Six Pop Culture Icons Associated with Monmouth Park

Pop Culture
Bill Murray at the 2015 Haskell Invitational. (Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing)

The Betfair.com Haskell Invitational Stakes is July 29 at Monmouth Park, offering its winner a spot in the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 3. The “War at the Shore” (as the Haskell is affectionately known) has garnered legions of loyal fans over its 51-year history, and among those devotees are some serious pop culture icons. 


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1. Bill Murray

Bill Murray is almost universally beloved: not only is he responsible for some of the most iconic comedy roles in American cinema, but he seems to adore his fans and takes care to chat with anyone who recognizes him. This was apparent at the 2015 Haskell Invitational, when Murray was there to call “Riders up” before the big race. As he was waiting for his moment, Bill Murray took care to walk over to the paddock railing to chat with fans assembled to see the Haskell runners.


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2. Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen IS New Jersey: his songs speak to the rich experiences of the people who call the Garden State home. How fitting, then, that the Haskell Invitational runners step onto the track to the tune of “Born to Run,” one of Springstreen’s most popular songs.


Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing

3. Richie Sambora

Bon Jovi’s music is all about fun, which is why it’s no surprise that the New Jersey supergroup’s lead guitarist Richie Sambora is a Haskell Invitational fan as well as a Breeders’ Cup Ambassador. Sambora is a regular racegoer, and he was front and center at Monmouth to watch American Pharoah dominate in the 2015 Haskell.  


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4. Frank Sinatra

Another musical icon associated with Monmouth Park and the Haskell is "Ol’ Blue Eyes" himself: Frank Sinatra. The New Jersey native is honored every day at Monmouth Park, since his song "Summer Wind" is the official tune of the track and is played after the last race every day of the meet.


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5. Bethenny Frankel

“Real Housewives of New York” star Bethenny Frankel is no stranger to the racing game – her father was Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel. It makes sense, then, that Bethenny is a Monmouth Park fan: she even had a race at Monmouth named after her very own line of adult beverages, Skinnygirl Cocktails!  


James Gandolfini (Wikimedia Commons)

6. The Cast of “The Sopranos”

“The Sopranos” is probably the most iconic New Jersey show in television history, so it makes sense that Monmouth Park would be the setting for the adventures of Tony Soprano, his associates, and the late Pie-o-My. (Sorry for the circa-2002 spoilers!)


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