New Jersey Racetracks
New Jersey boasts a number of spectacular horse racing facilities, such as the Freehold Raceway, Monmouth Park Race Track and Meadowlands Racetrack. The Monmouth Park Race Track, originally established in 1870, is home to breathtaking graded stakes events such as the Matchmaker Handicap, the prestigious Haskell Invitational Handicap and the Monmouth Breeders’ Cup Oaks. Freehold Raceway is one of the oldest horse racing establishments in New Jersey, having been founded in 1853. Here, the elite of the harness racing industry compete for supremacy in spectacular events such as the Little Brown Jug and the Cane Pace Harness Horse Race. To enjoy both thoroughbred horse racing and standardbred horse racing, the Meadowlands Racetrack is the place to be. Although opening in 1976 specifically for harness racing, the track now accommodates thoroughbred horse racing during the autumn season, while harness racing remains their main focus.
Horse racing rules and regulations, licensing and the overseeing of wagering in New Jersey falls under the jurisdiction of the New Jersey Racing Commission. They, in turn, work closely with other organizations such as the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, the New Jersey Horse Council and the Equine Advisory Board to ensure the health and fair treatment of all horses in various equine sport disciplines. The New Jersey Horse Council, for instance, focus on promoting working relationships and educating the public; while the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association of New Jersey has been instituting breeding programs and incentives since 1945.
