We could probably let the [United Nations] slide another week if we had to, without upsetting the rest of the turf stakes schedule. We still need 10 days out of the next 30 without rain to keep it on schedule.

There are almost no roads connecting the south with the rest of the country and neighboring nations, and in most cases, the few available are either still mined or usable only during the dry season.

We haven't put in our application (for 2006 racing dates), but (the two May weekends) have been great. I don't know about opening Derby week. We would have to open our backstretch earlier and we'd have to see what the costs would be.

The new turf course will be ready in late June. Work continues to progress on the new surface and a late June starting point will ensure plenty of time for that course to take firm root.

The major stakes that we're announcing today are just the beginning of what is sure to be a very successful 2006 racing year in New Jersey . When the overnight stakes schedule is added in, total stakes purses will top $8-million and overnight purses will start at $330,000 per day, the highest ever at Monmouth Park .

I like those scores -- everything in the 30s. Those are the types of scores we're going to need the rest of the season.