Monticello Raceway

Address:Routes 17 & 17B Raceway Road
Monticello, New York

Looking for some horseracing action? Spend the day at scenic Monticello Raceway, and enjoy the experience of exciting harness racing. Located just 90 miles from downtown New York City, Monticello Raceway is located in the heart of Sullivan County's Catskills vacationland. Monticello Raceway offers year-round harness racing, and is home to the New York Sire Stakes, the track's premiere racing event, held each summer. General and Clubhouse admission are free and post time begins at 1:10 PM. Many of the greatest names in the sport began their careers along this half a mile long track.

Aside from the regular races, the raceway plays host to several special races every year. This includes the famous Heritage Series, a string of tournaments for harness drivers from different ethnic backgrounds. This Series includes, among others: the Dr. Martin Luther King Pace, a tournament for some of the best African-American harness drivers from the Middle Atlantic States; the Passover Pace, for harness drivers of Jewish heritage; the St. Paddy Pace, for drivers of Irish descent; and the Mayflower Pace, for those of British heritage. The raceway also hosts the Monticello Marathon, a 2-mile race for trotters, which is held in December.

Monticello Raceway began operations on its lightning-fast half-mile track on June 27, 1958. Over the years, the "Mighty M" has been one of the most innovative tracks in the sport, and many of its promotions gained national attention. One of the biggest was Rock 'N Racing, which combined the biggest names in show business (among them: Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Ike & Tina Turner, Natalie Cole, and Bobby Vinton) with racing programs and closed circuit championship boxing (including the Ali vs. Frasier and Leonard vs. Duran bouts). Rock 'N Racing produced the track's biggest attendance of 17, 495 patrons on June 20, 1980. Other odd-ball promotions, like elephant races and athletes out-running horses, gained great media attention as well over the years. Monticello Raceway is also home to "Mighty M Gaming," a casino featuring 1,800 of the most popular video gaming machines. Monticello Raceway offers Vegas type amenities, in conjunction with exciting harness racing, thus living up to its colorful reputation.

Fun and friendly, Monticello Raceway is located at the junction of Routes 17 and 17-B in Monticello, and is easily accessible by car. Parking is plentiful and free.