Peter Grandich and Company has announced it will be sponsoring three special races this fall at Freehold Raceway. Through the events, the two groups will also team up to raise funds and awareness for two worthy organizations.
“Having first visited Freehold Raceway in the late 1970s as a racing fan, and then as a racehorse owner, Freehold Raceway has provided me and so many others what has been known for decades as the ‘Afternoon Delight,’ ” Grandich was quoted as saying in a press release. “The ability to help others while enjoying the sport of harness racing is a true blessing for my wife and me.”
The first event Peter Grandich and Company will be sponsoring is an Italian Heritage Race on Oct. 9, according to the press release.
The firm will be sponsoring a Turkey Trot Race on Nov. 26, the day after Thanksgiving.
Together with Freehold Raceway, monetary and food donations will be collected that day to benefit Freehold Area Open Door, an interfaith agency that has been providing emergency food, funding, mentoring and scholarships to those in need from the Freehold area since 1987, according to the press release.
The final event of the fall series will take place on Dec. 4 when Peter Grandich and Company sponsors a Toys for Tots Race at which Freehold Raceway will be collecting monetary and toy donations for children in need.
Despite the coronavirus pandemic, Marine Toys for Tots distributed more than 20.2 million toys, books and games to more than 7.3 million less fortunate children during its 2020 campaign.
“Freehold Raceway has had a longstanding association with Freehold Area Open Door and Toys for Tots,” said Howard Bruno, the general manager of Freehold Raceway. “We are looking forward to supporting these worthwhile causes again this year. We are grateful to Peter Grandich for his sponsorship and coordination of these events.”
Freehold Raceway was established in 1853 and features live standardbred harness racing for trotters and pacers. It features a half-mile track and is the oldest harness racing track in the United States, according to the United States.