Monmouth Park hit the halfway mark of the 2018 meet on Saturday and enters betfair.com Haskell Invitational week with across the board gains.  Through yesterday’s 26th live program, the track sports solid gains in live handle, overall handle and attendance. 

Despite poor weather for most of May that saw 73% of turf races moved to the main track, Monmouth is up eight percent in live handle ($11,513,732 total), 10 percent in total handle ($94,574,544 total) and five percent in attendance (254,820 overall) compared to the similar juncture a year ago. 

“The numbers are very encouraging as we move into the second half of the season,” said Dennis Drazin, chairman and CEO of Darby Development, operators of Monmouth Park. “We have good momentum entering Haskell week for what I’m sure will be another memorable running of our signature race next Sunday.” 

The $1 million Haskell Invitational is July 29 and headlines a stakes-filled card. Kentucky Derby runner-up and 2-year-old champion Good Magic and Preakness runner-up Bravazo will provide the star power to the 51st edition of the Grade 1 race for 3-year-olds. 

 Monmouth’s 2018 racing season runs through Sunday, Sept. 9 and will span 52-racing days before six all-turf cards are presented at the Meadowlands on Fridays and Saturdays for the remainder of the month.