New Logo for a New Season at Monmouth Park

The Oceanport racetrack will kick off its 68th season on May 11.

As Monmouth Park gears up for its 68th racing season, it has introduced a new logo to commemorate its first calendar year under new management. The logo — a silhouette of a horse charging across the Oceanport racetrack — is modeled after 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra and her winning run in that year’s Haskell Invitational. “It’s an exciting logo that marries Monmouth Park of the 19th century with that of the 21st,” said Bill Knauf, vice president of business operations. “While continuing to use the traditional green that has long been associated with Monmouth Park, the new logo adds an ocean blue creating the Monmouth Park summer atmosphere.” Monmouth Park opens for its 2013 season on May 11 and will feature 61 days of racing …

• Photos (1)

$1 Million for Haskell Victor Paynter

Trainer Bob Baffert wins sixth victory in Monmouth Park's annual signature event

Sunday's victory at the Haskell Invitational for the thoroughbred Paynter not only brought redemption after a loss last month at the Belmont Stakes but also gave the horse's trainer his sixth victory at the Oceanport track's signature event this weekend. A crowd of 35,253 watched Zayat Stables’ Paynter put on a brilliant show in the $1 million event on Sunday, drawing off for an easy score to give trainer Bob Baffert an unprecedented sixth victory and third straight at Monmouth Park's summer classic. Baffert, who won a record fifth Haskell last year with Coil after Lookin At Lucky’s 2010 win, became the first trainer in Monmouth history to train three straight winners. He had won the race with Point Given in 2001, War Emblem in 2002 and …

• Photos (5)

2012 Haskell Invitational Lineup is Set for Race Day

Belmont Stakes runner-up Paynter is picked as the favorite in Sunday's race at Monmouth Park in Oceanport.

Monmouth Park officials set the stage for the 2012 Haskell Invitational with a draw held in the Grandstand on Thursday afternoon to determine placement of the six thoroughbreds racing on Sunday. A bugler heralded the official draw, which was attended by members of the press and local officials such as Oceanport Mayor Michael Mahon and Eatontown Mayor Gerald Tarantolo. Monmouth Park announcer Larry Collmus served as the emcee for the event and conducted live remote interviews with all six horse trainers following the draw. Five-time Haskell-winning trainer Bob Baffert said that the secret weapon to his winning streak — he's won the last two years — was grabbing a Max's hot dog before the race. "It usually works," he said to laughter, "but …

• Photos (7)

Get Out

Get Out: Haskell Invitational, Fairs and Films

Find out where the fun is at in Monmouth County this weekend.

When & where: Sunday, July 31 at Monmouth Park in Oceanport. Gates open at 10 a.m., the first race takes place at noon and the $1 million Haskell is the 12th race on the card. Why you should go: The biggest horse race of the summer is right in out own backyard. The 44th Annual Haskell Invitational is expected to be a rematch between Preakness winner Shackleford and Belmont Stakes victor Ruler on Ice. What does it cost: Tickets range from $12.90 to $21.60 When & where: Thursday, July 28 and Friday, July 29 from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday, July 30 and Sunday, July 31 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. at the East Freehold Showgrounds, 1500 Kozloski Road. Why you should go: The annual county fair has everything you could possibly expect from the area’s…

•  1 Comment
• Photos (17)

Peter W Bennett

7:32 pm on Thursday, July 28, 2011

Can't wait to see who wins!   more ›