As the highly anticipated arrival of American Pharaoh at the Haskell Invitational has happened, preparations taken in Oceanport and surrounding towns for race day appear to be in the final stretch.
In a press release from the Oceanport Police Department, authorities told local residents what kind of traffic delays, detours and closures to expect on August 2. If a normal Haskell Day’s traffic is a pain, it is safe to assume that this year will be nothing short of paralyzing.
Major Oceanport roads surrounding Monmouth Park Racetrack, such as Port Au Peck Avenue and Oceanport Avenue, will see the brunt of these closures. To start with, the area of Oceanport Avenue between the Main Gate of Monmouth Park and Port Au Peck Avenue will be completely shut down from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Beginning at 4 p.m., all traffic on Port Au Peck Avenue from Myrtle Avenue to Oceanport Avenue will close in preparation for the outflow of traffic after the 5:50 p.m. post time for the $1,000,000 race.
“It’s just a one day thing. Am I going? No. Is it inconvenient? Yes,” said Kathie Guzzi, an Oceanport resident of 47 years. “I’m camping out at home, there’s no need to go out.”
Although Guzzi may be in the minority, Oceanport will undoubtedly be the hub of the horse racing world for one day. While it may be only for 24 hours, this influx of new visitors to the area would make any local business owner smirk over the prospect of possibly the busiest day of the year.
Well, that is not always the case.
“Last year was the worst Haskell that I ever had,” said Dimitri Parliaros, who is the manager of Zachary’s, a popular restaurant in West Long Branch.
Zachary’s, which is located across Route 36 on Oceanport Avenue, is the road where Monmouth Park also happens to be found on. Even though Parliaros’ restaurant has prime real estate for the racetrack traffic, the Haskell is no longer a money maker for him.
“It’s the first time I have ever seen 36 coned off. It’s going to be tough for people not from our area to come to the local restaurants,” he commented, in regards to how the road closures last year negatively affected his business. “I’m expecting an average to below-average day.”
While Parliaros does understand that safety is the most important issue in this situation, he also added, “I wish there was a better way to have local businesses prosper with a local event that may never happen again.”
Oceanport Mayor Michael Mahon is planning to ensure that the wish Parliaros speaks of stays true to his hometown residents. “We’re looking to accommodate local area businesses in the best way that we can,” said Mahon. “We want to be in the best position to guide people to our local businesses and restaurants after the races end.”
