In 1941 Harry Gould said he was too much of a sportsman and did not wish to own the track if there was to be
gambling and sold his shares. Freehold soon became the first pari-mutuel track in New Jersey with a 13-day meeting
featuring betting machines and an infield tote board that cost a total of $35,000. There were 24 betting booths and
15 cashier's cages. The track had been sold to Fred Fatzler, a Newark, NJ contractor from Maplewood, NJ for $65,000.
He ran the track until 1943 when racing was halted during World War II, and resumed on July 22, 1944 by the Freehold
Trotting Association.
On September 12, 1946, Freehold started 24-day pari-mutuel meeting with a record crowd of 4,000 fans who wagered
$78,873 on 10 races. The meet ended with more than $1,423,657 wagered over the 24 days.
In 1960 Fred Fatzler sells Freehold Raceway to Harold and Bernard Sampson of Milwaukee for a reported $5,000,000. After racing steadily for nearly 14 years, slowly increasing the number of racing days each season, Freehold grew in popularity, featuring the best drivers and horses in the sport. On August 11, 1962 a record crowd of 13,206 patrons wagered $758,719. The meet ended that year with total wagering at a record $25,152,981.
FREE ADMISSION every afternoon, seven days a week.
There is also FREE PARKING every evening for simulcasting and all day Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.
Telephone: 732-462-3800
FAX: 732-462-3807
Postal address: 130 Park Avenue, Freehold, N.J. 07728
