Elias Joy goes out a winner
December 24, 2019
By: Shawn Wiles
Photo Credit: Geri Schwarz
Monticello, NY – A 14-year-old horse is comparable in age to that of a 45 ½ year old human, behind the gate the 14-year-old Old Elias Joy looked racy and eager to go, 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 Oaks, the old timer Elias Joy worked smarter and not harder as he was content to sit the packet 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 scant nose in 2:04.2 and paid $2.40 to win.
The 14-year son of Floritas Hero has not slowed down in his old age, the rugged gelding made 42 starts in this, his final season, in his last 8 starts he has amassed 6 wins and finished 3rd twice. His season tally of 18 wins earns him the title of the leading older trotter in the nation with wins and is the second winningest horse at Monticello Raceway this season.
His overall body of work is impressive, 276 life time starts 62 wins, 26 place finishes and 39 times finishing 3rd and $255,000 in lifetime earnings and more impressively is the almost $40,000 he earned in his final year of eligibility. Elias Joy is owned by Andrew J. Gannon of Hamburg NY and is trained by Robert Lounsbury and was driven to victory by Hunter Oakes 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 December 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 December 26 and 27th with a 12:20 Post Time.
