Freehold Raceway track located in Freehold Township, NJ is the oldest racetrack in the US and is also the site of the first ever photo finish triple dead heat win in a harness race.
Horseraces have been taking place at Freehold Raceway since the 1830s. The Monmouth County Agricultural Society was formed on December 17, 1853, and in 1854 they began holding an annual fair with harness racing at Freehold Raceway.
An electrical fire in 1984 destroyed the main building and for two years, until the new building was completed, racing was held under tents.
From 1998 to 2010, Freehold Raceway was the home of the Cane Pace, a harness horse race run annually since 1955. In 1956 it become the first leg in the Triple Crown of Harness Racing for Pacers.
In 2005, Freehold was also the temporary home of the Yonkers Trot, part of the Triple Crown of Harness Racing for Trotters, while renovations took place at Yonkers Raceway.
Race attendance has dwindled. On September 24, 2024, raceway track officials announced that the raceway will close on December 28 of the same year. It will be the third horse racing track in New Jersey to close since 2001.
“This was an extremely difficult decision, especially given the historical importance of Freehold Raceway to the local community and the New Jersey horse racing industry,” General Manager Howard Bruno said. “Unfortunately, the operations of the racetrack cannot continue under existing conditions, and we do not see a plausible way forward. We are incredibly thankful for our dedicated employees, horsemen and fan base for their support and patronage for so many years.”
What does this mean for the community?
“My mother started working here when I was nine months old. I was a child running through people’s legs watching races. I’ve owned horses. It’s a passion of mine. And it hurts,” Freehold resident John Smith said.
“You know, it’s another gathering place for older people when they retire,” another person said.
“Where are we going to go? Like you said, you know, some of the horses are in the lower classes. And there’s nowhere for us to race. So some have to be sold”, longtime horse owner and trainer Maggie Romano said.