Monticello, NY – A 14-year-old horse is comparable in age to that of a 45-1/2-year-old human; behind the gate the 14-year-old Elias Joy looked racy and eager to go on Monday (Dec. 23) at Monticello Raceway, certainly not the demeanor you would expect from a rugged old campaigner on the cusp of beginning retirement.

Sent off as the prohibitive favorite of 1-5 and starting from the rail for driver 21-year-old Hunter Oakes, the old timer Elias Joy worked smarter and not harder as he was content to sit in the pocket as Justin Huckabone Jr. cut the mile with the young whipper snapper RC’S Ready thorough fractions of :29.3, 1:02.1, 1:33.3. Elias Joy dug deep and unleashed a wicked last quarter of :28.3 to score by a head in 2:04.2 and paid $2.40 to win.

The 14-year-old son of Floritas Hero has not slowed down in his old age, as the rugged gelding made 43 starts in this, his final season. In his last eight starts he has amassed six wins and finished third twice. His season tally of 18 wins earns him the title of the leading older trotter in the nation and is the second winningest horse at Monticello Raceway this season.

Elias Joy capped off a stellar career this afternoon with narrow victory at Monticello. Geri Schwarz photo.

His overall body of work is impressive: 277 lifetime starts, 62 wins, 36 second place finishes, and 39 thirds with more than $255,000 in lifetime earnings. More impressive is the almost $40,000 he earned in his final year of eligibility.

Elias Joy is owned by Andrew J. Gannon of Hamburg N.Y. and is trained by Robert Lounsbury and was bred by Gestut Prieros of Germany.

After the win, Elias Joy was greeted by well-wishers in the winner’s circle for a blanket presentation.

$740,036 was wagered on the 11 race card on Monday (Dec. 23) an average of over $67,000 per race. Monticello Raceway will be dark on Christmas Day but will resume live racing and full card Simulcasting on Thursday (Dec. 26) and Friday (Dec. 27) 12:20 p.m. Post Time.