By Chris Rotolo
OCEANPORT – Monmouth Park prepares to open its summer racing season in a climate of declining COVID-19 numbers and rising vaccinations, but track officials are working to clear another hurdle after a number of top jockeys threatened a boycott in response to the New Jersey Racing Commission’s (NJRC) adoption of the strictest anti-whipping rule in the nation.
Over the last week, the track’s most decorated rider, Eatontown resident Joe Bravo, has vocalized the potential for a boycott in local and national media outlets, but Monmouth Park chairman and CEO Dennis Drazin believes the chances of witnessing diminished racing fields are minimal.
“(Bravo) is the only jockey who has called me to speak about it. And it’s understandable that the jockeys would be upset about this controversial ruling that will be in affect at Monmouth Park on Memorial Day. But everything I’ve heard has led me to believe they will come and ride. We will have sufficient jockeys,” Drazin said in a May 11 interview with The Two River Times.
A Sept. 16, 2020, meeting of the New Jersey Racing Commission included a 4-0 vote to establish the state as the first in the country to ban the whipping of horses beyond an emergency scenario in which jockeys feared for their own safety and the safety of their horse.
According to the new regulation, jockeys who utilizes their riding crop outside the scope of safety will be subject to a fine, suspension and forfeiture of their share of a purse, if the NJRC deems the use of the whip enhanced the placement of the horse.
Drazin said the two-year public process by which the rule was adopted included input from a multitude of stakeholders, but noted The Jockey’s Guild – a national trade association representing professional thoroughbred and quarter horse jockeys – was absent from the hearings.
Drazin also described the rule as “reactionary” to concerns voiced specifically by the animal rights organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).
“The (NJRC) reacted to concerns about specific instances of whipping and (The Jockey’s Guild) disagrees that we need a change, to this extent,” Drazin said. “You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who doesn’t agree that if you’re 10 lengths ahead or 20 behind, there’s no need to whip a horse excessively. But there are circumstances where jockeys are risking their lives and their horses’ lives by competing in this sport. There are scenarios in which it’s necessary to use your crop to prevent a disaster.”
Drazin said Monmouth Park will enforce the rule, but he is working with industry leadership to advocate for an overarching universal rule to be enforced across the country.
“We’d like a federal law to control the entire industry so when jockeys travel to compete at different tracks in different states, they don’t have to contend with different rules. That’s not a good situation either,” Drazin said. “We are advocating for a rule that will protect the health and well-being of both jockeys and horses.”
Free Parking and Admission for Most of Racing Season
Though Monmouth Park will open May 28 with an operation significantly more expansive than a year ago, Drazin said state-mandated health and safety regulations will still be enforced, including mask requirements for staff and visitors while inside the grandstand and clubhouse, and 6-foot social distancing in the picnic area.
Featuring a capacity of 65,000, Drazin expects the venue to accommodate at least 20,000 spectators by opening day, compared to the 4,000 permitted in 2020. Indoor capacity at the William Hill Sports Book will also see a sizable increase from the 68-person capacity of a year ago.
“We have to support the governor in his effort to keep our community safe and in the immediate future, among other things, that means there will not be access to the winner circle or paddock until we can provide a vaccination to our 500 to 700 backside employees caring for our 1,600” horses, Drazin said.
Once all backside employees receive their vaccinations and clear the two-week period needed to develop antibodies, Drazin said Monmouth Park will approach the NJRC to ease access restrictions so owners and the public may visit with horses.
Drazin also noted that fans will receive free parking and admission to all race days except for July 17, which marks the running of the $1,000,000 G1 TVG.com Haskell Stakes.
“It’s premature to talk about what our operation will look like come opening day, because we are expecting new adjustments to regulations and restrictions in the coming weeks. Capacity will be an ever-changing figure. But as we continue to move in a positive direction, we can’t let our guards down. COVID has not gone away completely. We should encourage opening our state up, but we also can’t afford to be cavalier about it,” Drazin said.
The article originally appeared in the May 13 – 19, 2021 print edition of The Two River Times.
