Freehold Raceway released their 2013 stakes schedule today along with announcing the Kenneth Fischer Memorial Spring Late Closing Series for three and four-year-old pacers.

The stakes season kicks off with the Grand Circuit three-year-old Dexter Cup trot eliminations on April 27 with the final estimated at $130,000 to be held on May 4. The Lady Suffolk, the filly division, estimated at $77,000 is carded on May 3.

The spring late closing series, being contested for the first time is named after the late Kenneth Fischer, former owner of Freehold Raceway and Gaitway Farms. The first leg will be held on Saturday, May 4, the second leg on Saturday, May 11, and the final on Saturday, May 18 with an estimated purse of $30,000.

The New Jersey Sires Stakes/Green Acre divisions dominate the fall portion of the stakes schedule along with the Lou Babic Memorial for two-year-old pacers. The eliminations for the Babic will be held on August 31 with the to finals coming back on September 7. The finals are estimated at $90,000 for the colt division and $55,000 for the fillies.

Several Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association (SBOA) stakes are included on the 2013 schedule starting with the Helen Smith for three-year-old trotting fillies on August 30. Other SBOA stakes include the Marion Dancer (two-year-old filly trotters), the Charles Smith (three-year-old trotters), the Harold Dancer (two-year-old trotters) and NJ Futurity races.

The second annual Open Space Pace will be held on September 21 during Open Space Pace Day. This day is now being recognized as a County Fair and is part of an effort to preserve open space in New Jersey by raising awareness of the Standarbred horse and harness racing industry.

Click on the following links for the complete stakes schedule along with more information on the spring late closing series.