Small Owners and Trainers Move over?

[TJ]

Hi All,
What are your thoughts with Monmouth's new "Super Meet" starting this Saturday? Will this be the beginning of a trend that will push out the small owner's and trainer's who were previously the backbone of their racing, or do you think it will aid them in getting their previous stall allotments? It reminds me of Walmart coming to town and all the small town store owner's were forced to fold up....one by one because they couldn't compete. Below is Monmouth's entries for this Saturday, the purses are phenomenal. TJ


1st RACE. (2) Post 12:50PM PURSE $40,000
3 & UP NJ-BRED MAIDEN CLAIMING $50,000-$40,000 6 FURLONGS
1 CAYLEE'S SONG �� E0 Sleeter, K Marquez, Jr 118
2 ST. PAT'S CAT (L) E0 Einhorn, S Fragoso, P 116
3 MO'S CUTTER �� E0 Spina, C Ortiz, F 118
4 RAINBOW RIDGE �� E0 Mazza, JF Velez, Jr., J 118
5 STORMY MON �� E0 Carroll, H Mangalee, N 118
6 LUCKY EVENING �� E0 Kelly, T Maysonett, F 118
7 THELOVETREE �� E0 Sacco, G DeCarlo, C 118
8 TAPERRIFIC (L) E0 Cash, R Castro, E 118
9 CHILKOOT TRAIL (L) E0 Eppler, M Lopez, P 118
10 BEST JAZZ (L) E0 Thompson, J Gracia, J ***106
11 GET EM UP �� E0 Scanlan, J Trujillo, E 116
12 DREAM WALTZ (L) E0 McBurney, P Figueroa, O 118
13Alt A J NUGGET E0 Berrios, M Serpa, A *117
14Alt JAMES IS SKIPPING �� E0 Frangella, Jr., J Fragoso, P 124
Blinkers On: Taperrific
12-2Alt-5EXC

2nd RACE. (15) Post 1:20PM PURSE $30,000 (+40% NJ)
3 & UP CLAIMING $5,000 6 FURLONGS
1 CATALINA FOG (L) E0 Marrotta, P Trujillo, E 119
2 LUVTOLUVYOUBABY (L) E0 Adamo, A Shepherd, J 119
3 OYSTER HARBORS (L) Campanella, S Figueroa, O 119
4 PICK OFF (L) E0 Corcoran, W Cartwright, A ***109
5 PRECIOUS PACKAGE (L) E0 Dutrow, Jr., R Gomez, G 124
6 ENDURO (L) E0 Sallusto, J Serpa, A *114
7 HALLORAN (L) E0 Alexander, B Lopez, P 119
8 MISTER ALIMONY (L) E0 Wilson, T Ortiz, F 119
9 BLUEFINGER (L) Fernandez, E Maysonett, F 119
10 FORT SEATTLE (L) E0 Berrios, M Gracia, J ***109
11 CAPE TOWN KING (L) E0 Hess, Jr., R Bravo, J 119
11

3rd RACE. (5) Post 1:50PM PURSE $46,000 (+40% NJ)
3 & UP CLAIMING $25,000-$20,000 1 MILE
1 EL REAL MADRID (L) Dutrow, Jr., R Gomez, G 119
2 CUBA (L) E0 DiMauro, S Cotto, Jr., P 119
3 EAST TO WEST (L) E0 Nafzger, C Castro, E 119
4 JUST A COINCIDENCE (L) Zito, N Trujillo, E 119
5 ASPIRING NICK (L) E0 Kelly, T Maysonett, F 119
6 STRAIGHT COUNT (L) E0 Moya, R Velazquez, J 119
7 BLANK CHECK (L) E0 Pompay, T Lopez, P 119
8 JAKE'S BANDAID (L) Demasi, K Marquez, Jr 119
8

