by Carol Hodes, for the SBOA of New Jersey

Manalapan, NJ — When racing dates for 2012 are submitted to the New Jersey Racing Commission, Freehold Raceway is expected to ask for 90 days.

Under the proposed calendar, Freehold would be dark in January and February. A three-day a week schedule of Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays would be offered in March, April and May. Freehold would be dark in June, July and most of August, returning for a fall meet that starts on August 30 and continues through December 22, 2012.

The only variations to the Thursday through Saturday schedule would be live racing offered on Labor Day (September 3) and a dark day on Thanksgiving (November 22).