Turf races can be run along the hedge, or with the portable rail out 12 feet (dubbed the Haskell Course), 24 feet (Monmouth Course), or 36 feet (Lennox Course). A re-design of the grass course for the 2006 season brought with it a new, second chute to accommodate 5½ furlong sprint races.
The turf course is seven furlongs in circumference, with a diagonal chute for races between 1-mile (1.6 km) and 1⅛ miles. The main track is a one-mile (1.6 km) dirt oval with chutes for six furlong and 1¼ mile races. The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority purchased Monmouth Park in 1986 and many of the historic, century-old stakes races were reinstated, with the Monmouth Cup, inaugurated in 1884, renamed the Philip H. In later years, after the death of Haskell, he would take over as president of the track. Iselin became chairman of the construction committee and was named treasurer of the Monmouth Park Jockey Club. Martin, John MacDonald, and James Cox Brady, the Monmouth Park Jockey Club was born. Under the new leadership of Haskell, Philip H. On June 19, 1946, for the third time and after a 53-year hiatus, Monmouth Park reopened its doors. The Haskell Invitational is named in his honor. Haskell played a major part in lobbying to legalize pari-mutuel wagering for both the standardbred and thoroughbred industries. The current Monmouth Park structure dates back to 1946.ĭuring the 1940s, Amory L. Racing would not return for more than 50 years. The state was ultimately successful, and on March 21, 1894, banned wagering on horses. In 1891, the Monmouth Park meet was moved to Jerome Park and Morris Park while state legislation tried to suppress pari-mutuel wagering. But New Jersey racetrack’s gates were not open for long. In 1890, the second Monmouth Park opened. And in 1882, the rebuilt Monmouth Park opened its gates.ĭue to its overwhelming popularity, a new racecourse was built adjacent to the existing track. They spent four years restoring the grounds and rebuilding the grandstand. Racing returned to Monmouth Park under a syndicate of George L. Three years after the first Monmouth Park was opened, financial difficulties forced the track to close. Their ploy worked, and Monmouth Park opened its inaugural five-day meet amid much national fanfare.ĭue to the high caliber of its racing, Monmouth racing achieved distinction as the “Newmarket of America” - a reference to the famed racecourse in England. Chamberlain, New Jersey Senate President Amos Robbins, and Adams Express Company President John Hoey in an effort to increase summer trade for the once-bustling shore communities. The track was a result of the innovative ideas of New York businessman John F. Monmouth Park has been a Jersey Shore tradition since 1870.