Gotham Stakes runnerup Dean’s List heads a field of eight 3-year-olds for the $100,000 Long Branch Stakes that headlines an eight-race card for opening day of Monmouth Park’s 77^th season on Saturday, May 7.

A total of 61 horses entered the eight races, which will get underway with a special 2 p.m. post time as a prelude to the Kentucky Derby (scheduled post time 6:45 p.m.) later that day. Post time for Saturdays and Sundays throughout the rest of the 62-day meet – with the exception of a noon start for TVG.com Haskell Stakes Day on July 23 – will be 12:15 p.m.

The opening card will also feature the debut of Fixed Odds for win, place and show wagering on Monmouth Park races. Fixed Odds wagering allows bettors to retain the odds at the time of their bet, as opposed to tote wagering, where odds are not finalized until betting is completed and the race begins.

Dean’s List, a Kentucky-bred son of Speightstown who is trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, followed up his second-place finish in the Grade 3 Gotham Stakes with a fourth-place showing in the Grade 3 Bayshore on April 9.

Paco Lopez, seeking a ninth Monmouth Park jockey’s title, is listed to ride the WinStar Farm and Siena Farm colt. Lopez has been named to ride in seven of the eight races on opening day.

Dash Attack, trained by Ken McPeek, will be getting some class relief in the mile and 70-yard feature after racing in the Grade 3 Lexington Stakes, the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes and the Grade 3 Southwest Stakes in his last three starts. He was sixth in the Lexington Stakes in his last start on April 16.

The Shore’s Biggest Derby party will part of the opening day festivities leading up to the Kentucky Derby, with Best Hat and Best Dressed Couple winners selected throughout the day. Winners will receive a $100 bet on the Kentucky Derby.

There will also be Red Carpet photo ops at two locations: The Lady’s Secret Café and the Grandstand fountains.

Parking throughout the meet is free. Admission is $6 – for either the Clubhouse or the Grandstand.