by Carol Hodes, for the SBOANJ

Manalapan, NJ — The Helen Smith, Charles Smith, Harold Dancer and New Jersey Futurity, all sponsored by the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey, are among the highlights of the $4 million late summer and fall stakes schedule at Freehold Raceway.

This weekend, Freehold opens a 90-date meet from August 7 through December 31 with first race post time of 12:30 p.m.

The SBOANJ-enhanced stakes races are restricted to New Jersey-sired colts and fillies.

Eliminations for the SBOANJ-sponsored Helen Smith for 3-year-old trotting fillies are set for opening weekend on August 8 with the finalists meeting on August 15 for an $85,000 (est.) final.

The Harold Dancer for 2-year-old trotters offers both filly (eliminations on September 9) and open divisions (eliminations on September 10) with finals a week later. The filly division on September 16 is listed as $80,000 (est.) and the open division on September 17 is at $70,000.

The field for the Charles I. Smith for 3-year-old trotters, estimated at $100,000 on October 24, will be determined by elims on October 17.

The SBOANJ also sponsors the New Jersey Futurity. The $55,000 3-year-old open pace is on September 27, the $45,000 3-year-old open trot is on October 10, the $60,000 2-year-old open trot is on October 15 and the $75,000 2-year-old open pace is on October 24.