By John Burton
OCEANPORT – The 48th running of the William Hill Haskell Invitational marks a number of firsts for Monmouth Park and thoroughbred racing in New Jersey.
This year’s race, which will be run on Sunday, will have the largest purse ever at a New Jersey track, increased this week to $1.75 million. In addition, spectators will have the opportunity to catch the only time a Triple Crown winner has graced a Jersey track.
“This event has brought the racing elite to the Jersey Shore,” proclaimed Frank Mirahmadi, the track announcer, at a press conference held on Thursday afternoon.
Front and center of the elite, of course, will be American Pharoah, who has won the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness and the Belmont Stake, earning the coveted Triple Crown of racing.
Justin Zayat, whose family owns American Pharoah, the three-year-old thoroughbred, and Zayat Stables, Teaneck, said its about “coming home,” for his horse, who was born and raised here. He noted about the horse’s career, “It’s been a fairy tale for us.”
Dennis Drazin, an attorney and advisor to the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association and Darby Development, LLC, which operates Monmouth Park, said the increased purse for Sunday’s race will make the Haskell “the fourth jewel in the Triple Crown.”
This purse is larger than that given at the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes, Drazin said.
These recent events, on top of the park earning a profit last year, marks a turning point for Monmouth Park, Drazin maintained. “Monmouth Park has turned around since the governor thought about closing it.”
Gov. Chris Christie a few years ago considered shuttering the park which has struggled financial in recent years, and having the state’s sports authority selling off the land.
“People will be talking about how they saw American Pharoah run at Monmouth Park,” Drazin predicted.
American Pharoah in a random drawing was selected for the fourth post position, in an eight-horse line up and is currently at 1-to-5 odds.
