Monmouth Park Press Conference.

[onefast99]

I attended the press conference today at Monmouth Park, there was a full house with standing room only. I have attended the last 6 and today was much different there was a lot of excitement in the air along with a bit of uncertainty. There were a lot more reporters then in the past, a room full of trainers including three or four from California and the Monmouth regulars. The jockeys in attendance included Garrett Gomez, Jersey Joe Bravo, Rajiv Maragh, Felix Ortiz and several others. Dave Johnson was the master of ceremonies and during the jockey introductions he said Herb McCauley would be up to ride this summer and that he first began riding at MP back in 1975. The NJSEA brass spoke on how they put this meet together and the commitments they have from the horseman. Dave Johnson commented on how the fan will benefit from larger fields and better horses as well as the twilight racing beginning July 9th with a 2:10pm post time(12 race cards)and running for three consecutive Fridays in July. There are numerous events planned for the track including the blues festival which took place in Red Bank in the past, along with a "Cross Country handicapping contest" on July 10th which will award three people a spot in the 2011 DRF/NTRA National Handicapping Championship. Between cook offs and car shows and beer blasts and the Haskell on August 1st MP may become a destination for many this summer.

[rwwupl]

Yes, Yes,...Buzz and excitment returns. Focus on what the customer wants and needs is the route to success. The only problem I see is that this amounts to a baby step, when we need a Jolly Green Giant step.

That being said, congratulations are in order to Monmouth for being bold enough to try something that others would not.

Best Wishes,

rwwupl

[onefast99]

Yes, Yes,...Buzz and excitment returns. Focus on what the customer wants and needs is the route to success. The only problem I see is that this amounts to a baby step, when we need a Jolly Green Giant step.

That being said, congratulations are in order to Monmouth for being bold enough to try something that others would not.

Best Wishes,

rwwupl
Some said that this was "Kulinas last stand" and next year the NJSEA would need a lot of money to run another meet similar to this one.

[andymays]

Some said that this was "Kulinas last stand" and next year the NJSEA would need a lot of money to run another meet similar to this one.


He was quoted in one of the articles in the Poll thread that they needed to double their daily average handle from last year to do it again next year. I'm hoping the triple their daily average handle. :ThmbUp:

[point given]

Some said that this was "Kulinas last stand" and next year the NJSEA would need a lot of money to run another meet similar to this one.

Sounds about right unless its wildly successful. I can't fathom the state coming up with the moola unless they prove it on this one shot deal. Bettors have been betting on NYRA for so long that they are programmed and its hard to imagine that many switching to Jersey racing that they havenot played before. It should be interesting and I hope to cash in on my years of playing there.

[onefast99]

Sounds about right unless its wildly successful. I can't fathom the state coming up with the moola unless they prove it on this one shot deal. Bettors have been betting on NYRA for so long that they are programmed and its hard to imagine that many switching to Jersey racing that they havenot played before. It should be interesting and I hope to cash in on my years of playing there.
I really hope that the group that offered 500m for the right to run the Meadowlands and MP and have the VLT's gets their wish as I can't see the state putting up anymore monies as Gov Christi is taking a lot of heat for some of the unpopular moves to some he has made to get NJ back in decent financial shape. ACRC is also asking for a hand-out to resume racing between the 1st MP and 2nd MP meet or even later in the fall.

[Brogan]

Onefast...why the Herb McCauley mention? I can't fathom him having any impact during the upcoming meet whatsover.

[point given]

Onefast...why the Herb McCauley mention? I can't fathom him having any impact during the upcoming meet whatsover.

Good question, i wondered thw same thing. Hollywood Herb showed up last summer for a couple of weeks at monmouth then disappeared. Saw his name at Calder for a couple weeks last winter, then disappeared. Usually not a good sign.

[David-LV]

Onefast...why the Herb McCauley mention? I can't fathom him having any impact during the upcoming meet whatsover.

Big winner at Monmouth in the past, they are just trying to drum up more and more interest in the meet.

Every little bit helps.

Always a good jock with and interesting life story.

I wish him well and hope he gets some chances to prove himself again.

Below are some of Hollywood Herb's biggest wins.

__________
David-LV
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Herb McCauley Birthplace Durham, North Carolina (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durham,_North_Carolina), U.S. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States) Birth date May 2, 1957 Career wins 3,000+ Major racing wins, honours & awards Major racing wins:

