Monticello, NY – It would be hard to be more Monticello than Greg Merton. He jogged his first horse at age 6 and was in the business full time by the time he was 16 at the famed Catskill Mountain oval. Wednesday afternoon (Feb. 18), the 52-year-old horsemen reached another milestone in his long career with his 6,000th win aboard Lanas Desire in 1:57.3 – for trainer Art Green.
He and his siblings (Michael, Thomas and Veronica) were also born into the industry, 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 when he recorded three wins in his first year of driving. He has eclipsed the $1 million mark in driving earnings 16 times in his stellar career. His best year was 2017 when he drove winner for purses 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 testiment to his ability and durability.
His best year for wins was in 2005 with 352 trips to the winner’s circle and he has amassed total lifetime earnings of more than $30 million.
Greg is a two-time leading dash winning driving at Monticello and has won two titles at Plainridge Park as well. Greg reached the 5,000-win mark five years ago at Monticello.
Following the win, Greg was greeted in the winner’s circle by his fellow horsemen and friends.