New Jersey race dates

The Thoroughbred Breeders' Association of New Jersey (TBANJ) has announced that it has reached an agreement with Darby Development, the management company that oversees operations at Monmouth Park, that should end what had been a stalemate concerning future racing dates at the seaside track. In a statement released Wednesday, the TBANJ said it was supporting "an amended bill that protects Thoroughbred racing and breeding in New Jersey." With the possibility that a $10-million subsidy that had been used to enhance purses at Monmouth Park might not be available in the...

A vote scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 8 in New Jersey's Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee appears to threaten Thoroughbred racing dates in the state, cutting the required number from 50 to 25. The story was first reported by DRF's Matt Hegarty. Michael Campbell, the executive director for the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association of New Jersey, sent out a letter to Association members Tuesday warning breeders of "serious threat" to the New Jersey Thoroughbred breeding industry if the bill is passed. "This drastic reduction would effectively eliminate the foundation necessary to sustain...

The New Jersey Racing Commission on Wednesday approved a 2026 Thoroughbred schedule of 50 spring/summer dates at Monmouth Park and nine for an all-turf autumn meet at the Meadowlands, mirroring the state's allotment of racing days in 2025. A one-day steeplechase license for Far Hills in '26 is expected to be okayed by the commission at a subsequent date upon completion of local approvals. The exact opening and closing dates for the meets were not discussed at the Nov. 18 meeting. In the post-pandemic era, New Jersey's Thoroughbred dates allotments...