Visiting Monmouth First Time

[FlintAtTheFetlock]

Hello,

I'm heading down next weekend to Jersey Shore to check out Monmouth for the first time. I was wondering if you have any tips to share like best areas to hang out, parking, good local eats, best and nearest beach, etc. I also wonder if you can bring a cooler and beer in like Saratoga? How about picnic areas? If I bring a canvas chair and blanket are there grassy areas to spread out?

As you may be able to tell I am very excited about this trip. :jump: Much appreciated any recommendations. Feel free to private message me if prefer.

[charm city whizz]

Having trouble pulling it up but if you can find the opening weeknd at monmouth thresd there was about 2 Pages about MTH and where people liked

Mth pretty much has everything saratoga has if you go on the apron you will see tons of coolers you can sit in the backyard and there are Grassy areas to set up shop, tons of good beaches and local places to eat though I don't have a food recommendation as I really never ate there after races

The picnic area is first come first serve I do believe and there's plenty of benches on apron, bringing one of those beach chairs and sitting outside doors of Apron is as solid as a move you can make

If it's your time time here I think you'll be impressed

[RunForTheRoses]

There is a picnic area where you can bring in a cooler. Other places I believe are off limits.
For beach, Belmar can have some nice scenery if that's what your looking for. Point Pleasant and Seaside Heights may be interesting to you- PP more idk adult/refined SH younger more raucus.

Zachary's is a fairly good local place but again not exactly sure what your looking for. Check Yelp.
Have a good time, it's a nice track to visit.

[dilanesp]

Have the clam chowder at the track. Best racetrack food I gave ever had.

[cj]

The pizza in the grandstand is great for curing a hangover, went down that road way too many times in my Air Force days at McGuire AFB.

[MonmouthParkJoe]

Cooler size restrictions put in place this year. Can be no longer than 30 inches by 15 inches wide. They have signs up but I havent seen them checking. Bottled or canned beer is allowed, you can bring in any food you like.

Fathers day is one of the busiest every year, its a zoo. If you go Sunday get there well before 1130 when the gates open if you want a picnic table in back yard. The ones by the outside bathroom are great, they provide cover if it is hot out under the trees and you are close to the bathroom. Or, bring a camping chair and sit under the overhang by the finish line. Parking is $5 by the track, I think admission is $5 as well. Take some time to walk around and see everything, it really is beautiful. Enjoy the summer wind!

And Red Bank is very close and has some nice restaurants and bars. Seaside has plenty of bars on the boardwalk if you have never been. I agree with the younger raucous crowd there, but worth going if it is your first time

[RunForTheRoses]

The pizza in the grandstand is great for curing a hangover, went down that road way too many times in my Air Force days at McGuire AFB.

You were stationed at McGuire? I knew a couple airmen when I worked a part time job at great adventure.
One year my geographically dispersed family met at a motel right by McGuire, right behind the barbecue place. We were awakened by reveille (?) early early. It was actually kind of cool.

[Rutgers]

I know you're not going to Monmouth Park until next week, but I feel obligated to mention tomorrow at Monmouth Park is Scarlet Knights Saturday. Free admission with Rutgers gear, and the Scarlet Knight himself will be there!!

[MonmouthParkJoe]

I know you're not going to Monmouth Park until next week, but I feel obligated to mention tomorrow at Monmouth Park is Scarlet Knights Saturday. Free admission with Rutgers gear, and the Scarlet Knight himself will be there!!

Yea Rutgers!!!!! Everyday I wish i was back in my undergrad years there. I will be at the Belmont tomorrow, but there in spirit!

[alhattab]

Hello,

I'm heading down next weekend to Jersey Shore to check out Monmouth for the first time. I was wondering if you have any tips to share like best areas to hang out, parking, good local eats, best and nearest beach, etc. I also wonder if you can bring a cooler and beer in like Saratoga? How about picnic areas? If I bring a canvas chair and blanket are there grassy areas to spread out?

As you may be able to tell I am very excited about this trip. :jump: Much appreciated any recommendations. Feel free to private message me if prefer.

Flint the options Down the Shore for eats, beaches, bars, etc vary widely in terms of character, quality and cost. Do you know where you are staying (if you are staying overnight)? I live about 1 mile from Monmouth and can help you out.

