NJ Lockdown Lifting- Fans at Monmouth Park?
 

This just in- Commandant Murphy is allowing indoor dining and casinos to open at 25% capacity. With that, on what basis would you not allow an OUTDOOR facility such as Monmouth Park to not open at, say, 50% capacity and 25% indoor capacity. Right now Monmouth can use the Lady's Secret Cafe (it was open Saturday but not sure anyone was there). Monmouth should also call in the food trucks and use it's own dining at Blu Grotto and concessions w/table service, and use the picnic tables to have the largest outdoor dining facility in the State! Now they should just be able to open- if it's good for indoors has to be 2x+ better for outdoors.

As far as betting goes- exchanging nasty cash and using high-touch wagering machines- if you can bet in the casinos, why not at the track?

Let's go!

If Max's hotdogs is open in the back, then I'll know everything is getting better.

In brief- Murphy allows in-person betting to start. State doesn't mention restrictions but in article Drazin surmises 25% capacity indoors- possibly up to 500- and 25% capacity outdoors.

My guess- based on various sources- is that the outdoor capacity would be roughly 15-30k. Depends if you measure just seats or allow for some sort of standing room. Website says 8,000 "1st come, 1st served" seats which I think includes the apron benches. I think the picnic area would account for another 2,000 or so just via seating at the tables. Then you have boxes, outdoor restaurants, and whatnot. If you allow for reasonable standing room based on square footage capacity would be much greater because the area behind the grandstand is huge and has very little seating other than a few benches and the aforementioned Max's Hot Dogs.

https://www.app.com/story/sports/hor...-2/3237162001/

TDN article said Drazin thought 15,000 based on 60,000 capacity, which would include all indoor and outdoor space. I think he's a little over his skis with that number, but I could see closer to 10k

Ready to go, baby. It’s gonna be a great season.

Allan

Most days at Monmouth is already social distancing.

It’s a nice sized facility. 10,000 no problems.

Allan

Yeah sort of. The picnic area can get a little tight on weekends especially with everyone congregating around that one TV stand by the pirate ship bar. I wouldn't be surprised if they left those TVs off. "Capacity" at Monmouth can have many meanings- capacity of a rentable picnic area is around 120. So do they limit parties to 35? Box seats limited to 2? Patio Terrace roof limited to say 30?

I plan to be by the grassy knoll in near the "English Walking Ring"!

No BYO food or beverage as per Kenny Peck. Surely to be a popular decision.

That will keep attendance down for sure.

Allan

Wonder if the fixed odds betting kiosks will be available this season.

https://twitter.com/astraffon/status...888897/photo/1

Allan

He also said they are going limit the entrances, do temperature checks, and require masks. But parking/entrance fees will be waved except for Haskell day.

Indeed. Many will think the no BYO is a $ grab, and maybe it is, but there are other valid reasons. Clean up costs, freeloaders congregating/crowding the picnic area without paying admission (I think this may be the real reason), or maybe even the reason stated today in Asbury Park Press article that it was because security attention needed to monitor COVID compliance rather than alcohol compliance.

Draw for Friday’s card is today. 5pm post. Regarding the twilight post, I think many believe this is a racing related decision, but I don’t think it is. Eastern time baseball games begin around 7 so this allows for some horse racing/ sports betting crossover.

See there was a change in NJ on restaurant openings today, wonder if it will affect Monmouth.

It would have to I think. Monmouth has an indoor
dining terrace and also the William Hill room that could have run at 25% capacity but prob not now.

Uggghhhhhhh