Closing Day At Freehold Raceway Approaches: What You Need To Know

FREEHOLD, NJ — Closing day at Freehold Raceway is fast approaching on Dec. 28.

News of the historic track ending operations came as a surprise to many in late September, with Freehold Borough Mayor Kevin Kane citing a decreased interest in standardbred harness racing as one reason for the shutdown.

In addition, Kane said borough officials tried to meet with Raceway management on multiple occasions to discuss event-based strategies that could bring new customers to the track, though these attempts were "rebuffed."

"Management seemed disinterested in promoting or marketing the venue," Kane said. "The facility had become shopworn and dated with little capital improvement to attract new customers."

In a statement from Freehold Raceway General Manager Howard Bruno, Bruno said deciding to close the track wasn't easy.

"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," Bruno said. “Unfortunately, the operations of the racetrack cannot continue under existing conditions, and we do not see a plausible way forward.”

Read: Freehold Raceway Up For Potential Redevelopment Amid Sudden Closure

But before the track faces its final day, there are still plenty of races and events happening for people to enjoy.

Here’s what you need to know:

Racing & Daily Simulcasting
In a statement from Freehold Raceway management, the track confirmed that the remainder of the approved live racing schedule for 2024 and daily simulcasting will continue through the track’s closing date on Dec. 28.

To see Freehold Raceway’s racing dates, you can click here. To view the simulcasting calendar, you can click here.

Holiday Draw Schedule
Due to the upcoming holidays, the raceway’s draw schedule has been altered. The track will now draw on Sunday and Monday instead of the usual Tuesday and Wednesday.

Draw for Dec. 27: Sunday, Dec. 22 by 9 a.m. Driver changes are due by Monday, Dec. 23 at 10 a.m.

Draw for Dec. 28: Monday, Dec. 23 by 9 a.m. Driver changes are due the same day by 2 p.m.

There will be no qualifiers as this is the final week of the meet.

Fan Appreciation Day
On Saturday, Freehold Raceway will hold a special Fan Appreciation Day with $1 hot dogs, drawings for 50-inch TVs and more.

Attendees will be able to participate in a driver autograph session, and receive a free ice scraper with paid Freehold Live Program (while supplies last).

Cashing of Winning Tickets & Vouchers
After Freehold Raceway ends operations on Dec. 28, winning tickets and vouchers can be cashed as follows:

In Person:

• Monmouth Park Racetrack
• Meadowlands Racetrack
• Favorites at Woodbridge
• Favorites at Hillsborough
• Winners Bayonne

Or, you can send USPS-registered mail along with a stamped, self-addressed envelope to one of the following locations.

By Mail:

• Monmouth Park Racetrack Attn: Mutuel Department, 175 Oceanport Ave. Oceanport, NJ 07757
• Meadowlands Racetrack Attn: Mutuel Department, 1 Racetrack Dr. East Rutherford, NJ 07073

By law and under New Jersey Racing Commission regulations, winning tickets will expire one year from the date of issue, and vouchers will expire three years from the date of issue.

Future of the Property
Once the Raceway closes on Dec. 28, Mayor Kane said the Freehold Borough Council plans to conduct a redevelopment study of the track to determine “the highest and best use” for the property.

According to Kane, borough officials are hopeful that an interested buyer may emerge and continue operating a standardbred harness racing track on the property.

“Going forward, there is an opportunity for significant new investment in the Borough,” Kane said.

Freehold Raceway is located at 130 Park Ave., Freehold.

Related

• Freehold Raceway To End Operations In December
• Freehold Raceway Up For Potential Redevelopment Amid Sudden Closure
• Patch Readers Share Memories Of Freehold Raceway