Parking at the track is not an issue ($5). The chair will serve you well. As Joe notes Father's Day can be busy, but Monmouth is a big track and there is plenty of room. Try the area Joe mentioned (he used to camp out there every weekend), or you can go behind the grandstand where there is room sun or shade and a band, plus a short walk to the Walking Ring. The picnic area runs along the length of the stretch rather than in the backyard. There is a small area out back.

Cooler is fine. They designate areas but I don't see it heavily enforced. You can also set up a base camp in the designated area, then walk around with an open container nobody cares. It's about a carefree of an environment you can find- nobody bothers you there about anything really. It's fantastic.

Was just there today running a work event and had a great time. Got buried but didn't matter had a great time as always. You are rightfully excited about the trip.

[alhattab]

bringing one of those beach chairs and sitting outside doors of Apron is as solid as a move you can make



Very true, especially if rain threatening or you like playing the Belmont simulcasts. Whizz not sure if you are aware but they put a bar in across from the 1/16 pole. It is tucked under the Grandstand eaves. Great idea. I like sitting just outside of there in my chair, then going in to watch simulcasts on the big TVs in the bar, and watching the races live from that spot. Easy walk to the paddock from there too. Even if you set up camp near the highest row of benches you have easy access, and you start getting shade around 1:30 even this time of year (grandstand faces East to catch the ocean breezes).

[cj]

You were stationed at McGuire? I knew a couple airmen when I worked a part time job at great adventure.
One year my geographically dispersed family met at a motel right by McGuire, right behind the barbecue place. We were awakened by reveille (?) early early. It was actually kind of cool.

Yep, 1985 to 1995. I used to work the night shift whenever possible as an AC mechanic so I could get to Monmouth in the summer. I usually had to leave after the 6th or so to get to work on time. Also made many trips to Garden State and Philly Park and Freehold too! New Jersey was simulcast heaven back in the days when most tracks weren't like that.

[FlintAtTheFetlock]

Flint the options Down the Shore for eats, beaches, bars, etc vary widely in terms of character, quality and cost. Do you know where you are staying (if you are staying overnight)? I live about 1 mile from Monmouth and can help you out.

Parking at the track is not an issue ($5). The chair will serve you well. As Joe notes Father's Day can be busy, but Monmouth is a big track and there is plenty of room. Try the area Joe mentioned (he used to camp out there every weekend), or you can go behind the grandstand where there is room sun or shade and a band, plus a short walk to the Walking Ring. The picnic area runs along the length of the stretch rather than in the backyard. There is a small area out back.

Cooler is fine. They designate areas but I don't see it heavily enforced. You can also set up a base camp in the designated area, then walk around with an open container nobody cares. It's about a carefree of an environment you can find- nobody bothers you there about anything really. It's fantastic.

Was just there today running a work event and had a great time. Got buried but didn't matter had a great time as always. You are rightfully excited about the trip.

Thanks for the great info. Yep, I'm staying overnight FRI and maybe SAT if doing well. Hotel very close in W. Long Branch. FRI is my main day at the track and back to Boston for Father's Day. I'll have a small cooler and a chair (great news you can carry canned beer around). Now that I think about it I may set up near the paddock or wherever they parade the horses. I may try paddock picking with a separate pile of money just to see if I have any talent there. Don't know why I would having never been around horses before, but I can at least eliminate the agitated angry ones acting up. A Happy Horse is a winning horse they say.

Pizza sounds good, and will keep in mind the chowder (if its not too hot out).

I want to go to a beach Saturday morning to do some capping and perhaps spend the day if bankroll toast. Prefer quite over rowdy. Also looking for great fried clams strips.

Cheers.

[charm city whizz]

Looking forward to the trip report....

Think the bottom line is monmouth means a lot to a lot of people on this board, give me monmouth over saratoga any day of week, some may think Im crazy but MTH is just a hidden gem in racing

[thespaah]

Hello,

I'm heading down next weekend to Jersey Shore to check out Monmouth for the first time. I was wondering if you have any tips to share like best areas to hang out, parking, good local eats, best and nearest beach, etc. I also wonder if you can bring a cooler and beer in like Saratoga? How about picnic areas? If I bring a canvas chair and blanket are there grassy areas to spread out?

As you may be able to tell I am very excited about this trip. :jump: Much appreciated any recommendations. Feel free to private message me if prefer.
One place to get some quick grub is the Jersey Freeze in Freehold..It's at the junction of Rtes 9 and 33. Now I have not been there in quite a while, the reviews are good.
The soft ice cream is delish!!!!

