Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, fresh off his fourth GI Kentucky Derby win with American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile) last Saturday, was named the 2015 recipient of Monmouth Park's Virgil “Buddy” Raines Distinguished Achievement Award during the New Jersey track's opening press conference Tuesday.
“The Raines Award was designed to honor those who have made a difference in New Jersey racing,” said Bob Kulina, president of Darby Development LLC, operators of the racetrack. “For nearly 20 years, Bob Baffert and his standout runners have helped build the GI Haskell Invitational into the race it is today. For all he's done for the sport and especially for Monmouth Park, he's a very deserving winner of this award.”
Baffert has won the Haskell a record seven times, most recently with subsequent GI Breeders' Cup Classic winner Bayern (Offlee Wild) last summer.
Monmouth Park will open for its 70th season of racing May 9. For the last three years, the track has been leased from the state by the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and operated by Darby Development.
“We've been extremely pleased with the accomplishments through the first three years,” Dennis Drazin, advisor to the NJTHA and Darby Development LLC, commented. “We will look to build on those accomplishments as we continue to create an entertainment destination at the Jersey Shore and remain true to our core business–world-class Thoroughbred racing.”
As the track continues its fight for the legalization of sports betting in the state, plans were announced Tuesday for a new off-track wagering facility in Hillsborough.
State senator Ray Lesniak, who has been part of the seven-year battle to bring sports betting to the Garden State, attended Tuesday's luncheon. Lesniak expressed hopes that a referendum for two casino sites outside of Atlantic City, one in Jersey City and one at the Meadowlands, would be put to the state's voters in November.
Also in attendance was Joseph Asher, U.S. CEO for William Hill. The British bookmaking company will sponsor the Haskell Invitational for the third time in 2015.
“One day sports betting will be legal here at Monmouth Park,” Asher said. “And William Hill will be here. Sports betting at Monmouth Park will be a home run.”
Monmouth Park also announced Tuesday it would induct multiple graded stakes winner Get Serious (City Zip) into its Hall of Champions.
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