Monmouth Park’s meet feature, the Grade 1 Haskell, drew 33 nominations, the track announced Friday, including three from eight-time winner Bob Baffert.
With new coronavirus rules in New Jersey, Monmouth Park will be able to celebrate its July 3 opening day with fans permitted.
The 2020 Haskell Invitational will kick off a three-race series with a $1 million bonus, the Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup Classic being the other two.
Monmouth Park fixture Leonard Green, an owner, breeder, and racing consultant, will receive the track’s Virgil “Buddy” Raines Distinguished Achievement Award.
Monmouth mainstay John Mazza passed away in May, and those closest to him remember him as a great dad, a generous guy, and a willing mentor.
Trainer John Stephens was the first to arrive at Monmouth Park this morning, a backside that figures to be more crowded than usual this summer.
New Jersey’s Governor gave racetracks the green light to return Friday, clearing the way for Monmouth Park to race starting July 3 as planned.
With New Jersey the second-hardest hit state in the nation by coronavirus, Monmouth Park will not allow horses on the grounds until June 1.
Trainer Jorge Duarte, who took over the Colts Neck Stables operation at the very end of 2018, is battling coronavirus, he revealed this week.
In the face of the coronavirus emergency, Monmouth Park will close for simulcasting effective later today and delay its opening day by three weeks.