Monmouth at Meadowlands Meet Begins Sept 18

The all-turf Monmouth-at-Meadowlands meet will commence a 14-day stand next 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.

With six-race cards being planned, the 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.

JUST FOOLIN AROUND READY FOR SATURDAY FEATURE AT MONMOUTH

Just Foolin Around, the hallmark of consistency, will be back in action this Saturday at Monmouth when he heads to the post in the day’s $37,800 allowance/optional claiming feature at a mile on turf.

“He’s in good form,” said Hills.  “He’s not a very good work horse on the dirt, but the beginning of this week he worked really well, so I expect he’ll run really well.”

That work was a four furlong breeze in :48 1/5 on Sept. 9.  Saturday will mark his fourth start of the meet and first since July 27, Haskell Day, when he finished third at this level.

“He likes a little time between his races,” Hills said.  “That’s just the type of horse he is.  He’s very honest, very consistent, easy to ride.”

Pedro Cotto Jr. has the call aboard Just Foolin Around, his second time aboard the 4-year-old gelding by Keyed Entry.  Cotto rode him to a runner-up finish on Sept. 29 last year in a maiden special weight event here.

As for the breeding of the Laurence I. Foggle color-bearer, Hills sure knows it well.

"I trained this horse’s grandmother (Carefree Laughter) back in New England,” Hills said.  “The mother has thrown some good runners and I have a long history with this breeding line.”

On Saturday, Just Foolin Around will break from post five with 11 of the 13 entrants allowed to go.

"I’m glad he’s back to a good post,” Hills said.  “He’s been unfortunate at the draw the last two times (post 10) and this should help.

“He’s a stalker, that’s his running style.  He’ll be sitting just off the speed before he comes with his run.”

From 12 lifetime starts, Just Foolin Around sports a record of 2-2-2 with five of those starts coming over Monmouth turf, where his record is 1-2-1.  In 2014 he has a win, place and a show from his three Oceanport starts.

Saturday’s feature goes as race seven on a 10-race program.  Gates will open at 11:30 a.m., first post 12:50 p.m.

FOOD TRUCKTOBERFEST BACK AT MONMOUTH PARK THIS SATURDAY

The food trucks will be rolling back into Monmouth Park this Saturday for the annual Food “Trucktoberfest” celebration.  More than 20 trucks will be on hand offering up culinary delights, including Max’s Famous Hot Dogs, Enzo’s Pizza, Red Hook Lobster Pound and  Tony’s Italian Sausage, to name but a few.

In addition, an authentic German beer garden will be on tap with $5 beers, including Longtrail Oktoberfest, Licher, Hofbrau Oktoberest, Spaten Oktoberfest and Frankziskaner Weiss.

Saturday’s gates will open at 11:30 a.m., with the Food Trucktoberfest festivities running through 5 p.m.  The 10-race Thoroughbred race card gets underway at 12:50 p.m.

Grandstand admission to the track is $3, seniors $2, children 12 and under free.  And, as always,  anyone wearing Lederhosen will receive free admission.

Source: Monmouth Park