Far Hills Race Rules 'Work in Progress' For Future Years

Attendance was down slightly at this October's Far Hills Race Meeting, a mix of serious steeplechase racing and a social event that drew roughly 32,000 people from the region and beyond, while organizers say they will continue look for ways to further curb excess drinking and other rules infractions in future years.

This year's race was the first with prohibition against general ticketholders bringing alcohol into those walk-in gates, along with 100 state police assigned to patrol Moorland Farm during the daylong event in Far Hills.

Nevertheless, 55 people were either arrested or issued summonses on the day of the race, with 30 of those citations for public urination. 

"Generally speaking, we were happy with the day," Far Hills Race Meeting Co-chair Carl Torsilieri said earlier this week. But, he added, as far as reviewing where there may be room for improvement, "We are not done."

Torsilieri noted that part of the reason for the many citations or arrests may have been the presence of the state police, hired by the Far Hills Race Meeting Association to join a private security firm and other local law enforcement officers in enforcing laws against underage drinking, public rowdiness and possession of illegal substances.

Torsilieri said he had received both positive and negative feedback about the way this year's race was conducted.

He also said that any time "you get 32,000 people together" there will be some problems in a crowd.

General admission sales were down slightly for this year, Torsilieri said, while the rental of spots in the family area, for corporate sites and other reserved locations had sold out sooner than in previous years. He estimated attendance at about 35,000 for the previous year, which drew complaints of intoxication and rowdiness in the crowd from the public and officials.

Although the general admission ticketholders were no longer to bring in their own supplies of alcohol, they were able to reach leased spots where alcohol was being served.

Torsilieri said that regulations will again be reviewed for future years' planning of the long-running Far Hills Race Meeting, which is a major fundraiser for the Somerset Medical Center in Somerville.

"This is a work in progress," Torsilieri said, using a phrase also used in a release issued after the race on behalf of Far Hills Mayor Paul Vallone, the Far Hills Borough Council, Far Hills Chief Kenneth Hartman and the Far Hills Police Department.

"This event will improve and the atmosphere is changing," that release said. 
"We are happy to see families and corporate sponsors coming back to the event."

Limiting alcohol, and tightening security, including adding the New Jersey State Police officers and changing rules, resulted in "a great improvement," the release said. The state police are expected to be asked to return for future races, the release added.

"Although there were arrests and summonses issued, the responses we have received overall were that the public likes what we are doing," the release said.

Those who were cited for violations on race day came from both near and far, including 15-year-old juveniles from Bedminster and Chester cited for having a controlled dangerous substance, a driving under the influence violation issued to a Bridgewater man, and complaints of public urination against those listed as residents of the United Kingdom, Vermont, San Francisco and Saskatchewan, Canada.