by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — Mike Merton guided trotter Marquee T to a 2:01.4, wire-to-wire victory at Monticello Raceway on Thursday (June 7) for his 2,000th career win.

Merton rushed up to the milestone by winning with regularity, but it took him a little time to reach the summit.

Geri Schwarz photo

Driver Mike Merton scored his 2,000th career win on Thursday at Monticello Raceway.

“I’m glad it’s finally over now,” a seemingly relieved Merton said after his victory. “I was going along at a good clip, then all of a sudden I went 0–for-20. I guess near the end the ‘jinx-bug’ bit me.”

It was Merton’s 66th winning drive at the Mighty M this season which is good enough to place him fifth on the local leaderboard. Last season his 106 winners were seventh best.

Merton began driving in amateur races here back in the late 1980s and his first 100-win season didn’t come until 1999 when he drove exactly 100 winners. Mike’s biggest seasonal output came in 2005 when he reined 226 winners.

Merton, 40, comes from a harness racing family. His dad, Bobby, Sr., was a trainer/driver back in the 1960s and his younger brother, Greg (38), has driven 3,402 winners. Greg’s current total of 106 winners is third best here. Often the brothers can be found in the same race going head to head.

Older brother Bobby (47) trains a small stable here as does brother Tom (44). Even sister Veronica (45) trains and drives.

“I knew that racing horses was the only thing that we all wanted to do,” Mike explained. “I guess you could say we followed in our dad’s footsteps.”