Calabrese leaving Calder for Monmouth

Owner Frank Calabrese’s decision to run his stable year-round in south Florida was short-lived. Just five weeks into the Calder meeting, Calabrese has announced his intention to ship all 48 horses he presently has stabled on the grounds to Monmouth Park for the remainder of the summer.

Calabrese, who traditionally had spent his summers racing at Arlington Park, opted to stay on in south Florida and race at Calder on a regular basis for the first time this year following at the conclusion of the Gulfstream Park meet. But he said Thursday the economics of racing here along with the threat of a purse cut because of the ongoing dispute between the Florida Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association and Calder management forced his hand and led to his decision to go to Monmouth.

“They’re talking about cutting purses from 10 to 15 percent here, and I’ll lose a ton of money if I stay and they do that,” said Calabrese. “I called Monmouth and they gave me 48 stalls, so we’re moving out Monday.”