Monmouth, Meadowlands announce racing dates

Live racing will return to Monmouth Park on May 12, it was announced Thursday

by the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (NJTHA). With a lease from

the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority (NJSEA) to the NJTHA expected in

early May, the latter will take the operational helm at the historic racetrack

for this year's 67th season of racing.

The 2012 calendar will feature 65 days at Monmouth Park and 10 all-turf days

at the Meadowlands. The Monmouth calendar closely mirrors the 2010 and 2011

schedules, with one notable change: four twilight cards on Thursdays in August,

with a first post of 4:00 pm. (EDT).

"We're taking what we know worked in the past and coupling it with some new

and innovative ideas," said John Forbes, President of the NJTHA. "It will no

longer be business as usual at Monmouth Park. We will not shy from new ideas and

events that we hope prove popular with fans and horsemen alike. Our 2012

schedule is the first step in ensuring Monmouth Park's prominence within the

racing industry as we strive to enhance our simulcast appeal, develop a more

fan-friendly atmosphere and provide all patrons with world-class Thoroughbred

racing."

Dennis Drazin and Bob Kulina, executives with Monmouth Park's new management

company, expressed optimism for the future of New Jersey racing.

"We're excited that the horsemen will control their own destiny and look

forward to working with them to build a long-term, sustainable racing industry

in the Garden State," the pair said.

Monmouth will race on Saturdays and Sundays for the first three weeks, after

which Fridays will be added to the schedule beginning on June 1 and continuing

through the first week in September. The Saturday and Sunday schedule will

return on September 8 and continue through October 7. Three holiday cards will

also be offered: Memorial Day, May 28; Independence Day, July 4; and Labor Day,

September 3.

Thoroughbred racing at the Meadowlands gets underway on May 4 and 5.

Following Monmouth's last live card on October 7, Thoroughbreds will head back

to the Big M for racing on Fridays and Saturdays from October 12 through

November 3. Thoroughbreds have not raced at the Meadowlands since 2009. All

racing dates are pending approval by the New Jersey Racing Commission.