In his first start in 20 months, Force the Pass dug in to win Monmouth Park’s Cliff Hanger Stakes by a nose on opening day at the track.
Opening day at Monmouth Park is upon us, and for some trainers, it has additional meaning, even as they fret the future of the Jersey Shore track.
Graham Motion trainees Irish Strait and Serjeant At Arms figure to be among the key players in Monmouth Park’s opening day feature, the Cliff Hanger Stakes.
Trainer Greg Sacco, a New Jersey resident, was first on the grounds at Monmouth Park as the backside opened Friday for the 2018 meeting.
Among the biggest changes to the stakes schedule at Monmouth in 2018 will be the track’s five event days, each anchored by at least two graded stakes.
Monmouth Park will sweeten the financial pot for owners and trainers this year to increase field size, as well as opening on Kentucky Derby day.
Monmouth Park folks are hopeful that sports betting will save the grand track — but some trainers say they can’t wait and are moving their operations.
Monmouth Park will race 52 days in 2018 — up from 50 this year — and an additional six all-turf cards will take place at the Meadowlands.
Trainer Tim Hills needs one win to reach 2000 in his career — a mark, he says with a laugh, not of skill or fortune, but of his longevity.
Bob Kulina, a New Jersey racing fixture for decades, will retire effective the end of 2017, the track announced.