Tioga: Midwind Success, Pride N Joy break through in NY Sire Stakes

Midwind Success and Pride N Joy picked up their first career New York Sire Stakes victories by winning the two $55,500 divisions for 2-year-old filly trotters on Sunday afternoon at Tioga Downs.

Driven by Jordan Stratton, Midwind Success was positioned third at the 28 2/5 opening quarter and 57 3/5 half set by Ruth Honig (Matt Kakaley), but Midwind Success went two-wide after the latter marker and surged into the lead before the 1:26 three-quarters. After she hit the front, Midwind Success got some separation on the others, and she couldn't be caught in the lane, winning by a length and a quarter in 1:56 1/5. Woolco got trapped on the inside after Midwind Success took command and closed well on the cones in the stretch to get second, and Jean's Action (Mike Merton) was third.

"She's been knocking at the door," said Stratton. "I brushed and made the front, and she did the rest."

Claude Huckabone III trains Midwind Success, a Chapter Seven-Outrageous Fortune filly bred by Midwind Farms, for owner James Crawford IV. Midwind Success broke her maiden in her sixth chance, pushed her earnings to $66,045, and returned $23.80 to win as a 10-1 shot.

Stratton went for the sweep with In Italian in the other split, and she wrestled the top spot away from Kayleigh S (Brian Sears) beyond the 28 2/5 opening quarter. In Italian, a full sister to Atlanta, went on to click off a 58 2/5 half and a 1:27 1/5 three-quarters, but Pride N Joy (Buter), who moved into second at three-quarters after pulling first-over out of fourth in the third quarter, continued to loom around the last turn and then got by In Italian through the drive, scoring by a length and a quarter in 1:57 1/5. In Italian held on for second over Kayleigh S.

"She knows what to do there finishing," stated Buter. "Noel [trainer Noel Daley] called me and told me just keep her attention because she's a little green."

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Daley also co-owns Pride N Joy, a daughter of E L Titan-Princess Lilly bred by Elle Stables Inc., with partners L A Express Stable LLC., Lenny Zelin, and Harbour Racing Stable. A $55,000 purchase at last year's Standardbred Horse Sale, Pride N Joy has a record of 2-1-1 from five appearances, has now banked $49,125, and returned $9.20 to win.