Haskell 2019 show should go on with extreme heat in forecast
Having spoken Wednesday to various racetrack officials at Monmouth Park, media manager Tom Luicci said “standard protocol” will be followed Saturday with Oceanport, N.J., under an Excessive Heat Watch on Haskell Invitational day.
Conversation has ramped up heading into the weekend about temperatures forecast in the high 90s, leading Delaware Park to already cancel its Saturday card, opting to make it up later this fall.
“What makes us a little bit different — we do get an ocean breeze,” Luicci said. “That helps a little bit, unlike Delaware (Park), which is landlocked.”
That protocols, aimed at keeping both horses and humans safe on a big day of racing at Monmouth Park, include:
• Extra medical personnel on site for people.
• Ice containers stationed throughout the track and where horses walk in from the track.
• Extra hoses for horses to cool down before and after races.
• A misting system in the paddock.
• Shortened post parades.
“We could also delay races,” Luicci said. “We’re going to do what’s in the best interest of the horses, the horsemen and the people here. If there is a delay, we could push back races. That’s a possibility until it gets a little bit cooler.”
A field of seven entered the Grade 1, $1 million Haskell led by Maximum Security, the disqualified Kentucky Derby winner, and King for a Day, the colt who turned around to beat him in last month’s local prep, the Pegasus Stakes.
NBC is set to broadcast from 5-6 p.m. ET, with the featured race scheduled for 5:47 p.m.
The Haskell anchors a card featuring six stakes in all — five graded — with the older female division leader Midnight Bisou also expected in the Grade 3, $150,000 Molly Pitcher Stakes.
As far as the conditions, Luicci added, “We’re mindful of it, but we’re not going to react to a long-range weather forecast. That could be a 50-50 proposition. That’s tougher than handicapping sometimes.”