By Stephen Appezzato
OCEANPORT – With the 79th racing season underway at Monmouth Park, leadership is excited about ongoing developments at the racetrack, including more special event days and the groundbreaking on a new sportsbook facility.
They even teased the future goal of providing local casino gambling.
Last week, the park broke ground on the new Caesars Sportsbook, a 16,000-square-foot indoor and outdoor facility featuring full-service dining, an outpost of the Shake Shack restaurant chain, and more than 25 self-service betting kiosks.
Dennis Drazin, CEO of racetrack operator Darby Development, said the new facility will enhance the experience for everyone coming to the racetrack and make it a “destination.” He also said it will increase the sportsbook busi- ness, which has already been doing well. The park’s former sportsbook opened in 2018 with the legalization of sports betting in New Jersey.
Providing an update on the proposed sports complex, hotel and age-restricted living development – which will contain 298 residential units as opposed to the initially proposed 388-unit model – Drazin said the park recently signed an 85-year lease extension for the grounds.
“The track is pretty much alive and I think the public is excited about the potential of the new development,” he said. Over the past 13 years operating the park, Drazin said the business made a lot of progress. Before assuming control, Monmouth Park was operated by the state, amassing a huge deficit each year. “We’ve managed to take what was a $13 million loss annually for the state and turn it into a prof- it,” Drazin said. “I think that people are also excited about the new 85-year lease extension. They’re comfortable that the track’s going to be around for all of our lifetimes and our kids’ and grandchildren’s lifetimes,” he added.
The park must now have its development plans approved by state officials, which is estimated to take six to nine months. Once approved, Drazin said the residential phase would take approximately 18 months to complete, and the hotel a little longer.
Looking to the future, Drazin said park leadership will once again explore “casino options,” which has been a struggle over the years due to Atlantic City’s monopoly on the industry in New Jersey. Last year the New York State Gaming Commission opened applications for three casino licenses in the New York City area. With the possibility of casinos coming to New York City, Drazin said New Jersey has to “figure out a way to keep the business here and not have it go to New York.”
Expanding gaming from Atlantic City to the rest of the state would require legislation that has historically not landed well with voters. In 2016, the state proposed the New Jersey Casino Expansion Amendment, which would have allowed casino gambling outside of Atlantic City. A ballot referendum failed, with only 23% of voters supporting the act.
But, “the message is, it’s time to begin a conversation,” Drazin said. “It’s pretty easy for someone from North Jersey just to get to the city instead of driving to Atlantic City. So, we need to expand those opportunities. And I think the Monmouth Park racetrack and Meadowlands are prime expansion areas for casino gaming,” he said.
The park’s 2024 season kicked off May 11; the 51-day event schedule runs until Sept. 15. Monmouth Park is emphasizing family fun this year, with a busy schedule of food festivals and specialty days.
The three-day Jersey Shore Food Truck Festival will take place over Memorial Day weekend, featuring more than 30 food trucks and live music. Other popular events returning this year include the N.J. Irish Festival June 9; the Italian Festival and Wine Tasting July 27-28; the Surf and Turf Seafood Festival August 17-18; and the BBQ and Craft Beer Festival Aug. 31 to Sept. 2. New to the racetrack this year will be the Jersey Eats: New Jersey Pizza Festival June 20, which features 20 of the state’s top pizzerias.
Visitors will again be permitted to bring coolers into the picnic area on live racing days.
California native Matt Dinerman will be the new racetrack announcer this year. Dinerman was the voice of Oaklawn Park in Arkansas and Golden Gate Fields in California before coming to the Jersey Shore. Changes are also coming to the racing office, with Gerry Stanislawzyk taking over as racing secretary and all-time leading rider Joe Bravo returning to the track this season.
Lastly, track officials announced a new broadcast deal. In partnership with the New York Racing Association, FOX Sports will broadcast horse races this season, expanding television coverage for Monmouth Park.
“We’re happy that the meet has started and we had a good opening weekend between Opening Day and Mother’s Day,” Drazin said. “There’s a lot of buzz and excitement.”
The article originally appeared in the May 16 – May 22, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
