Freehold Raceway

Address:Routes 9 and 33
Freehold, New Jersey

Freehold, NJ is home to two American icons: Bruce Springsteen, and Freehold Raceway, the oldest and fastest 1/2 mile racetrack in the nation. Located in central New Jersey, Freehold Raceway features live Standard bred harness races for trotters and pacers from August through early June. Come any day and enjoy the "Afternoon Delight," as the racetrack is open seven days, and nights, a week, for year round thoroughbred and harness racing simulcasts from tracks throughout North America. Admission to Freehold Raceway is free and post time for live racing is at 12:30 p.m..

Freehold Raceway was founded by the Monmouth County Agriculture Society in December, 1853, and in 1854 the first harness fair meet was held on a 10-acre plot of land, on what is presently Freehold Raceway. The crown jewel of Freehold Raceway is the Cane Pace, a harness race run annually since 1955. In 1956, the race joined with the Little Brown Jug and the Messenger Stakes to become the first leg in the Triple Crown of Harness Racing for Pacers. Many of the greatest pacers in harness racing history have won the Cane Pace, and the sport's best drivers have also had their names etched on its trophies. Another major race is Freehold Raceway's own James B. Dancer Memorial Pace. The race honors the patriarch of the legendary New Egypt harness racing family. This event began in 1976, and has become one of the biggest races of the year for 3-year-old pacers. In 1984, an electrical fire destroyed the main building. Racing was then held under tents until the new building was completed in 1985.

Freehold Raceway is located at the traffic intersection of Route 9 and Business Route 33 in Freehold, New Jersey. Freehold is just a few miles off the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway. Public transportation is a convenient option for getting to the track as well. NJ Transit runs daily buses from Port Authority in NY City to the Freehold downtown area, via Route 9 North and South. The best arrival area is in downtown Freehold. From there you can easily catch a taxi to the racetrack or hoof it over yourself as it's only a quarter mile away.