Freehold, NJ — Freehold Raceway, in conjunction with the Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey, will begin the new year with a pair of pacing series in memory of two great horsemen: Harold Kelly and Vinny Fusco Jr.

The Kelly Series, restricted to New Jersey owned, sired, or foaled horses and geldings, will take place starting on Jan. 9 and run through Jan. 23. The Fusco Series, for New Jersey owned, sired, or foaled fillies and mares, begins Jan. 8 and goes until Jan. 22.

Each series is split up into divisions, featuring two legs and a final. Division I is for horses with a TrackMaster Horse Rating between 68.00 and 71.50 at the start of the series. Division II features horses with a TrackMaster Horse Rating between 71.51 and 75.00.

The legs for division I will go for $5,000 each, the final for $10,000. Division II legs will go for $7,500, the final for $15,000.

The horses eligible for the final in each division will be determined by a point system, based on performance in the first two legs. The points are 50 for first place, 25 for second place, 12 for third place, eight for fourth place, five for fifth place, three for sixth place, two for seventh place, and one for eighth place. Horses must race in at least one leg to be eligible for the final.

Entries for each leg will close at the prescribed day and time as listed on the condition sheet for that day’s racing.

Horsemen with any questions are advised to call the racing office at 732.252.2322.