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New Jersey Purse Subsidy Cut by Just $5 Million

After a $20 million purse subsidy that was used to bolster purses at New Jersey’s Thoroughbred and Standardbred tracks was left out of an initial budget proposal from Governor Phil Murphy, lawmakers have approval a final budget that will include a $15 million subsidy for the 2021 racing season.

The money will be divided evenly between the two breeds.

“I am pleased that the governor has seen fit to give us back 15 of the $20 million that is going to go support purses next year,” said Dennis Drazin, Chairman and CEO of Darby Development, which manages Monmouth Park. “Since it was taken out of the budget, we have worked hard on this and, fortunately, through leadership in the Senate and the Assembly, as well as a lot of our local politicians who supported the effort, the Governor saw fit to put it back in the budget. We would have liked to have had the full $20 million, but given that he is cutting everybody, I am thrilled that the Governor has our back and recognizes the importance of the industry and how important it is to save a lot of jobs and keep us competitive.”

Though Monmouth will have $2.5 million less to put toward its purse account, Drazin said he didn’t anticipate that there would be a purse cut next year.

Approved prior to the 2019 meet, the purse subsidy was a much-needed shot in the arm for New Jersey racing that brought its purse levels up to a point where they were competitive with neighboring states that benefit from revenues from casinos.

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After Just One Year In U.S., Trainer Jose D’Angelo Readying Jesus’ Team For Preakness

Grupo Seven C Stable's Jesus' Team arrived at Pimlico Sunday afternoon, becoming the first contender for Saturday's Preakness Stakes (G1) to step foot on the historic grounds known as Old Hilltop.

The son of Tapiture, who most recently finished third in the Sept. 5 Jim Dandy (G2) at Saratoga, arrived by van from Monmouth Park.

“He enjoyed the trip. He has in the last three months many trips. Now, it is easy for him,” said trainer Jose D'Angelo, who drove the truck towing the van carrying his stable star.

Jesus' Team took the lead in upper stretch in the 1 1/8-mile Jim Dandy before coming up 1 ½ lengths short of victorious Mystic Guide. The Kentucky-bred colt previously finished second behind Preakness contender Pneumatic in the Pegasus at Monmouth and fourth behind Kentucky Derby winner and likely Preakness favorite Authentic in the Haskell (G1) at Monmouth.

D'Angelo, a former leading trainer in Venezuela now based in South Florida, is looking forward to participating in his first U.S. Triple Crown event.

“It's very exciting. I'm very nervous, too,” D'Angelo said. “I have only one-year training in USA. It's the best race of my life. It's a great chance to show the abilities of the horse. I think we're going to have a great race in the Preakness.

D'Angelo said Jesus' Team is scheduled to jog over the Pimlico track Tuesday morning and gallop every other morning up to race day.

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Breen, Lopez Earn Monmouth Park Titles

Kelly Breen, who capped the season with a pair of stakes wins on the closing-day card, was the leading trainer at the Monmouth Park meet which concluded Sunday. It was Breen’s third training title at the New Jersey oval, but his first in 14 years.

“It means a lot,” said Breen. “To think back to when I last won the title 14 years ago to today, I lost both of my parents over that time and today would have been my mom’s birthday. So it’s special. I felt like I had a little angel on my shoulder this meet. This is a prestigious meet. Monmouth Park is a high-end track and to be the leading trainer at a top-tier track is a significant accomplishment. It means a lot to me, to my barn and to my assistants. We work hard for things like this.”

Paco Lopez was the meet’s leading rider for the seventh time and Klaravich Stables was the leading owner.

The Thoroughbred season in New Jersey will continue with the nine-day Meadowlands-at-Monmouth Park meet beginning Saturday. Following a Sunday card, the live racing schedule for the month will switch to the next three Wednesdays and Saturdays through Oct. 24. There will also be a holiday card Oct. 12. The Meadowlands-at-Monmouth Park meet will feature a stakes race every live racing day, highlighted by the Oct. 10 GII Monmouth S.at nine furlongs on the turf.

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Breen Wins First Monmouth Training Title Since 2006; Paco Lopez Top Rider, Klaravich Stables Leading Owner

Kelly Breen celebrated his return to the top of the Monmouth Park trainer standings after a 14-year absence by winning both stakes races during the final day of the Oceanport, N.J., track's 75th season on Sunday.

The 51-year-old New Jersey native led the trainers' race virtually from the start of the meet in claiming his third Monmouth Park training title. He was also the track's leading trainer in 2005 and 2006.

Paco Lopez was the leading rider for the seventh time, with Klaravich Stables finishing as the leading owner.

The Thoroughbred season in New Jersey will continue with the onset of the nine-day Meadowlands-at-Monmouth Park meet beginning Saturday, Oct. 3 (Preakness Day). After also racing Sunday, Oct. 4, the live racing schedule for the month will switch to the next three Wednesdays and Saturdays through Oct. 24. There will also be a holiday card on Monday, Oct. 12.

The Meadowlands-at-Monmouth Park meet will feature a stakes race every live racing day, highlighted by the Grade 2 Monmouth Stakes at nine furlongs on the turf on Oct. 10.

Breen, who put the finishing touches on his title-winning season with a three-victory afternoon, saw promising 2-year-old Pickin' Time surge late for a nose victory over Dalton in the $75,000 Smoke Glacken Stakes. That was followed by a half-length score in gate-to-wire fashion by Like What I See in the $75,000 Joey P. Handicap at five furlongs on the grass.

Breen finished with 32 victories during the 36-day meet. That easily outdistanced runner-up Jose H. Delgado, who had 17 wins.

“It means a lot,” said Breen. “To think back to when I last won the title 14 years ago to today, I lost both of my parents over that time and today would have been my mom's birthday. So it's special. I felt like I had a little angel on my shoulder this meet.

“This is a prestigious meet. Monmouth Park is a high-end track and to be the leading trainer at a top tier track is a significant accomplishment. It means a lot to me, to my barn and to my assistants. We work hard for things like this.”

Lopez, who won his first Monmouth Park riding title in 2010, has been the track's dominant jockey for the past decade in terms of wins. He finished with 51 victories, nine more than co-runner-up Ferrin Peterson. Joe Bravo was third with 41 winners.

Lopez' seven titles are second all-time to Bravo's 13.

“I'm feeling very lucky. I've been coming here almost every year for the past 10 years and it's still exciting to be leading rider,” he said. “I'm doing what I can to follow Joe Bravo, but 13 titles … that's a big number.

“I enjoy being here and it makes it even better when you have success at a place you like.”

Though based in New York, Klaravich Stables had a successful Monmouth Park meet, winning eight times from 15 starters to edge out Colts Neck Stables by one victory for leading owner honors.

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