‘The Hunt’ returns to Far Hills after COVID pause. Here’s what’s new this year. – My Central Jersey

FAR HILLS – It will be well worth waiting a year for.

The 100th running of the Far Hills Race Meeting, also known as “The Hunt,” the premier autumn social and charity event in Central Jersey, was canceled last year because of the pandemic.

But the event is in the starting gate for Saturday and Guy Torsilieri, the longtime chairman of the Far Hills Race Meeting, already knows who the winners will be – charity.

The steeplechase races, which attract 30,000 spectators to Moorland Farm on Route 202, have raised close to $20 million for Central Jersey health care organizations.

“Our community’s health care organizations have been vital resources during the pandemic and need our support to provide crucial care for locals,” said Torsilieri, who has been chairman since 1979. “We’re excited to welcome racegoers back to support these wonderful causes and experience our new race-day offerings.”

This year’s six beneficiaries are Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset, Crossroads4Hope, The Arc of Somerset County, Community in Crisis, LifeCamp and Bonnie Brae School. 

“Our beneficiaries have been tasked with caring for our community’s most vulnerable, and we’re honored to support them while also treating the community to this beloved tradition at the 100th running,” said Ron Kennedy, the other chairman. “It will be wonderful to see guests again after last year’s postponement for a day of thrill-seeking races.”

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Advance sales have been strong, Torsilieri said, with the best tailgating spots already gone. He said he expects same-day ticket sales to be strong.

“People are really tired of COVID and ready to come back,” he said.

To celebrate the 100th running, new this year will be the Centennial Tent at the finish line where a gourmet buffet will be open all day.

There will also be an open bar with Penelope Bourbon, which was started by Basking Ridge natives Mike Paladini and childhood next-door neighbor, Danny Polise. Guests can sip on race-day themed bourbon cocktails such as the Race Meeting Mule, Centennial Cider and Penelope’s Mint Julep. Additionally, Bedminster’s Burnt Mills Cider will be serving a special edition.

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The richest day in American steeplechase racing has a $400,000 purse for its six races, including $150,000 for the feature race, the Grand National.

Pari-mutuel wagering will be available for the races but only through a smartphone app, 4NJBets, powered by TVG. There will be no pari-mutuel clerks on sight.

Torsilieri encourages bettors to download the 4NJBets app before the first race starts at 1:20 p.m. Bettors can also visit tvg.com/farhills250.

The races will be broadcast on Fox Sports 2 as part of Saturday’s edition of America’s Day at the Racing. The program, produced by the New York Racing Association, will alternate showing races between Far Hills and Belmont Park.

Larry Collmus, famed for calling the Triple Crown and the Breeder’s Cup, will be calling the Far Hills races.

The main sponsors of the event are Open Road Auto Group and Peapack-Gladstone Bank. Instead of having a raffle for a luxury car, the races will have a 50-50 raffle.

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The Far Hills Race Meeting traces its origins to the Essex Hunt, a fox hunting event founded in Montclair in 1870. In 1913, the organizers of the Essex Hunt incorporated as the Essex Fox Hounds.

The Essex Fox Hounds then created an event to thank the farmers and landowners who allowed them to hunt on their property. The Farmer’s Day Race Meeting, as it became known, included the New Jersey Hunt Cup Steeplechase — a race that remains on the Far Hills Race Meeting card today.

In 1916, the event moved from the original club site to the Grant B. Schley estate — today known as Moorland Farm. Eventually becoming the Far Hills Race Meeting, the races have been continually run – with the exception of a short hiatus during World War II – on the same site.

The day at the races

Gates open at 8 a.m. Post time for first race is 1 p.m. and the last race will be at about 4:30 p.m.

Admission tickets are sold race day at the gates for $220.

Races will run rain or shine. The forecast, as of Monday afternoon, is for temperatures in the 70s under partly cloudy skies.

Spectators are not permitted to bring any alcohol through the pedestrian gates. All admission tickets are electronically scanned as you enter the grounds.

Pets are not permitted on the grounds.

Everyone 14 and over entering Moorland Farm must have an admission ticket. Children under 14 are admitted free and must be accompanied by an adult

All attendees are responsible for cleaning up their space.

Take the tracks to the track

Once again, NJ Transit will be offering special rail service between Hoboken and Far Hills for the races. The Far Hills Station on the Gladstone Branch of the Morris & Essex Lines is located directly across Route 202 from Moorland Farm.

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Trains will depart Hoboken at least once per hour from 7:31 a.m. until 11:20 a.m., with more frequent service between 8:39 a.m. and 10:35 a.m.

Trains will depart Summit at least once per hour from 8:14 a.m. until 1:14 p.m., with more frequent service from approximately 9:10 a.m. until approximately 11:20 a.m.

Trains from Far Hills will leave from 3:59 p.m. until 7:03 p.m. Trains may depart Far Hills as they are filled, but the last train of the day will not depart Far Hills before 7:03 p.m.

There will be no rail service to or from the Peapack and Gladstone stations. Frequent shuttle bus service, operated by Lakeland Bus Company, will operate between Gladstone, Peapack and Far Hills throughout the day. Buses will operate at least every 30 minutes but may operate more frequently if customer demand warrants.

Outside the times shown above, Lakeland buses replace Gladstone Branch rail service between Gladstone and Summit.

To avoid lines, customers are strongly encouraged to purchase round-trip tickets in advance. Customers boarding at Far Hills without a valid ticket or pass will be required to purchase a special ticket prior to boarding the train for $20. The special ticket is valid until 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 16 only for travel between Far Hills and any NJ Transit rail station.

Customers are required to wear masks while inside waiting rooms and on board all trains and buses.

NJ Transit will also be enforcing the ban on any beverages, including alcohol, in open or closed containers, on any train or bus.

Parking will be prohibited at Far Hills Station between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. on Saturday.  The parking lot will be used for Far Hills Race Meeting transportation operations.

Email: mdeak@mycentraljersey.com

Mike Deak is a reporter for mycentraljersey.com. To get unlimited access to his articles on Somerset and Hunterdon counties, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.