4th RACE. (3) Post 2:20PM PURSE $75,000
3 & UP NJ-BRED MAIDEN 6 FURLONGS
1 HUNG JURY �� E0 Sacco, G Trujillo, E 117
2 CAUSE I CAN (L) E0 Ritvo, T Velazquez, J 117
3 ARCTIC AIR (L) E0 McBurney, P Fragoso, P(1) 123
4 SMOKE THE DEVIL �� E0 Samaniego, J Delgado, A 117
5 KINGDOM OF DAYS (L) E0 Hills, T Bravo, J 117
6 SAL'S BOY E0 Foglia, A Vega, A 117
7 NICKY RED �� E0 Nunn, D Mangalee, N 117
8 WILD DOONE (L) E0 Kelly, T Maysonett, F 117
9 PARTYALLNIGHTLONG �� E0 Broome, E Marquez, Jr 117
10 FANCY SHAMROCK (L) E0 Poalucci, F Uske, S 117
11 JERSEY BROTHER (L) E0 Tammaro, III, J Ortiz, F 117
12 TRUE HEAVEN (L) E0 Mott, W Gomez, G 117
13Alt MR ADRIANO (L) E0 Hamer, Sr., W Prado, A 123
14Alt CIRO'S CLEARANCE (L) E0 Frangella, Jr., J Fragoso, P(2) 123
12-2Alt-7EXC

5th RACE. (9) Post 2:50PM PURSE $100,000
THE DECATHLON STAKES
3 & UP STAKES 6 FURLONGS
1 LIT'SGOODLOOKNGRAY (L) E0 Hess, Jr., R Gomez, G 117
2 TOMMY'S MEMORY (L) Ryan, A Amiss, D 121
3 CONGRESSIONAL PAGE (L) E0 Trombetta, M Marquez, Jr 117
4 MANNINGTON (L) E0 Pompay, T Trujillo, E 121
5 GO GO SHOOT (L) E0 Pletcher, T Velazquez, J 117
6 MR. FANTASY (L) E0 Hushion, M Castro, E 117
7 AT THE DISCO(S) (L) E0 Hartmann, M Lopez, P 117
7

6th RACE. (4) Post 3:20PM PURSE $38,000 (+40% NJ)
3 & UP CLAIMING $15,000-$12,000 1 1/16 MILES
1a REPTILIAN SMARTS (L) E0 Dutrow, Jr., R Gomez, G 119
2 STUNGBYTHESTORM (L) E0 Asmussen, S Velazquez, J 121
3 SMOKE'N REVIEW (L) Fernandez, E Maysonett, F 116
4 LONELY HIGHWAY (L) E0 Moya, R Castro, E 119
5 ROVIC'S WEALTH (L) Maker, M Trujillo, E 119
6 THREE IN THE BAG (L) Rice, L Bravo, J 119
7a O'KID (L) Dutrow, S Gomez, G 119
8 CATCH RIKKI (L) E0 Plesa, Jr., E Lopez, P 119
9 TIMELESS CLASSIC (L) E0 Alexander, B Marquez, Jr 119
a -- Dubb, Michael and Scuderi, Vincent, S.; Dubb, Michael
9

7th RACE. (1) Post 3:50PM PURSE $75,000 (+40% NJ)
3 & UP MAIDEN 1 MILE 70 YARDS
1 NARBONA PASS (L) Pierce, Jr., J DeCarlo, C 117
2 AUCTORITAS (L) E0 Small, R Shepherd, J 124
3 SAINT DYNAFORMER (L) E0 Plesa, Jr., E Lopez, P 117
4 WINAHOLIC (L) E0 Pletcher, T Velazquez, J 117
5 BIG CAT �� E0 Manning, D Marquez, Jr 117
6 SOUTHERN RIDGE �� E0 McBurney, P Fragoso, P 117
7 MERENSKY REEF (L) E0 Albertrani, T Bravo, J 117
8 SEA OF LIQUIDITY (L) E0 Brown, C Trujillo, E 117
9 CHAIN MOVER (L) E0 Ryerson, J Serpa, A *119
10 MORNING LINE (L) Zito, N Castro, E 117
11 JADAL (L) E0 McLaughlin, K Gomez, G 124
Blinkers On: Merensky Reef
11

8th RACE. (11) Post 4:21PM PURSE $80,000
3 & UP NJ-BRED ALLOWANCE 6 FURLONGS
1 MEMO ME (L) E0 Hess, Jr., R Gomez, G 120
2 AIN'TSUPERSTITIOUS (L) E0 Cibelli, J Castro, E 120
3 FARRAGOTS FOLLIES (L) E0 Alexander, B Lopez, P(1) 120
4 AGARICUS (L) E0 Thompson, J Serpa, A(2) *115
5 SLOVAN (L) E0 Kopaj, P Ortiz, F 120
6 WIDE OPEN ROAD (L) E0 Tammaro, III, J Maysonett, F 120
7 P J'S BACK (L) E0 Hills, T Trujillo, E 114
8 BACK POCKET MONEY (L) E0 Sleeter, K Marquez, Jr 120
9 CHANGE FOR GOLD (L) E0 Berrios, M Velez, Jr., J 120
10 JERSEY MOJOE (L) E0 Carlesimo, Jr., CFigueroa, O 120
11 MING DYNASTY (L) E0 Woodington, J Bravo, J 120
12 ADDUCE (L) E0 Cash, R Cartwright, A ***110
13Alt HAV'N A FOG ATTACK (L) E0 Martin, R Lopez, P(2) 120
14Alt PINELANDS PETE (L) E0 Nunn, D Serpa, A(1) *109
12-2Alt-6EXC

