Monmouth Conservation Foundation Celebrates Haskell Run of Triple Crown Winner American Pharaoh as a Win for Monmouth County's Horse Farms

After 37 years, horse racing fans finally found a Triple Crown winner in American Pharaoh. Monmouth Park Racetrack in Oceanport anticipates a record turn-out for the 2015 William Hill Haskell Invitational on Sunday, August 2, when American Pharaoh will compete for the million dollar purse.

The Haskell will be American Pharaoh’s first race since winning the Trip Crown in the Belmont Stakes on June 6. He is the first Triple Crown winner to run at Monmouth Park. This milestone event – cited by Monmouth Park as “the best thing to happen for New Jersey racing and for Monmouth Park - brings a much needed spotlight and wave of enthusiasm to an industry that has been struggling in recent years.

The success of the horse racing industry has close ties and serious implications not just to Monmouth Park but also to farmland and the agricultural industry at large. As the only countywide land trust in Monmouth County, Monmouth Conservation Foundation has been working to protect remaining farmland and open space for the past 38 years.

Preservation of the farmland that makes the horse racing industry possible is vital to the industry’s future stability and success. Without access to farmland, the horse racing industry that supports Monmouth Park will continue to struggle. Monmouth Conservation Foundation firmly believes that increased preservation of horse farms is needed.

The racing industry is part of the unique history and culture of Monmouth County. This culture could be lost, as New Jersey’s breeding activity and racing purses have declined dramatically compared to neighboring states that provide incentives which already have lured many horse farms across state borders.

There are significant financial implications as well, since the equine industry has its own distinct economy comprised of trainers, veterinarians, manure haulers, tack shops, farriers, and hay farmers that depend on one another. If the New Jersey racing industry cannot offer more competitive purses and breeding incentives, horse farms will continue to go up for sale. Residents and revenue will leave with the horse farms.

The Rutgers Equine Science Center published the “2014 State of the New Jersey Horse Racing Industry: Post-Report of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on New Jersey Gaming, Sports and Entertainment.” The executive summary offers a comprehensive snapshot of pressing issues facing the equine racing industry. The full report can be found via the following Web Site:

http://esc.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/2014_Health_Of_Horse_R...

To join the struggle to protect Monmouth County’s horse farms, Monmouth Conservation Foundation recommends these next steps:

· Support farmland preservation projects in local towns. Although farmland preservation alone cannot sustain horse farms, it offers another tool to keep the farms in Monmouth County. Contact Monmouth Conservation Foundation (732-671-7000) for more information on how to get involved.

· Contact local legislative representatives about the importance of preserving farmland and open space. Visit http://www.njleg.state.nj.us for information on the New Jersey Assembly and Senate and how to contact specific members. Legislation can be tracked on this site as well.

· Go to the track. Monmouth Park offers a full schedule of activities throughout the racing season. Many activities have nothing to do with gambling and offer a fun and inexpensive outdoor activity for the entire family to enjoy.

Monmouth Conservation Foundation is a non-profit organization that collaboratively has preserved more than 22,500 acres of open space and farmland throughout Monmouth County. The organization was founded in 1977 by the late Michael Huber and Judith Stanley – longtime residents of Monmouth County. Monmouth Conservation Foundation achieved land trust accreditation from the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance.

For more details, please visit www.monmouthconservation.org or Monmouth Conservation Foundation on Facebook.