Fifty four years ago it was a dream . . . six years later it became a reality.

On June 27, 1958 the years of planning materialized as Monticello Raceway officially opened.
 
Through the years many changes have taken place as Monticello Raceway grew from its infancy to become one of the finest and most beautiful harness racing tracks in the country.

"In 1952 a group of us started discussing the possibility of a harness track in Sullivan County because we believed a race track would serve as a stimulant to attract more people to our resort area," the late Sidney Sussman, the Founding Father of Monticello Raceway, said  many years ago.

"We found that three were two independent licenses at (the now defunct) Roosevelt Raceway so we there after appeared before the New York State Harness Racing Commission to attempt to be favorably considered for one of those licenses. Finally after all sorts of inquiries and hearing on the applications of many other groups, both in our area as well as in other regions, the State Harness Racing Commisssion issued a license to the new Sullivan County Harness Racing Association, Inc. on July 3, 1957."

The State gave the fledgling new harness group a completion target deadline of June 27, 1958 to be ready to open, which meant a period of less than one year from the time the license was issued. The major task and construction of breaking ground and construction the race track, grandstand, stabling facilities, etc. began immediately on the present 245 acres site, which had formerly been farmland and a bungalow colony. The site was selected because of its proximity to the Village of Monticello, as well as the new proposed Quickway for Route 17.

The Raceway attraced some 6250 patrons on opening night in 1958 with wagering totaling $253,963. That exciting night set the stage for the racing season and for many racing seasons thereafter.