[thespaah]

Looking forward to the trip report....

Think the bottom line is monmouth means a lot to a lot of people on this board, give me monmouth over saratoga any day of week, some may think Im crazy but MTH is just a hidden gem in racing
Monmouth is NJ's Saratoga equivalent.
The track management does it pretty good there.

[alhattab]

Thanks for the great info. Yep, I'm staying overnight FRI and maybe SAT if doing well. Hotel very close in W. Long Branch. FRI is my main day at the track and back to Boston for Father's Day. I'll have a small cooler and a chair (great news you can carry canned beer around). Now that I think about it I may set up near the paddock or wherever they parade the horses. I may try paddock picking with a separate pile of money just to see if I have any talent there. Don't know why I would having never been around horses before, but I can at least eliminate the agitated angry ones acting up. A Happy Horse is a winning horse they say.

Pizza sounds good, and will keep in mind the chowder (if its not too hot out).

I want to go to a beach Saturday morning to do some capping and perhaps spend the day if bankroll toast. Prefer quite over rowdy. Also looking for great fried clams strips.

Cheers.
Presume you are staying at LaQuinta or Holiday Inn Express?

You have lots of options. If you don't mind driving a bit (or getting a taxi/UBER) you could head to Sea Bright where you have a few dining and drinking options include Sea Bright Fish Company in central Sea Bright, or Eventide Grill in southern Sea Bright where you can get your clam strips. If you'd rather be very local, go to the Sitting Duck just down Myrtle Ave near the stable gate. Sea Bright will give you much more of a Jersey Shore vibe, but it will take you 15 mins to get there. Eventide especially is a great spot and easier to deal with if driving as compared to downtown Sea Bright. Right on Shrewsbury River with west (sunset) view and live music outside if the weather is good. Food is ok not gourmet, bit you'll be ok if you keep it simple like fried stuff or fish tacos. Eventide has the Moroccan Sheepherders scheduled for next Friday. Last time I saw them they were pretty good and had a nice following. A home run if the weather is nice and you don't mind getting over there.

-Pier Village in Long Branch is another more highbrow option that has a variety of eats. Can get busy and parking can be a challenge, but you could do a lot worse than Sirena or Avenue, both right in the ocean and both higher end, but not overly dressy. The Turning Point in that area or the Bacon Beach Grill in North Long Branch would be decent breakfast options, as would Edies in Little Silver or the All Seasons Diner. Long Branch also features The Windmill which is a local institution known for hot dogs. Max's hot dogs is where Baffert goes before the Haskell- at least before his heart problems.

-beach options would be 7 Presidents (closest) in Long Branch, Pier Village a little further south in Long Branch, Monmouth Beach (park on street and walk on at public access points) or Sea Bright.

-At the track, the grassy area adjacent the Walking Ring is labeled as "no BYOB" but not sure how strictly enforced. When I hung out there we put our coolers behind the structure and nobody bothered us. The apron would be another great option as previously noted.

Wish I could be at the track to meet but I can't go Friday feel free to PM for more info

[RunForTheRoses]

http://thesconepony.com/

This place is most righteous and worth a stop.

[RunForTheRoses]

-At the track, the grassy area adjacent the Walking Ring is labeled as "no BYOB" but not sure how strictly enforced. When I hung out there we put our coolers behind the structure and nobody bothered us. The apron would be another great option as previously noted.

Do you mean the "Chicken Coop" the shack across from the racing office and saddling area where 4 teller windows are? I worked there a bunch in 99-2000.

If OP can afford Clubhouse, imho it is worth it as you can get access to some unique areas. It won't be crowded on a Friday though, not at all. Ever since OTBs opened attendance has dwindled.

[alhattab]

-At the track, the grassy area adjacent the Walking Ring is labeled as "no BYOB" but not sure how strictly enforced. When I hung out there we put our coolers behind the structure and nobody bothered us. The apron would be another great option as previously noted.

Do you mean the "Chicken Coop" the shack across from the racing office and saddling area where 4 teller windows are? I worked there a bunch in 99-2000.

If OP can afford Clubhouse, imho it is worth it as you can get access to some unique areas. It won't be crowded on a Friday though, not at all. Ever since OTBs opened attendance has dwindled.

