The Arnone Report: History made in Monmouth and $45 million in infrastructure grants

By Monmouth County Freeholder Tom Arnone

NHL Star Trevor VanRiemsdyk, a CBA graduate, brought the Stanley Club to Middletown on July 30th

What an exciting few weeks for Monmouth County! We are making history and people around the region are taking notice. The weather has been incredible – which means our beaches, restaurants and attractions are packed and in turn, economic rewards for the community.

We even got a visit from the Stanley Cup. Trevor VanRiemsdyk, a defenseman for the Chicago Blackhawks and Middletown native, attended a ceremony in his honor at Middletown Arts Center on July 30. Hundreds of fans from the area turned out for this exciting event, where Mayor Stephanie Murray awarded Trevor a key to the city, and myself, along with my fellow Freeholders, dedicated the day in his honor, marking Thursday, July 30, 2015, as Trevor VanRiemsdyk Day.

And let’s not forget history making at the William Haskell Invitational.  With a record setting crowd at Monmouth Racetrack, nearly 61,000 people came out to see triple crown winner, American Pharaoh.  Officials said that is was the largest crowd in the 145-year-old racetrack’s history, with the previous single day attendance record, 53,638, set at the Haskell in 2013. We can now say that Monmouth Park, rich in its own traditions, is part of national horse racing history as well.

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What’s next for American Pharoah after convincing Haskell win?

Could it be possible that American Pharoah is actually getting better? That was the prevailing belief after the recently stamped Triple Crown winner cruised to a 2-1/4-lengths triumph Sunday in the Haskell Invitational, winning the 1 1/8-mile race in a brisk 1:47.95 despite galloping home under wraps. “It was pretty easy,” said jockey Victor Espinoza, who… Read the rest of this entry »

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Christie booed mercilessly — twice — at the Haskell

OCEANPORT — It was one long happy celebration at Monmouth Park for the great American Pharoah’s latest victory. At least, that is, until Gov. Chris Christie stepped into the Winner’s Circle to present the trophy. And then, the record crowd of 60,983 booed. Long. Loud. Sustained. Maybe he should have hung around Bill Murray. The cheering… Read the rest of this entry »

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NJ Transit trying to avoid Super Bowl-like mess with Haskell trains

OCEANPORT – Officials are projecting that Triple Crown-winner American Pharoah’s appearance in Sunday’s $1.75 million William Hill Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park could draw second largest crowd ever to see a sporting event in New Jersey behind only the Super Bowl. This has NJ Transit adding additional trains, building temporary platforms and taking other steps to… Read the rest of this entry »

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Haskell 2015: Fan’s Guide to watch American Pharoah at Monmouth Park (parking, tickets, giveaways, NJ Transit info)

The official announcement that American Pharoah was coming to Monmouth Park for the William Hill Haskell Invitation came on July 2, but Bob Kulina says his announcement came just before Thanksgiving last year. Long before American Pharoah etched his misspelled name into thoroughbred racing lore, the president of Monmouth Park’s operating company received word that an… Read the rest of this entry »

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