Rain continues to soak Monmouth

A few hardy souls braved bleak conditions at Monmouth for the Breeders’ Cup on Friday (Jim Tyrrell/Horsephotos.com)

Rain soaked Monmouth Park on Friday, the first day of the Breeders’ Cup,
resulting in a sloppy, sealed, dirt track and yielding conditions on the turf.
Showers are expected to continue throughout Friday night.

Saturday isn’t expected to be any better, with an approximately 60 percent
chance of rain forecast for the entire day. Wind gusts up to 24 mph could be
recorded, and the temperature isn’t expected to reach above 65 degrees as clouds
continue to blanket the Oceanport, New Jersey, track.

In spite of the rain on Friday, Breeders’ Cup President and CEO Greg
Avioli expressed himself satisfied with the day.

“Despite the lack of cooperation from Mother Nature, we are very
encouraged with the first day of the new two-day format of the Breeders’
Cup World Championships,” he stated. “The racing fans of New Jersey
displayed their great support and enthusiasm, and bettors around the
country responded with a heightened sense of interest in the three new
World Championships races.”