Freehold Raceway, Oldest U.S. Racetrack, to Close in December

Freehold Raceway, the historic harness track in central New Jersey with a nearly 200-year legacy, will close on December 28, marking the end of its current meeting. Penn National Gaming, the Pennsylvania-based casino company that operates the track, confirmed the decision on Thursday.

"This was an incredibly difficult decision, particularly considering Freehold's historical significance to the local community and New Jersey’s racing industry," said Howard Bruno, the track's general manager. "Unfortunately, the track’s operations cannot continue under current conditions, and we do not see a viable path forward."

Nicknamed the "Afternoon Delight" for its daytime races during the 1980s and 1990s simulcasting boom, Freehold’s half-mile course first held races as early as the 1830s and was officially established in 1853.

A layoff notice shared with Horse Racing Nation on Thursday announced: "We regret to inform you that Freehold will be closing its racetrack. Layoffs will begin on December 28, 2024, and will be permanent. The entire location will be closed."

The closure also extends to Freehold's off-track betting parlours, known as "Favourites," which are tied to the track's racing licence. Penn National has chosen not to renew the licence in 2025.

Over the years, Freehold has seen record-setting performances from pacer Riyadh and trotter Pine Chip, and legendary announcer Larry Lederman famously called a 2001 exhibition race where the infamous maiden Zippy Chippy defeated Paddy's Laddy.

With Freehold's closure, it joins Garden State Park (closed in 2001) and Atlantic City Race Course (closed in 2015) as the third New Jersey track to shutter in recent decades. This leaves Meadowlands in East Rutherford and Monmouth Park in Oceanport as the state’s last remaining horse-racing venues.