BUSTIN OUT GOES FOR ANOTHER MONMOUTH WIN THIS SATURDAY 

            She’s back!  After nearly nine months on the sidelines, Monmouth Park stalwart Bustin Out returns to the races in the $51,200 allowance feature on Saturday afternoon.

            The now 5-year-old mare sports quite the Oceanport resume, with all six of her wins coming at Monmouth and a record of 6-3-2 from 12 outings at the Jersey Shore.

            “She’s run well fresh in the past,” said trainer Chuck Spina.  “She’s been training well up to this race.  I suspect she’ll show that usual early speed and take them as far as she can go.”

            That usual early speed has proved devastating to her rivals.  She’s rattled off some quick first quarters, many in the 21 and change realm and some equally fast half miles, including an eye-popping :43 3/5 on Haskell Day last year, when she finished second to the multiple graded stakes winner Stonetastic.

            “She sure loves the Monmouth track,” Spina said.  “This is a tough race back for her, but if she’s able to get out there on her own terms, she should be tough again.”

            Among those tough foes are Irish Defence and She’s Hot Wired.  On Brad Thomas’s morning line, Bustin Out is the slight 8-5 favorite with She’s Hot Wired right behind at 9-5 and Irish Defence right behind that at 2-1.

            Irish Defence, the older sister of Wood Memorial winner and the pride of New Jersey in this year’s Kentucky Derby, Irish War Cry, is a homebred for those same connections – owner Isabelle de Tomaso and trainer H. Graham Motion.  She broke her maiden at first asking here last summer and followed that up with an entry-level allowance score.  Saturday’s race will mark her first since Aug. 20, 2016.

            She’s Hot Wired, who’s 14 for 18 in the money at Monmouth, returns off just over five months rest.  She’ll be making her first start for trainer Anthony Margotta Jr., who won with two of three starters on opening weekend here.

            Restricted to New Jersey-bred fillies and mares, Saturday’s feature goes at six furlongs as the 10th race on an 11-race program.

PREAKNESS STAKES SIMULCAST THIS SATURDAY 

            Monmouth Park Racetrack is the place to be this Saturday to catch all the action from Pimlico in Baltimore and Always Dreaming’s bid in the Preakness Stakes and shot at the Triple Crown.

            Saturday’s card at Pimlico gets underway at 10:30 a.m. with Monmouth Park gates opening at 10 a.m.  The first live race at Monmouth will be 12:50 p.m., with the 10th race slated as the feature on the 11-race program.

            With a noon opening, Monmouth’s new beer garden at Blu Grotto, featuring more than 20 draft beers, delicious foods and live entertainment, will feature simulcasting from Pimlico, including the 142nd Preakness Stakes.

            For more information or for a full list of events all season long, visit www.monmouthpark.com.

FOOD TRUCKS ROLL INTO MONMOUTH PARK FOR MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND 

            Monmouth Park’s popular Food Truck Festival returns Saturday, May 27 and will again span all three days of the Memorial Day Holiday weekend

            New this year will be expanded bandstands, with two separate stages of live music on Saturday and Sunday.  On both those days, gates will open early at 11 a.m., and both days will feature the full-slate of Family Fun Day activities, including a bounce house, clowns, pony rides, face painters and more.  On Monday, gates open at 11:30 a.m. 

            The food trucks first rolled into Monmouth in 2012 for a one-day event, which has expanded in size and scope to what it is today.  Among those who will be concocting their culinary delights are:  Empanada Guy, Wild Bill’s Soda, Red Hook Lobster and Enzo’s Deli, to name a few.

            Over the three-day holiday weekend first post will be 12:50 p.m.  Admission to the Grandstand, where the food trucks will assemble, is $5 – seniors pay $3 and children 12 and under are free.

            For more information, visit www.monmouthpark.com.