Freehold Raceway
```mediawiki Freehold Raceway is a standardbred horse racing facility and associated commercial development located in Freehold Township, New Jersey, in Monmouth County. Established in 1853, it is one of the oldest continuously operating horse racing tracks in the United States. The facility transitioned from thoroughbred to harness racing during the twentieth century and served as a major regional venue for standardbred competition for decades before closing. The Freehold Raceway name is today associated with two distinct entities: the former racetrack, which closed in 2021 and is planned for mixed-use residential and commercial redevelopment, and Freehold Raceway Mall, a major regional shopping center that continues to operate adjacent to the site on Route 9 in Freehold Township.
History
Freehold Raceway was established in 1853 as a thoroughbred racing facility, making it one of the oldest continuously operating horse racing tracks in the United States.[1] The track operated under various management structures throughout the nineteenth century, hosting races that drew spectators from across the Northeast. During the early twentieth century, standardbred harness racing gradually replaced thoroughbred racing as the primary horse racing discipline conducted at the venue, reflecting broader national trends and the growing popularity of harness racing in the northeastern United States relative to flat racing.
The modern era of Freehold Raceway began following World War II, when the facility was substantially renovated and reorganized to accommodate standardbred racing operations. Throughout the latter half of the twentieth century, the raceway established itself as a prominent harness racing destination, hosting the New Jersey Sire Stakes — a series of races for New Jersey-bred standardbreds that serves as a cornerstone of the state's breeding and racing industry — along with other significant standardbred racing events. The facility incorporated parimutuel betting systems and later electronic wagering infrastructure, and by the late twentieth century had become a meaningful component of New Jersey's gaming and entertainment industry, maintaining operations even as other regional racetracks closed or transitioned to other purposes.[2]
Closure and redevelopment
The racetrack ultimately closed in 2021 following an extended period of declining attendance and revenue pressures common to regional harness racing facilities across the northeastern United States. In the period following its closure, the former racetrack oval has been used primarily as an overflow vehicle storage lot, while formal redevelopment planning has proceeded for the broader property. Plans for the site are oriented toward mixed-use residential and commercial development rather than a resumption of racing operations. The New Jersey standardbred racing community, represented in part by advocacy groups such as Preserve Harness Racing, documented the closure and has raised concerns about the long-term future of harness racing venues in the state.[3]
Geography
Freehold Raceway occupies a substantial parcel of land in central Monmouth County, positioned within Freehold Township, approximately thirty miles south of New York City and roughly forty miles north of Atlantic City. The facility's location provided accessibility for spectators from throughout the New York metropolitan area and southern New Jersey, facilitating its development as a regional recreational destination. The raceway complex historically included the main racing oval, grandstands, paddock facilities, and administrative buildings arranged to accommodate daily racing operations and special events.
The main racing surface consisted of a one-mile standardbred oval designed for harness racing competitions involving two-wheeled sulkies drawn by standardbred horses. The facility's grandstand structure underwent multiple expansions and renovations throughout the twentieth century, with capacity modifications reflecting attendance patterns and improvements in sports facility design. The surrounding geography of Freehold Township has evolved significantly since the raceway's establishment, transitioning from primarily agricultural land to a mix of residential development and dense commercial uses.
The Route 9 corridor in Freehold Township has developed into one of the most commercially active retail stretches in Monmouth County. Freehold Raceway Mall fronts directly onto Route 9, and a second major shopping center, Freehold Center, is located across Route 9 from the mall, making the corridor a significant regional retail destination. The site is also accessible via Route 33, which connects to central and western Monmouth County.
Freehold Raceway Mall
Freehold Raceway Mall is an enclosed regional shopping center located in Freehold Township, Monmouth County, New Jersey, situated on Route 9 adjacent to the former racetrack site. The mall operates as one of the more resilient enclosed shopping centers remaining in New Jersey and has undertaken significant tenant changes in recent years as the broader retail landscape has shifted. The facility draws shoppers from throughout Monmouth and Ocean counties as well as visitors from the broader New York metropolitan area, benefiting from a trade area with above-average household incomes and a location at the intersection of two major state highways.
The mall has been regarded by retail analysts as among the stronger-performing enclosed malls in New Jersey, a position that has been reinforced by the ongoing contraction of competing properties in the region. The closure of nearby Monmouth Mall in Eatontown — which is being converted to a mixed-use development including apartments — has redirected a portion of regional mall shopping traffic toward Freehold Raceway Mall, further consolidating its role as a primary retail destination in Monmouth County.
