All-Turf Meadowlands Meet Starts Thursday
The all-turf Monmouth-at-Meadowlands meet will commence a 14-day stand Thursday, Sept. 18, with first post slated for 7:00 p.m. It will be the first Thoroughbred meet conducted at the new racing facility, which opened to great fanfare last fall.
The featured event will be the sixth and last race on the program, a $20,000 starter allowance, which has drawn a full field of 10, including Bob and the Gang, who will break from the rail in the flat mile contest.
“The last time was the first time we took a hold, just to get him a couple of lengths off the lead,” said trainer Pat McBurney. “He finished strong under the wire and if he can get better at rating, usually the second time they do, we’ll be heading in the right direction.”
From five starts this year, Bob and the Gang sports one place, that race on June 27 over the Monmouth main track. He was fifth in his most recent, that on Aug. 30, also at Monmouth. Thursday’s feature will be his fifth start over the turf.
A 4-year-old gelding by Mizzen Mast from the Pine Bluff mare Liberty School, Bob and the Gang is a half-brother to multiple graded stakes winner Just Jenda.
“When we got him here last year we had really high hopes for him,” McBurney said. “He ran three great races right from the start. We thought if he ran a good race in the Long Branch we’d be looking at a Haskell invite. But since the Long Branch it hasn’t gone right. He’s just such an intense horse that it’s been hard to get him to relax. Hopefully tomorrow night will be the turning point.”
From 14 lifetime starts, Bob and the Gang has a record of 2-2-0. In the colors of BDL Stable, Donnely and Phantom House, Bob and the Gang has earned $67,242.
Eddie Castro will be aboard for the first time in Thursday night’s feature, which has an estimated post time of 9:30 p.m.
The 2014 Monmouth-at-Meadowlands meet will race on Thursdays and Fridays from Sept. 18 through Sept. 26. Beginning in October the track will offer live cards on Fridays and Saturdays through Nov. 1. First post nightly will be 7:00 p.m., except for Oct. 31 (Breeders’ Cup Friday) and Nov. 1 (Breeders’ Cup Saturday), when post time will be 1:00 p.m. and noon, respectively.
A full slate of activities and dining options will be available throughout the Monmouth-at-Meadowlands meet, including fireworks on Sept. 19 following the night’s live racing action; Scotch-n-Smoke on Oct. 4 with unique scotches and hand-rolled cigars; and, the Oktoberfest Food Truck Mash-Up on Saturday, Oct. 11. On the food side, Pink, the main restaurant at the New Meadowlands will be in full swing (reservations 201-460-4079), as will The Victory Sports Bar and The Lounge.
There’s free parking, free admission and free seating, both inside and out at the Meadowlands. Live programs will be $2, simulcast books $4. Valet parking will be offered for $5.
For more information visit www.monmouthpark.com or www.thebigm.com or call 732-222-5100 or 201-460-4043.