First horses test new Monmouth Park turf course

Four horses from the barn of trainer Tim Hills became the first to test

Monmouth Park's new $4.5 million turf course on Monday, and the reviews were

positive.

"They all went great," said Hills, who won the training title at the

Oceanport, New Jersey, track in 2004. "All the riders came back raving about the

new course. The big thing was that they all said it was consistent all the way

around -- something that the old course wasn't."

Stakes-placed mare Sparkling Humor (Distorted Humor) was the first to stride

out on the course. Following her came the stakes-placed Scattering Breezes

(Concorde's Tune), sophomore filly Nautical Agent (Victory Gallop) and

10-year-old gelding Rolled Stocking (Diazo), with the latter working a half-mile

in :49 4/5 around the dogs.

"The course really is perfect," Hills said. "It's lush. It looks good and

healthy. No clods came up at all -- everything looks great."

For the next two weeks, horses will continue to work over the turf, including

out of the gate from both chutes.

"One of the most encouraging signs was the drainage," said Robert Kulina,

Monmouth Park vice president and general manager. "We had six to seven inches of rain

last week, and the course drained beautifully. The grass has had sufficient time

to take root and we'll be set to go on June 24," when the first race will be

contested over the course.

The new turf course is among the improvements under way at Monmouth Park as the

facility prepares to host the 2007 Breeders' Cup.