The Golden Years in Jersey

    Hearing the news that the N. J. Horsemen's Association is going to lease grand old Monmouth Park, and that there may be major changes afoot to the facility beginning next year, made me feel a little nostalgic for the good old days at the Oceanport oval.

    Those changes to the picturesque and historic Jersey Shore racetrack - that promise to transform it into a full-fledged resort destination - include a water theme park, a Boardwalk-style area near the current Picnic Grove, a miniature golf course, a year-round restaurant, and a concert venue. There's even talk of starting races at 4 p.m. and ending them just as a concert begins.

     Oh, for the days of Bob Weems as he called the action from high atop the Monmouth grandstand, the sight of long betting lines and a crowded apron, and the screams of both the winners and losers as the horses battled down the homestretch!

     We looked through some of our Monmouth memorabilia this week and found a few tidbits from the 1962 publicity brochure that showcased the track back in its heyday.

     The picture in the top left-hand corner of the above page always fascinated me ... such an immense rainstorm hit the Oceanport area on July 29, 1961 that there was 4 feet of water in the paddock area. Every time I stand in the paddock now, I think about that fellow swimming towards the grandstand.

     Here are four well-known jockeys at Monmouth in 1961, including Hall of Famers Steve Brooks, Walter Blum and Sam Boulmetis, the latter two who went on to become stewards at American racetracks. Boulmetis, who is still living, is the uncle of current jockey Tony Black, the all-time winningest rider at Philadelphia Park. Blum is also still living.

     Many champion distaffers competed at Monmouth throughout the years, and Primonetta was no exception. Here she is pictured winning the Miss Woodford Stakes on July 3, 1961. Primonetta, a daughter of Swaps, was voted champion older mare in 1962 and Broodmare of the Year in 1978. She was the dam of Cum Laud Laurie, Maud Muller, Prince Thou Art and Grenfall.

      This scan isn't the greatest due to the way the old brochure folded, but pictured above is Philip H. Iselin, the track's vice presient, sitting poolside with several jockeys as they were doing a spot for NBC-TV. The jockeys' Olympic-sized swimming pool was a unique feature of Monmouth Park, and you could also find many a turf writer sunning themselves there amongst the jockeys before covering a big race. Unfortunately, the pool was filled in and paved over prior to Monmouth hosting the 2007 Breeders' Cup Championships, due to age and disrepair.

         This New Jersey "Golden Triangle," a logo that appeared on the back of the 1962 publicity brochure, is a reminder of the good 'ole days ... when there was a full-fledged circuit between Monmouth Park, Garden State Park and Atlantic City. Much like Monmouth Park's swimming pool, Garden State has succumbed to the bulldozer, while Atlantic City is neglected and on the verge of collapse, running only 6 days per year. The Golden Triangle certainly has tarnished since 1961.