Monmouth will celebrate the Fourth of July weekend with seven stakes races over three days, topped by the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Day events; a $100,000 guaranteed Pick 4 pool; a fundraiser for the Don MacBeth Memorial Jockey Fund; a backpack giveaway, and Family Fun Day activities all three days.

The stakes action gets underway on Friday, July 4, with the 17th running of the $150,000 Jersey Shore Stakes (G3), which features top 3-year-old sprinters, and the $65,000 Choice Stakes for 3-year-olds on the turf.

Saturday is Breeders’ Cup Challenge Day when Monmouth offers two “win and you’re in” stakes events. The winner of the $750,000 United Nations Stakes (G1) is guaranteed a berth in the $3 million Breeders’ Cup Turf at Santa Anita on Oct. 25, and the winner of the $300,000 Salvator Mile Stakes (G3) earns a starting spot in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile the same day. A $100,000 guaranteed Pick 4 pool, which includes the U.N. and Salvator Mile, will be up for grabs on the days final four races.

Also on tap that day is the $75,000 Mr. Prospector Stakes for older sprinters.

The holiday weekend stakes action concludes on Sunday, July 6, with the $70,000 Miss Liberty Stakes for fillies and mares on turf and the $60,000 Colts Neck Handicap for New Jersey-bred sprinters.

The Don MacBeth fundraiser on Friday features autographed racing memorabilia, artwork, lucky horseshoes and raffles. Live music will be provided by Cats on a Smooth Surface.

On Saturday, July 5, there will be a backpack giveaway, with all paid admissions receiving a Monmouth logo backpack while supplies last.

The Mike Dalton Band will provide live entertainment “On the Green.”

On Sunday, the Family Fun Day activities (free pony rides, face painters, clowns and more) continue, and music will be provided by the Rory Daniels Band.

DAWN PATROL TOURS BACK AT MONMOUTH PARK

Monmouth Park’s popular Dawn Patrol tours of the stable area are back, and will be held every Friday and Saturday through August 30. The tours are free of charge, and guests are treated to complimentary juice, coffee and pastries.

Dawn Patrol takes guests on a tram tour through the Monmouth Park stable area for a glimpse into the everyday life of Thoroughbreds and the people who care for them. The tour also includes a visit to the jockeys’ room on the frontside.

The Friday Dawn Patrol starts at 7 a.m., and the Saturday tours begin at 8 a.m.

Reservations are required for the Dawn Patrol tours, and can be made by calling 732-571-5542, or by stopping in the Media Relations office in the Administration Building at the track.