Horses make their return to Monmouth Park stables

OCEANPORT - Horses returned to Monmouth Park Racetrack last week, a sure sign that the summer months are fast approaching, with the racing season at the Oceanport oval set to get under way on Saturday, May 13.

The first of the arrivals came from the barn of Chuck Spina, who shipped in four horses and is expecting another six from Ocala, Fla., before the meet opens.

"It's great to be back at Monmouth," said Spina, who's spending his 37th year training at Monmouth Park. "I live right here in Oceanport, and it's always good to be home."

As for the improvements that are under way at Monmouth, "It's awesome," Spina said. "The Breeders' Cup may very well be the best thing that has ever happened to New Jersey racing. I went on a tour with Mike Dempsey [Monmouth Park racing secretary] last week, and it was really impressive. The new grooms' dorms look great, the track appears to be awesome, the turf course is looking really good, the whole thing is just impressive."

Monmouth Park will play host to the Breeders' Cup for the first time in 2007 and many of the improvements, including a new turf course, are among the projects that are under way to prepare for racing's biggest day.

Joining Spina for the opening of the stable area was Frank Costa, who last season sent out Joey P. to four wins, including a victory in the Grade 3 Jersey Shore Breeders' Cup Stakes. Some new faces expected to join the familiar ranks of the Monmouth trainers are Justin Nixon, Eddie Plesa Jr., and Kentucky Derby winners John Ward and Cam Gambolati.

The turf course will be used for the first time in late June as Monmouth readies for its 61st season of sport. Saturday, May 13, will kick off the race meet, which runs 91 days through Sept. 24. Post time for the 2006 season will be 12:50 p.m.