News
- Racehorses get a workout early each morning at Monmouth Park in Oceanport. Photo by Sara Kelly.
"Dawn Patrol" Presents Insiders' View Of Monmouth Park
By Katie Conway
"And they're off!" an announcer exclaims excitedly in the broadcast of a horse race. But when the parking lot of Monmouth Park is empty and the racetrack is quiet, it's easy to overlook the action taking place everyday behind the gates.
"Dawn Patrol" is a free program that takes place every Saturday and Sunday morning at 8 a.m. The program highlights the preparations that occur on mornings before a big race, giving the public a track experience that is just as engaging as the race itself!
Each Saturday and Sunday until the 29th of August, Laurie Lane hosts an insider's tour of the backstretch, starting gate and jockeys' room to teach children and adults what racing is all about.
"For two hours, the focus is on the horses," Lane said, explaining how people can get distracted by the many other aspects of the track.
Parents with kids of all ages gathered for the tour las Sunday morning. Larry Kushner of Long Branch brought five of his 13 children.
"We come every year because of Laurie's knowledge and excellent presentation," Kushner said.
Lane credits her knowledge to her life in the racing scene.
"At two months old, I was at the Saratoga track. My father was a jockey for many years and is now an owner," Lane said.
Lane has hosted the program for the last nine years, but Dawn Patrol has run for many years with the purpose of educating people on the workings of the track and to generate public interest in racing.
"Everyone, especially racing fans, should do this at least once!" Lane emphasized.
Last Sunday's tour began in the Jockeys' Room where Lane asked children and adults to imagine the tremendous athleticism of jockeys, who must control a horse 10 times their weight, while trying to maintain the fastest speed.
In the morning heat wave, participants then hopped aboard a tramcar, Lane leading the group at the front of the car with a microphone. Participants were given an inside glimpse of the stables, where horses, trainers and groomers eagerly prepare for the day's races.
"It is a labor of love here," Lane described. "Because it's a 365 day a year job, if you didn't love it, you wouldn't do it."
And preparations did not pause as participants observed the fitting of horseshoes, the bustle of jockeys, various grooming processes and horses on 'hot walkers', which are used to cool down the horses.
Ann Coleman of New York said that she attended Sunday's Dawn Patrol with some of her local friends for her birthday celebration.
"I have been to the track and seen races many times," Coleman said. "I love the whole atmosphere and this [Dawn Patrol] is great!"
In the 39 barns at Monmouth Park, there can be up to 1,500 thoroughbred horses at any give time, Lane said.
However, the highlight of the tour was when Cocoa Puff, the track's miniature horse mascot, greeted children (and especially their carrots) on the tramcar. Cocoa Puff, who was rescued about three years ago, works two days a week at the track for Dawn Patrol and Family Fun Day on Sundays, Lane said.
The final leg of the tour focused on the starting gate, symbolizing all the work that must occur before horses can even begin racing. Here, Lane explained the importance of training a horse for the loading gate, which is contrary to the animal's herd mentality. You must watch a horse's reactions, like the position of ears and facial expressions, to understand their feelings, Lane said.
At the conclusion of the program, participants were welcomed back to the clubhouse with free coffee, donuts, souvenir mugs and a day pass to Monmouth Park. For more information on Dawn Patrol, or to reserve your free tour, visit the Web site at www.monmouthpark.com or call (732) 571-5542.
