Back to the Past (and Future?) in New Jersey - By George Bernet

re: Back to the Past (and Future?) in New Jersey - By George Bernet

JOJO — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 22:22:01 GMT

The SBOA website is an excellent form of communication. They represent 2/3 of the farms in the State and the thoroughbreds feel that they will not be touched in this horse racing exodus. Think again and show up in force when asked to...coming up Sept. 10 at the Meadowlands for the next gaming summit. All race fans should be invited. All horse enthusiasts both standard and thoroughbred should unite and fight.

re: Back to the Past (and Future?) in New Jersey - By George Bernet

Runaround Farm — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 17:05:10 GMT

Monmouth Park is a beautiful place for humans and horses alike. Its summer meet has proved to be successful, and has recruited new racing fans in the process. Where else can you have an exciting day in a park-like setting, and witness the beauty of a horse running in NJ, and all for a small, small fee?

Oh, and the Gov. of NJ should visit all of the NJ racetracks and talk to the people who love them -- and he can keep his pants on -- the thought of him in shorts is scary.

re: Back to the Past (and Future?) in New Jersey - By George Bernet

onefast99 — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:55:53 GMT

The issue right now is the antiquated methods of advertising and marketing this track. Combine that with horrendous food being offered at above NYC restaurant prices at the clubhouse restaurant and other eateries at the track and you will not get repeat customers. Granted the racing has been excellent this season and the racing secretary has done a great job putting together the cards. My concern is still the marketing of this track, I am sure everyone knows that there is beer and bbq this weekend at MP, right? Only if you listen to 101.5fm....

re: Back to the Past (and Future?) in New Jersey - By George Bernet

Mark — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:31:57 GMT

Mufasa,

Most employees there are per diem.

re: Back to the Past (and Future?) in New Jersey - By George Bernet

jayjay3233 — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:45:09 GMT

maybe im making it in to simple of terms, but cost neccetates change. look at the clear picture. first the take out. taxes, tracks, trainers, jockeys.wheres the investment? ok maybe the tracks. but look at the ridiculous cost of horses at auctions most of which might not even make it to the races. all the fan wants is a comfortable place to bet and have fun. which means large fields and grade 1 horses. not millions spent on overnights, grade 2 grade 3 races. do you see your pattern. plse make it simple and stop self destructing.

re: Back to the Past (and Future?) in New Jersey - By George Bernet

Mufasa Thedog — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 01:54:24 GMT

One thing I haven't seen addressed is how the everyday track employees feel about the experiment. Admissions, concessions, tellers, etc. are working three days a week instead of five. Are they getting the same money spread over three days, just like the owners? And how about the local merchants who are getting traffic only three days a week?

re: Back to the Past (and Future?) in New Jersey - By George Bernet

NJTrotter — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 23:28:05 GMT

I think Monmouth Park can pull it off again in 2011 even without casino money. The handle is there so the purse structure could and should be on par with Saratoga. We really don't need J-breds racing for 80k!

The Gov has to really look into the Hanson Report and the committee members. The first question he should ask each member is, "Do any of you know the difference between a trotter and a pacer - and a thoroughbred, for that matter?"

Monmouth Park is the perfect compliment to Saratoga which, by the way, has carded more cheap races this year then ever before. I've enjoyed many a day at Monmouth and it's picturesque setting and I hope to enjoy many more in the furlongs to come.

re: Back to the Past (and Future?) in New Jersey - By George Bernet

RGGC — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 21:58:37 GMT

I wouldn't know what to do if Monmouth closed. My husband and I go every weekend, we sit with the same people, we bet with the same tellers, we wave to the same track employees. It's a way of life for us and nothing else could take it's place. One thing I will disagree on, I wouldn't advise the Gov to show up, he might be more unpopular than Joe Bravo losing on a 3/5 shot. (love ya Joe!)

re: Back to the Past (and Future?) in New Jersey - By George Bernet

Dale — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 20:24:17 GMT

If Monmouth survives it will be more because of the harness racing people who went to the Gaming summit over 600 strong and wrote and called the legislators, than it will be thoroughbred racing fans and owners.

you have had absolutely nothing in this website or in your magazine about how racing fans can help the tracks in NJ. I went to the Harness racing site and found legislator's numbers and emails. I called and emailed. I also emailed the bloodhorse editors to try and get them to publish this information so that other fans could get involved. I received a letter back saying the Bloodhorse was going to run an article on this matter. Nothing like too little too late.

The problem with thoroughbred racing is the overweening arrogance of many of its members, the above blogger included, who think that horse racing is indispensible. It is not. Horse racing is on life-support. And it is that way because throughout the late70's and 80's horses were retired at the top of their game so that the owners could make alot of money in breeding and they had no concern about the fans. They assumed that the fans would always be there.

Well now the folly of that view is coming home to roost as the tracks are trying to get fans to come out.

The Monmouth experiment did work because enough top horses competed and the fans had a great time at the track.

One last point: Gov. Christie has been underestimated throughout his career. I would hope that horse racing does not because they would do so at their peril.

re: Back to the Past (and Future?) in New Jersey - By George Bernet

The_Knight_Sky racing blog — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 19:26:24 GMT

Along with Mr. Kulina, two of the architects of the Elite Summer Meet, John Forbes and Dennis Drazin will have a most interesting Thanksgiving Dinner this year.

Mr. Bernet wrote:

The most salient fact in my mind is that racing at Monmouth Park is fun again. The main track and turf course are in great shape. The horsemen are happy. The racing is competitive. I have as much trouble cashing tickets in 12-horse fields as I did in the ’60s.

___________________________

Yes. This is a new brand of racing compared to previous years. Everything must be done next year to keep the momentum locally and nationally.

Monmouth Park however, must not shoulder the entire load for the thoroughbred racing industry in the state. We still have Atlantic City race course and The Meadowlands both of which can serve as bookends on the NJ racing calendar.

Both of these racetracks must not be forgotten in any short-but-sweet racing concept.