Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J., will be allowed to admit spectators when the track opens its live meet July 3, but track officials are still awaiting guidance on limitations that will apply to attendance, the track’s top official said Tuesday. On Monday, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced that casinos and racetracks would be allowed to open as of July 2 to “25 percent capacity” as long as they enforce strict social-distancing and face-mask protocols, using somewhat colorful language. The face-mask protocol was specifically mentioned in relation to the reopening of Atlantic City casinos. “If any visitor refuses to comply with these simple safeguards, you will be escorted out of the casino,” Murphy said during a press conference. “We are not going to tolerate any knuckleheads trying to ruin it for those who want to enjoy themselves responsibly and those who need to get back to work, especially if those knuckleheads could be spreading COVID.” :: Click to learn about our DRF's Free Past Performance program. Dennis Drazin, president of the company that operates Monmouth under a lease from the state, said Tuesday that he anticipates spectators will be allowed into the track on opening day, but he said that he was still attempting to get clarification on how the “25 percent capacity” rule would affect the track. “We’re going to do exactly what he tells us we can do,” Drazin said, referring to Murphy. He said the track expects that it will have to follow the same rules in place for the state’s casinos. Monmouth Park can be a popular draw on the New Jersey shore during its summer meet, especially on weekends. The track annually draws tens of thousands of spectators for its Haskell Stakes Day, scheduled this year for July 18. The Haskell is expected to draw contenders for the Kentucky Derby, rescheduled this year for Sept. 5. Monmouth was originally scheduled to open its live race meet on May 2, but the plans were delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Later Tuesday, Monmouth announced that it had obtained a permit to “repurpose” a restaurant on its property, the Blu Grotto, that will allow the track to permit owners to watch workouts of their horses beginning June 26. To be permitted to enter, owners will have to present a valid ID at the Blu Grotto entrance, pass a thermal temperature check, and answer a health questionnaire. Monmouth opened its stable area June 1, but since then, only “essential personnel” have been allowed on to track property.