(TRENTON) – The Third Annual New Jersey Thoroughbred Festival will
be held Saturday, September 17 at Monmouth Park
in Oceanport. The festival will feature a full
card of races with $700,000 in purses exclusively
for New Jersey bred thoroughbreds.
The 2004 festival drew more than 14,000 people and many more are expected at
this year’s event.
“The festival is an exciting day of live racing that celebrates the important
contributions New Jersey’s equine industry makes to the Garden State,” said
Secretary Kuperus. “New Jersey’s horse farms are a beautiful part
of the agricultural landscape and by supporting the equine industry, we help
preserve this valuable open space and strengthen this important sector of New
Jersey agriculture.”
The racing card for the festival will feature 11 races, including five stakes
races: the Pappa Riccio Stakes; the Eleven North Handicap; the Friendly Lover
Handicap; the Jersey Girl Handicap; and the Jersey Breeders Handicap.
Equine is the third largest sector of New Jersey agriculture. In 2002, equine
cash receipts totaled $123 million. According to the 2002 Census of Agriculture
by the National Agricultural Statistics Service of the United States Department
of Agriculture, there were 3,047 farms with 26,896 horses and ponies in the state.
Besides racing, Monmouth Park also will have family fun day activities, including
pony rides, face painting and a bounce house. There will be a free sweatshirt
giveaway to all paid admissions, while supplies last.
The festival is being presented by Malouf Auto Group.
Doors open at 11:30 a.m. Post time is 1:15 p.m. Monmouth Park is located on Route
36 in Oceanport.
|