There is some cool shit in the club house. After a while they stop checking. Easiest thing to do is to cross over to the clubhouse side by the paddock under the tote board (not the cross over closer to the grandstand. The security guys will let you cross, then keep walking around past the Breeders Cup Gardens toward the Lady's Secret and voila you're in the clubhouse. Can't bring your cooler though else Dottie the security guard will detain you.

Roses maybe after you left there they built a shed like structure across from walking ring that has self serve terminals. The chicken coop is at 12:00 relative to walking ring. The self service machines are 3:00. There
Is a grassy knoll there that is a good spot to watch the horses pre
Race and also convenient for simulcasts as the shed has 10 or so tvs in it.

[alhattab]

http://thesconepony.com/

This place is most righteous and worth a stop.

Pretty far from the track and WLB though. Not sure I'd drive that far for a pastry! If you have a sweet tooth Flint the Little Silver Pie Shop or Hoffmans Ice Cream (a shore institution) will serve you well.

[MonmouthParkJoe]

Flint, how was the visit?

I braved fathers day. Track reported attendance at almost 21,000. It was busy for sure but was still easy to get around, no long lines outside and bathrooms were fine. Got there about 945, gates opened at 1130. Some people were there at 8am :eek:.

Managed to snag a table running like a madman. within 1 minute of opening all the tables were gone. Call me crazy but i enjoy the madness. At Belmont today, Monmouth tomorrow.

[lamboguy]

Monmouth has a great fan base, they will get a bigger attendance than all the other tracks in the area. but they don't have great purses and there is a good chance that the place will close this year after the Haskell and might not re-open.

[castaway01]

Monmouth has a great fan base, they will get a bigger attendance than all the other tracks in the area. but they don't have great purses and there is a good chance that the place will close this year after the Haskell and might not re-open.

Any evidence for this or just your usual BS?

[FlintAtTheFetlock]

Looking forward to the trip report....

Think the bottom line is monmouth means a lot to a lot of people on this board, give me monmouth over saratoga any day of week, some may think Im crazy but MTH is just a hidden gem in racing

I finally found some time to share my first experience at Monmouth. Bottom line is I’m going back, maybe more than once per summer, but many WTF moments. First, what is with these divided highways with few left turns and sneaky U-Turns popping out of nowhere on the right? I must have driven 5 extra miles trying to circle back to places I missed. A Cop chastised me for attempting a left turn the GPS was sending me. Also, why does the Jersey Shore (near Monmouth) have so few hotels? Seems all condos and private beach clubs... That’s very different than the Northeast. But enough of the babble…

I’ll start with the bummers:
That FRI card 6/17 was one of the worst cards I’ve ever seen. They only carded 8 races and two were hurdles. This stunned me. So that left 6 races to get my mind around. I hit my first race ($30 WIN) but it went off at 3/5. Late scratches f*’d up several races both FRI and SAT as horses were freaking out. Something was in the air. I hit the PICK 4 Saturday (3 times) thanks to scratching into favorites. You would think something to chirp about. It paid $17.00 I think the lowest pick 4 I ever had. So even X3 it was no Big Wup. I think I bought a Yuengling with the profits  CHALK, CHALK, CHALK

Now the highlights:

What a quaint and inviting venue. So easy, you can park right near the gate for a modest fee. All the staff very friendly, helping me on options for setting up shop. I never imagined the BYOB area would be anywhere near the finish line. How great is that? And people carrying glass bottles around? You don’t see that in Boston. Too worried about law suits, so we get cheap plastic cups and forget BYOB.

The food options were quite good. I had a tasty hot dog, an ultra thin pizza slice, and a flavorful Sausage w/peppers and onions. I love the pass through to view horses and the paddock area. What a fan friendly fantastic layout. Weather was perfect and I was harkening to the glory days of racing and what a shame nothing like this is near a great city like Boston.

I went to the beach both mornings and was nearly alone. Where is everyone? Jersey people must sleep in on weekends. Those are beautiful beaches with great rollers and the sounds of crashing waves made me hate to leave. Sea Bright, 7 Presidents, and Pier Village hit them all, and parking was dirt cheap 1$ per hour. Mind blowing. I pay $30.00 up here. That big Resort at Pier Village with the huge ocean side pool looks inviting. Maybe I will splurge next time and stay there.

