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Scenic Monticello Raceway began operations on its lightning-fast half-mile track June 27, 1958. Located just 90 miles from downtown New York City it is located in the heart of the Sullivan County Catskills vacationland, offering year-round harness racing. Many of the greatest names in the sport began their careers at Monticello Raceway.
Over the years the track has been one of the most, if not the most, innovative in the sport and many of its promotions gained national attention. One of the biggest, Rock 'N Racing, combined the biggest names in show business (e.g. Frankie Valli & 4 Seasons; Ike & Tina Turner, Natalie Cole, Bobby Vinton, etc.) with racing programs and closed circuit championship boxing (e.g. the Ali vs. Frasier bouts; Leonard vs. Duran, etc.) in conjunction with racing produced the track's biggest attendance of 17, 495 patrons on June 20, 1980. And odd-ball promotions like elephant races and athletes out-running horses gained great media attention.
The biggest handle - money wagers - came on August 2, 2006 when fans both on and off track wagered $1,432,217.
In 1975 Monticello Raceway was home to the richest race, not only in harness racing but in all of racing when the track presented its $250,000 the Monticello-OTB Classic, won by the Hall of Fame pacer, Silk Stockings. The event, with its huge purses, continued through 1985. Today the rich New York Sire Stakes are a part of the track's premier racing events, in conjunction with the Magnificant 7 Classic Series.
Now with the installation of video gaming machines Monticello Gaming & Raceway offers the amenities of a Vegas atmosphere in conjunction with exciting harness racing.
Fun, friendly and easily accessible, the raceway is located at the junction of Routes 17 & 17B in Monticello, NY.
MONTICELLO RACEWAY OFFICIALS | NEW YORK STATE RACING OFFICIALS | Cliff Ehrlich -- President & GM | John D. Sabini-- Chairman | Shawn Wiles -- Assistant GM | Charles J. Diamond -- Member | Mark Marasco -- VP of Finance | Daniel D. Hogan -- Member | Eric P. Warner -- Race Secretary | John G. Cansdale -- Executive Director | John Manzi -- Publicity & P R | Robert Feuerstein -- General Counsel | Linda M. Loughrey -- Controller | Gail Pronti -- Secretary to the Board | Tim Conklin -- Security Director | Joseph Lynch -- Director of Racing Operations | Maureen Flynn -- Mutuel Director | Brian Barry -- Director of Racing Officials | Donald Bickel -- Tote Manager | Dan Toomey -- Public Information Officer | John Flynn -- Program Director | Lance Ditewig-- Presiding Judge & State Steward | Howard Oil -- Announcer | Fran Scolza -- Associate Judge | Don Lara -- Plant Superintendent | Dana Bogdan - Associate Judge | | | | | | |
Racing Season January 1 - December 31
Post Time 1:10
Track Opened: June 27, 1958
Track Size: 1/2 Mile
Speed Rating: 2: 02
Length of Stretch: 500'
Width of Stretch: 90'
Starters Behind the Gate: 8
Hubrail: No
General Admission: (Free)
General Parking (Free)
Clubhouse Admission (Free)
Grandstand Capacity: 4,500
Clubhouse Capacity: 500
Parking Lot Capacity: 5,000
Attendance and Handle Records
Attendance: 17,495 June 20,1980
Handle: $1,191,695 December 12, 2001
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