Going back five years or so I can distinctly remember chatting with Cory Stratton in the paddock at Yonkers Raceway about various topics. He had already taken a shot as a driver and trainer but was finding himself while working for others for a short time. Fast-forward to 2022 and Stratton is in the top 10 of the trainer standings at Yonkers Raceway and fifth in the driver rankings at Monticello. A native of Ohio, Stratton, along with his wife Vicki, operate a stable of 24 horses that is quickly growing and making some noise. With a recent Blue Chip Matchmaker win under his belt and a starter in the Borgata series, Stratton's star is rising on the training end and the 29-year-old is certainly hoping the ascent will continue for a long time to come.     How did you get started in harness racing? I was born into it. My mom [Jeanine] and dad [David] both worked for Billy Haughton, so I knew since I was a little kid that is what I wanted to do.  Your brother Jordan is one of the top drivers at Yonkers and your father was a trainer. What have they meant in your development as a horseman? They've both been a big stepping stone. I jogged my first horse with my dad when I was about 2 or 3 years old. I've been jogging solo since I turned 8. My brother has been there for me for everything. He picks most of my horses which is a plus. He's my confidant. I ask him questions and he helps me out whenever I need him. My brother and I are very close. My dad is up in Saratoga. We talk but I don't see him that often. Outside of family, who helped your career most? Certainly all of the owners that have given me an opportunity. My wife has been a big help, but she's family. Peter Tritton was a big help in getting me my first owner. Somebody called him and asked him to take a horse but he recommended me instead. That's kind of where it all started. Was there ever a chance you wouldn't be involved in the sport? No. Growing up I was pretty good at football and the varsity coach couldn't wait for me to get older when I was in sixth and seventh grade, but I said it wasn't going to happen because I started going to the races every night. I'm all-in on horse racing. You started out driving in amateur races. How do you view amateur racing and its role in the sport? I think it is awesome. It gives people the opportunity to get involved. The other day at The Meadowlands someone won a race after not driving for a long time [William Carter Jr -- 2005]. For him to get a regular overnight drive would be close to impossible. A lot of the top drivers started in amateur races; my brother did. I think it is very good for the sport and apparently the bettors at The Meadowlands love it because they handle as much on those races if not more. What kind of car do you drive? I have a Sierra 2500 and a Grand 2500 for work, and a BMW 328i for personal use. Favorite dinner meal? Snack? Steak; Chocolate. What is your favorite track to race at? Why? For training it is Yonkers because I do pretty well there and I know all of the people. Plus usually my brother drives for me, which is a big help. As a driver, Monticello, only because I'm used to driving there. What is your favorite big event in racing? Why? The Little Brown Jug. I grew up in Ohio about one hour and ten minutes away from there. I went there every year of my life until I was 22 or 23. I was even there 21 or 22 days after I was born.  How often are horses or racing on your mind? All day, every day. ► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter What is your favorite thing to do outside of harness racing? Watch sports, hang out with my wife and go bowling, though I haven't had much time for that lately. What is your favorite sport to watch? Team? Football -- unfortunately the New York Jets. What is one word that describes harness racing for you? Life. There has been some stop and go in your career between driving, training and working for others. Has it been hard to get your career launched? I worked for some different people and took everything in. Like I said, Peter Tritton hooked me up with an owner and I've kind of branched out from there. Now I have the best owners in the game in my opinion. My driving is starting to slow down again because I'm too busy training. I'm just doing three days at Monticello now. Training is my number one priority. Driving is just for fun now.  It seems that lately you are making more of a commitment to both catch-driving and training. How do you even have time for this interview? I don't have time to do much. My wife is very helpful in the stable. I know when I leave the barn everything is getting done the way it needs to be. We have good people working for us. When I come up to Monticello to drive, I don't even have to worry about the barn because I know it is all taken care of. I have a good support team behind me.  How many horses do you currently have in your barn and where are you stabled at? 25 right now but it fluctuates between 24 and 27. The most I've had is 29. I race a lot of claimers so I don't have the horses very long. I'm stabled at Mark Ford's [Training Center]. You are doing doubleheaders at Yonkers and Monticello as well as moonlighting at Pocono and The Meadowlands. How much time are you spending in the car? A lot; too much. Unfortunately that means I eat a lot of snacks. Usually I'll ride down [to Yonkers] with my brother and ride back [home] with the horses. We start at the barn at 6 AM and a lot of times I don't get home to sleep until 1 AM. But I love it. I have to do it now while I can and I'm still youngish. Are you a better trainer or driver? That is hard to say. I do well with what I drive at Monticello but I'd saying probably training. That is my number one goal. Obviously we all want to be top catch-drivers. What's your dream scenario for your career? I'd like to win the Little Brown Jug and have a stable of stakes horses and high-end claimers. I wouldn't want to just do babies or claimers. I like the variety.  Which is the best horse you've ever trained or driven? Easy To Please. You won a Blue Chip Matchmaker leg as trainer with her recently. How big of a thrill was that for you?  It was amazing. I was shaking the whole way in the van going to the winner's circle and the whole way back. Everyone was there to high-five me after the race and my mom and dad texted me right after. It was a big thrill. I've come a long way. For a 29-year-old to have the chance to train a horse like that, I can't even describe it.  Was it your first stakes win? Yes. She was second in the Simpson last year at Chester and I was third in the Empire Breeders with Major Bean at Tioga.  Was that win your best moment in harness racing? Yes. You also have Pat Stanley N in the Borgata series. What are your hopes for him in the series? I have high hopes. He's coming into it as sharp as ever. In his last two wins Jordan [Stratton] never even pulled the plugs; both in [1:]52/:27. He has to step up his game a little bit but I think he can go with them. I would be surprised if he was first or second tonight [March 21]. I would love to win both but just to have them both in the final would be an amazing accomplishment.  [EDITOR'S NOTE: This interview took place before Pat Stanley N finished second in the first two legs of the Borgata on March 21 and 28.] ► Celebrate the 10th anniversary of DRF Harness with FREE Harness Eye PPs What is the best advice you've ever gotten or given about harness racing? Just stay humble and take it one day at a time.  If you had the power to change one thing in the sport, what would it be? Create a track that races under a dome so we don't have to race in winter weather. Imagine The Meadowlands with always summer racing. They have domes in football. How much bigger would a dome over Yonkers be than a college football stadium? There would never be cancellations due to winter storms or track issues.  How do you view the future of harness racing? I think it will be bright if we find ways to get more youth involved and do more marketing. I don't know how to do it because I'm not a marketing guy. That's what is good about the amateur racing because it can get more kids involved or the people involved bring their kids to see it.  You're a young guy. How do we get your friends to the track? The Meadowlands has an advantage with sports betting. I guess more Facebook, more Twitter, more promotions where you give out a beer and a $5 bet. We just have to try new things. If you weren't involved in harness racing, what would you be doing? If it was when I was younger, something with football since I was pretty good at it growing up. If it was now, I have no idea. Has the higher cost of gas changed anything for you? Everything seems to be higher over the last year or so since we opened back up [from COVID shutdown]; trucks, trailers, tries, diesel prices. It's tough but it is part of life. At least we are racing. I try to race them all at Yonkers and normally I get a few in a night. To send just one horse can be expensive, but for the purses you are going for the gas is irrelevant. If you win a $15,000 or $20,000 race at Yonkers, the $100 in diesel is minor. Time for the stretch drive... Best Horse you ever saw: Somebeachsomewhere for what he did on and off the track. Lasix -- Yes or No?: Yes. Favorite TV Show?: Ozark. Trotters or Pacers?: Pacers.