Freehold Raceway has been operating since 1853, making it one of the oldest harness racing venues in the country. Harness racing is a different world from flat racing — the horses pull two-wheeled sulkies driven by a single jockey, and the whole spectacle has a grassroots, old-New Jersey feel that the polished atmosphere of Thoroughbred tracks lacks. Crowds here are knowledgeable and unpretentious, betting slips flutter around the grandstand, and the smell of horses and leather is very much present.
The track operates primarily in the colder months, running a meet from August through May. Evening programs start around 7:30pm and run for several hours, which makes an excellent alternative to another night in suburban New Jersey. Admission is inexpensive, parking is free, and there are few places in the state where you can watch live racing in an atmosphere this unreconstructed. If you have never watched harness racing, this is a good place to start.