Monticello: Driver Greg Merton victorious for 6,000th time

It would be hard to be more Monticello than Greg Merton since he jogged his first horse at age six and was in the business full-time by the time he was 16 at the famed Catskill Mountain oval. On Monday afternoon, the 52-year-old horseman reached another milestone in his long career as he posted his 6,000th win with Lanas Desire in 1:57 3/5 for trainer Art Green.

He and his siblings (Michael, Thomas and Veronica) were also born into the industry and his father Robert was the Track Superintendent at Monticello Raceway for decades.

The Monticello native sports some impressive numbers in his 37-year driving career. Greg's first drive was in 1989 and recorded three wins in his first year of driving, Greg has eclipsed the $1 million mark in driving earnings 16 times in his stellar career and his best year was 2017 when he drove earners of $2,934.479. When you take into consideration that the majority of the tracks he raced at were not premier tracks, the fact that he broke the $1 million barrier driving primarily at Monticello and Plainridge is a testimate of his ability and durability.

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His best year for wins was in 2005 with 352 victories, and he has amassed total lifetime earnings of $30,049,127. Greg is a two-time dash-winning driver at Monticello and has won two titles at Plainridge Park. Greg has reached the 5,000 win milestone five years ago at Monticello.

Following the win, Greg was greeted in the winner's circle by his fellow horsemen and friends and is on to win #7,000.

--press release (Monticello)--