Monmouth Park using Father's Day as a test for Haskell Day
The fact that Monmouth Park has become a meeting place for multiple generations of family members becomes evident on Father's Day, with 29,292 patrons making their way to the Oceanport track last year to celebrate dad.
This Sunday, however, it will serve a different purpose for track officials.
Because with the Triple Crown winner American Pharoah being targeted for the $1-million William Hill Haskell Invitational, Father's Day will be as close to a dry run as they will get regarding what could happen on Aug. 2.
``Father's Day is our second biggest day of the year, by far,'' said Bob Kulina, president of Darby Development LLC, which operates the track for the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association. ''I've been saying to our departments, `when you think of Sunday, think of double that when it comes to the Haskell.` ``
That would be around 60,000 fans, which would shatter the old attendance record of 53,638, set on Haskell Day in 2003.
And with reserved seating in both the clubhouse and grandstand having sold out over the weekend, some seven weeks before the race, that estimate is starting to sound like a realistic number.
Whatever the level of interest turns out to be, Monmouth Park will not limit attendance on Haskell Day.
``We talked about it an rejected the idea,'' said Dennis Drazin, adviser to the NJTHA. ''I know Belmont Park limited it to 90,000 for the Belmont, but we don't want to say to our fans we're going to cut it off. Some come Haskell Day to get a hat and to watch the race, and we're trying to think of areas we can use to accommodate more people, with extra tents and things like that.''
The fact that track officials are even discussing such things is an indication that American Pharoah's star power continuing to have an impact on the sport.
``Throw out a number like 60,000, and it's easy to roll off the tip of the tongue,'' Kulina said, ``but it's hard to see how you're going to accommodate them and make sure the fan experience is a good one, and that's what we're working on.''
Monmouth Park officials understand how important that is. Because if patrons walk away having enjoyed what could be the biggest racing event the state has ever seen, there's a better chance of them returning to the track at some point in the future.
``If we have 50,000-plus here, we have a lot of preparation to do,'' Kulina said. ``It's going to have the feel of a Breeders' Cup. We have a lot to decide and we're going to make those decisions right after Father's Day. It's going to be a busy weekend, and after this all the focus is on Haskell Day.''
When Monmouth Park hosted the Breeders' Cup in 2007, some 43,106 fans attended, with rainy weather keeping the crowd down for the fall event. But with American Pharoah expected to make his appearance at the height of the summer season, the final attendance figure could soar.
``We've ordered 100 new mutual (wagering) machines and we have 100 machines we're not using,'' Kulina noted. ``We have to do things like run wires and get people to work them. We need 50 volunteer-like people, who we will pay, because a lot of people who will come have never been to Monmouth Park, or haven't been in a long time.
``We're going to bring in auxiliary bathroom trailers this weekend, and we're going to order 2 1/2 times that number for the Haskell. We're going to rent another video board or two. There's a lot of stuff to think about. Will we be able to put all the press int he press box? Where will be put the photographers? We have to ask all the questions, because we want to have none unanswered. ''
What Monmouth Park is not doing is raising its rates for seats, general admission or food on Haskell Day.
``That's just not the right thing to do for our fans,'' Drazin said. ``We're not going to say to people, `you can't bring food into the picnic area on Haskell Day,' or things like that. That's just not right.' ''
When 30,000 fans showed up at Churchill Downs last Saturday to watch American Pharoah parade down the track and do a few laps around the paddock, it showed what might be possible at Monmouth Park.
And whatever happens on Haskell Day, the track hopes to be ready for it.
Staff writer Stephen Edelson is an Asbury Park Press columnist: sedelson@gannettnj.com; Twitter: @SteveEdelsonAPP