Monmouth announces 5 percent purse hike

Beginning next Saturday on the Haskell Invitational card, Monmouth Park will increase purses 5 percent.

Thanks to a $10 million purse subsidy from the state this year, purses at Monmouth were already forecast to average $500,000 per race day this meet.

Dennis Drazin, chairman and CEO of Darby Development, which operates Monmouth on behalf of the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, said the purse increase was the result of strong business at the meet.

“This is the first increase in purses during the meet that Monmouth Park has offered in quite some time,” Drazin said. “It’s another indication that everyone involved – owners, trainers, and our patrons – has responded positively to the $10 million purse subsidy provided by the state.

“We anticipate our numbers to continue to be strong going forward.”

The Grade 1, $1 million Haskell Invitational headlines a July 20 card that includes the Grade 3 Monmouth Cup, the Grade 3 Molly Pitcher Stakes, the Grade 3 Matchmaker Stakes, the Grade 3 Oceanport Stakes, and the Wolf Hill Stakes.

As of Friday, the Haskell was expected to include Maximum Security, Everfast, Joevia, Mucho Gusto, King for a Day, Spun to Run, and Chilly in Charge.

The Monmouth Park meet runs through Oct. 27.