Trainer Jorge Navarro shipped into Monmouth Park at the beginning of the meet with high expectations and a barn full of promise. Making the Jersey Shore his summer base was the right decision.

            “I am very happy with the way the meet’s going,” said the 37-year-old Navarro, who winters at Tampa Bay Downs and raced at Monmouth Park this year for the first time. “Coming here was absolutely the best thing I did and I am 100% committed to coming back again next year.”

            With live racing at Monmouth running through October 7, Navarro currently ranks ninth in the standings with 13 wins, 16 seconds and seven thirds from 62 starts. Not bad for a new shooter in the trainer ranks.

            “My Tampa horses have done pretty well here,” said Navarro, who is a sharp-eyed horseman adept at the claiming game. “But I’ve learned that next year I have got to come back with better horses, and I’m looking to spending some money in the off-season to get them.”

            With plenty of allowance and claiming races still left on the cards over the remaining five weeks, Navarro isn’t going anywhere yet.    

“My horses and I are going to stay all the way to the end and more. Until they turn off the water and shut off the power and kick me out, we’re here,” he said with a big smile. “There are lots of opportunities in the coming month right here, and I hope to be able to take advantage of them.”