by Bob Heyden

This is my first of at least three, or maybe four, columns taking a look back at the history of Freehold Raceway. That central New Jersey track was a huge part of my introduction to the sport in the 1970s. Rutgers and Freehold were my two priorities from 1974-78. I think you can guess in what order. I am still in partial denial at the thought of losing the “Afternoon Delight,” but here is a list of names, dates, performers, and standouts, that immediately come to mind as soon as Dec. 28 is mentioned. What makes it even worse, is it’s my birthday!

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

I will never forget names like Roscoe Rodgers, Bill Pocza, 1964 executive vice president John D. Cronin, Fern Paquet, Dave Bulk, Lou Conselina, Noel Olin, Furman Suydam, Jr., announcer Bill Ryan, Paul Consol, Ed Sabatini, Steve Inokai, 1960 hire as assistant publicity director and later GM Joe McCloone, Mickey Lamb, Mike Vavourakis, Fudd Anastasios Papadopoulos, Robert Rahner and the ageless, momentous Jacqueline Coard later Ingrassia, Armando and Marie Vocaturo , Tom Fedarick, Fred Jaeger, Charlie Kelly (the horse who seemed to race three times a week), Ben Morgan, Lou Sperendi, and of course Catman and Herve. Ladies had a way of being front and center too; Jackie and JoAnn, Stacy, Bardot Lobell, Shady Daisy, Helen Dancer, Robin Dundee, and who could forget the only female ever to defeat Cam Fella, Jef’s Eternity. She did so right at Freehold on April 9, 1983 with John Campbell driving in a Graduate leg.

I’VE GOT THE HORSE RIGHT HERE

Looking for a collectible final day Freehold program and cover? We would have to include Albatross for sure from his 1972 track record. Niatross taking the James Dancer in a breeze in 1980. Both of those, father and son, were easy choices for Horse of the Year.

Or we would also have to consider/include something on the Breeders Crown coming to Freehold in the 1980s, with possibly the powerful Matt’s Scooter front and center in mid-flight.

Or Mack Lobell’s unreal 1988 1:56 flat time trial at central Jersey’s’ only daytime oval.

Or Cardigan Bay on Sept. 14, 1968 becoming the first millionaire in the sport’s history, you got it, right there at Freehold before a standing room only crowd.

Or an action shot of Keystone Ore, Oil Burner and Windshield Wiper going at it Oct. 16, 1976 in the very first James Dancer Memorial. That epic duel for the ages involved New Jersey’s favorite son and the most influential presence in Freehold’s history, Stanley Dancer.

Oh, the things I remember from Freehold. Like the 150th celebration of the oldest track in North America in 2003 with a race down main street; or the only dead heat in Triple Crown history for pacers in the 2004 Cane Pace when the Brett Pelling stablemates Western Terror and Timesareachanging couldn’t be separated; or a 1998 race at the track when the then Gov. Christie Todd Whitman, on horseback, led the post parade.

WHO CAN IT BE NOW?

Who can remember Mister Osage and then Stewart Hanover holding the track record in the 1970s for consecutive wins? Who can recall Adios Ronnie, Flower Child, and Amazing Pick? How about that great Steve Wolf Driving Challenge that kicked off around 1992? The brand-spanking new temperature controlled insulated grandstand? Remember Woodstock? Do you know what happened right after? On Aug. 16, 1969, Freehold set their record for handle of $1,088,792. Vernon Dancer, Stanley’s brother, had the first 2:00 winner in Freehold history on Aug. 12, 1967 with Peerswick. John Campbell’s eight wins on a single card from October 1986 still stands. Gilles Villemure from the New York Rangers, John Montefusco from Major League Baseball, and Oleg Cassini from the world of fashion, were just three of the many celebrities that made it to Freehold.

Freehold Raceway, around since 1853, was there 123 years before The Meadowlands opened and 132 years before Garden State Park debuted. There will be plenty more in the next installment as we inch closer to the moment of truth, but before we go, here’s one more thing: Guess who the only member of the $200 million driving club to have recorded his first ever win at Freehold? Ron Pierce in 1975 with Clans Amber for Art Unger. He was 19 years old at the time and had tried 13 times prior to that break through.