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.

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.

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 .

The net effect of this plan will be to enhance the viability of Maryland Thoroughbred racing for the immediate future to the benefit of all stakeholders. This is truly a situation where less will be more.

We were pretty good all day, ... That's fun racing. We all know that we have to take care of each other. Nobody's out there to wreck each other.