New Jersey shifts calendar for Cup meet

The Breeders' Cup won't stand alone next October at Monmouth Park. Monmouth will open for a four-day mini-meet concluding with Breeders' Cup Day on Oct. 27.

The New Jersey 2007 racing schedule, approved Wednesday by the state's racing commission, incorporates alterations to the autumn dates in order to accommodate the Breeders' Cup World Championships.

Monmouth will open on May 12, which in recent seasons has become the new opening day - the first Saturday following the Kentucky Derby - replacing the old, traditional launch on Memorial Day weekend.

Instead of extending through September, Monmouth will close on Sept. 2. Thoroughbred action will shift to the Meadowlands on Labor Day, Sept 3.

The earlier close at Monmouth will allow time for installation of temporary seating and other accommodations for the Breeders' Cup. The circuit will move back to Monmouth on Oct. 24 for the four-day meet before returning to the Meadowlands for the final two weeks, through Nov. 10.