The Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey (SBOANJ) filed a complaint against FR Park Racing LP and PlayUp Interactive Inc. on Friday, Sept. 27 in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey.
The SBOANJ stated in a press release that, "The complaint primarily asserts that FR Park Racing breached its contractual obligations to the SBOANJ concerning the general operations of Freehold Raceway as well as the sharing of sports wagering revenues generated through the Raceway."
Freehold Raceway announced on Thursday, Sept. 19 that it expects to cease all live racing and simulcast operations as of Dec. 28, 2024.
The closure announcement was made one week after Governor Murphy signed legislation extending purse appropriations for New Jersey's horse racing industry to receive $20 million USD annually through fiscal year 2029, including $1.6 million USD for Freehold Raceway.
The SBOANJ stated its leadership is committed to finding an alternative venue to conduct races in 2025 that would otherwise have been held at Freehold prior to the closure announcement. Discussions are ongoing with various entities.
In a New Jersey Racing Commission meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 2, Meadowlands Racetrack's chief operating officer and general manager Jason Settlemoir indicated that The Meadowlands would pick up some of Freehold's race dates if awarded the Freehold purse funds for the 2025 season.
New Jersey race dates for 2025 have yet to be finalized.
(With files from SBOANJ & USTA)