Officials Optimistic as Monmouth Meet Nears
May 5, 2015 19:17:28 GMT -5
Post by Jon on May 5, 2015 19:17:28 GMT -5
Great track.
Officials Optimistic as Monmouth Meet Nears
By Jerry Bossert
Bloodhorse
(note former racing writer for Daily News - good guy)
As Monmouth Park prepares for its upcoming season, Dennis Drazin, who advises the track operators, said during May 5 luncheon the New Jersey facility is operating in the black, which is a positive development in light of previous years' losses.
Monmouth will begin its 70th season of racing May 9 and primarily race Friday, Saturday, and Sunday afternoons.
"I'm happy to tell you now we are self-sufficient," said Drazin, who assists Darby Development and the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, which lease Monmouth from the New Jersey Sports and Exposition and Authority. "We've reversed the losing trend and now have broken even or shown a little profit off the 2014 numbers."
Drazin, an attorney as well as a Thoroughbred owner and breeder, said he believes Monmouth is here to stay and will offer world-class racing in 2015. Monmouth was close to closing at the end of 2011, but the New Jersey THA and the state signed a lease agreement allowing Monmouth to open in 2012.
This will be the fourth year the horsemen's group and Darby Development are operating Monmouth, and Drazin believes sports wagering could be in place at the New Jersey track by the start of the National Football League schedule in September. Democratic state Sen. Raymond Lesniak, who wrote the bill to allow sports wagering and also attended the May 5 luncheon previewing the meet, noted the matter is under appeal in state circuit court.
"I know for certain that we're going to get this done rather sooner than later," Lesniak said.
Joseph Asher, chief executive officer at William Hill, one of the leading betting and gaming companies, also spoke on the future of sports wagering in New Jersey.
"Sports betting at Monmouth Park would be a real home run," Asher said. "We are committed to this for the long term. One day sports betting will be legal at Monmouth Park, and when it is we will be here."
William Hill will once again be the sponsor of the Aug. 2 Haskell Invitational (gr. I) for 3-year-olds.
Besides sports wagering, Drazin believes Monmouth will continue to operate with success as it has a state-of-the-art off-track wagering facility planned to open in July or August in Hillsborough Township. It also is getting ready to open wagering terminals in 12 bar/restaurants in northern New Jersey, and is hopeful exchange wagering will be in place in New Jersey by the end of July.
Monmouth will be open for 58 days of live racing in through Sept. 27, and then will operate another 13 days of grass racing at Meadowlands in September and October.
"We are here to stay," Drazin said. "Racing will always be here."
Officials Optimistic as Monmouth Meet Nears
By Jerry Bossert
Bloodhorse
(note former racing writer for Daily News - good guy)
As Monmouth Park prepares for its upcoming season, Dennis Drazin, who advises the track operators, said during May 5 luncheon the New Jersey facility is operating in the black, which is a positive development in light of previous years' losses.
Monmouth will begin its 70th season of racing May 9 and primarily race Friday, Saturday, and Sunday afternoons.
"I'm happy to tell you now we are self-sufficient," said Drazin, who assists Darby Development and the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, which lease Monmouth from the New Jersey Sports and Exposition and Authority. "We've reversed the losing trend and now have broken even or shown a little profit off the 2014 numbers."
Drazin, an attorney as well as a Thoroughbred owner and breeder, said he believes Monmouth is here to stay and will offer world-class racing in 2015. Monmouth was close to closing at the end of 2011, but the New Jersey THA and the state signed a lease agreement allowing Monmouth to open in 2012.
This will be the fourth year the horsemen's group and Darby Development are operating Monmouth, and Drazin believes sports wagering could be in place at the New Jersey track by the start of the National Football League schedule in September. Democratic state Sen. Raymond Lesniak, who wrote the bill to allow sports wagering and also attended the May 5 luncheon previewing the meet, noted the matter is under appeal in state circuit court.
"I know for certain that we're going to get this done rather sooner than later," Lesniak said.
Joseph Asher, chief executive officer at William Hill, one of the leading betting and gaming companies, also spoke on the future of sports wagering in New Jersey.
"Sports betting at Monmouth Park would be a real home run," Asher said. "We are committed to this for the long term. One day sports betting will be legal at Monmouth Park, and when it is we will be here."
William Hill will once again be the sponsor of the Aug. 2 Haskell Invitational (gr. I) for 3-year-olds.
Besides sports wagering, Drazin believes Monmouth will continue to operate with success as it has a state-of-the-art off-track wagering facility planned to open in July or August in Hillsborough Township. It also is getting ready to open wagering terminals in 12 bar/restaurants in northern New Jersey, and is hopeful exchange wagering will be in place in New Jersey by the end of July.
Monmouth will be open for 58 days of live racing in through Sept. 27, and then will operate another 13 days of grass racing at Meadowlands in September and October.
"We are here to stay," Drazin said. "Racing will always be here."