Food Truck Wars Returns to the Track

Thirty two food trucks will be parked at Monmouth Park on May 25 and May 26

Jersey Shore Food Truck Wars is returning to Monmouth Park as a two-day event this weekend. Thirty two food trucks will be parked in the festival area of the park on Saturday and Sunday, May 25 and 26, from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Guests will get to vote which truck serves the best food and takes home this year's People's Choice Award? This year's gourmet trucks include: Ahh! La Cart, Amanda Bananas, Bacon On Wheels, The Burger Box, Cinnamon Snail, The Cow and the Curd, Cupcake Carnivale, El Lechon De Negron, Empanada Guy, Fork in the Road, Four Boys, Freezy Freeze, Gozen Yogurt, Greenlight Food Service, Hibachi Heaven, Jersey Johnny's Grill, Kona Ice, Max's Hot Dogs, Molly's Milk Truck, Morris Grilled Cheese, Pizza Vita Wood Fired Pizza …

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Monmouth Park Events Schedule Released

Food Truck Wars will now be a two-day event

Monmouth Park's 2013 events schedule will yet again be highlighted by four of the track's popular food festivals, including the now two-day Jersey Shore Food Truck Wars on Saturday and Sunday, May 25 and 26. Held for the first time in 2012, the food truck wars attracted a crowd of more than 23,000 as a one-day event. Because of its popularity, the festival has expanded to the two days for the 2013 season. "We already have over two dozen food trucks signed on to be here," Monmouth Park Vice President of Marketing Pete Verdee said. "It proved a great success last year, one we're looking to build on in 2013 and in the years to come." Monmouth Park will also play host to the following festivals: • The 43rd Annual NJ Irish Festival — Sunday, …

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Monmouth Park Looking To Grow Under Second Year of New Ownership

Improvements, new facilities planned for park

Monmouth Park's second year under the ownership of the NJ Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (NJTHA) and Darby Development, LLC is looking like it will be as productive as 2012. The park's racing season kicks off on Saturday, May 11 and runs through Oct. 6, and many improvements are planned for this season and the future, NJTHA and Darby Development Advisor Dennis Drazin said at a press conference on Tuesday afternoon. "To say its been a successful first year for us is an understatement," Drazin said. "We inherited a race track in turmoil and placed her on the path to prosperity." The NJTHA signed an initial five-year lease deal with the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority last year, which includes three 10-year extensions. The …

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Monmouth Park to Open Early for Kentucky Derby Simulcast

The track's gates will open at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, May and Saturday, May for simulcasting of Churchill Downs’ Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby Day cards,

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 …

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Shelter to Close at Monmouth Park

The racetrack's club house has served as a shelter for a few hundred residents displaced by Superstorm Sandy.

The shelter at Monmouth Park is slated to close at the end of the week as many of those displaced by Superstorm Sandy have found temporary housing placements, the Christie administration announced Tuesday. “At this point, most of the individuals and families who remain in emergency shelter are those who struggled financially and experienced chronic homelessness even before Hurricane Sandy,” said NJ Department of Human Services Commissioner Jennifer Velez of the closing of both remaining state supported shelters. While three weeks ago there were 7,000 people in shelters throughout the state, as of Tuesday morning only 110 New Jersey residents remained in both locations, according to a release by the NJDHS. The second shelter is the Arthur …

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Hurricane Sandy

Sandy County-Run Distribution Sites Close 5 p.m. Sunday

Donations still accepted at Thompson Park in Lincroft

Monmouth County government's two remaining supply distribution sites will close at 5 p.m. today. Holy Family Church in Hazlet and Monmouth Park in Oceanport will discontinue operations while the county's third distribution site, Circle Factory Outlets in Wall, was shut down Friday. "The distribution sites have served our residents well over the past 11 days,” Sheriff Shaun Golden said. “We thank our partners and the volunteers who helped our residents through some difficult days.” However, donations are still being accepted at Thompson Park (805 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft) from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily and will be distributed directly to municipalities and nonprofit organizations. Towels and blankets are among the most frequently …

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This Week In News Around Monmouth and Ocean Counties

Check out the stories you may have missed this week

Brick- Anyone who has ever dreamed of flying or walking on water can now turn that dream into a reality. Jersey Shore Watercraft Rentals has unveiled a new product for this summer, called Jetlev. According to JSWR owners Manny Bello and Raymond Cortese, it is the ultimate adrenaline ride. Read more on Brick Patch. Manasquan- The borough of Manasquan celebrated its 125th anniversary on Tuesday night with a lighted boat parade through the Manasquan Inlet. Over 20 boats outfitted in patriotic lights and decorations made their way through the inlet as hundreds of residents watched from Manasquan and Point Pleasant Beach. See the full gallary of photos on Manasquan-Belmar Patch. Oceanport- Oceanport police responded to Monmouth Park numerous …

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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 …

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Down the Shore: Jazz & Blues, Boston in AC, Ice Cream Fest

What to do at the beach this weekend

Heading down the Shore this weekend? Check out the best bets: Monmouth Park continues its Family Day from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday with music, clowns, face painters, bounce houses and more. Admission is $3, and children younger than 12 are free. For more information, click here. New Jersey bluesman Billy Hector will headline the Point Pleasant Jazz and Blues Festival Saturday at Riverfront Park in Point Borough. The music starts at noon, and there will be food, crafters, and a beer and wine garden until 8 p.m. Organizers remind attendees to bring their own lawn chairs; leashed dogs are welcome. For more information, write info@JSJBF.org. Classic rockers Boston will play their hits, including "More Than a Feeling" and "Amanda," when they come …

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