by Bob Heyden

Part 1 ishere.

I’m not the only one with favorite memories of Freehold. Plenty of horsepeople wanted to weigh in as well before the track closes permanently at the end of the month.

Helene Gregory: “Besides being my favorite job ever as the track photographer, I’d have to say winning the R.U.S. race with Armbro Doyle on Open Space Pace Day. It was also the year that Foiled Again did his farewell tour [2018]. ‘Murph’ had hand walked him down the track and back to the paddock and let the fans pet him. I was crying it was so special.”

Billy Mann: “I didn’t race there enough to have a great one. I was just starting out and was happy to be driving with such greats as Luc [Ouellette], Cat [Manzi], Jackie [Moiseyev]. Definitely a better time in the business then; it was like a mini-Meadowlands.”

Stacy Chiodo: “There are so many it’s hard to choose. Freehold is where my family would come and watch me race and I have many photos taken with them. I won my biggest purse race there with Lucy Light Year in the Development Fund for 2-year-old pacing fillies for $70,000. I won the first Open Space Pace with C C Racy in which Joe Klecko [Hall of Fame defensive lineman from the New York Jets] was in the winner’s circle. Most recently our homebred Floor It Freddie won a leg of the Development Fund for 2-year-old pacing colts in 1:54 flat, just two fifths off the track record which has held since 2002.”

Carl Conte, Jr.: “Dec. 7, 1991. I won the invitational with Jesse Purkey even though I hadn’t driven in two years.”

Bonnie Butler: “My first win was there with Betty B Butler who ironically was not owned by us. The race had three recalls and she was so fired up that, despite not being able to leave the gate well, she went wire-to-wire. I started my senior year of college the next day.”

Bruce Riegle: “That would be breaking the world record on a half-mile track for 3-year-old pacing fillies with Three Diamonds [in 1982].”

Andrew Filion: “When dad [Herve Filion] won his 14,000th race, it was at Freehold. My entire family was there.”

Dave Palone: “The Challenge of Champions [Feb. 20, 1995] competition. Doug Brown was there, Herve [Filion], Dave Magee. Jackie [Moiseyev], Luc [Ouellette]. We had a lot of fun that day and I actually won.”

Yannick Gingras: “For me it wasn’t a race but it was when my kids were very young and they would come and hang out on big days with our neighbors and just play on the apron. Being able to watch them reminded me of myself as a young kid at Blue Bonnets.”

Walter Case, Jr.: “When I beat Life Sign 12 days before the Jug [in 1993]. It was at Freehold with Captain Pantastic in the James Dancer [$301,016] and it was my biggest win ticket of my career at 80-1. I came second over, went three deep down the backside, and went by him in deep stretch. Twelve days later I followed Life Sign in that memorable Jug with him and didn’t get a check.”

Paul Kelley: “Outside of winning a division of the Lady Maud and a few other minor stakes, my best moment was meeting Bill Weaver at Freehold. That led to a 16-year relationship with one of the most loyal and understanding people I have ever known.”

Irish Joe Hanney: “Winning the St. Patrick’s Day Pace the first year they held it, usually on or around that day. The race was featuring drivers of Irish descent. I drew post 8 with a horse trained and owned by John Urbanski, a Freehold regular. His name was Real Mystical. I got away in the back and came up to the half able to flush some cover. I ended up third over into the last turn and then tipped four deep into the final turn. I set sail for home and I was 66-1. I got up in time and John Sheehan was second and George Brennan third. That meant something to me having a race strictly for drivers of Irish descent at my home track. Very satisfying, plus the race was sponsored by my good friends Pete and Mary Grandich. We had many friends in the winner’s circle with a blanket and a nice trophy.”

Jackie Ingrassia: “Winning my first pari-mutuel race in the USA with Springfield Smith at Freehold [1972].”

JoAnn Looney King: “My first start at Freehold [Oct. 2, 1975] was also my first win. It’s all significant because I was supposed to drive this horse, Great Chuck, at Rosecroft the month before. But presiding judge Martin Landau would NOT allow me to drive at his track. He said me driving horses was a “frivolous whim.” I remember every word of that conversation. Boy, was I pissed but could do absolutely nothing about it, so about a month later we took him to Freehold and won with him. It was one of my best days ever. One more thing, I sent a win picture to Judge Landau, and here’s the best part, he proudly displayed this picture in his office and apologized to me and we became best friends.”

John Cirillo: “My first time at Freehold Raceway. Late ‘70s. My best buddies Vinnie and John Olivieri were excited about the trip. Ninety minutes from Sheepshead Bay in Brooklyn. I had a dream overnight that a 1-2-4 Triple was the last race combo. I bet two $3 Trifectas and won $600. I stuffed the cash into my right front pocket and kept my hand there as if someone was going to steal it as we walked to the parking lot. We went to Brennan and Carrs for roast beef. Dreams do come true.”

Pat Lachance: “Winning the Breeders Crown with Shady Daisy.” [Pat’s dad Mike drove her to a resounding score in 1994].

Dawn Allen commenting on Team Allen, Rod, Carl, and Mike: “The stable won many NJSS including CR Kay Suzie and CR Daniella setting world records at 2; the Dexter Cup [in 1995] with Super Wally (CR Kay Suzie tied up that year], the Lady Suffolk with CR Gone Fishin. I remember the announcer [Jack Lee] referring to Rod [A motorcycle enthusiast as was his dad Carl] as ‘Hot Rod Allen.’ In those days they weighed the horses before they raced. One day we had the fastest time of the day and the lightest horse too. The Announcer said after the winner’s circle, ‘Take him back home and feed him!’”

Dave Miller: “I’d have to say winning the Cane Pace with No Pan Intended in 2003 stands out the most.”

Sarah Lauren Scott: “My first experience at Freehold Raceway is a memory I cherish deeply. I was just 16 years old, spending my summer vacation away from Canada. I had the incredible opportunity to travel to New Jersey with my horse Village Berretta for Joe Stutzman [Note: Sarah later took care of 2005 HOY Rocknroll Hanover]. The excitement of experiencing harness racing in New Jersey was overwhelming. I felt like I was stepping into a whole new world. Mark Harder and Virginia Abbot graciously offered me a place to stay in Freehold. On my second day in the U.S., I couldn’t contain my excitement and begged Ginny to take me to Freehold Raceway. I’ll never forget the moment we parked the car and walked across the street into the grandstand. My heart raced as I stepped onto the escalator. The first thing I did was head straight to the souvenir stand, where I bought a Freehold Raceway hat and polo shirt for my dad. Along with a program. I was thrilled to recognize some of the horses and drivers in the program. For the first time I felt like I was a part of this incredible industry, a special club of people who shared the same passion. The grandstand was alive with characters, each adding their own flavor to the experience. I had an incredible day soaking it all in. Over the years, Freehold became a regular stop for me and my horses. I mastered the drive up and down Route 537 and came to know the track, its people and its challenges. There were victories to celebrate and tough lessons to learn, but it all shaped my journey. I developed a deep appreciation for the extra care required for Freehold horses and the unique atmosphere of the track. Freehold Raceway gave me some of my greatest memories in harness racing. It was where my passion for the industry deepened. It’s where I truly felt Freehold had its own zip code. The people there were regulars and family.”