by Moira Fanning, publicity director, The Hambletonian Society

Cranbury, NJ — Freehold Raceway has canceled the James B. Dancer Memorial Stakes and the Helen Dancer (filly division) for 3-year-old pacers for 2010 and beyond.

The half-mile oval has hosted the races, named for James and Helen Dancer, the parents of one of harness racing’s greatest legends, Hall of Famer Stanley Dancer, since 1976.

As provided in the racing conditions, nominators to these events will be refunded when the events are canceled. Those who nominated foals of 2008 with yearling payments in 2009 will receive refunds. Accumulated yearling payments and the 2-year-old payments collected in March of 2009 will be refunded to the owners of the horses at the time of cancellation.

The Dexter Cup and Lady Suffolk for 3-year-old trotters, the Shady Daisy filly for 3-year-olds and the Cane Pace, a leg of the Pacing Triple Crown for sophomore pacers, will be raced at Freehold this year.

For more information, contact the Hambletonian Society, Inc. at 609.371.2211.