Cory Mumford, who has been around stakes horses for over 20 years working behind the scenes for trainers like George Teague, got his chance to step into the spotlight in 2022 with Vivians Dream and has responded by setting career marks across the board. The 51-year-old Maryland native took the time to discuss his journey in harness racing as well as the chances of Vivians Dream in the Three Diamonds final for 2-year-old filly pacers on Saturday at The Meadowlands. She starts from post 9 with Brian Sears in the bike. How did you get started in harness racing? I had an uncle [Howard Mumford] who used to groom horses and I took an interest when I was about 13 and started brushing horses and cleaning stalls. At what point did that lead you to become involved as a driver and trainer? Probably when I was in high school. I worked for a guy named Mark Gray who started giving me some qualifying drives. While your training career started in 1999, you only averaged 35 starts per year. What else did you do to supplement your income?  I usually work for someone. I worked for George Teague for probably 12 years. I also had horses of my own and some with my uncle. I've always worked with horses and never did anything outside of harness racing.  This has been a breakout year for you with career highs in starts, wins and earnings. What brought on the increased number of horses? I work for Frank Chick and he let me start training some horses. Of course Vivians Dream boosted the purse earnings a lot.  What kind of car do you drive? Ford Taurus. Favorite dinner meal? Snack? Some kind of fish with stuffed crab meat, maybe flounder; Snickers bar. What is your favorite track to race at? Meadowlands. That is the major league of harness racing. What is your favorite big event in racing? Meadowlands Pace. I've been there a few times working with George Teague but I've never had one in myself. How often are horses or racing on your mind? All the time. What is your favorite thing to do outside of racing? Relax at home and watch TV. Do you have family? I have two boys and two girls. What is your favorite sport? Team? Basketball -- Los Angeles Lakers. ► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter What is one thing about you most fans/bettors don't know? That I'm a quiet person. What is one word that describes harness racing for you? Exciting. You mentioned your stable is led this year by Matron winner Vivians Dream. What are your expectations for her in the Three Diamonds final at The Meadowlands on November 26? Win. I think she can be right there with them and it will be a good race. She is just as good as the rest of the group. [EDITOR'S NOTE: Vivians Dream finished second in the Three Diamonds final.] She's had some good races but she's also had some clunkers like in the Kentuckiana at Hoosier. Any reason why she's had the ups and downs? She just got tired and was a little sick in Kentucky. She should be ready to perform good in the Three Diamonds. How excited are you for her 3-year-old campaign? I'm super-excited.  While Vivians Dream accounts for half of your barn's earnings in 2022, you also have some other stakes-placed youngsters. This must've been a fun year for you? It was a lot of running around. In New York the closest track to me is probably Yonkers and that is 3 1/2 hours. It is 7 ½ out to Buffalo and Batavia. We did a little racing in Ohio and that is around 8 hours. It was a lot of truck time, but it is better than sitting in the house.  You've also done some driving. Why did you stop? I gained a little weight and lost a few horses that were competitive. When I started working for Teague there was really no room for me to train and drive.  What was your best moment in harness racing? I want to say the Matron the other week with Vivian's Dream, but one thing I remember is the Hambletonian Oaks with Danae. That was for George Teague and Tim Tetrick drove. That was really exciting because it was like $750,000. How many horses are currently in your barn? Right now we have 31 horses; a lot of babies. I'm breaking about 25 horses.  Will you be racing all of the babies next year? Hopefully, they are all Frank Chicks. The winter is always exciting because you have big hopes and dreams that they will do well. Considering how long you've been in the business, did you ever think you'd get to the point where you'd have a decent size stable like you do now? There is always the hope and dream that you will and this year I did. Where are you stabled? Harrington Raceway. If you had the power to change one thing in the sport, what would it be? Probably getting rid of all the favors drivers do for each other on the track as far as giving spots and not racing as hard as they should sometimes.  Then you must like the rule at the Meadowlands which doesn't permit easy "tucks" for horses that leave? The supposed rule. I'd like to see it enforced more. How do you view the future of harness racing? I view it as promising. I don't think the sport is going to die off or anything. I've been hearing for a long time that harness racing is going away but it is still here. If you weren't involved in harness racing, what would you be doing? Maybe a cook or working in a restaurant. That's what my father did and I worked with him for a little while. Are you a good cook? What is your best dish? Not bad. I'm not going to brag on myself. Fried chicken or fried pork chops. Time for the stretch drive: Best Horse You Ever Saw? Rainbow Blue.  Best Driver Ever? John Campbell. Lasix -- Yes or No? Yes. Favorite TV Show? Right now, Yellowstone. Trotters or Pacers? Pacers.