Trot along home

MONTICELLO — With the permission of the New York State Racing and Wagering Board, Monticello Raceway will have a 12:35 p.m. post-time on Christmas Eve Day, December 24.

“In order to accommodate all the off-track wagering entities, we will begin our December 24 racing program one-half hour earlier than usual, “ said track mutual manager Maureen Flynn.

Featured on the December 24 card will be the Monticello Marathon, a two-mile race for trotters competing for a $5,000 purse.

Since there is no current standard on a half-mile track, the winner of the event will establish a world record at that distance.

“We’re beginning to get a lot of interest in our marathon trot, “noted Director of Racing, Eric Warner. “I’ve received calls from trainers in Montreal, Toronto and Maine expressing interest in competing and there’s plenty of interest among our local trainers, too.”