Monmouth to offer bonuses, free workers' comp

In an attempt to increase field size at its 2018 meet, Monmouth Park will offer starter bonuses to owners and trainers.

In non-statebred races, owners will be guaranteed to earn a minimum of $500 per starter and trainers will receive $300 per starter. The bonuses do not apply to stakes.

Monmouth also will continue to offer free workers' compensation insurance for employees of trainers stabled at Monmouth. The blanket policy will be provided by the New Jersey Injury Compensation Board.

"The wagering public has made it clear that they want full, competitive fields," said Dennis Drazin, chairman and CEO of Darby Development, which operates Monmouth on behalf of the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association. "Our bonus program and workers' comp plan will help us deliver."

Monmouth will begin its 52-day meet on May 5, Kentucky Derby Day, this year, a week earlier than usual. The meet will run through Sept. 9 and then be followed by six all-turf cards at The Meadowlands.

In another change, the Monmouth stable area will remain open through Oct. 31 to better correspond with the opening of the Tampa Bay Downs backstretch.

"I’ve heard from numerous trainers at Tampa that any lapse in stabling between our two facilities causes great hardship," Drazin said.

The Monmouth barn area will open April 20.