January 22 - Despite his name, five-year-old gelding Driven by Success has yet to experience the kind of success enjoyed by other sprinters in the United States. That said, he is the overwhelming favorite going into Saturday's $65,000 Paumonok Stakes at Aqueduct Racecourse in New York.

Open to three-year-olds and upwards, the Paumonok Stakes will be contested over six furlongs at Aqueduct's inner track. Driven by Success will go up against five other sprinters including Wall Street Wonder and Laysh Laysh Laysh, but his trainer, Bruce Levine, is confident in his chances tomorrow.

'He's been training good and he runs good fresh,' he said. The son of Precise End, Driven by Success is a native of New York and despite showing glimpses of brilliance in his career, has failed to capitalize on many opportunities. Most recently he finished last in the Cigar Mile (Gr 1) in November.

Said Levine, 'He gives you a couple of races where it looks like he's going to win and then he gets beat a length, length and a half. He seems like he's just a notch below.' Prior to the Cigar, Driven by Success managed third places in the Carter Handicap and Metropolitan Handicap, both Gr 1 races.

As such, his connections decided to keep him at a graded level over the summer instead of relegating him to face easier competition. In the Cigar Handicap the gelding seemed in top form, but was tested early on by Vineyard Haven and end up fading. Vineyard Haven, the race favorite, came third.

In tomorrow's Paumonok Stakes, Wall Street Wonder may be Driven by Success' main competition, who in his most recent race at Aqueduct last December won a first-level allowance by a convincing two lengths. 'The way he's training, he's going forward, definitely, 'said his trainer John Terranova.

Here is the complete field and odds for the $65,000 Paumonok Stakes on Saturday:

Laysh Laysh Laysh (KY) 7/2
Wall Street Wonder (FL) 4/1
Driven by Success (NY) 1/1
Peace Town (MD) 15/1
Mt. Glittermore (KY) 5/1
Shoptate (FL) 12/1