For generations, Monticello Raceway has been the proving ground for many prominent drivers paying their dues and learning the ropes and breaking into the business – Cat Manzi, Ron Pierce, George Brennan, to name just a few.
Add Cory Stratton to the list of the new generation following the exact footsteps of his older brother Jordan Stratton.
Cory has been quietly plying his trade at the Catskill Mountain oval, at first the drives came slowly for the 27-year-old Stratton, but as time went on his talent became apparent which is evident by the amount of horses that trainers put him on to drive.
On Tuesday November 5, Cory drove three winners on the card. The first trip to the winner’s circle was aboard Future Life (1:58.2, $3.20) for trainer and co-owner Jim Doherty Jr. Future Life, a 10-year-old mare by Life Sign, earned her 10th win in 2019 for owners Jim Doherty Jr and Chris Tully.
Never Tell accounted for Win No. 2. The Dan Gill-trained son of Southwind Lustre (2:01, $10.00) notched his third seasonal win, as he scored for owner and longtime Monticello Raceway patron Adam Friedland.
Grand Priority (1:56.2, $4.60), who gave Stratton the driving triple, scored from Post 3 in Race 7. The Nicholas Devita trainee recorded his seventh win of the season. The Western Ideal gelding broke the $100,000 mark in lifetime earnings.
Cory is currently in eighth place for leading dash-winning drivers at Monticello Raceway (66 wins) and is within striking distance of overtaking Brandon Parker and John Desimone Jr.
(With files from Monticello Raceway)