by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — Last Tuesday afternoon (April 6) Greg Merton drove in nine races at his home track, Monticello Raceway, as the track’s publicity department watched diligently in order to present Merton with a memento upon reaching the 3,000-win plateau. But the milestone triumph never came as Merton failed to win a race in eight trips to the post.

Geri Schwarz photo

Eric Warner (left), Monticello’s director of racing, joins Greg Merton and his son Joey as sister Veronica and brother Bobby, Jr. help hold the blanket.

Merton, 36, who has won more than 2,700 races locally, was also scheduled to drive in three races at Yonkers Raceway that evening and posted his 3,000th career driving victory there.

“It’s funny how things work,” Merton told Yonkers Raceway publicity chief Frank Drucker after the milestone victory was accomplished. “I had my son with me at Monticello today and I finished second five times.”

Merton, who lives in Monticello, began his career at the Mighty M in 1989 but he didn’t become a factor locally until the mid 1990s. Then in 2000 he copped his first driving title at the Mighty M and then followed three years later with another driving championship.

“I felt bad not having won my 3,000th race here at Monticello where I have called home since I started driving,” Merton said after the publicity department presented him with the blanket stating his accomplishment upon his return to the Mighty M on Wednesday afternoon, April 7. “I really appreciate that they recognized me even though my 3,000th (win) came at Yonkers.”