The New Jersey racetrack of Freehold Raceway, New York lays claim to being the oldest four furlong harness racing track in the USA. It is situated in Freehold and first offered official thoroughbred racing on 1st December 1853 organized by the Monmouth Agricultural Society, although informal racing took place in the area as early as 1830. The track operated for 5 years before a suitable grandstand was constructed in 1858. The track was the first in the State to offer a pari-mutuel system in 1941. The principal race was the Cane Pace over a mile which was first contested in 1955 and forms one leg of the Harness Triple Crown. It was first held at Freeway in 1998 and continued at the venue until 2010. The other 2 legs are the Messenger Stakes and the Little Brown Jug. In 1970 a new grandstand was opened, only to be hit by a devastating fire shortly afterwards. While in early May 1984 an even more devastating fire destroyed the main grandstand, causing the track to close. A rebuilding programme was organized which was completed in October 1986, with a grand re-opening ceremony taking place on 22nd October 1986. Another feature race over the 4 furlong oval track with 146 metre home straight is the Dexter Cup.

Cane Pace winners between 1998 and 2010 when contested at Freeway
1998 The Cane Pace over 8 furlongs was won by Shady Character trained by Brett Pelling and ridden by Michel Lachance
1999 The Cane Pace over 8 furlongs was won by Blissfull Hall trained by Benjamin Wallace and ridden by Ronald Pierce
2000 The Cane Pace over 8 furlongs was won by Powerful Toy trained by Monte Gelrod and ridden by Luc Oullette
2001 The Cane Pace over 8 furlongs was won by Four Starzzz Shark trained by Edward Hart and ridden by David Miller
2002 The Cane Pace over 8 furlongs was won by Art Major trained by Monte Gelrod and ridden by John Campbell
2003 The Cane Pace over 8 furlongs was won by No Pan Intended trained by Ivan Sugg and ridden by David Miller
2004 The Cane Pace over 8 furlongs resulted in a dead heat between Western Terror trained by Brett Pelling and ridden by John Campbell, and Timesareachanging trained by Brett Pelling and ridden by Ronald Pierce
2005 The Cane Pace over 8 furlongs was won by Royal Flush Shark trained by Seldon Ledford and ridden by Eric Ledford
2006 The Cane Pace over 8 furlongs was won by Total Truth trained by George Teague jnr and ridden by Ronald Pierce
2007 The Cane Pace over 8 furlongs was won by Always A Virgin trained by Joe Holloway and ridden by Brian Sears
2008 The Cane Pace over 8 furlongs was won by Art Official trained by Joe Seekman and ridden by Ronald Pierce
2009 The Cane Pace over 8 furlongs was won by Vintage Master trained by Jimmy Takter and ridden by Daniel Dube
2010 The Cane Pace over 8 furlongs was won by One More Laugh trained by Ray Schnittker and ridden by Tim Tetrick