OCEANPORT — American Pharoah is coming— and the borough is getting prepared for the arrival of the expected huge crowd that will come watch the first Triple Crown winner since 1978.
The borough is working with several stakeholders on the logistics of preparing for an estimated turnout of some 60,000 racing fans for the $1 million William Hill Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park.
Oceanport Police Chief Daniel Barcus said during the July 16 Borough Council meeting that borough officials are coordinating with county and federal agencies, as well as racetrack officials to prepare for the Aug. 2 race as American Pharoah, fresh off the first Triple Crown, takes on the field.
“We actually had quite an extensive meeting this morning with the numerous agencies from the FBI, state police, the county, the county [Office of Emergency Management],” Barcus said.
“There was a large meeting with fire personnel as well, and there was a large meeting with the racetrack and NJ Transit and other entities.”
Mayor Michael Mahon said one of the biggest concerns of the borough is handling the increased traffic.
“There’s been ongoing communication with Monmouth Park racetrack officials with respect to planning for the Haskell,” Mahon said. “Our police chief has been very busy, we’ve had a couple of conversations about our traffic plans and how that’s being managed.”
According to Mahon, the borough will draw on the experiences of the Breeders Cup in 2007, Van’s Warped Tour, and the annual NJ Marathon as examples of how to handle high-traffic days at Monmouth Park.
“I think we are in good shape to handle that,” he said. “Chief, I only wish that Route 36 was in our jurisdiction, but I understand your coordination with the other departments is going to help the neighbors.”
Barcus said the borough is also working with police units from Tinton Falls, Eatontown and West Long Branch to coordinate efforts to control traffic.
West Long Branch Chief of Police Lawrence Mihlon said his department is preparing for the large crowds traveling through the borough to the race.
“There are fairly mechanical plans that have already been assembled,” Mihlon said. “The only thing about this whole thing is that it is going to be unpredictable.
“A lot of it is going to be influenced by the weather; it is going to be influenced by several factors. I am preparing for the most that we anticipate and then we will scale down if we need to.”
Barcus said the current plan in Oceanport is to close Oceanport Avenue between Crescent Place and Port-Au-Peck Avenue and Port-Au-Peck Avenue between East Main Street and Myrtle Avenue to help divert traffic and to accommodate pedestrian traffic coming from the Monmouth Park train stop.
Other traffic-control measures will include using digital signs on Route 36 and the Garden State Parkway and using a route graphic to alert travelers of off-site parking and road closures.
Mahon said the borough is involved in facilitating off-site parking for Haskell Day.
“We have gotten consent from the school districts to secure alternate parking at Shore Regional and Wolf Hill School,” he said. “We also have reached out and have gotten information on parking that’s available through the U.S. Army outside the gates of [Fort Monmouth] on Oceanport Avenue.
“The options are coming into place for that effort.”
According to Mahon, the MAC Center at Monmouth University in West Long Branch and Long Branch High School have also been used in the past for overflow parking.
“There are other options that have been used before that are available should that need arise,” Mahon said.
Another option for those looking to avoid congested roads on Aug. 2 will be to take NJ Transit to the Monmouth Park station.
“Also, I understand in talking with the racetrack they’ve been pleased with the cooperation from NJ Transit to support the railstop with additional train cars,” Mahon said.
The weekend kicks off with the Pharoah Phan Phestival on July 31, with giveaways, a happy hour and miniature golf festival.
On Aug. 1, Monmouth Park will celebrate Ladies’ Day, sponsored by Lilly Pulitzer Shops at Riverside, with the added excitement of a Bob Baffert commemorative jersey giveaway, which will showcase the trainer’s record-setting seven wins in the Haskell, according to a press release.
A nearly 30-year tradition will continue with the Haskell hat giveaway, a navy blue canvas featuring this year’s logo. Contests for the best dressed couple as well as best American Pharoah costume will add to the festivities as will a red carpet photo op for fans, according to the press release.
All three days will feature T-shirt cannons down the homestretch between races, live entertainment, a commemorative American Pharoah Beer Cup as well as official “Pharoah” merchandise, according to the press release.
Grandstand admission on Haskell Day is $6; clubhouse, $9. However, as of July 20 tickets were being sold on StubHub, an online secondary market for tickets, ranging from $61 to $1,999.99 for reserved seating, which has been sold out.
Monmouth Park will not cap attendance for the Haskell, with an estimated crowd of 60,000.
The record attendance for any horse race in New Jersey is 53,638, which was set in 2003 when Peace Rules defeated Funny Cide in the Haskell.