Monmouth Park Shows Increases Across the Board

By Christopher Sheldon

Monmouth Park Racetrack has enjoyed a successful first full season under the ownership of the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (NJTHA).

The track concluded its 61-day racing season on Sunday, Oct. 6 with across the board gains in attendance, on-track and simulcast betting.

 “We knew last year would prove a good starting point,” NJTHA Advisory Dennis Drazin said in a release. “The numbers posted this year prove that fans across the country have responded positively to our racing product, while those closer to home enjoyed great racing at one of the world’s most beautiful racetracks.”

Average attendance came in at 8,986, up 4.5 percent over last year's average of 8,599.  On-track wagering averaged $510,106, an 8.3% increase over 2012 as total wagering averaged $4,440,595, representing a 9.8% boost over last season.

“These numbers certainly met all expectations,” Drazin said. “We were hoping to build off of last year’s start and we have succeeded in doing so."

Drazin said Monmouth Park hopes to improve these numbers as it adds more amenities and expanded racing opportunities.

“As we look to the future, we are on the brink of announcing a new off-track betting facility," Drazin said. "We continue our work to bring sports wagering to the racetrack and have plans for enhanced on-line gaming opportunities - all geared at bringing horse racing closer to the fan."

He said the William Hill Race and Sports Bar, a Las Vegas-style sports book, will also open soon.