chris at fenway

My brother Chris celebrates the Sox victory

Monmouth Park — a shore thing

On Aug. 20-22, I went to Atlantic City then Monmouth Park. 

I hadn’t been to Atlantic City since 1984 when I was 19 years old.  I remember having about $50 on me and I naively thought it would be enough spending money for the weekend.

We went to the beach for a couple of hours then it was onto the casino. After about 30 minutes of gambling my $50 was long gone. 

I’ve lived in Las Vegas since 1994 and wondered if Atlantic City had changed at all. It’s true that the Marina area ,where the Borgata Hotel is located, is as nice as anywhere in Las Vegas.

But the Boardwalk area seemed rundown to me. I saw many people sleeping on benches, almost all of the rolling chairs were idle, and a new construction project owner decided to stop building his casino.

I was impressed by Monmouth Park. It’s located about two miles from Long Branch Beach, which has many nice restaurants and shops, and a boardwalk that people use to walk, run and bike.

The track is spacious, has a nice simulcast room and the paddock area has three huge trees that shade the horses that use the walking ring.

paddock

Jay's Wish walks the paddock before Monmouth's second race on Aug. 22.

A handler ties the tongue of #5 Jay's Wish before the second race at Monmouth Park on Aug. 22.

A handler ties the tongue of #5 Jay's Wish.

This runner seems to be enjoying a blast of cold water after running on a humid New Jersey day.

This runner seems to be enjoying a blast of cold water after running on a humid New Jersey day.

davis nailed

Jockey Jackie Davis, riding #7 Decue, can't hold off the rush of #8 Glory Tour and Victor Santiago on Aug. 21

channing hill

Jockey Channing Hill heads to the scale after riding Meadow Blue

davis replay

Jockey Jackie Davis, left, watches replay after getting nailed on front-runner #7 Decue

trullio on scale

Jockey Jose Velez weighs out after riding French Transition on Aug. 22

trullio washing boots

Velez cleans up before heading back to the jockey's room

Monmouth Park may not run a meet with the quality of Saratoga, but the landscaping is top notch

Monmouth Park may not run a meet with the quality of Saratoga, but the paddock landscaping is unquestionably second to none.

Atlantic City’s Boardwalk

Rolling chair operators didn't have much business on Atlantic City's famed Boardwalk when I visited on Aug. 21.

Rolling chair operators didn't have much business on Atlantic City's famed Boardwalk when I visited on Aug. 21.

atlantic city beach

Lifeguards chat with beachgoers while a billboard asks gamblers to stay away from Bally's and Caesars until labor problems are settled.

goose gossage

The Goose isn't making anymore appearances on the mound for the Yankees, but you can catch him in Atlantic City.

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