by Carol Hodes, for the SBOA of New Jersey

Manalapan, NJ — Live racing returns to Central New Jersey on March 1, with the opening of the 90-day meet at Freehold Raceway, America’s oldest pari-mutuel harness track.

The first 39 dates, the spring season in March, April and May, offers a three-day a week schedule — Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. First post is 12:30 p.m.

Freehold will mark the March 1 opening day with a special $13.95 buffet in the Renaissance Dining Room and a free six-pack cooler to patrons who purchase a Freehold live program (while supplies of the coolers last).

The stakes schedule features the $160,000 (est.) Dexter Cup Trot on Saturday, May 5, (eliminations, if needed, on April 28) and its companion filly event, the $80,000 (est.) Lady Suffolk Trot on May 4. These are both showcases for 3-year-old trotters.

Eight of the stakes on the Freehold schedule are sponsored by the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey, restricted to New Jersey-sired horses (all purses are estimates) and positioned during the 51-date fall meet: the $58,000 Marion Dancer on Sept. 6, the $70,000 Helen Smith on Sept. 7, the $80,000 Charles Smith on Sept. 14, the $60,000 Harold Dancer on Sept. 20 and a quartet of $50,000 to 60,000 New Jersey Futurities (Sept. 14, Oct. 5, Oct. 12 and Oct. 13).

Freehold will once again be participating in the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program and will be offering a $5,000 guaranteed Pick-4 (races 2-5) each day of the meet.

For the Opening Day card on March 1, horsemen must declare in by 9 a.m. Monday, February 27.

For the balance of the meet, Freehold will have a regular draw schedule: Tuesday 9 a.m. for Friday; Wednesday 9 a.m. for Saturday and Saturday 9 a.m. for Thursday.