New Jersey has a long history of both Thoroughbred and harness racing, dating back to the middle of the 19th century. Harness racing began at Freehold Raceway in the 1830s, and the track continued running into the 21st century. Thoroughbred racing began in the 19th century, as well. Though the current Monmouth Park did not open until 1946, when the state re-authorized pari-mutuel betting,, previous racetracks on the Jersey Shore called Long Branch or Monmouth existed as early as 1870. Garden State Park, open between 1942 and 2001, hosted both harness racing and Thoroughbreds in its history. Atlantic City Race Course was another popular spot, open between 1946 and 2015. Kelso, one of the greatest horses in history, made his debut at Atlantic City.
Both kinds of horse racing continue in the state today. Thoroughbreds take the spotlight every summer in the Haskell (G1) at Monmouth Park in Red Bank, along the Jersey shore. Steeplechase aficionados have the Far Hills meeting, an October race day featuring the American Grand National (G1). And although Freehold closed in 2024 harness racing still happens at the Meadowlands, one of the most important tracks on the national harness racing scene today.
OTB New Jersey Betting Sites
Even with two great tracks in New Jersey, we cannot always make it to the track. Online racebooks let you place a bet from anywhere with an internet connection from your computer, tablet, or phone. Not only is the convenience unbeatable, but online racebooks also give you access to market-leading odds as well as promotions you'll never find at the racetrack. Sign-up bonuses, deposit bonuses, and rebates can help you supercharge your bankroll, so sign up at an online racebook today and start reaping the benefits!
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New Jersey Race Tracks
Most Thoroughbred racing happens at Monmouth Park in Red Bank, New Jersey. This Jersey Shore destination runs a long summer season, opening in mid-May and continuing through the middle of September. The track hosts both dirt and turf racing, and offers a full season of exciting stakes races as well.
Meadowlands also offers a brief Thoroughbred meet through early- to mid-October called Monmouth at Meadowlands. These races always draw large, exciting fields. There is also a day of steeplechasing in mid-October at Far Hills, complete with pari-mutuel betting.
Meadowlands is the heart of modern harness racing in New Jersey, and runs all year long except for the weekends in October when the Monmouth at Meadowlands turf meet is happening. Meadowlands offers some of the best purses and toughest competition in harness racing anywhere in the country, and it is a must-watch for any serious Standardbred bettor!
New Jersey Horse Races
The flagship race at Monmouth Park is the million-dollar Haskell (G1), a mid-July race that is one of the major destinations for three-year-olds. The first top-tier sophomore dirt route race after the Triple Crown, it always draws a mix of stars from the series of three-year-old classics as well as other runners who want to contend for a place in the spotlight through the second half of the year. Some of horse racing's biggest stars have won the Haskell. That includes five horses who went on to Horse of the Year honors: Holy Bull, Point Given, super-filly Rachel Alexandra, Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, and Authentic.
The most prestigious turf race at Monmouth is the United Nations. Though it is now a Grade 2, it was a Grade 1 for many years. Some of the most important classic winners of the United Nations include Round Table, T. V. Lark, Dr. Fager, Fort Marcy, and Halo. In more recent years its best winners have included English Channel, Main Sequence, Big Blue Kitten, and World Approval.
The signature race at the Far Hills Steeplechase meet is the American Grand National. This Grade 1 over fences always has a strong bearing on the champion steeplechase horse of the year, and its winners have included McDynamo, Good Night Shirt, Divine Fortune, Demonstrative, and fan favorites Mr. Hot Stuff and The Mean Queen.
On the harness side, Monmouth hosts many of the most important and historic races in the sport. Those include the Hambletonian for three-year-old trotters, as well as the Cane Pace and the Meadowlands Pace for three-year-old pacers. The Meadowlands is also a regular location for the Breeders Crown, the end-of-year championships in harness racing. It has hosted Breeders Crown races in 20 different years, most recently in 2024.
Off Track Betting in New Jersey
There are multiple OTB locations across New Jersey, all regulated by the New Jersey Racing Commission, which also oversees live racing in the state. Off-track betting on races around the world is available at Monmouth, Meadowlands, the Borgata Casino, and six OTB locations across New Jersey.