When Monmouth concludes its 2006 meet on September 24, the Oceanport, New Jersey, track will immediately begin a $30-million renovation project to prepare for the '07 Breeders' Cup World Championships 13 months later.

"Racing at Monmouth and the Meadowlands contributes 75% percent of the bottom line to the [New Jersey Sports & Exposition] authority," said Dennis Dowd, senior vice president of racing. "That takes into account all the revenue from Giants Stadium and the Continental Airlines Arena. It's time to start putting some of that money back into racing."

Monmouth's new, wider turf course with an improved drainage system already is in place, but other projects include replacing the 1940s-era elevators throughout the facility, reconstructing the 8,300 square-foot first-floor Patio Terrace into a simulcast room catering to high-end players, installing a new television board and sound system, refurbishing the current press box, installing an auxiliary press box, and landscaping the infield, which now is bare.

"All the contracts are out. It's just a matter of getting them done," Dowd said. "It will be a first-class operation, and we will have all of next meet to work out any kinks and be ready for the Breeders' Cup."

The current picnic area, running from the top of the stretch to the about the eighth pole will be replaced by 25,000 temporary seats in September 2007. Temporary seating and a corporate tent area will be located behind the clubhouse turn.

After an open bidding period, Scientific Games Network retained the totalizator contact at both Monmouth and the Meadowlands. Installation of new terminals, including Extrema Windows-based teller machines, interactive player terminals, color Tiny Tim machines, hand-held portable terminals, and BetJet machines will begin at Monmouth over the winter months.—Tom DeMartini