Monticello, NY — Alan Schwartz, president of the Monticello Harness Horsemen’s Association, said that the membership was informed that racing at Monticello Raceway was going to cease on March 16.

“Our family of drivers, trainers, grooms was devastated,” Schwartz noted. “Not only did they fear for themselves being unable to eat but what was going to happen to the horses at the track. They need care on a day-to-day basis so abandoning them was definitely not an option.”

So Schwartz got things moving. He reached out to the track’s parent company, Resorts World Catskills, and with their financial help, every horse stabled at the track would be provided with feed, hay and straw. Each driver, trainer and groom would get a monetary subsidy for two weeks based on their prior two weeks of income.

After meeting with the track’s parent management, Schwartz negotiated that horses would be able to jog every day and it was agreed that the track would provide a maintenance crew that would come every other day.

The Monticello Harness Horsemen’s Association is proud to have been able to assist our horsemen in this time of need.