9th RACE. (6) Post 4:52PM PURSE $80,000 (+40% NJ)
3 & UP ALLOWANCE 1 MILE(TURF)
1 DBL NVISABL GEORGE (L) E0 Kopaj, P Serpa, A(2) *109
2 TWO NOTCH ROAD (L) E0 Thompson, G Velazquez, J 114
3 DA PLANE (L) E0 Wilson, T Trujillo, E 114
4 ARHAT (L) E0 Zoppi, J Maysonett, F 120
5 KETAN (L) E0 Fawkes, D Bravo, J 120
6 FORE PALS (L) E0 Manning, D Lopez, P 120
7 SOLVENT E0 Weaver, G Castro, E 120
8 LUCKIEST MAN (L) E0 Miller, P Gomez, G 120
9 MINT MAKER (L) E0 Pompay, T Marquez, Jr(1) 114
10 RAYBERN'S GOLD (L) E0 Carvajal, Jr., L Figueroa, O 120
11Alt CORREDOR'S SONG (L) E0 Shaw, T Serpa, A(1) *115
12Alt SEE THE U S A (L) Small, R Shepherd, J 114
13Alt RECKLESS RUNNER (L) Murray, L Garcia, L 114
14Alt GALLOPING THUNDER (L) Rodriguez, J Marquez, Jr(2) 120
Blinkers On: Raybern's Gold
10-4Alt-10EXC

10th RACE. (7) Post 5:23PM PURSE $80,000 (+40% NJ)
3 & UP ALLOWANCE 1 1/16 MILES
1 DUELING ALEX (L) E0 Gambolati, C Bravo, J 120
2 NO SHENANIGANS (L) E0 Pletcher, T Velazquez, J 114
3 POLISHED (L) Dutrow, Jr., R Gomez, G 120
4 MACHO'S GOLD (L) E0 Rigattieri, J Mangalee, N 120
5 SUNSHINE RAMBLER E0 Croll, W Marquez, Jr 120
6 VALERIUS (L) E0 Wilkes, I Castro, E 118
7 SUPAH PRINCE (L) Shuman, M Shepherd, J 118
8 FORWARD OBSERVER (L) E0 Orseno, J Lopez, P 114
9 AFRICAN DIAMOND (L) E0 Brown, C Trujillo, E 120
10 THEMANMYTHNLEGEND (L) E0 Kromann, L Uske, S 120
10

11th RACE. (10) Post 5:50PM PURSE $100,000
THE ELKWOOD STAKES
3 & UP STAKES 1 1/16 MILES(TURF)
1 STAYING ON (IRE) (L) Clement, C Bravo, J 120
2 ROMAN TIGER (L) E0 Manning, D Lopez, P 122
3 ROGUE VICTORY (L) Weaver, G Castro, E 120
4 KISS THE KID (L) E0 Tarrant, A Trujillo, E 120
5 GET STORMY (L) Bush, T Gomez, G 120
6 PLEASANT STRIKE (L) E0 Pletcher, T Velazquez, J 120
7 INDIAN DANCE(S) (L) Murray, L Garcia, L 120
8 MTO-ENCAUSTIC (L) Shuman, M Shepherd, J 120
8

12th RACE. (13) Post 6:17PM PURSE $35,000 (+40% NJ)
F 3 YO'S OR F & M 4 YO'S & UP BEATEN CLAIMING
$20,000-$18,000
6 FURLONGS
1 FANCY UP (L) E0 Carroll, H Gracia, J ***108
2 MYAKKA CITY (L) E0 Dutrow, Jr., R Gomez, G 118
3 MISS BETTE M (L) E0 Dibona, B Bravo, J(1) 118
4 BOOM TOWN SALLY (L) E0 Breen, K Velazquez, J 122
5 EURO GAL (L) E0 Miller, P DeCarlo, C 118
6 MAD MAMBO (L) E0 Maragh, C Serpa, A *113
7 POETIC PAL (L) E0 Kelly, T Maysonett, F 118
8 CATREIGN (L) E0 Pompay, T Trujillo, E(1) 118
9 NIGHT PEARL (L) E0 Plesa, Jr., E Lopez, P 118
10 SUE THE ATTORNEY (L) E0 McLaughlin, K Castro, E 118
11 BREEZY CAFE (L) E0 Thompson, G Figueroa, O 118
12 SHESMYSPITE (L) Aristone, P Nguyen, J **111
13Alt MINDY MICHELLE (L) Allen, III, A Trujillo, E(2) 118
14Alt LIL PRECIOUS (L) Klesaris, S Bravo, J(2) 118
12-2Alt-2EXC

