An iconic New Jersey racetrack announced that it will be closing after 170 years. Freehold Raceway first opened in 1854.

The nation’s oldest daytime harness racing track still running will end racing operations in December, according to Penn National Gaming, owners of the historic facility.

“It’s sad. It’s a sad day for racing and for the track itself. Sad it’s going down and closing up,” said Pat Lynch, of West Orange.

General manager Howard Bruno tells News 12 that racing can no longer continue under the current circumstances, and with no “plausible way forward,” the track will shut down. It was a shock to those who came out to enjoy the trotters and pacers on Thursday.

“You’re talking about the racetrack closing down?...Yeah that’s a shame, historic track, been around a long time,” said Nick Bondarew of Howell.

Dec. 28 will be the last show.

In a statement to News 12, Freehold Borough Mayor Kevin Kane wrote, “The Raceway has a long and storied history in the Borough of Freehold but, faced with declining interest in standardbred harness racing, the raceway’s fortunes went into a long, slow decline. Management seemed disinterested in promoting or marketing the venue and failed to capitalize on the advent of sports betting in New Jersey.”

Kane’s statement continued, “The facility had become shopworn and dated with little capital improvement to attract new customers. Attempts to meet with management to discuss promotional opportunities, band nights, car shows and other event-based strategies designed to get new customers into the facility were rebuffed.”

Kane also said that the town was hopeful an “interested buyer might emerge and continue operating a Standardbred Harness Racing Track, but we are planning for the future by conducting a redevelopment study of the properties involved to determine the highest and best use for the property. Going forward, there is an opportunity for significant new investment in the borough.”

“Obviously, it can’t sit there vacant because that loss ratable will be devastating there,” said Monmouth County Commissioner Director Tom Arnone.

“Your first instinct is, ‘Oh, condos and God knows what else?’ Strip malls? But hopefully, it’s something productive for those who live and work around here,” added Matt Cangialosi, owner of Jersey Freeze across the street from the track.

News 12 has heard from horse trainers and owners who say they will not let this go quietly and are already drawing up plans to hopefully save the Freehold Raceway from closure.