For driver Corey Callahan and Ballast, a change in strategy to a down-the-road approach proved the winning formula in the $34,722 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace at Bally's Dover on Wednesday, Jan. 14.
Huntress (Allan Davis) left quickest at the start, while Jett Propelled (Jason Thompson) accepted the pocket trip. Ballast, the 7-5 favourite, landed in third briefly on the first turn, then rushed up to take the lead away from Huntress past the quarter in :26.3. Ballast continued on her front-end mission, reaching the half in :54.1 atop a strung-out field. Racin Hungry (Pat Berry) then marched first-over on the backstretch, followed by Factory Girl (Tim Tetrick) second-over.
Ballast held a two-length lead to three-quarters in 1:22 while Factory Girl advanced quickly but was forced three-wide when Jett Propelled maneuvered her way out from the pocket at the top of the stretch. Ballast turned away those threats and won by a half-length, pacing her mile in 1:52. Jett Propelled finished second, and Factory Girl was third.
Ballast, a four-year-old daughter of Tall Dark Stranger-Catamaran Fashion, is now 10-for-31 lifetime. She is owned by EVM Racing LLC and trained by Chuck Crissman Jr. She paid $4.80 for the victory.
Tony Morgan drove five winners on the 15-race card. The second-winningest driver of all time scored victories with Fillybythesea ($28.20), Half A Shekel ($4.60), Divine Deo ($5.40), Square Deal ($2.20) in a dead heat, and A Rooma Zoom Zoom ($10.80). He is 15-for-88 so far this year.
Russell Foster had a driving grand slam.
The next card at Dover on Thursday is headlined by the eighth-race $25,000 USD Open Handicap Pace, featuring Muskateer Hanover seeking his third straight win.
(With files from Dover Downs)