Monmouth Park Barn Notes for Friday, Sept. 8, 2017
By John Heims —-
FOOTBALL ACTION ALL SEASON LONG IN WILLIAM HILL RACE & SPORTS BAR
Monmouth Park is the place to be this football season, with the newly expanded William Hill Race & Sports Bar, which has a “grand re-opening” this weekend.
With wall-to-wall TV’s, expanded menu and drink specials coupled with college and pro football action as well as simulcast wagering, the William Hill Race & Sports Bar will be open Thursdays through Mondays all fall and winter.
“It’s another continuation of the expanded food and beverage division at Monmouth Park,” said Tom Barone, vice president of F & B at the racetrack. “All the ingredients were there for a great sports and dining destination. I know it will prove popular for newcomers and continue to delight our existing fans.”
This weekend, a pig roast buffet will be offered for just $10 which includes the roast, nachos, taco cart, and wings. Drink specials will be served as well, including $4 for all bottled beer, $5 Tito’s “Make Your Own Bloody Mary”, and $10, 64-ounce Bud Light Draft Towers.
The party will begin when gates open at 11:30 a.m. and will continue into the night. On Sunday, gates again open at 11:30 a.m., with William Hill Race & Sports Bar open through the end of the Giants/Cowboys 8:30 p.m. game.
Beginning on Thursday, Sept. 14, William Hill Race & Sports Bar will open from 4 p.m. until approximately 11:30 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Mondays and have a schedule of 11:30 a.m. until approximately 11:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
This weekend, a full card of 11 races will headline the day’s live Thoroughbred action. Sunday will mark Closing Day of the 2017 live racing season, with free Grandstand parking and admission and half-priced Clubhouse admission for Fan Appreciation Day. First race each day is scheduled for 12:50 p.m.
THOMPSON SENDS QUALITY TWO TO THE GATE FOR SATRUDAY’S FEATURE
Trainer J. Willard Thompson will send two to the gate for Quiet Winter Farm, Blue Y Gold and Uplifting, as they look the grab the victory in Saturday’s $40,000 allowance optional claiming feature going six furlongs on the Monmouth Park main track.
Blue Y Gold is coming off back-to-back defeats by less than a length to fellow entrant Fire Mission including just missing in the final strides by a nose in an optional claiming event on Aug. 13. Prior to that start, he finished fourth by three-quarters of a length in a blanket finish on July 23. Antonio Gallardo was aboard for both those races and will get the call again Saturday.
The 7-year-old gelding by Mutakddim out of the Luhak mare Bromita has hit the board in three of his four starts over the Monmouth dirt in 2017 with two seconds and a third.
“He just missed last time and has been doing well since,” said Thompson. “He seems like he is getting better with each start and has been training well. He will probably run his normal style and sit back and make one good run at the end.”
Blue Y Gold has worked once since his narrow defeat in his latest try. That breeze came on Aug. 27 when he went four furlongs in :48 1/5, fourth fastest of the 52 horses hat went the distance on the day.
Thompson’s other entry in the field, the last out claim Uplifting, will make his first start for the barn after leading the entire way before getting caught in the shadow of the wire by a nose at Monmouth last time out on Aug.13.
The 3-year-old son of Jersey Town out of the Bertrando mare Encouragement has finished second in both of his starts over the Monmouth Park dirt and has only missed the board once in his 11 starts this year. His last win came two back when he took an optional claiming field gate-to-wire in a five and a half furlong dash at Laurel Park.
Uplifting has worked once for his new connections. That work also came on Aug. 27 when he went four furlongs in :48 4/5 over the fast main track. Wilmer Garcia will get the mount for the first time on Saturday.
For either one of the Thompson pair to get to the winner’s circle, they will have to defeat morning-line favorite Ostrolenka, for trainer David Jacobson, who has finished first or second in four straight starts including stakes placings in the John Morrissey at Saratoga and the Decathlon at Monmouth.
The feature will run as race 10 on Saturday’s 11-race card. Gates open at 11:30 a.m. with first post set for 12:50 p.m.
FOOD TRUCKTOBERFEST RETURNS TO JERSEY SHORE SATURDAY
The food trucks will make one last stop at Monmouth Park in 2017 for Saturday’s Food Trucktoberfest featuring some of the best food from around the area.
Patrons will be able to sample some delicious cuisine from vendors such as Four Boys, Red Hook Lobster, Shore Good Eats N’ Treats, Jersey Johnny’s and Philly Fry Guy to name a few. A German beer garden will also feature a slew of Oktoberfest brews all for $5.
A full 11-race card will headline the action on the track and live music by Upside will take place “On the Green” throughout the afternoon.
Gates open at 11:30 a.m. with first post set for 12:50 p.m.