For dinner I kept it local. You weren’t kidding about the Sitting Duck (talk about locals) :)  Everyone friendly and I got a Martini for $5.00. Crazy! It must have been happy hour. The uptight politicians in MA banned happy hours 30 years ago. This placed had a very funky menu and I was scratching my head as many meals were coming out with a big bowl covering them. Is that a Jersey thing? I also hit Zachary’s and I think that is the place I’d go back if my family joins me. I had Grouper pasta dish that was amazing.

I left with money in my pocket being slightly down FRI and up a little SAT. I'll take that considering nothing was paying at all.

Thanks to all for the recommendations and information to make this a memorable trip.

Cheers,
Flint

[alhattab]

Monmouth has a great fan base, they will get a bigger attendance than all the other tracks in the area. but they don't have great purses and there is a good chance that the place will close this year after the Haskell and might not re-open.

I have heard similar rumors about closing after the Haskell. It is a complete shame that Monmouth has been put in this position by slot-fueled venues like Parx. Monmouth still draws decent crowds and young people but just can't compete purse wise and as an independent. Stronach is killing Monmouth with GP running all year and the leverage he has over the snowbirds with his control of MJC. Ultimately Monmouth is going to have to make a deal with him to survive unless they can find some additional revenue sources. Stronach's group has said they plan to remake Mid Atlantic racing. I'm hopeful Monmouth is part of their plans, and that right now he's just putting the screws to Monmouth hard so they have to come to the table.

I've said before I could see a European type model working in the region, with Monmouth running a shorter meet like Memorial Day or Fathers Day to Haskell Day (4 day weeks) or at most to Labor Day. Monmouth could also go to a schedule where it runs the same 4 days on the calendar each year e.g. Memorial Day weekend, Fathers Day weekend, weekend after July 4, Haskell weekend then maybe last week of August into Labor Day. Labor Day weekend could even be some sort of festival like the Monmouth Hunt or something that they can turn into something unique.

Flint nice to see you had a good time despite the racing, which has been of relatively poor quality all meet.

[alhattab]

I finally found some time to share my first experience at Monmouth. Bottom line is I’m going back, maybe more than once per summer, but many WTF moments. First, what is with these divided highways with few left turns and sneaky U-Turns popping out of nowhere on the right? I must have driven 5 extra miles trying to circle back to places I missed. A Cop chastised me for attempting a left turn the GPS was sending me. Also, why does the Jersey Shore (near Monmouth) have so few hotels? Seems all condos and private beach clubs... That’s very different than the Northeast. But enough of the babble…

I’ll start with the bummers:
That FRI card 6/17 was one of the worst cards I’ve ever seen. They only carded 8 races and two were hurdles. This stunned me. So that left 6 races to get my mind around. I hit my first race ($30 WIN) but it went off at 3/5. Late scratches f*’d up several races both FRI and SAT as horses were freaking out. Something was in the air. I hit the PICK 4 Saturday (3 times) thanks to scratching into favorites. You would think something to chirp about. It paid $17.00 I think the lowest pick 4 I ever had. So even X3 it was no Big Wup. I think I bought a Yuengling with the profits  CHALK, CHALK, CHALK

Now the highlights:

What a quaint and inviting venue. So easy, you can park right near the gate for a modest fee. All the staff very friendly, helping me on options for setting up shop. I never imagined the BYOB area would be anywhere near the finish line. How great is that? And people carrying glass bottles around? You don’t see that in Boston. Too worried about law suits, so we get cheap plastic cups and forget BYOB.

The food options were quite good. I had a tasty hot dog, an ultra thin pizza slice, and a flavorful Sausage w/peppers and onions. I love the pass through to view horses and the paddock area. What a fan friendly fantastic layout. Weather was perfect and I was harkening to the glory days of racing and what a shame nothing like this is near a great city like Boston.

I went to the beach both mornings and was nearly alone. Where is everyone? Jersey people must sleep in on weekends. Those are beautiful beaches with great rollers and the sounds of crashing waves made me hate to leave. Sea Bright, 7 Presidents, and Pier Village hit them all, and parking was dirt cheap 1$ per hour. Mind blowing. I pay $30.00 up here. That big Resort at Pier Village with the huge ocean side pool looks inviting. Maybe I will splurge next time and stay there.

For dinner I kept it local. You weren’t kidding about the Sitting Duck (talk about locals) :)  Everyone friendly and I got a Martini for $5.00. Crazy! It must have been happy hour. The uptight politicians in MA banned happy hours 30 years ago. This placed had a very funky menu and I was scratching my head as many meals were coming out with a big bowl covering them. Is that a Jersey thing? I also hit Zachary’s and I think that is the place I’d go back if my family joins me. I had Grouper pasta dish that was amazing.