13th RACE. (14) Post 6:44PM PURSE $33,000 (+40% NJ)
3 YO'S OR 4 YO'S & UP BEATEN CLAIMING
$16,000-$14,000
1 MILE
1a BID TIL INCLUDED (L) E0 Rigattieri, J Bravo, J 118
2 GOODNESS GREYCIOUS (L) E0 Ryan, D Serpa, A *115
3 R J'S PROSPECT (L) Zito, N Trujillo, E 118
4 WANTED ALIVE (L) E0 Hennig, M Castro, E 122
5 BAI BAI DUBAI (L) E0 Pompay, T Marquez, Jr(2) 118
6 MAXXAM XPRESS (L) Fawkes, D Gomez, G 118
7 SHAWHAN SELECT (L) Shuman, M Shepherd, J 120
8 THISONESFORELMO (L) E0 Broome, E Fragoso, P 118
9 EARLY ARGUMENT (L) E0 Volk, S Velazquez, J 120
10 CITIZEN SOLDIER (L) E0 Manning, D Lopez, P 122
11 HARBOR RIDGE (L) E0 Tarrant, A Maysonett, F 120
12 NEXT MAY (L) E0 Maker, M DeCarlo, C 118
13Alt CLAM BAKE (L) Orseno, J Marquez, Jr(1) 120
14aAltDESTINEDTOBEMINE (L) E0 Rigattieri, J Bravo, J 118
a -- Roos, Manfred
12-2Alt
Off Races:C8 - C12

[Shammy Davis]

The opening day card has 134 entries for 13 races. That a pretty sturdy opening day. I don't think they can push the small connections any further aside than they have in the past.

As far as NJ racing is concerned, it is a good thing.

[Fireslam]

Looks pretty much like the same group of people IVe seen year after year. A few new faces, but still all the same old ones.

[rudydee]

Looks pretty much like the same group of people IVe seen year after year. A few new faces, but still all the same old ones.

WRONG Fireslam

Just from the 1st day of entries...
Some of the names that typically are NOT at Monmouth:
C. Clement
Tom Bush
CC Brown
RW Small
MJ Maker
KP McLaughlin
JF Scanlan
P Miller
S Campanella
IR Wilkes
RB Hess
D Fawkes
CA Nafzger
N Zito
T Ritvo
M Tromebetta
M Hushion

7 out of the top 10 trainers from the recent Gulfstream meet have a string at Monmouth.
Did all the big names from California need to ship in to appease you?
They do have racing out there too.

[mikec]

I'm one of the little guys ; they don't come much smaller. Have my 3 J-breds on premises and we're ready to roll. The question is will we be able to draw in when we want ? Aside from that ; 2.5 jersey bred races / day is satisfactory if my only other option is to see such a grand place shut down permanantly. I'll freely admit I was one of the original skeptics, and to a degree Im still " nervous ", but hanging around the backside there's a pretty good feel these days. It's actually exciting again for a change with the prospect of full stands. $75K j- bred MSW paying down to $1500 for last pays a lot of bills. Bonuses for 1 - 3 out of state when the meet ends for the first time really helps as well. They're looking for a " conservative " 25% increase in handle & attendance by attracting bigger, more competitive fields from top notch trainers across the country which should stimulate wagering. Sure beats a 6 horse field with a 3/5 favorite every race. If this doesn't work at this gorgeous facility then it won't matter how little of a breeder / owner you are 'cause the failure would spread like a plague & nobody will be immune. Never thought I'd say it but I really tip my cap to all responsible for such a bold initiative. Don't sit back & wait for something to happen ... make something happen !

