Bills That Could Lead To Dates Reduction At Monmouth Hit A Roadblock

[Wandering Eyes]

The saga that is the future of Monmouth Park took another twist Thursday. According to an e-mail sent to its members by the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association of New Jersey, the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee has chosen not to vote on Senate Bill 5028 . Senate Bill 5028 would allow Monmouth Park, if it chose to do so, to run an annual meet of just 25 days.

The State Assembly's committee also did not take a vote on a similarly worded bill.

In 2026, there will be 50 days of racing at Monmouth, plus Monmouth will control nine days of all-turf Thoroughbred racing at the Meadowlands. Dennis Drazin, who heads Darby Development, which manages the racetrack on behalf of the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, has said that a date reduction may become a necessity if the track loses a $10 million annual purse supplement it has received from the state since 2019.

“Thanks to your advocacy on behalf of the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association of New Jersey–and the horses you breed and own–the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee chose not to vote on Senate Bill 5028 this afternoon and removed it from the agenda,” said Michael Campbell, the executive director of the breeders' group. “The bill may be reintroduced during the next legislative session, which begins next week.”

Knowing that it would be hard to convince anyone to breed a horse in a state that had only 25 days of racing, the breeders are particularly concerned about the threats to reduce the meet. Campbell said that his group wants to be part of the solution and will work with horsemen and track management in an effort to help New Jersey racing prosper.

“The Association remains committed to working collaboratively with the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, Darby Development, and Monmouth Park to support and strengthen the future of New Jersey's equine industry, and we will continue these efforts going forward,” he said. “Monmouth Park is one of the premier racing venues in the country, and the efforts of Dennis Drazin, Darby Development, and the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association to preserve and promote Thoroughbred racing are deeply appreciated throughout New Jersey's equine industry. While the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association of New Jersey had concerns with the language of Senate Bill 5028 that would allow the Monmouth Park permit holder to reduce the minimum number of required Thoroughbred race dates to 25, I am confident there is room for compromise. By working collaboratively, our organizations can support and strengthen the long-term future of New Jersey's equine industry.”

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