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May 17, 2006
New Brunswick, NJ--Horses, horsemen and fans will all find joy in the improvements made to Monmouth Park for the 2006 season.First and foremost is the new turf course, engineered by turf experts from Rutgers University, which promises to be the centerpiece of an exciting racing meet when the new course debuts on June 24.
The one-mile dirt track also was refurbished, with a new base and remixed cushion.
"The new turf course was the biggest project this year," said Horace (Smitty) Smith, assistant vice president of operations. "But we also wanted to continue improvements in the stable area. We actually never stop working on the physical plant," he said. "Maintenance and renovation are on-going all year round."
Smith, who has been working at Monmouth in various capacities for 26 years, said the turf course was by far the most major undertaking at Monmouth since the old grass course was built in 1950.
"Over the years, we worked on the old course every season, replacing sod in different areas. We probably resodded the entire course over the years," Smith said. "But there was a big problem. The old course was built on clay, so it never drained properly and the grass never rooted as well as it should."
The new course - a seven-furlong oval with two chutes for mile and an eighth and five and a half-furlong races - was designed by Australian turf specialist Ian Chivers, working under the direction of Rutgers University's Dr. Jim Murphy. Chivers has designed turf courses all over the world.
"Everything was engineered to promote drainage and plant growth and racing safety," Smith said. "The subsoil and topsoil were scientifically designed and the course drains extremely well now. The turns are banked so the horses can negotiate them safely."
The turf course is scheduled to open on June 24, and the first stakes to be run on the new sod is the $150,000 Boiling Springs (G3) on Tuesday, July 4.
"Dr. Murphy and Ian Chivers will have the last word on when the course opens," Smith said. "But if the weather cooperates, we look forward to seeing the first race on June 24."
Contact: Michele Hujber
Office of Communications
732-932-7000
