The Shore’s Best Bet: The Resilient History of Monmouth Park

When you think of New Jersey, you probably think of the Boardwalk, the Parkway, or diners. You might not think of thoroughbred horses.

But you should. New Jersey is technically the “Horse State.”

• The Density: There are approximately 42,500 horses in New Jersey. That equates to roughly 4.6 horses per square mile, giving New Jersey the highest concentration of horses in the United States—more than Kentucky or Texas.

At the heart of this equine culture is Monmouth Park Racetrack in Oceanport. Known as the “Resort of Racing,” this track has survived bankruptcy, anti-gambling crusades, and world wars to become a Jersey Shore icon.

The Gilded Age: Racing Begins (1870)

Racing at the shore began as a playground for the elite. In 1870, a group of businessmen including John F. Chamberlain and Adams Express Company President John Hoey built the original track in Long Branch.

They weren’t targeting the average local; they were targeting the wealthy tourists vacationing in Long Branch (a town visited by seven U.S. Presidents).

• The First Race: Held on July 30, 1870.
• The Expansion: By 1890, the track was so popular that a second racecourse was opened adjacent to the first. It was considered the “Newport of the Turf,” offering the highest purse distribution in North America.

The Changing Face of the Jockey

When Monmouth Park first opened in the late 19th century, the faces on the horses looked very different than they do today.

In the late 1800s, African Americans dominated the sport of horse racing.

• The Numbers: In the first Kentucky Derby in 1875, 13 of the 15 jockeys were Black.
• The Star: Isaac Murphy, a Black jockey of that era, won an astounding 44% of his races—a record that remains unmatched.

However, as the Jim Crow era solidified in the early 20th century, Black jockeys were systematically pushed out of the sport through violence and segregationist licensing policies. By the time Monmouth Park reopened in the 1940s, the sport was dominated by white riders. Today, the demographic has shifted again, with a significant majority of top jockeys hailing from Latin American countries, particularly Panama, Venezuela, and Puerto Rico.

The Dark Ages (1894–1946)

Despite its early success, the original Monmouth Park was doomed by politics. In 1894, the New Jersey Legislature passed strict anti-gambling laws that banned “parimutuel” betting. Without betting, there was no revenue.

• The Closure: The track closed its doors immediately.
• The Sale: In a humiliating end to the Gilded Age, the grandstand and property were seized by Eatontown Township for back taxes and sold at public auction in May 1894.

For the next 52 years, thoroughbred racing in New Jersey was dead.

The Resurrection

In 1939, a local power player named Amory L. Haskell lobbied the state to reverse the ban. He succeeded, but World War II delayed construction of a new track.

Finally, on June 19, 1946, the new Monmouth Park opened in Oceanport.

• The Crowd: 18,724 fans showed up for opening day.
• The Innovation: In 1967, the track installed a unique “turf chute” allowing a one-eighth mile straightaway, giving fans a head-on view of the horses thundering out of the gate.

The “War at the Shore”

Today, the track’s signature event is the Haskell Invitational. Established in 1968 to honor Amory Haskell, this race is an invitation-only stakes for three-year-olds. It attracts the best horses in the country (including Triple Crown winners like American Pharoah) and draws crowds of 35,000 to 40,000 people.

Understanding the Odds

Visiting the track is a fun social affair, but the betting board can be intimidating. Monmouth Park uses a Parimutuel system.

Unlike a casino, where you bet against the “house,” parimutuel betting is French for “mutual betting” or “amongst ourselves.” You are betting against the other people at the track.

• The Pool: All the money bet on a specific race goes into a pool.
• The Cut: The track takes a fixed percentage (the “takeout”) to pay for taxes and operations.
• The Payout: The remaining money is divided among the winners. This is why the “odds” change right up until the race starts—if more people bet on a horse, the payout (odds) goes down.

If You Visit

Monmouth Park is distinct because of its park-like atmosphere. It features picnic areas, playgrounds, and an open paddock where you can watch the horses being saddled up close.

• Location: 175 Oceanport Ave, Oceanport, NJ 07757.
• Season: Live racing typically runs from May through September.
• BYOB: The picnic area is famous for allowing fans to bring their own coolers (check current regulations regarding alcohol sizes).

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For More Information

• Monmouth Park Racetrack (www.monmouthpark.com)
• America’s Best Racing (www.americasbestracing.net)