Undefeated Vivians Dream takes another

Monticello, N.Y. – Monday, July 25 saw some of the best harness racing of the year at Monticello Raceway, when the two-year-old pacing fillies visited on the fourth leg of their Sire Stakes tour. Tyler Buter and Wally Hennessey each won three races, Team Pelling scored a pair, and trainer Cory Mumford notched a training double.

The early muddy track conditions didn’t thwart Vivians Dream (American Ideal-Sports Chic) in her attempt to remain undefeated in her division of New York Sire Stakes racing, for a purse of $52,500.

Going into the first turn and down the backside, there was a tussle over who would get the lead first: Alabama Hannah, Hunting Season and Vivians Dream all were in the thick of it.

Vivians Dream and driver Wally Hennessey were parked to the quarter in 27.3 by Alabama Hannah (Tyler Buter) and then cleared. Hunting Season (Mark MacDonald) then pulled the pocket and was the new leader as they passed the halfway mark in 56.1.

Up to this point, Vivians Dream was content to sit the pocket but at they neared the ¾ stanza in 1:25.2, Vivians Dream was on the move, first over. Down the lane, the two fillies slugged it out in a tight photo finish, but Vivians Dream held off Hunting Season in 1:54.4, just 2/5 off the track record. Dame finished third.

Vivians Dream has now won four consecutive races, all of them in NYSS competition. Monday’s win pushed her earnings to over $106,000. A $50,000 yearling acquisition, Vivians Dream is trained by Cory Mumford.

VIVIANS DREAM REPLAY

The second division of NYSS, worth $52,500, had a field of six.

Rock My Socks (Jason Bartlett) was first away from the gate and remained on the front end, carrying the pack through fractions of 28.4, 59.1.

Just past the half, the 1/5 favorite Earthwindfire (American Ideal-Road Bet) and driver Jack Pelling tipped to the outside and mounted a challenge against the pace setter, looking her in the eye first over at the ¾ pole in 1:27.2.

In a spirited stretch duel between the two, Earthwindfire uncorked a 27.4 final quarter and scored by a scant head over Rock My Socks in 1:55.2. Linemup Knockmback (Tyler Buter) finished third. It was a new lifetime mark for the filly, who is trained by Brett Pelling for owners Melvin Segal, Kentuckian Racing Stable (of Test Of Faith fame) and Tulip Racing of Lexington, Kentucky.

EARTHWINDFIRE REPLAY

In Excelsior action, Tyler Buter and George Ducharme teamed up for a double.

Excelsior A 

Chikfromfrenchlick (Huntsville) – Tyler Buter: 1:59.4 – $7.50

Rec Time (Huntsville) – Jason Bartlett: 1:57.4 – $2.80 (2/5 favorite)

Celia B Money (Huntsville) – Tyler Buter: 1:58.4 – $5.70

Southwind Bella (Huntsville) – Jack Pelling: 1:55.1 $3.80

At The Hop (Huntsville) – Wally Hennessey: 1:57.4 – $7.40

Excelsior B 

Everdeen (American Ideal) – Luke Hanners: 2:00.3. – $3.10

Polyester (Dude’s The Man) – Tyler Buter: 2:00 – $2.60

NYSS Action returns next Monday, August 1, when the two-year-old trotting colts take center stage. Post time is 12:10 p.m.

For complete race results, click here.

by Kimberly Winston, for Monticello Raceway