[TJ]

I'm one of the little guys ; they don't come much smaller. Have my 3 J-breds on premises and we're ready to roll. The question is will we be able to draw in when we want ? Aside from that ; 2.5 jersey bred races / day is satisfactory if my only other option is to see such a grand place shut down permanantly. I'll freely admit I was one of the original skeptics, and to a degree Im still " nervous ", but hanging around the backside there's a pretty good feel these days. It's actually exciting again for a change with the prospect of full stands. $75K j- bred MSW paying down to $1500 for last pays a lot of bills. Bonuses for 1 - 3 out of state when the meet ends for the first time really helps as well. They're looking for a " conservative " 25% increase in handle & attendance by attracting bigger, more competitive fields from top notch trainers across the country which should stimulate wagering. Sure beats a 6 horse field with a 3/5 favorite every race. If this doesn't work at this gorgeous facility then it won't matter how little of a breeder / owner you are 'cause the failure would spread like a plague & nobody will be immune. Never thought I'd say it but I really tip my cap to all responsible for such a bold initiative. Don't sit back & wait for something to happen ... make something happen !

Hi Mike,
Glad to hear there is a positive backside feeling about this....having J'breds certainly helps since they are taking care of their home state, with an averege 2.5 races per day. I still wonder about the smaller people that don't have the J'breds? When you consider the purses being so large for the J'breds....and if this format takes off, there will be an influx of breeder's from other states looking to get with the Jersey program, so it will be good for racing on the State bred level for sure. I did notice, of the 3 J'bred races on the card....18 were excluded. I would think that should be about the same as always, or am I wrong? Seems to be mostly the same people with the J'breds....did notice Ritvo and Mott showed up for one of the J'bred races. Thanks for your input, good luck getting in and have a good meet. TJ

[TJ]

I'm one of the little guys ; they don't come much smaller. Have my 3 J-breds on premises and we're ready to roll. The question is will we be able to draw in when we want ? Aside from that ; 2.5 jersey bred races / day is satisfactory if my only other option is to see such a grand place shut down permanantly. I'll freely admit I was one of the original skeptics, and to a degree Im still " nervous ", but hanging around the backside there's a pretty good feel these days. It's actually exciting again for a change with the prospect of full stands. $75K j- bred MSW paying down to $1500 for last pays a lot of bills. Bonuses for 1 - 3 out of state when the meet ends for the first time really helps as well. They're looking for a " conservative " 25% increase in handle & attendance by attracting bigger, more competitive fields from top notch trainers across the country which should stimulate wagering. Sure beats a 6 horse field with a 3/5 favorite every race. If this doesn't work at this gorgeous facility then it won't matter how little of a breeder / owner you are 'cause the failure would spread like a plague & nobody will be immune. Never thought I'd say it but I really tip my cap to all responsible for such a bold initiative. Don't sit back & wait for something to happen ... make something happen !

Hi Mike,
Glad to hear there is a positive backside feeling about this....having J'breds certainly helps since they are taking care of their home state, with an averege 2.5 races per day. I still wonder about the smaller people that don't have the J'breds? When you consider the purses being so large for the J'breds....and if this format takes off, there will be an influx of breeder's from other states looking to get with the Jersey program, so it will be good for racing on the State bred level for sure. I did notice, of the 3 J'bred races on the card....18 were excluded. I would think that should be about the same as always, or am I wrong? Seems to be mostly the same people with the J'breds....did notice Ritvo and Mott showed up for one of the J'bred races. Thanks for your input, good luck getting in and have a good meet. TJ

[Blue feather]

Being a "Small Owner", I believe Monmouths inflated purses presents opportunites for the surrounding Mid Atlantic tracks. First, drawing talent away from surrounding tracks. Secondly, value at the claiming level. I am curious if claiming rules have been changed due to new purse structure.

[mikec]

Hiya TJ,
Yep ; I noticed the list of also eligibles as well. For lack of a better answer I'm going to put it under the category of supply vs. demand. Or maybe even luck, or lack of, the draw. I understand there's quite a few that didn't even make it to the also eligibles but thus far, from an administrative point of view at least, the experiment is working just fine. By the way ; the track itself, including the turf, looks & feels super !!!

[TJ]

Looks pretty much like the same group of people IVe seen year after year. A few new faces, but still all the same old ones.

WRONG Fireslam

Just from the 1st day of entries...
Some of the names that typically are NOT at Monmouth:
C. Clement
Tom Bush
CC Brown
RW Small
MJ Maker
KP McLaughlin
JF Scanlan
P Miller
S Campanella
IR Wilkes
RB Hess
D Fawkes
CA Nafzger
N Zito
T Ritvo
M Tromebetta
M Hushion

7 out of the top 10 trainers from the recent Gulfstream meet have a string at Monmouth.
Did all the big names from California need to ship in to appease you?
They do have racing out there too.

