Additionally, the preferred pace and mares preferred will be added to the offerings.

These steps are being taken prior to the availability of the casino purse supplement.

For owners whose horses lost racing opportunities when a tote failure cut the Freehold program short on Saturday, April 12, there will be a payment of $125 per horse for races six through 11.

A state-wide failure of the tote equipment hit New Jersey after the fifth race at Freehold had been contested.

Although the cancellation of races was not Freehold's fault, they are required by SBOANJ contract to pay owners for the late scratch. There will be no deduction for driver or trainer fees.

TAFT ON THE MEND AFTER SHOULDER SURGERY

Karen Taft, the clerk of the course at Freehold Raceway, is recovering from shoulder replacement surgery and hopes to be released from CentraState Medical Center in Freehold on Friday [April 18, 2008].

Taft was jogging a horse on Tuesday [April 15] who bolted, unseating her.

Taft shattered her right shoulder into 21 pieces, she said. The shoulder joint replacement surgery took place on Wednesday. She thought it might be a week or two before she could return to work.

Carol Hodes for Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey