Alex Urbanski is not just surviving, but thriving, since Freehold closed
by Bob Heyden
It’s been a year, Dec. 28, since the closing of America’s oldest track, Freehold Raceway (1853).
Since then, there’s been displacement, relocation, and acceptance. But not yet for 25-year-old Alex, short for Alexandra, Urbanski. She has turned the year since into one of redirection and refocusing, with a dogged determination to keep everyone focused and with a renewed desire to overcome. Urbanski sees a no trespassing sign, gently places it on the ground and turns it over to see opportunity.
First, here’s some background on the Urbanski family. Her grandfather, Ed, got the whole thing started in 1971 racing primarily at Freehold Raceway. Her uncle, Ned, and father, John Joseph, followed. Currently her dad, 54, is better than ever since his triple bypass surgery last year and Alex’s 23-year-old brother, John James, are regulars every day in the barn.
“I was born into the business,” Alex said. “I remember at 13, on a Friday afternoon, I couldn’t wait to get out of school to get to Freehold and paddock. We used to live 30 minutes from Freehold, but when they closed, we moved two hours south to be closer to Ocean Downs and Rosecroft. From Jackson for 17 years then Allentown now Stow Creek, NJ.”
Take me back to the moment you either heard or knew Freehold was closing.
“It was August 2024 in The Meadowlands paddock. An announcement was made saying there was a possibility that they wouldn’t reopen. There was a structural issue on the bridge from the paddock to the track. Everyone was silent. It was a month later they announced it officially.”
Did you know it was coming?
“No. I was devastated. Freehold was my life. Think about how long it has been around. Slavery existed then. Lincoln was President then too. There’s history everywhere. How do you shut it down like that? I actually thought it would be preserved as a historical landmark. But then I hear a car dealership bought in. I know Pompano closed a few years back and Cal Expo too, I just didn’t think it would happen here.”
Recently I saw four Urbanskis training on the same card at The Meadowlands.
“Yes, me, my dad, my brother, and Uncle Ned. I was racing Uilliam [4-year-old son of Sunfire Blue Chip], I own and bred him too. That’s my favorite part of the business, babies; I mean the actual foaling process. UIlliam has a brother who is now a part of the Newark Police Department.”
Let’s talk about your family. What can you tell us about your brother John James?
“He wants to drive. He’s pretty good too. It’s all about opportunity. He has worked for Per Engblom and Noel Daley. He rode for Ake [Svanstedt] too. I hope he gets a chance; it’s tough with the lower level TrackMaster horses to look good.”
What about your mom?
“Her name is Alisa and she’s the stay-at-home mom. By the way mom and dad are mortgage-free for the very first time.”
You said dad is better than ever.
“Yeah, he had a rough three years or so. But since his triple bypass he’s been much better. He likes to joke that he highly recommends it.”
Let’s talk more about Freehold’s closing.
“There was a petition going around from my brother’s girlfriend on Change.Org that got over 5,000 signatures to keep Freehold open. I’ve, from time to time, heard rumors that Freehold was coming back. There was a parade downtown. Many who came out didn’t even know Freehold Raceway existed. That is how poorly we have promoted ourselves.”
You told me that you used to run ideas by people, Freehold general manager Howard Bruno being one.
“Yes. Katie [Eick, a friends since their Harness Horse Youth Foundation days] and I would do it a lot. They needed to get great bands there. My generation is looking for things to do. Shuttles from hotels and even nursing homes. They do it all the time. I remember years ago at Freehold, the concession stands selling French fries and pizza. I also remember lots of people in the grandstand. Lots and lots of ideas.”
But you weren’t even born yet during racing’s glory days.
“True. But my generation grew up at Freehold. I actually have my judge’s license. I worked as a waitress and a couple of other things before but didn’t like it. Hey, the day I turned 16, I was handed the keys, with my learner’s permit, to a full trailer and I was now shipping too. It all comes back to our family and all of our love for racing.”
What’s the thing you love most now while racing?
“Getting a check. A lot of times I’ll get the New Jersey Breeders Bonus too.”
Didn’t you recently expand your bio?
“Yes. I now have my bread, sourdough, soft pretzel business, New Jersey Breads. I do pretty much everything. It’s mostly New Jersey but I do have orders from Delaware and Maryland. I do vendor shows on weekends. I met a lady at one who saw the name Urbanski and asked if my family possibly trained horses at Freehold. She was going every weekend to watch the races there. Funny how you can meet people anywhere. I was actually delivering a bunch of orders the night before Christmas Eve.”
It’s now been a year since Freehold closed. What are you thinking today?
“I find it so difficult to surrender to the idea of walking into Freehold with no racing. There are just so many possibilities. We can’t let up. Especially those of us in our 20s. If we don’t keep at it, bring someone to the track with us every time we go, that’s how it dies. This business throws a lot at you. The Thursdays at the end of the year at The Meadowlands and the Sundays in January into February will help. But then what?”
Personally, I’ve known Alex since her HHYF days a decade back. I remember a bright alert young lady who was more than interested in every aspect of the industry. I’m two parts proud and three parts thrilled at the young lady she’s become. Her energetic, never-say-die industrious nature is welcome and very much needed. Hers is an ongoing story of rediscovery, redemption, and reclaiming something so dear to her and her family. She’s not sitting on the floor paging through old albums, she’s readily adding to the current one. The word adversity is not even part of her vocabulary.
She was born in the 21st century but is somehow carrying a suitcase filled with an abundance of old-fashioned values. No, she hasn’t gone so far as to lay down on the railroad tracks in protest, but she is waving her arms at the conductor who is transporting harness racing out of her town. She’s slowing it down. Alisa and John Joseph did well; quite well. We need her in the business with 2026 on our doorstep and seemingly no welcome mat in some places.
By the looks of it, she’s just getting started.
