Significant NJ Horse Racing Set to Close After 170 Years

Freehold Raceway and its closure signals the conclusion of history in NJ Horse Racing. This venue will host its final race on Saturday, December 28 after more than 170 years of harness racing. This development gives a lot of emotions from nostalgia to disappointment, as fans, employees, and local residents reflect on its legacy.

The announcement came after the track owner FR Park Racing ended a 25-year effort to secure a casino license for the property. Without the financial boost such a venture might have provided, sustaining operations became increasingly unfeasible. General Manager Howard Bruno acknowledged the emotional weight of the decision, citing the employees, horsemen, and loyal fans who have supported the track through decades of highs and lows.

“This was an extremely difficult decision, especially given the historical importance of Freehold Raceway to the local community and the NJ 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.”

The closure is a poignant reminder of the NJ horse racing peak, which reached its height in the 1980s. The era saw grand events like Robert Brennan’s $178 million rebuild of Garden State Park in 1985, a project that brought national attention to the state’s racing industry. Freehold Raceway, though smaller in scale, played an integral role in this history.

For many, the track evokes cherished memories. Stacy Fox, who grew up in Browns Mills, recalls spending her childhood at the raceway. Her father worked as a head accountant, and her mother managed the simulcasting switchboard. Fox fondly remembers Sundays spent at the track with her siblings, meeting jockeys, and admiring the horses.

“I literally cried because my whole childhood was on the track,” said Fox, now 46. She returned to Freehold in October to visit with her mother, a trip steeped in nostalgia and bittersweet emotion. Coincidentally, her parents’ anniversary falls on the track’s final race day.

Bob Barlow, 72, who lived in East Windsor as a child, also shared fond memories of visiting the track with his stepfather, Tracy Hall. Hall’s excitement at a $800 win remains etched in Barlow’s mind. Hall eventually worked as an usher at the raceway, blending his passion for NJ Horse Racing with his profession.

The complications that Freehold Raceway is facing are not isolated events, they are actually in sync with the general trend that NJ Horse Racing experiences. The scenario has been relevant to the industry as a whole, as it has not been able to keep up with the changing face of entertainment. The deadly rivalries come from casinos, sports betting, and other forms of gambling.

Social media reactions to the closure highlight the divided opinions about NJ Horse Racing. Some welcomed the decision, citing concerns for animal welfare, while others expressed sadness at losing a cultural institution. Many shared personal stories of time spent at the track, underscoring its role in building community connections.

The fate of the 57-acre property remains uncertain. Freehold Borough is conducting a redevelopment study, and while there is some interest in maintaining a New Jersey Horse Racing element, this possibility is considered unlikely. Housing developers are expected to be the primary contenders for the site, a shift that would mark a significant departure from the track’s historic use.

Bruno acknowledged the complexity of the situation. “There are the employees that I’ve worked with for over 20 years. There are the horsemen who are working seven days a week at their craft and the customers,” he said. These layered challenges highlight the difficulty of balancing economic realities with preserving the heritage of the site.

This is the period when Freehold Raceway prepares to finalize its last race day but not without sifting through much of its past legacies as much as it has been America’s oldest racetrack. For generations, this was an adventure and more than a venue; it was a way of life. With it, so ends an era, but memories will enrich many people for years.