Freehold Raceway concluded its 2021 season last Friday (Dec. 31), wrapping up a year that saw increases in the amount of races, race days and total handle.

Over 82 race days in 2021, Freehold conducted 938 pari-mutuel races and handled $36,149,208. That's an increase from the 76 days, 843 races, and $30,268,322 handled during the last full year of racing, 2019. The 2020 meet was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Handle during the 35-day summer/fall portion of the season totalled $13,799,880, up slightly from the $13,784,414 This is the third consecutive year that handle has increased during the summer/fall stand.

For the second consecutive year, Austin Siegelman took home the driving title. He won 168 races from 766 drives, including 64 during the summer/fall meet.

The training race came down to the last day of the season. Izzy Estrada won his first Freehold training title, winning 30 races from 90 starters. Edwin Quevedo and John Urbanski tied for second place, with 28 wins each.

Brandon Mongiello was the leading trainer during the summer/fall meet season, winning 18 races.

Live racing will take place at Freehold on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays throughout the month of January. Starting in February, there will be live racing on just Fridays and Saturdays through May 28. Following the customary summer break, racing will resume on August 26, and continue on Fridays and Saturdays, including Christmas Eve, until December 31. The first race is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. every live racing day.

(Freehold Raceway)