sunday through September 10 with a posting time of 12:40pm Saturday and Sunday and 2pm Friday.
• The race from Monmouth will be broadcast on FanDuel TV.