Monmouth BC expected to sell out

Breeders' Cup Saturday at Monmouth Park is headed for a sellout, based on the mail and on-line applications received by the June 6 deadline for the random-selection seat lottery.

"We felt the response was great," said Bill Knauf, Monmouth's vice president of marketing operations. "It looks like we are oversubscribed for the tickets allotted."

More than 4,600 online orders were received. Approximately 1,100 more arrived by mail for the 15,000 seats available for public sale. Each order application was limited to four tickets.

This marks the first time the Breeders' Cup expands its program to 11 races spread over a two-day period. Three new Breeders' Cup stakes will be run on Friday, Oct. 26. The main focus is Saturday, Oct. 27 when Monmouth hosts eight Breeders' Cup championship races, concluding with the Classic.

There will be no walkup admissions on Saturday. Everyone must have an advance-purchase general admission ticket for $50, or a reserved seat which can range as high as $300. Admission on Breeders' Cup Saturday will be capped at about 45,000.

When allocating seats, preference will be given to those ordering seats for both Friday and Saturday, although that was not a requirement for Saturday seats.

"Based on early scans, it seems to be a trend that many are selecting both," Knauf said. "We feel strongly that Friday will work out as well."

Prices for Friday will be cheaper. General admission can be purchased at Monmouth on race day at $10 for the grandstand and $15 for the clubhouse.

Applications received after the June 6 deadline go to a waiting list for any seats available after the initial allocation.

According to Knauf, the seat requests will be allocated by mid-July.