Goshen, NY – On Saturday’s (July 5) card of Goshen Historic Track’s Grand Circuit meet the Monticello-Goshen Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association made their annual donation to the world-renowned harness racing track.
However, due to the success of the chapter’s collaboration with the New York Sire Stakes and their combined annual banquet, this year’s check for $7,500 was nearly double the amount from previous years.
Track president Steve Jones accepted the donation from Chapter President Chris Tully in the winner’s circle, following a race that was ironically won by a horse owned and bred by Jones.
Jones said, “This year’s support from the Monticello-Goshen chapter is especially generous. As always, Historic Track has several projects earmarked for renovation and improvement, and this lofty sum certainly goes a long way.”
Tully stated that, “Historic Track is one of the most distinct places in all of harness racing. Each year the grandstand comes alive amid the cheers of hundreds of racing fans. It’s an incredible sight to see, and it is an honor to raise money for both of our beloved ‘Cradle of the Trotter’ facilities.”
The organization makes annual donations to both Goshen Historic Track and the Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame, two separate and distinct entities that share the same hallowed ground and a mutual purpose of preserving and promoting harness racing.
The practice of raising money and donating funds to Historic Track and the Hall of Fame began in the mid-1970s with Monticello Raceway publicity icon John Manzi, and has continued ever since. In just the last 20 years, the local Monticello-Goshen chapter has donated over $150,000 to these important industry preservationists.
This year’s Monticello-Goshen USHWA awards banquet will be the chapter’s 66th annual event, sponsored by the New York Sire Stakes, and will be held on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025 at the Otterkill Golf Club, Campbell Hall, NY.