Cory Stratton is a happy young man. And why shouldn’t he be?

After all, the 20-year-old harness driver just reined two winners on the October 2 racing program at Monticello Raceway and now has 47 wins this season, which ranks him 12th on the local leaderboard.

Stratton won the 11th race with Zoom On By in a time of 1:59.4 and connected again in the following race with Semalu Express in 1:58.4 over the muddy racetrack at the Mighty M .

“I’m finally getting some live mounts and I feel real good after winning two races today,” Stratton said. “I know I’m driving better and appreciate the confidence that some of the local trainers now have in me.”

His driving ability is not only getting noticed by the Mighty M trainers, but also by the local scribes.

A week or so ago, Stratton was informed that he would be the recipient of the Monticello-Goshen Chapter USHWA’s local Rising Star Award.

“I was really proud when they told me that I was the Rising Star Award winner this year because I’m the youngest driver at Monticello Raceway. It’s also special because my brother, Jordan, won that award as well,” Stratton explained.

“He’s my idol,” Cory said about his brother. “I look up to him. Anytime I need something I go to him. He’s always helped me out with everything. My dad (trainer Dave Stratton) has also been a lot of help. My whole family has been supportive.”

Like Jordan, Cory began his career racing in amateur races at Monticello and then in the C.K.G. Billings Amateur Drivers Series. Even though he was yet to reach voting age, Cory did well in both venues, and just as soon as he turned 18 be became a professional.

Last year, Cory won 16 races and this year he already has 47 wins under his belt. There’s still three months of racing left before the curtain comes down on the 2012 racing season.

“This has been a good year for me. The last two or three months have been especially good. I owe a lot to my family and horsemen Steve Moore and Kevin Johnson for giving me some good quality drives."

“Like my brother I have been watching what I eat and have lost a lot of weight, which I think has been beneficial,” Cory added.” I just want to stay healthy and win as many races as I possibly can. I’ve exceeded my goals this year. Next year I would like to win 100 races.”

On Sunday evening, November 18 Stratton will be presented with the ‘Rising Star Award’ from the Monticello-Goshen Chapter USHWA at their 54th Annual Awards Banquet, which will be held at the Fountains on Sands Road in Middletown, NY.

(Monticello)