Jacobson will keep string at Monmouth this summer

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – David Jacobson, who has become the dominant trainer on the New York Racing Association circuit, will have a string of horses at Monmouth Park this summer, he said Wednesday.

Jacobson said NYRA officials plan to limit the number of horses trainers may have stabled at one New York track, prompting the need to send horses out of town. He said he will have 35 horses at Monmouth while maintaining a full barn at Aqueduct.

“It just seems now is the time to do it, being stalls are going to be cut back here in New York,” Jacobson said at Aqueduct, where he currently has one full barn and three-quarters of a second barn. “I like to run my horses when they’re good, I like to run them often, and it’ll be another outlet to run them. From there, I can ship to Parx, Delaware.”

Jacobson said Mike Dempsey, the racing secretary at Monmouth, has wanted him to send horses to the Jersey Shore for the last several years.

“Mike Dempsey is a good guy to work with,” Jacobson said. “He’s been wanting me to come there for a couple of years. This seemed to be the right time.”

Jacobson said horses will be shifting between Monmouth and Aqueduct regularly.

“There’ll be a lot of miles put on the horse van going back and forth,” said Jacobson, whose Monmouth barn will be overseen by current Aqueduct employee Marcos Galaz.

Jacobson said his first priority is to run in New York.

“My first preference and loyalty is to New York and will always be,” Jacobson said. “I compliment Martin Panza and Mr. [Chris] Kay for doing a great job with the transition; to come into New York and make it as smooth as it’s been is not easy.”