Freehold Raceway facts for kids
Grandstand from the east side
|
|
| Location | Freehold, New Jersey, U.S.A. |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 40°15′18″N 74°17′15″W / 40.254999°N 74.28762°W |
| Owned by | Penn Entertainment Greenwood Racing |
| Date opened | 1830s (informally) 1854 (officially) |
| Date closed | December 28, 2024 |
| Race type | Harness |
| Course type | Dirt |
| Notable races | Cane Pace (1998-2010) |
Freehold Raceway was a special place for harness racing in Freehold, New Jersey. It was a racetrack where horses pulled drivers in two-wheeled carts. The track was half a mile long. When it closed in December 2024, it was the oldest racetrack in the entire United States.
Contents
History of Freehold Raceway
Horse races have been happening at Freehold Raceway since the 1830s. That's almost 200 years ago! In 1853, a group called the Monmouth County Agricultural Society was formed. They started holding an annual fair at the raceway in 1854. These fairs always included exciting harness races.
In 1984, a big electrical fire destroyed the main building at the track. For a while, races were held under large tents. A brand new building was finished in 1986, bringing the raceway back to its full glory.
In 1990, a large shopping center called Freehold Raceway Mall opened across the street. Until 2007, this mall was decorated with pictures and themes from harness racing.
In 1998, two companies, Penn National Gaming and Greenwood Racing, bought Freehold Raceway. Greenwood Racing also owned another track called Parx Casino and Racing.
Famous Races at Freehold
From 1998 to 2010, Freehold Raceway hosted the Cane Pace. This was a very important harness horse race that started in 1955. In 1956, the Cane Pace joined two other big races, the Little Brown Jug and the Messenger Stakes. Together, they formed the first leg of the Triple Crown of Harness Racing for Pacers. Winning all three was a huge achievement for a horse.
In 2005, Freehold Raceway also temporarily hosted the Yonkers Trot. This race is part of the Triple Crown of Harness Racing for Trotters. It came to Freehold because its usual home, Yonkers Raceway, was being renovated.
Why Freehold Raceway Closed
In September 2024, officials at Freehold Raceway announced sad news. They said the track would close at the end of the year. The general manager explained that it was too difficult to keep the track running.
The very last racing day at Freehold was December 28, 2024. More than 1,000 people came to watch the final races. The last race ever was won by a horse named T's Raider II, with Johnathan Ahle as the driver.
When the closure was announced, there were no plans for what would happen to the land where Freehold Raceway stood.
Triple Dead Heat: A Rare Event
Freehold Raceway was the place where something incredibly rare happened in harness racing. It was the first time a "photo finish" showed three horses crossing the finish line at the exact same moment. This is called a "triple dead heat."
Long ago, before cameras were used, judges would decide winners just by looking. Back then, double, triple, or even quadruple dead heats were more common. But once "photo finish" technology came along in the mid-1900s, it became much easier to see who won. This made dead heats much rarer.
On October 3, 1953, during a harness race, three horses made history. Their names were Patchover (driven by Ed Myer), Payne Hall (driven by F. Albertson), and Penny Maid (driven by E. Beede). All three of their noses crossed the finish line at the exact same time!
See also
- Gambling in New Jersey
