FanFest will lead up to Breeders' Cup Events seek to involve community in race festivities BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer OCEANPORT - - As Monmouth Park Racetrack is readied to host one of the world's top thoroughbred races this fall, the Borough of Oceanport is gearing up for a week's worth of local festivities to support the big event. Plans are in motion for a Breeders' Cup FanFest to be held in Oceanport to encourage community participation leading up to the 2007 Breeders' Cup, which will be held at Monmouth Park Oct. 26 and 27. "We are trying to promote the racing industry and Monmouth Park racetrack," said Oceanport Councilman Jay Briscione, who is coordinating FanFest. "We hope to carry this on and host these events again in the future," he said, adding, "The Breeders' Cup is the kick-off." Four activities are scheduled for Fan- Fest, beginning with a sailing regatta Sept. 29 at the Shrewsbury Sailing and Yacht Club in the borough. A FanFest Polo Match with the Colts Neck Polo Club is set to take place Oct. 14 at Maria Gatta Park on Port-au-Peck and Oceanport avenues, adjacent to Monmouth Park, according to Briscione. "We look to capitalize on the popularity of the sport, in addition to its equine nature, and attract the local racing and horse enthusiasts and those curious about the game," Briscione said in a press release. "There will be tailgating, a catered lunch, along with concessions stands." On Oct. 20, the festivities will continue with the FanFest 5K Road Race, which will begin at 11 a.m. at Monmouth Park and continue through the streets of Oceanport, ending on the stretch of the racetrack. "This is the resumption of a previously run event that usually coincided with the running of the Haskell Invitational, Monmouth Park's most successful race of the year," Briscione said. "The race has not taken place for a few years, but previous years' races had 1,500 to 2,000 contestants and were extremely well received by the running community. "The attraction was that the race finished down the stretch of the racetrack and the race will end at the same finish line at the Breeders' Cup races," he said. The final component is the FanFest Street Fair, a three-day, family-oriented event that will take place Oct. 19 to 21 in the parking lot outside the main gate of the racetrack. The street fair will be divided into sections reflecting "the fun, excitement, thrills and history" of the sport of thoroughbred racing, Briscione explained. Features of the fair include merchandise, craft and food vendors, music, rides, games and music, according to Briscione. The fair will also include a jockey/trainer meet and greet, racing exhibition areas and a farmer's market highlighting area produce and local chefs. Briscione explained that the street fair will cross-market regional agriculture with the farmer's market and education about the racing industry, with the cooperation of the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horseman's Association. "We envision this to become an annual event similar to Red Bank's Riverfest and the Belmar Seafood Festival and we anticipate working with a major street fair promoter," Briscione said. "We would expect upwards of 50,000 people." The four events are all open to the public, Briscione said, and all proceeds from FanFest will benefit local volunteer and community charitable organizations. There are also two invitation-only pre-Breeders' Cup events scheduled for Oct. 25 and Oct. 26, just before opening day of the races. On Oct. 25 a Grey Goose VIP media party will be held at the Ocean Place Resort & Spa; and on Oct. 26 there will be a gala at Wilson Hall at Monmouth University in West Long Branch. Although he is responsible for scheduling all the events, Briscione said he cannot take credit for the concept of the Breeders' Cup FanFest. "Other tracks that host the race have done this, or something similar to this," Briscione said in the interview. "Other tracks that hosted the Breeders' Cup have done extensive fanfests. "The idea is to show community, county and state support for the event in an effort to make the venue attractive enough to have the Breeders' Cup return for future events," he said. The Breeders' Cup is the largest purse of any racing day in the world, according to Briscione, who said the event is expected to attract some 45,000 to 48,000 people on the first day of races in Oceanport. "This race does not need any promoting," Briscione said. "The FanFest is really to get the community involved. The Breeders' Cup has been very successful." So successful, Briscione added, that the normal one day of races has been expanded and Oceanport will now be hosting the first ever two-day Breeders' Cup. "The Breeders' Cup is the biggest event that will take place in Oceanport," Briscione said. "This is the world series of horseracing. "Being the host town for the 2007 Breeders' Cup is an incredibly exciting event for Oceanport and Monmouth County," Briscione said. "In addition to the significant economic impact of the Breeders' Cup, the worldwide media exposure will showcase Monmouth Park, Oceanport and the surrounding towns. "This exposure will highlight what a special place this part of the Jersey Shore has become," he said. Assisting in coordinating the events is a FanFest Committee, consisting of Briscione, Oceanport resident Dave Gruskos and former jockey Jacquie Fiorito. Briscione said in addition to his role as a borough official, he wanted to be a member of the committee because of his interest in, and knowledge of, horse racing. "I have been involved in horseracing for a long time," he said. "I speak the language. I understand the industry and the impact that something like the Breeders' Cup will have." The events of FanFest are being funded through grants, sale of advertisements and ticket purchases, Briscione explained. He said people are always asking 'How will the Breeders' Cup benefit Oceanport?' "It will not only benefit the community," he said. "It will also benefit the region. "The benefits are obvious," he continued, citing a study by Rutgers University that estimated a $60 million economic impact of the event. The timing of the event also occurs after the traditional summer tourism season in Oceanport and will boost the regional economy, according to Briscione. "The prestige of the racetrack hosting the event is tremendous," Briscione said. "Having the Breeders' Cup has resulted in the N.J. Sports & Exposition Authority [the owners of the racetrack] putting money into the track. And that is good for the community and the taxpayers."