Monmouth Park launched its 80th racing season with a packed press conference at the Oceanport oval’s Turf Club dining room, marking a significant turnaround for New Jersey’s Thoroughbred industry that faced extinction just a few years ago.
Led by the TDN’s Christina Bossinakis, the event drew numerous elected officials and local horsemen. Monmouth General Manager John Heims received the 2025 Virgil ‘Buddy’ Raines Award, recognizing his nearly three-decade career at the track.
“Having grown up at the Jersey Shore, Monmouth Park has been the only place I ever wanted to spend my time,” said Heims. “To be so lucky and fortunate to work here for nearly 30 years, although when it’s a labor of love it’s not really work, has been a true blessing.”
Heims has served in multiple capacities since joining Monmouth in 1997, including Publicity Assistant, Director of Media Relations, In-House Counsel, and Racing Secretary before assuming his current role as general manager and in-house counsel.
Darby Development LLC Chairman and CEO Dennis Drazin highlighted several property developments, including the new Caesars Sportsbook scheduled to open in July. The Vegas-style betting venue will feature a Shake Shack menu.
Drazin also outlined plans for two new hotels and high-end housing on the property. These developments follow last summer’s announcement that Darby Development secured an 85-year lease with the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association and New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority.
The press conference detailed this season’s jockey colony, led by Paco Lopez, who seeks his seventh consecutive riding title and 12th overall. The roster includes Tampa Bay Downs meet leader Samuel Marin, Samy Camacho, Isaac Castillo, Madison Olver, Melissa Iorio, Jomar Torres, and Fernando Jara.
Veteran rider Jose Ferrer returns after missing the 2024 season, while Jorge Vargas Jr. is set to come back following a February injury at Parx.
New faces joining the Monmouth jockey colony include Sonny Leon, Jeiron Barbosa, Dexter Haddock, Chantal Sutherland, and apprentice Melvis Gonzalez.
The trainer lineup features representatives from Todd Pletcher, Shug McGaughey, and Chad Brown stables. Returning conditioners include Jorge Delgado, Jose Delgado, Mike Dini, Chuck Spina, Pat McBurney, Kathleen O’Connell, Joe Orseno, and Kathleen Demasi. Diane Morici and Daniel Siculietano make their Monmouth debuts in 2025.
The GI NYRA Bets Haskell Stakes highlights the 50-day meet’s stakes schedule, which begins this Saturday with the Long Branch Stakes followed by Sunday’s Serena’s Song Stakes on Mother’s Day. Post time for Saturday, Sunday, and holiday Monday racing is 12:50 p.m., while Friday racing begins June 20 with a 2 p.m. post time.
