Monmouth cancels Thursday card

Monmouth Park cancelled the Thursday card as the New Jersey state government budget crisis entered a sixth day.

All racetracks, Atlantic City casinos and the lottery are closed until Governor Jon Corzine and the state legislature agree on a budget. No legal gambling can take place in the state without supervision and the regulatory bodies, including the New Jersey Racing Commission, have ceased operation until passage of a budget.

The Monmouth card was the first lost due to the budget impasse which has jeopardized the track's premier turf race, the Grade 1 United Nations Stakes on Saturday.

The legislature is scheduled to meet Thursday for a third-straight day of special budget sessions ordered by Corzine. Unless a budget is quickly produced in the morning, the Meadowlands will cancel that night's harness card. A decision on a possible third-straight Meadowlands cancellation is expected by early afternoon Thursday.