Monmouth Park Reopens [Gallery]

Whether it was all the publicity recently over its new management or the perfect spring weather,opening day on Saturday saw an increase in attendance and wagering to kick off its 67th season.

A little over 12,000 fans streamed into the racetrack, which was an 11 percent gain over last year, according to a release. Many of them from beyond the Greater Red Bank area.

The Geller Family was looking for something to do and drove down from Long Island Saturday morning to spend the day at the track.

Kelly Hogate of Sayreville said she hadn't been to the racetrack in about 10 years and brought her daughter Kaitlin, 17, to spend the day watching the races.

Then there was Mike and Jennifer Sebastian who make the one-hour drive from Princeton every week during racing season to spend the day at the track.

"I love the animals and the excitement of the races," said Mike, "and it's so picturesque here."

He and Jennifer busied themselves setting up their folding chairs on a prime patch of grass outside the clubhouse and greeted another couple nearby asking how their winter was.

Kristi Irace, 18, whose dad is Oceanport Councilman Joseph Irace, said she's spent a lot of time at the track with her family. "I'm practically here every weekend," she said as she sat next to her mom, Eileen, on a bench enjoying the sunshine.

Saturday was the first of 65 racing days at Monmouth, with the season running through Oct. 7.

The first feature of the 2012 season was the $75,000 Decathlon Stakes, which was marred by a spill on the far turn involving five of the eight starters, according to the release. John Koenig’s Ponzi Scheme led the three finishers home, beating Flat Bold by nearly three lengths. Soaring Stocks was third. 

All five of the horses involved in the incident came back to the barn uninjured, suffering only superficial cuts and bruises. The riders likewise escaped serious injury. Only one, Angel Serpa, was taken to the Monmouth Medical Center for precautionary X-rays of his right shoulder.