Seeing Corey Callahan’s name among the leading drivers in North America, it might be easy to forget it was just a little more than four years ago that he won
his first race. In 2008, he set a career high with 450 victories and this season he is off to his best-ever start, entering Monday with 100 triumphs. His win total ranked second among all drivers in North America, trailing only Aaron Merriman, who had 101.
Corey Callahan leads the driver standings at Dover’s meet, which began last November, with 196 wins.
“It’s definitely been a good start,” said Callahan, who did not reach win No. 100 until March 9 last year, when he won 426 races for the season, and March 18 in 2008. “I started out having a good meet at Dover and when you start out good and winning some races, you start getting more work. It makes it a lot easier to win three or four a night.”
Or even more. On February 3, Callahan equaled the track record at Dover Downs for wins on a single program when he had eight victorious drives. Luc Ouellette accomplished the feat twice, in 1998 and 1999. Also getting eight wins at Dover Downs were Brad Hanners in 2005 as well as Tony Morgan and Tim Tetrick, both in 2006. Callahan also had five second-place finishes, giving him 13 of 15 drives that were first or second.
“I’m just taking it all in stride and trying to keep everyone happy,” Callahan said. “I’ve just been able to have some good horses in some good spots.”
The 31-year-old Callahan was a latecomer to harness racing, at least as a participant. The son of horseman Nick Callahan, he did not begin focusing on a driving career until after graduating from the University of Kentucky and spending some time working in the business world. Callahan, who is from Easton, Maryland, was a standout hockey player in both college and high school.
“I would never change (my past) for the world,” Callahan said. “I met a lot of great people in college; I made some lifelong friendships out there. When you’re 18 years old, God bless the people that have done it, but I wasn’t ready to venture into the world and make a career. I recommend (going to college) to any kids out there. You learn a lot about yourself.”
Callahan set a career high with $6.89 million last year. He enjoyed a successful partnership with George Teague Jr.’s pacer Mr Wiggles, winning the $500,000 Hoosier Cup and finishing second in both the $600,000 Breeders Crown and $677,665 Delvin Miller Adios. He raced 24 times in events worth more than $100,000 last year, compared to once in 2008.
He credits his success to study time.
“I’m still a student of the game, so to speak,” Callahan said. “I still watch different replays. I’ll watch other guys. I’ve been paying attention a lot to the Meadowlands because I have a couple horses that I’m going up there for a series. (The Meadowlands) is a lot different atmosphere and different in the way they race compared to Chester or Dover.”
As for the chase for the driving title, Callahan knows it is early, but he will keep an eye on it.
“I figure I’ll assess it in April after we finish at Dover and see where we can go from there,” Callahan said. “If Dover raced all year, I think I would have a good shot at it. From there, I’m going to Chester. I’m not going to run myself ragged.”
He’s also having fun with it.
“I just sent Aaron a message on facebook asking him: How am I supposed to catch you if you get 24 drives a day?” Callahan said with a laugh. “There’s some camaraderie. How can you not get along with Aaron? He’s Mr. Smiley. He never stops smiling. And he works hard. I told him to keep up the good work.
“It would be nice to be No. 1, but what are you going to do?”
This story courtesy of Harness Racing Communications, a division of the U.S. Trotting Association. For more information, visit www.ustrotting.com.