Monticello: Vivians Dream, Earthwindfire don't disappoint in NYSS

Odds-on choices Vivians Dream and Earthwindfire were victorious in two $52,500 New York Sire Stakes divisions for 2-year-old pacing fillies on Monday afternoon at Monticello Raceway.

Driven by Wally Hennessey in the first split, Vivians Dream cleared Alabama Hannah (Tyler Buter) to take the lead coming to the 27 3/5 opening quarter, but Hunting Season (Mark MacDonald) tipped out of third passing that marker and was able to wrestle command away from Vivians Dream before the 56 1/5 half-mile marker.

Hunting Season would go on to hit three-quarters in 1:25 2/5, but Hennessey sent Vivians Dream on a two-wide mission in the last quarter, and she was able to get by a game Hunting Season in the stretch to win by a neck in 1:54 4/5. Dame (Luke Hanners) got up for third at 55-1.

Cory Mumford trains Vivians Dream, a Winbak Farm-bred by American Ideal, for owner Forrest Bartlett. Vivians Dream, who cost $50,000 at last year's Lexington Selected Yearling Sale, has pocketed $106,400 to go with an undefeated record of four-for-four, and returned $2.20 to win as the 1-9 favorite. Vivians Dream is out the Sportswriter mare Sports Chic [1:54 2/5, $254,738], a half-sister to the great pacing filly Rainbow Blue.

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In the other flight Rock My Socks (Jason Bartlett) was well-rated on the lead through stations of 28 4/5, 59 1/5, and 1:27 2/5. Earthwindfire (Jack Pelling), the 1-5 choice, got going first-over from third past the half and made her way into second before three-quarters.

Rock My Socks was game and managed to fend off Earthwindfire on the way to three-quarters, around the last turn, and into the lane, but Earthwindfire finally wore her down just before the wire to score by a head in 1:55 2/5. Linemup Knockmback (Buter) was the third-place finisher.

Earthwindfire is an American Ideal filly trained by Brett Pelling for owners Mel Segal, Kentuckiana Racing Stable, and Tulip Racing. A $100,000 purhcase at the 2021 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale, Earthwindfire broke her maiden in her second start, has now banked $40,125, and paid $2.60 to win. Bred by Dr. Stephen Dey III, Earthwindfire is out of the Bettor's Delight mare Road Bet [1:52, $380,315], making Earthwindfire a half-sister to Cattlewash [1:46 4/5, $1,314,787] and to Niki Hill [1:50 2/5, $904,556].