Sports Betting a Big Draw for Monmouth Park and Haskell Day

The stretch run towards the historic Haskell Day has been building since the Supreme Court decision in May to strike down the Professional Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). That decision opened the starting gate for legal sports betting in the United States. New Jersey was already in the paddock and ready to hit the track and run with the decision, sprinting to the first turn and taking sports bets starting June 14.

William Hill sports book at Monmouth Park took in more than $8 million in sports wagers the final 17 days of the month, and the momentum has been building towards the biggest and most significant racing day in the Jersey Shore track’s history. The $1 Million Haskell Invitational anchors the historic day on Sunday, July 29 and following the post-position draw on Thursday, Kentucky Derby runner-up Good Magic was made the 6-5 favorite in the field of seven. The Haskell, or “War on the Shore” is a 1 1/8 mile Grade 1 race for 3-year-olds.

NBC will carry TV coverage of the Haskell Invitational from 5-6pm ET with post time at 5:47 as race 12. 

While fans and the networks would have loved for Triple Crown champion Justify to make it to Monmouth and run in the Haskell, he’ll be absent due to an injury. The track is still expecting a big turnout from a ready-made audience of sports bettors with the Haskell introducing many to the sports book for the first time. The 14-race card headlined by the Haskell Invitational is expected to produce the year’s biggest betting numbers as tens of thousands of spectators bring their money to Monmouth Park. Last year 35,000 fans were at Monmouth Park for Haskell Day.    

Dennis Drazin, president and CEO of Darby Development LLC, which operates Monmouth Park, announced at a Haskell press conference this week that sports betting has solidified Monmouth Park’s future. The huge appetite for sports betting has been evident in the first six weeks of wagering at the track.

"The early successes in sports betting have been dramatic, overwhelming and everything we had hoped for," Drazin said.

Sports Betting and Horse Racing

Following the historic Haskell Day, Monmouth Park continues its racing season through August and Labor Day, running four days per week. The attendance and interest usually declines significantly, along with the betting handle and purses, in part with competition from Saratoga and its summer meet. But with available gambling on football and the start of the college and NFL seasons closing in, there’s expected to be more sports fans patronizing the track and placing their bets on sports while tracking the ponies and placing some additional race bets. 

Monmouth Park is also seeking approval from the state Racing Commission and Division of Gaming Enforcement to offer parlay wagers combining horse racing and sporting events. That’s the creative part of how horse racing can add more interest and wagering to their sport, knowing sports bettors will take advantage of a menu with more options.  

The Haskell Invitational will be a big draw on the Jersey Shore this weekend. But the future at the track and in New Jersey looks so much brighter with sports betting. An expanded racing schedule is likely on the docket starting as early as next summer, as Monmouth Park looks to run its schedule alongside college and pro football on the weekends. Now that’s a future bet worth betting on.

FairwayJay is a leading national sports handicapper and is recognized as one of the sports industry's most insightful analysts. Read more great insights from Jay here and follow him on Twitter: @FairwayJay