Community Corner

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 at a press conference on 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."

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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.

The operating lease protects Oceanport's tax payment and the repayment of a $23 million loan for environmental remediation.

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The NJTHA started the improvements last year by bringing in four large on-track video boards, a 36-hole miniature golf course, a new caterer and additional group areas.

Improvements this year include a finish line bar on the apron of the grandstand and a new bar in the picnic area. TVG, America's Horse Racing Network, will also be on track at Monmouth Park for live coverage during the 2013 racing season.

The park sustained $5.7 million in damage from Hurricane Sandy, but those repairs have been completed. The majority of the damage remediation included the replacement of a large tent in the picnic area and nine barns in the stable area. The stall office building and stablegate guard shack were also rebuilt.

Drazin said there are still plans to build a new Off-Track Betting area, an on-site concert venue, a boardwalk and the installation of a restaurant near the miniature golf course.

Drazin said there are also ongoing discussions between the NJTHA and a developer to build an indoor water park at Monmouth Park, but added that many of these improvements would not be built until 2015 at the earliest.

"The long-term will continue to focus on alternative revenue streams, both gaming and non-gaming, as well as marketing initiatives that racing fans and newcomers, alike," Drazin said.


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