Anchor tenants and leasing activity
The mall has experienced significant changes in its anchor tenant lineup in recent years. Nordstrom, which had operated as one of the mall's anchor department stores, closed its Freehold Raceway Mall location approximately five years prior to 2026, leaving a prominent vacancy that became a focus of mall management's leasing efforts. The anchor vacancy was resolved with the announcement that Von Maur, a family-owned department store chain headquartered in Davenport, Iowa, will open its first New Jersey location at Freehold Raceway Mall in fall 2027. Von Maur will occupy the former Nordstrom space. The chain, which operates stores primarily in the Midwest and Southeast United States, has been expanding into new markets, and its selection of Freehold Raceway Mall as the site of its New Jersey debut has been characterized by local observers as a significant indicator of confidence in the property. With the Von Maur commitment, all major anchor positions at the mall are reported to be occupied or committed.
In addition to the Von Maur announcement, the mall has attracted new specialty tenants reflecting current retail trends. Pop Mart, the Chinese retailer known for its collectible art toy blind boxes and pop culture merchandise, opened a store at Freehold Raceway Mall, marking its second New Jersey location.[4][5] The opening was described as part of Pop Mart's ongoing domestic retail expansion strategy in the United States. A fashion retailer has also announced plans to open its first United States store in Freehold, further adding to the mall's tenant mix.[6]
The mall has not been without incident during this period. A fire broke out inside a department store at Freehold Raceway Mall, drawing a significant emergency response and causing temporary disruption to mall operations.[7] As of early 2026, a standalone Dick's Sporting Goods building on the property has remained vacant, representing the primary unresolved leasing challenge on the site.
Economy
Freehold Raceway functioned as a significant economic institution within Monmouth County during its operational period, generating employment and tax revenue while contributing to the regional entertainment and hospitality sectors. The facility directly employed several hundred workers across operational departments including race management, facility maintenance, wagering operations, food service, and security. Seasonal variations in racing schedules and attendance created both full-time and part-time employment opportunities, with staffing levels fluctuating based on the racing calendar and special events.
The raceway generated revenue through parimutuel wagering, simulcast racing operations, and special event hosting. The New Jersey racing industry contributes millions of dollars in annual tax revenue to state and local governments, with Freehold Raceway representing a meaningful portion of this activity during its operational years.[8] The facility's operations supported ancillary businesses including transportation services, food and beverage suppliers, and hospitality establishments throughout the Freehold area. The standardbred breeding industry in New Jersey maintained close connections to the raceway, with breeding operations across the state relying on the facility as an essential venue for racing and demonstrating their horses.
Freehold Raceway Mall continues to represent a substantial economic presence in Freehold Township, providing employment across retail, food service, and property management sectors. The redevelopment of the former racetrack property is expected to generate additional economic activity through construction employment and, upon completion, ongoing commercial and residential operations. The Route 9 corridor has developed into one of the most commercially active stretches in Monmouth County, with the mall and surrounding businesses drawing considerable regional retail spending. Raceway Kia, a dealership long associated with the Freehold Raceway name, announced plans in early 2026 to relocate to a new facility on Route 9 in Freehold Township, reflecting the continued commercial evolution of the corridor.[9]
Culture
Freehold Raceway occupies a distinctive position within New Jersey's cultural landscape as a venue representing traditional sporting heritage. Harness racing at Freehold cultivated a dedicated community of participants — including horse owners, trainers, breeders, drivers, and spectators — who maintained deep connections to standardbred racing culture. The raceway hosted stakes races that attracted top standardbred competitors from across North America, and family attendance at racing events represented an important tradition for many Monmouth County residents, with multi-generational participation helping sustain spectator communities over many decades.
The cultural significance of Freehold Raceway extends to broader New Jersey identity and regional heritage. The facility represented continuity with nineteenth-century sporting traditions while adapting to contemporary entertainment expectations and technological capabilities over its long history. Horse racing at Freehold maintained connections to the region's agricultural heritage even as surrounding areas experienced rapid suburban development and urbanization during the latter half of the twentieth century. The transition from active racetrack to planned mixed-use redevelopment mirrors patterns seen at numerous former racing facilities across the northeastern United States, where rising land values and changing entertainment preferences have redirected historic racing properties toward new uses.[10]
Transportation
Freehold Raceway's accessibility via regional transportation networks was fundamental to its development as a recreational destination serving the New York metropolitan area and broader Northeast region. The facility's location in Monmouth County provides access via multiple state highways, including Route 9 and Route 33, which connect the raceway site and adjacent mall to major population centers throughout New Jersey and neighboring states. New Jersey Transit bus services provide access from regional transit hubs and surrounding municipalities. The Garden State Parkway, accessible from nearby interchanges, further extends the facility's regional draw to shore communities and northern New Jersey.
Parking facilities at Freehold Raceway Mall are substantial, accommodating large volumes of shoppers during peak retail seasons and special events across multiple surface lots surrounding the enclosed mall structure. The development of simulcast racing capabilities during the racetrack's operational period allowed patrons to participate in wagering on Freehold races from remote off-track betting locations, reducing direct transportation demands on the facility while expanding the geographic reach of its economic impact across New Jersey and neighboring states. ```