Hi Rudy,
I have to agree with you there. All these guys will have to maintain a string at Monmouth in order to compete since the track, where they stable, will give them a hard time shipping out to run if they have the same race available where they are stabled. This fact alone would seem to be a negative for smaller trainers with cheaper horses (non-J'breds) who stabled at Monmouth in the past, or at the very least they would get a cut in stall allotments. TJ

[rudydee]

I'm one of the little guys ; they don't come much smaller. Have my 3 J-breds on premises and we're ready to roll. The question is will we be able to draw in when we want ? Aside from that ; 2.5 jersey bred races / day is satisfactory if my only other option is to see such a grand place shut down permanantly. I'll freely admit I was one of the original skeptics, and to a degree Im still " nervous ", but hanging around the backside there's a pretty good feel these days. It's actually exciting again for a change with the prospect of full stands. $75K j- bred MSW paying down to $1500 for last pays a lot of bills. Bonuses for 1 - 3 out of state when the meet ends for the first time really helps as well. They're looking for a " conservative " 25% increase in handle & attendance by attracting bigger, more competitive fields from top notch trainers across the country which should stimulate wagering. Sure beats a 6 horse field with a 3/5 favorite every race. If this doesn't work at this gorgeous facility then it won't matter how little of a breeder / owner you are 'cause the failure would spread like a plague & nobody will be immune. Never thought I'd say it but I really tip my cap to all responsible for such a bold initiative. Don't sit back & wait for something to happen ... make something happen !

Hi Mike,
Glad to hear there is a positive backside feeling about this....having J'breds certainly helps since they are taking care of their home state, with an averege 2.5 races per day. I still wonder about the smaller people that don't have the J'breds? When you consider the purses being so large for the J'breds....and if this format takes off, there will be an influx of breeder's from other states looking to get with the Jersey program, so it will be good for racing on the State bred level for sure. I did notice, of the 3 J'bred races on the card....18 were excluded. I would think that should be about the same as always, or am I wrong? Seems to be mostly the same people with the J'breds....did notice Ritvo and Mott showed up for one of the J'bred races. Thanks for your input, good luck getting in and have a good meet. TJ

18 horses excluded is not the same as always. It is way higher than past years. Example: There are many horses running in the NWX1 J-Bred who have only an outside shot at 3rd place. But even if they come in last place, this year they will earn $1500. Do that twice a month- you are paying bills. Getting in J-Bred races is going to be tough.
Why wouldn't it be the same people with J-Breds? They were the courageous/dumb ones to stick with the program when others bailed to PA.
I see California trainer Hess has a J-Bred too!

[rudydee]

If you want the Monmouth meet to be continued in the the years to come- Go to beautiful Monmouth Park and bet the races on track.
If you can't get there from where you are- and bet the races early and often.
':P'

[mikec]

That's exactly it Rudydee !
TVG & HRTV are nice but why wouldn't ya want to be out in the sunshine with the family, perhaps bring a picnic lunch, and spend some time together. My Nephew's Son, just a young pup, watched the Kentucky Derby on TV for the 1st. time this year & it blew him away. Now he wants to visit the track with his Dad. This is what we need to cultivate & nurture !! Bring the young one's along slow but teach them to appreciate the sheer beauty & pageantry of this great sport. Show them the very basics of wagering but leave it at that and concentrate on the bond you may create between Father / Mother / Child & appreciation for the horse. Turn off the TV, put away the remote and spend some time together. Last week, when my Family & I were done with morning works at Monmouth, we took the short drive to Point Pleasant for lunch. I mean c'mon ... does it get any better !

[TJ]

Hi Mike...Rudy,
Thanks for your input.....If the small guys, that don't have Jersey Breds can stay afloat looks like a win, win for all involved. One more question, does the turf course favor speed and does it hold up well through the meet...or does it turn into green dirt like down here in Florida? TJ

[mikec]

Hey TJ,

There were " capital improvements " made prior to this meet which included a new cushion for the main track & " renovations " to the turf course. What renovations were made has been left to the imagination. Also ; prior to the Breeders Cup there were improvements made to each in addition to the entire facility as well. The turf course held up very nicely last year & I would expect much of the same going forward. But beware global warming lol !