Monmouth Park celebrates a weekend of Haskell events
By Mary Ann Bourbeau
OCEANPORT – The 47th William Hill Haskell Invitational isn’t just a horserace with a big purse. It has turned into a Kentucky Derby-style full weekend of events.
The second annual Joes vs. Jocks Mini Golf Festival gets under way at 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 25. The event features 18 foursomes who have the chance to play against jockeys on Monmouth Park’s bluegrass miniature golf course. A radio station will be on-site playing music, while food trucks and a bar will be on hand to cater to the crowd.
“I always wanted to make more of the Haskell weekend,” said Brian Skirka, marketing manager for Monmouth Park. “Since we built the mini golf course a few years ago, I thought this was the perfect tie-in. Fans love the interaction with the jockeys, and the jockeys have just as good a time with the fans.”
–Equiphoto
Though the foursomes are sold out, the event is open to the public. It raises money for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, which provides financial assistance to about 60 former jockeys who have suffered catastrophic injuries on the track. Since the national charity was founded in 2006, it has disbursed more than $5 million to jockeys, most of whom are paralyzed or sustained brain injuries.
“Jockeys put their lives on the line every time they race,” Skirka said. “Putting yourself on a horse that weighs 1,000 pounds and is running 40 miles an hour is incredibly dangerous.”
Those patrons who love a good stogie can register for the Heineken Cigar Luncheon on Saturday, July 26. Held on the Patio Terrace Roof overlooking the clubhouse turn, the $125 event includes five premium cigars, a deluxe buffet lunch, top-shelf bar, door prizes and a gift bag.
This year, Ladies Day has been moved to Haskell weekend and will take place on Saturday. All women wearing a fancy hat or fascinator receive free track admission. Representatives from Lilly Pulitzer, a sponsor of the event, will be on-site seeking the best hats in the crowd. Those women will be invited to take part in a hat contest in the Winner’s Circle. There will be a Lilly Pulitzer Fashion Show at 1 p.m. in the Lady’s Secret Café. Bourbon & Boweties will also be selling jewelry and Republic of Pigtails will be selling hats and fascinators.
“Ladies Day was very successful last year,” Skirka said. “We get some pretty good hats. Last year, one woman made her own, which had a toy horse glued to it.”
There will be a best-dressed couple contest on Sunday, July 27, sponsored by Lilly Pulitzer and Tommy Bahama. The winners will receive a $200 gift card to each retailer.
“It should be a very good-looking, well-dressed crowd,” Skirka said.
All paid admissions also will receive this year’s commemorative Haskell cap.
“That has been our tradition for over 20 years,” Skirka said. “It’s a new color scheme and logo each year.”
Then comes the main event on Sunday during which the nation’s top 3-year-old thoroughbreds compete for a $1 million prize. Gates open at 10 a.m., races begin at noon and the Haskell race takes place at 5:45 p.m.
Several horses in the lineup also raced at the Kentucky Derby, including Medal Count, who came in 8th place, and Wildcat Red, who came in 18th. This year, a filly named Untapable, who won the Kentucky Oaks by a wide margin, is the probable favorite in the Haskell, Skirka said.
“It’s rare that a girl is good enough to race against the boys,” he said.
New Jersey native Rosie Napravnik will be riding Untapable, in the hopes of becoming the first female jockey to win the Haskell.
“It’s exciting because this is the biggest day of the year at Monmouth Park,” Skirka said.
The Haskell Invitational will be televised, beginning at 5 p.m., on NBC-TV.
Vibe writer Mary Ann Bourbeau can be reached at mbourbeau@tworivertimes.com.
