More than 1,000 people gathered to bid farewell to the Freehold Raceway in New Jersey, located just north of Lakewood, marking the end of its 170-year legacy.
On the last day of racing at the venue, attendees paid tribute to the track, holding on to the memories created over many years.
“It’s like a sad ending to something, like losing a loved one almost,” remarked a longtime visitor who had been coming to the track for several decades.
“Lots of fun, the fireworks, lots of entertainment up until last year,” shared a woman from Freehold.
Since its inception in 1854, harness racing had become deeply ingrained in the central Monmouth County farming community. However, as land values rose and attendance declined, the management of Freehold Raceway announced in the fall that it would be shutting its doors.

{Matzav.com}