Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association
Posted: Nov. 21, 2019
Monmouth Park operator Darby Development Nov. 20 was approved for 76 racing dates for 2020, including an expanded Thoroughbred meet at Meadowlands.
Based on a calendar released by the Thoroughbred Breeders Association of New Jersey, there will be 56 days at Monmouth, 19 at Meadowlands and one at Far Hills for a steeplechase program.
Under the calendar approved by the New Jersey Racing Commission, Monmouth will open May 2, Kentucky Derby Day, and conclude Sept. 27. Racing will be held two days a week (Saturday and Sunday) for the most part through mid-June, and three days a week (Fridays will be added) from late June through Labor Day. In September, racing is set for Saturdays and Sundays.
The New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, which leases Monmouth from the state, has an agreement with Meadowlands to operate Thoroughbred meets there. The added dates for next year signal a return of dirt racing at Meadowlands, for years has offered short turf-only meets in the fall.
Meadowlands is scheduled to race Fridays and Saturdays, probably at night, from Oct. 2 through Dec. 5. No racing will be offered Oct. 17, the day of the Far Hills meet for which Monmouth handles pari-mutuel operations.
The $1 million, Grade I Haskell Invitational is scheduled for Saturday, July 18, under a contract with NBC sports.