I left with money in my pocket being slightly down FRI and up a little SAT. I'll take that considering nothing was paying at all.

Thanks to all for the recommendations and information to make this a memorable trip.

Cheers,
Flint

Flint you experienced the "Jersey Left" which confuses many out of towners. Those turns are everywhere down here and throughout the state.

Not sure about the meals with the big bowls covering them. Maybe steamers or mussels with the covering bowl used for shells? Not a Jersey thing. But did you notice the grill was in the middle of the bar at the Duck? I don't see that too many other areas but that sort of thing is a fixture down here for some reason.

The big Pier Village hotel is called Ocean Place. Seems popular with New Yorkers. Never stayed there but have been there for live music which they have all summer on the patio.

Come back for the Haskell. Haskell Day itself will be busy but manageable and hopefully the racing is good.

[FlintAtTheFetlock]

Flint you experienced the "Jersey Left" which confuses many out of towners. Those turns are everywhere down here and throughout the state.

Not sure about the meals with the big bowls covering them. Maybe steamers or mussels with the covering bowl used for shells? Not a Jersey thing. But did you notice the grill was in the middle of the bar at the Duck? I don't see that too many other areas but that sort of thing is a fixture down here for some reason.

The big Pier Village hotel is called Ocean Place. Seems popular with New Yorkers. Never stayed there but have been there for live music which they have all summer on the patio.

Come back for the Haskell. Haskell Day itself will be busy but manageable and hopefully the racing is good.


What is the music scene like at Ocean Place? I'm a big music guy, play guitar, sing. Any recognizable acts or just local bands? Still another reason to consider...

[alhattab]

What is the music scene like at Ocean Place? I'm a big music guy, play guitar, sing. Any recognizable acts or just local bands? Still another reason to consider...

All local stuff at Ocean Place and the other bars in the immediate area. However there are a few venues nearby that pull various national acts. In Red Bank at the Count Basie Theatre which gets a lot of older classic rockers and an otherwise eclectic mix (eg Eric Burdon and Hot Tuna are playing this summer). Asbury Park mainly at The Stone Pony which is a bit more current (Dead Kennedys, Umphreys Magee, Gin Blossoms) and a major venue in the PNC Bank Arts Center which has A-grade acts. The music scene is vibrant here with a great tradition

[biggestal99]

Monmouth has a great fan base, they will get a bigger attendance than all the other tracks in the area. but they don't have great purses and there is a good chance that the place will close this year after the Haskell and might not re-open.
Depends on the sports betting case outcome, still pending an opinion on the 3rd
Court of appeals opinion.

Complex case.

Allan

[lamboguy]

Depends on the sports betting case outcome, still pending an opinion on the 3rd
Court of appeals opinion.

Complex case.

Allanlets hope for sports betting, its to nice a place to die.

[andtheyreoff]

Monmouth has a great fan base, they will get a bigger attendance than all the other tracks in the area. but they don't have great purses and there is a good chance that the place will close this year after the Haskell and might not re-open.

The racing schedule calls for them to run until late September. Are you saying that the meet will just shut down after July 31?

[lamboguy]

The racing schedule calls for them to fun until late September. Are you saying that the meet will just shut down after July 31?
not sure

[alhattab]

The racing schedule calls for them to run until late September. Are you saying that the meet will just shut down after July 31?

We are both saying we are hearing rumors to that effect.

[thespaah]

I finally found some time to share my first experience at Monmouth. Bottom line is I’m going back, maybe more than once per summer, but many WTF moments. First, what is with these divided highways with few left turns and sneaky U-Turns popping out of nowhere on the right? I must have driven 5 extra miles trying to circle back to places I missed. A Cop chastised me for attempting a left turn the GPS was sending me. Also, why does the Jersey Shore (near Monmouth) have so few hotels? Seems all condos and private beach clubs... That’s very different than the Northeast. But enough of the babble…

I’ll start with the bummers:
That FRI card 6/17 was one of the worst cards I’ve ever seen. They only carded 8 races and two were hurdles. This stunned me. So that left 6 races to get my mind around. I hit my first race ($30 WIN) but it went off at 3/5. Late scratches f*’d up several races both FRI and SAT as horses were freaking out. Something was in the air. I hit the PICK 4 Saturday (3 times) thanks to scratching into favorites. You would think something to chirp about. It paid $17.00 I think the lowest pick 4 I ever had. So even X3 it was no Big Wup. I think I bought a Yuengling with the profits  CHALK, CHALK, CHALK

Now the highlights:

What a quaint and inviting venue. So easy, you can park right near the gate for a modest fee. All the staff very friendly, helping me on options for setting up shop. I never imagined the BYOB area would be anywhere near the finish line. How great is that? And people carrying glass bottles around? You don’t see that in Boston. Too worried about law suits, so we get cheap plastic cups and forget BYOB.

