When Sir Pinocchio goes behind the gate in the seventh race on Friday (Dec. 19) at MGM Yonkers Raceway, it will mark the final start in the storied career of trainer Ed Hart. After more than 50 years in the sport as a trainer and at one time driver, the soon to be 70-year-old is stepping away from the sport he loves. "I have mixed feelings but I just think it is time. It's just not the same. I used to have a lot of horses and a lot of people working. I have grandkids now who don't live far away and my wife and I want to travel and move around a little," relayed Hart about his decision and reasoning. Hart said he was down to about eight horses the last couple of years, and he is in the process of dismantling the remainder of his barn. The one he owns will go up for auction while some others, like standout stakes winner Sir Pinocchio, will move on to new trainers. "He will be turned out for about six weeks and be trained by Linda Toscano," said Hart about Sir Pinocchio's future before touching on the possibility of ending his training career on a winning note this Friday. "I hope so. That would be awesome. What a way to go. "He's never quite liked that distance (a mile and a quarter), but he's been really good this fall and his last couple of starts. "Anything can happen in those big races, especially at a mile and a quarter. I'm real hopeful," continued Hart. "All I know is that I have the best driver in the country right now and my horse is good." Sir Pinocchio is the 8-5 morning-line favorite with Jason Bartlett driving in the $250,000 MGM Grand Prix Trotting Series final at Yonkers. His main competition in the 10-horse field is expected to be multiple-leg winner Antognoni (2-1, Yannick Gingras). Post time is approximately 5:00 P.M. (ET). ► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter Dating back to 1991 when the United States Trotting Association started keeping training records, Hart has amassed 1,135 victories and just over $24 million in stable earnings from 7,385 starts (as of Dec. 16). The New York native also drove 231 winners from 1978 to 2006 in limited starts. In addition to the 2011 Meadowlands Pace with eventual Dan Patch 3-year-old colt pacing winner Roll With Joe, Hart reminisced about some of his favorite past champions and winning moments. "Between 2000 and 2010 I had some pretty good horses. Space Shuttle winning the U.S. Pacing Championship in 1:47 [1:47 4/5] on Hambletonian Day [2000, Meadowlands] was unbelievable. That was before they were going those miles. I had Four Starzzz Shark for the Four Starzzz Stable and won the Haughton Memorial [2002, Meadowlands]. Village Jolt was 2-year-old [pacing colt] of the year and won the Woodrow Wilson [2004, Meadowlands]. There was also Pirouette Hanover. I had a lot of good horses back then," said Hart, who felt his decision would've remained the same even if his stable was bigger and loaded with talent. "Probably, I think I would [retire]. I think Sir Pinocchio can have a really good 5-year-old year, but for me right now is the time to let go." Hart admitted that he will miss the sport and that he would continue to follow it. As to his future, he plans to stay active. "I'm going to try to keep busy. I'm not going to sit home at the kitchen table. I like to ski and work out. I'll make myself busy," said Hart. "I had a good career. My wife has been super. A lot of good people have worked for me over the years and I've had a lot of good horses. I'm happy."