Live racing will return to central New Jersey on March 1, 2012 with the commencement of Freehold Raceway's 90-day meet

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The first 39 dates, the spring season in March, April and May, will be offered under a three-day per-week schedule – Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. First-race post time will be 12:30 p.m.

Freehold's stakes schedule features the $160,000 (estimated) Dexter Cup Trot on Saturday, May 5 (eliminations, if needed, on April 28) and its companion filly event, the $80,000 (estimated) Lady Suffolk Trot on May 4. Both stakes are showcases for three-year-old trotters.

Eight of the stakes on the Freehold schedule are sponsored by the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey, restricted to New Jersey-sired horses (all purses are estimates) and positioned during the 51-date fall meet: the $58,000 Marion Dancer on September 6; the $70,000 Helen Smith on September 7; the $80,000 Charles Smith on September 14; the $60,000 Harold Dancer on September 20, and a quartet of $50,000 to 60,000 New Jersey Futurities (September 14, October 5, October 12 and October 13).

Freehold will once again be participating in the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program and will be offering a $5,000 guaranteed Pick-4 (Race 2 through 5) each day of the meet.

For the Opening Day card on March 1, 2012, horsemen must declare in by 9:00 a.m. on Monday, February 27, 2012.

For the balance of the meet, Freehold will have a regular draw schedule: Tuesday 9:00 a.m. for Friday; Wednesday 9:00 a.m. for Saturday, and Saturday 9:00 a.m. for Thursday.

(SBOANJ)