Towns brace for record Aug. 2 Haskell turnout

By KENNY WALTER
Staff Writer

American Pharoah is coming — and the borough of Oceanport is getting prepared for the arrival of the expected huge crowd that will come watch the first Triple Crown winner since 1978.

Oceanport 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 in Oceanport.

Oceanport Police Chief Daniel Barcus said 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 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.”

Oceanport 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.

Barcus said the borough is also working with police units from Tinton Falls, Eatontown and West Long Branch to coordinate efforts to control traffic.

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 also 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’ve 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 MAC Center at Monmouth University in West Long Branch and Long Branch High School have also been used in the past for overflow parking.

Another option for those looking to avoid congested roads on Aug. 2 will be to take NJ Transit to the Monmouth Park rail station. 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, including a commemorative jersey giveaway, which showcases trainer Bob Baffert’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.

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.

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 up to 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.