Oceanport Stakes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oceanport_Stakes) (1978)
Sport Page Breeders' Cup Handicap (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sport_Page_Breeders%27_Cup_Handicap) (1979)
Matron Stakes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matron_Stakes_%28United_States%29) (1982)
Haskell Invitational Handicap (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haskell_Invitational_Handicap) (1983)
Salvator Mile (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salvator_Mile) (1984)
Monmouth Breeders' Cup Oaks (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monmouth_Breeders%27_Cup_Oaks) (1985, 1986)
Ben Ali Handicap (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Ali_Stakes) (1986)
Florida Oaks (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_Oaks) (1986, 1990)
Blue Grass Stakes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Grass_Stakes) (1987)
Lexington Stakes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lexington_Stakes) (1987)
Red Bank Handicap (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Bank_Stakes) (1988)
Aqueduct Handicap (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aqueduct_Handicap) (1989)
Bowling Green Handicap (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowling_Green_Handicap) (1989)
Sword Dancer Invitational Handicap (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sword_Dancer_Invitational_Handicap) (1989)
La Prevoyante Handicap (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Prevoyante_Handicap) (1990)
Flower Bowl Invitational Stakes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flower_Bowl_Invitational_Stakes) (1990)
Washington Park Handicap (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Park_Handicap) (1990)
Yellow Ribbon Stakes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellow_Ribbon_Stakes) (1990)
Ashley T. Cole Handicap (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashley_T._Cole_Handicap) (1991)
Count Fleet Stakes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Count_Fleet_Stakes) (1991, 1992)
Hollie Hughes Handicap (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hollie_Hughes_Handicap) (1991, 1997)
Man o' War Stakes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man_o%27_War_Stakes) (1991, 1992)
Turf Classic Handicap (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Hirsch_Turf_Classic_Invitational_Handicap) (1991)
Beldame Stakes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beldame_Stakes) (1992)
Bison City Stakes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bison_City_Stakes) (1992)
Canadian Oaks (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodbine_Oaks) (1992, 1995)
Cowdin Stakes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cowdin_Stakes) (1992)
Diana Handicap (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diana_Handicap) (1992)
Gazelle Stakes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gazelle_Stakes) (1992)
Gotham Stakes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gotham_Stakes) (1992)
Jim Dandy Stakes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Dandy_Stakes) (1992)
Travers Stakes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Travers_Stakes) (1992)
Gulfstream Park Handicap (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulfstream_Park_Handicap) (1993)
Ladies Handicap (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ladies_Handicap) (1993)
Nashua Stakes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nashua_Stakes) (1993)
Pennsylvania Derby (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pennsylvania_Derby) (1993)
Pimlico Special (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pimlico_Special) (1993)
Suburban Handicap (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suburban_Handicap) (1993)
Super Derby (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Derby) (1993)
Amsterdam Stakes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amsterdam_Stakes) (1994)
Gallant Bloom Handicap (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gallant_Bloom_Handicap) (1994)
Stuyvesant Handicap (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuyvesant_Handicap) (1994)
Kentucky Oaks (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kentucky_Oaks) (1995)
Flamingo Stakes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flamingo_Stakes) (1995)
Long Branch Breeders' Cup Stakes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_Branch_Stakes) (1995)
Matchmaker Stakes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matchmaker_Stakes) (1995)
E. P. Taylor Stakes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E._P._Taylor_Stakes) (1996)
Forego Handicap (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forego_Handicap) (1997)
Molly Pitcher Handicap (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molly_Pitcher_Stakes) (1997)
Jersey Shore Breeders' Cup Stakes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jersey_Shore_Breeders%27_Cup_Stakes) (1998)
Toboggan Handicap (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toboggan_Handicap) (1998)

Significant horses
Deputed Testimony (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deputed_Testimony), Thunder Rumble (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Thunder_Rumble&action=edit&redlink=1)
Wallenda (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wallenda_%28horse%29&action=edit&redlink=1), Devil His Due (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devil_His_Due)

[smartybadger]

I certainly am excited about heading down to Monmouth again this summer, especially with the expectations of high-quality racing. You guys gave me great advice last summer in my preparations for attending the Haskell, my first time going to Monmouth, helping to make the experience great. Cannot wait to head back down again this summer. See you guys there!

[magwell]

If this works out it will change the game as we know it. Anyone with a opinion why it wont work ? p.s. Hollywood Herb worked as a steward at hialeah this past meet

[onefast99]

Onefast...why the Herb McCauley mention? I can't fathom him having any impact during the upcoming meet whatsover.
Dave Johnson was introducing the jockeys and mentioned he received a phone call from Herb that he too would be riding at MP this year. He then went on to say Herb started riding at MP in 1975 and it would be nice to see him back at the track and hopefully some of the trainers would use him.

[Bluto Blutarsky]

Bravo is a good rider, but he has the IQ of grapefruit.
A quote from an Asbury Park Press interview he did yesterday at the press conference- "In the past, I wouldn't get out of bed until 8. Why? To see the same horses and the same faces?"
WAKEUP CALL YOU DOPE- these same old horses and faces (trainers/owners) have afforded you an incredible lifestyle for years that you still enjoy to this day. Gambling stupid amounts of money at casinos across the country, whoreing, big house, Mercedes Benzs, Land Rovers..
that is what these same old people have given you.
Be grateful pinhead and oh yeah- talk less.

[Brogan]

Bravo is a good rider, but he has the IQ of grapefruit.
A quote from an Asbury Park Press interview he did yesterday at the press conference- "In the past, I wouldn't get out of bed until 8. Why? To see the same horses and the same faces?"
WAKEUP CALL YOU DOPE- these same old horses and faces (trainers/owners) have afforded you an incredible lifestyle for years that you still enjoy to this day. Gambling stupid amounts of money at casinos across the country, whoreing, big house, Mercedes Benzs, Land Rovers..
that is what these same old people have given you.
Be grateful pinhead and oh yeah- talk less.
As long as his HQ (horse quotient) remains high he'll get plenty of work.

Btw, I think maybe Jersey Joe was pulling someone's leg. Though he has cut back his workload a bit, I saw him many mornings at Monmouth well before 8.

[Stevie Belmont]

Can't wait. I will be there this Saturday for sure...

[onefast99]

Can't wait. I will be there this Saturday for sure...
Everyone is excited as they are picking Saturdays card right now.