The food options were quite good. I had a tasty hot dog, an ultra thin pizza slice, and a flavorful Sausage w/peppers and onions. I love the pass through to view horses and the paddock area. What a fan friendly fantastic layout. Weather was perfect and I was harkening to the glory days of racing and what a shame nothing like this is near a great city like Boston.

I went to the beach both mornings and was nearly alone. Where is everyone? Jersey people must sleep in on weekends. Those are beautiful beaches with great rollers and the sounds of crashing waves made me hate to leave. Sea Bright, 7 Presidents, and Pier Village hit them all, and parking was dirt cheap 1$ per hour. Mind blowing. I pay $30.00 up here. That big Resort at Pier Village with the huge ocean side pool looks inviting. Maybe I will splurge next time and stay there.

For dinner I kept it local. You weren’t kidding about the Sitting Duck (talk about locals) :)  Everyone friendly and I got a Martini for $5.00. Crazy! It must have been happy hour. The uptight politicians in MA banned happy hours 30 years ago. This placed had a very funky menu and I was scratching my head as many meals were coming out with a big bowl covering them. Is that a Jersey thing? I also hit Zachary’s and I think that is the place I’d go back if my family joins me. I had Grouper pasta dish that was amazing.

I left with money in my pocket being slightly down FRI and up a little SAT. I'll take that considering nothing was paying at all.

Thanks to all for the recommendations and information to make this a memorable trip.

Cheers,
Flint
Ahh. One of those things that is "uniquely Jersey" is the Jug handle turn.
This silliness has been a staple of NJ roadway design for decades.
The concept is to keep from having traffic back up beyond the beginning of a left hand turn lane by creating an "off ramp" with a half circle to a traffic light.
When you attempted to make that left off the main line roadway instead, i am surprised it was just a cop that chastised you. You're fortunate people did not stop their cars and throw D Cell batteries at you. I am not talking about the male drivers.....OK, so i am embellishing :lol: :lol: :lol:
In any event , making such a mistake can incur the wrath of NJ's infamously impatient drivers.
Glad you had a good experience.

[biggestal99]

New Monmouth Park restaurant opening This Saturday.

http://blogs.northjersey.com/meadowlands-matters/monmouth-park-s-new-restaurant-blu-grotto-to-open-july-2-1.1620970

Allan

[onefast99]

We are both saying we are hearing rumors to that effect.
As of today the track will continue to operate under the current management right up until the time comes when the monetary loss is not sustainable. Many have speculated that the need for a big revenue source is at this time at its most critical point. Sports wagering could help, how much? No one really can do the math and be believed at this juncture. Rumors are just that, rumors. Some who are disgruntled with the purse structure and promises of bigger ones will voice their opinions in the form of the track will close or some other sort of negativity. This is basically a small group who have no real knowledge of the financial status or workings of those who run the track. No one wants to see live racing end at MP, I don't believe it will and I base that on the fact that both the Favorites in Woodbridge and Hillsborough are doing well and if live racing ended both of those off track facilities would go back to the NJSEA. Darley who is the entity running the facility is also actively looking for another off track wagering facility in the northern part of the state.

[onefast99]

Any evidence for this or just your usual BS?I have known Lambo(Phil) for quite sometime we have had over 6 horses broken at New Episode in Ocala, he has been in several of our winning pictures at MP and GP. For one to say "his usual BS" has no idea of who they are talking about. He is as passionate as anyone as far as the horses go.

[Brogan]

Darley who is the entity running the facility is also actively looking for another off track wagering facility in the northern part of the state.
Just for clarification, its Darby Development.

[onefast99]

Just for clarification, its Darby Development.I saw that an hour later spell check to the rescue. And to be politically correct Dennis Drazin is the advisor to the group which also consists of Bob Kalina. Just an FYI....enjoy.