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Horse race tracks in New Jersey

On this page, you will learn everything you need to know about horse race tracks in New Jersey, including the different horse race tracks currently open in the state, horse race tracks legal status, and how to bet at a New Jersey race track.

Johnny Covers By: Johnny Covers
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Overseen and regulated by the New Jersey Racing Commission, horse race tracks in New Jersey have long been a favorite of gamblers throughout the state. With a history dating back to the early 19th century, two of the three horse race tracks in New Jersey opened then, and still are today.

Freehold Raceway was one of the first horse race tracks opened in New Jersey in 1853 and is still operating today hosting big races throughout the year. Monmouth Park Race Track then opened its doors in 1870, hosting big events such as the Monmouth Breeders Cup Oaks held annually still today.

The final horse track in New Jersey still operating today is The Meadowlands, which opened in 1976 for harness racing and has since evolved into a full-scale thoroughbred horse race track as well.

Horse race tracks in New Jersey


The Garden State of New Jersey has a storied past in the horse racing industry, as many tracks have come and gone over the years. There are three thoroughbred horse race tracks in New Jersey currently operational.

New Jersey Race Track

Address

Freehold Raceway

130 Park Ave, Freehold, NJ 07728

The Meadowlands

1 Racetrack Drive, East Rutherford, NJ 07073

Monmouth Park

175 Oceanport Ave, Oceanport, NJ

Yes, horse race betting in New Jersey is legal for residents 18 years of age and older with valid New Jersey forms of identification. State laws allow for horse race betting via a variety of methods, including off-track betting facilities (OTBs), at horse race tracks in New Jersey, and through select online horse race betting operators.

Horse race betting in New Jersey is regulated by the New Jersey Racing Commission (NJRC), which oversees all aspects of parimutuel betting and racing in the state. This includes things such as horse drug testing, granting licenses for race tracks, overseeing the safety of races, and the overall integrity of horse racing in New Jersey.

With the addition of online advance deposit wagering providers, such as MonmouthBets.com, the NJRC is also responsible for overseeing online horse race betting in New Jersey.

How to bet at a New Jersey race track

If you have never placed a bet on a horse race in New Jersey in person, you might be slightly intimidated by how to go about the process. Fear not, as we here at BettingNJ.com have you covered the steps to know when learning how to bet at a New Jersey race track.

Note: The below applies to interacting with a New Jersey race track racebook associate, not the self-serving kiosks.

Figure Out Your Bet Type

Before even finding the race and horse(s) you want to wager on, you should understand what the different bet types are. While there are many, below are a few of the most popular ones:

  • Win: Your horse wins the selected race, with the payout being at the odds listed next to their name.
  • Show: Your horse finishes in first or second place in the selected race.
  • Place: Your horse finishes in first, second, or third place in the selected race:
  • Exacta: You correctly predict the first and second-place horses, in the correct order.
  • Superfecta: You correctly predict the first through fourth-place horses, in the correct order.

Figure Out Your Race & Horse

When you approach the counter to place your bet at a New Jersey race track, you will see a betting board with all of the available bets. First, find the race # you wish to bet on, and from there you’ll see which horses are available to wager on. Each horse will have a posting # with their given odds at the time. Make sure to note the race # and horse # before going to place your bet.

Place Your Bet

With the bet type, race #, and horse # you want to wager on noted down, approach the counter where horse race track associates are taking bets. Tell them the bet you want, and the amount of money you wish to risk, and hand them that amount in cash. In return, they’ll provide you with a paper ticket noting your bet, the amount risked, and the amount you have the potential to win.

Watch the Race

When at a horse race track in New Jersey, you’ll have a few different options in terms of watching the race. For one, they will have it on a monitor in the off-track betting area of the horse race track if you want to watch it inside. The other places, both of which I highly recommend, are in the grandstand or down on the ground level next to the track.

Collect Your Winnings

If the bet you placed is a loser, you can discard the ticket as there is nothing left to do. If it is a winner, however, return to the horse race track betting counter to redeem the ticket for your winnings + the amount risked returned in cash.

Things to keep in mind when betting at a race track in New Jersey

For those visiting horse race tracks in New Jersey for the first time and looking to get involved in the action, there are a few things you should be aware of. Let’s take a closer look at a few things to keep in mind when betting at a race track in New Jersey.

  • Tip Sheets: Tip sheets are available for purchase ($15 or less in most cases) at horse race tracks in New Jersey, typically right near where you place your bets. Put together by professional horse handicappers, tip sheets include in horse’s race history, jockey history, and more information designed to give you insights into the day’s races.
  • Track Conditions: In a state such as New Jersey with volatile weather, the conditions of the track can vary from day to day. Keep in mind which horses in a given race do better in muddy conditions vs. dry.
  • Manage Your Funds: With dozens of races throughout the day at horse race tracks in New Jersey, it’s easy to get overly excited and want to bet everyone. Manage your funds correctly, and only place bets on spots where you think you might have an edge.
  • Know the Bet Types: Getting used to and understanding all of the different bet types at your disposal can make a big difference when it comes to betting at horse race tracks in New Jersey. If you know how to effectively use each one, you can make the best use of the funds you’ve decided to allocate to horse race betting.
  • Jockey History: Oftentimes, the jockeys that race at horse race tracks in New Jersey usually are regulars at those tracks. As such, there is plenty of data available on who does well (and doesn’t) with certain horses in certain conditions. Do your research to be best positioned to cash in on jockey history.

FAQ

Are there any race tracks near Atlantic City?

No, there are no active horse race tracks near Atlantic City. The closest track would be Monmouth Park, about 90 minutes up the New Jersey coastline.

Which is the oldest racetrack in New Jersey?

Freehold Raceway, which is still open today, is the oldest racetrack in New Jersey, being opened in 1853.

Is there sports betting at New Jersey horse race tracks?

Yes, there is sports betting at New Jersey horse race tracks. Monmouth Park, for example, has a Caesars Sportsbook that is open seven days a week.

What amenities and services are available at New Jersey race tracks?

It isn’t just horse race betting that is available at New Jersey race tracks, as each has a variety of amenities and services available. Some examples include sportsbooks, mini golf, family fun days, restaurants, gift shops, live music, bars, and more.

Are there any dining options at New Jersey race tracks?

Yes, each of the three horse race tracks in New Jersey has a plethora of dining options available for its patrons.

What is the minimum age for betting on horse races in New Jersey?

The minimum age for betting on horse races in New Jersey, both in person and online, is 18 years of age or older.

Are there any responsible gambling resources available at race tracks in New Jersey?

Yes, each of the three horse race tracks in New Jersey has responsible gambling resources available. This includes free resources at 1.800.GAMBLER or https://800gambler.org/. New Jersey residents can also put themselves on the self-exclusion list, which will prevent them from entering horse race track betting facilities. More information can be found at https://www.nj.gov/oag/ge/selfexclusion.html.

Are there any handicapping resources for bettors at New Jersey race tracks?

Yes, there are handicapping resources for bettors at New Jersey race tracks which include tip sheets. Tip sheets are magazine-type books put together by professional horse racing handicappers to give bettors information to help them place more educated wagers.

Author Details

Johnny Covers

Johnny Covers

Johnny Covers is as a researcher and sports betting expert at Betting NJ. With nearly a decade of experience in the sports betting field, he specializes in analysis and handicapping. His extensive expertise has been featured in a variety of publications including All-In Magazine, Blitz Predict, FantasyPros, Betting Pros, Sportsbook Review, Golf Monthly, and OddsChecker.