Freehold Raceway set to open for live racing Aug. 30

Freehold Raceway, Park Avenue, Freehold, whose roots date back to 1853, is set to open for live harness racing on Aug. 30. Freehold Raceway will present several stakes races during the fall-winter meet on the half-mile oval.

New Jersey Sire Stakes Green Acres races will highlight the meet. Other major races include the Lou Babic, Charles Smith, Helen Smith, Harold Dancer and Marion Dancer finals.

The Babic for 2-year-old fillies and 2-year-old pacers will hold its eliminations on Sept. 1. The Babic finals will be held on Sept. 8. The Babic Open final carries a $90,000 purse and the final for fillies carries a $55,000 purse.

The Charles Smith Trot for 3-year-olds will hold its eliminations on Sept, 7, with the $80,000 final set for Sept. 14.

The $70,000 Helen Smith trot for 3-year-old fillies is set for Sept. 7. Eliminations for the Helen Smith final will be held on Aug. 31.

Two-year-old colt trotters will leave the gate and race for a $60,000 purse in the Harold Dancer on Sept. 20. A race for 2-year-old filly trotters will be the $58,000 Marion Dancer on Sept. 6. There will be four New Jersey Futurity races held during the fallwinter meet at Freehold Raceway. The $60,000 Open Pace for 2- year-old pacers is set for Sept. 14; the $60,000 3-year-old Open Trot is set for Oct. 5; the $50,000 2- year-old colt trot is set for Oct. 12; and the $50,000 3-year-old Open Pace is set for Oct. 13.

Freehold Raceway will present a special Monday card on Labor Day, Sept. 3, featuring New Jersey Sire Stakes Green Acres races for 3-year-old colts and 3-year-old pacers.

Post time for all racing days is 12:30 p.m. Live racing will be held on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Aug. 30 through Dec. 22. Admission to the track is free.

Freehold Raceway remains open seven days a week for simulcasting.

Eric Abbatiello won the driving title at Freehold Raceway during the winter-spring meet with 73 victories. He finished 25 wins ahead of Stephen Smith in the race for the driver’s title. Abbatiello is the son of Hall of Fame driver Carmine Abbatiello.