Much has been said regarding The Meadowlands betting handle in the last few days. On Friday night, the bettors made a statement of their own.
The total handle of $3,229,341 eclipsed the 2012 same day total of $2,301,594 by $927,747 or 40 per cent. In addition it was the second best bet Friday card of the 2013 betting season and the 15th time the total handle has eclipsed $3 million this season.
On the racetrack, it was the Corey Callahan show, as the driver won four races and it would have been five if not for Tonato Of Love going off-stride near the wire of the first race. Callahan is having a monster 2013 campaign and leads all of North America for wins.
Among Friday's Meadowlands features was the third round of the Rags To Riches Series. After having victory snatched from his grasp in the first race, Callahan dusted himself off and climbed aboard favoured Cane Ridge in race two, the first Rags To Riches division.
A quick opener of :26.2 left little question of Callahan's intentions, though Laguna Beach found himself without a seat when the music quieted and raced parked out. A generous :58.2 middle half breather left Cane Ridge the energy to sprint home in :27.2 with minimal effort to equal his career-best of 1:52.1.
Doug Dilloian Jr. has his charge in excellent form heading into next week's $60,850 final for owner Darius Oshidar of Wrightstown, New Jersey.
In the second Rags To Riches split, Cambassador rewarded his faithful followers with an impressive forwardly placed romp. John Campbell picked up the mount tonight for owner-trainer Mark Silva and moved the winner to the front just by the quarter. From there on he endured nary an anxious moment guiding the slight favourite to a geared down score over double leg winner Hopskipanajump in 1:52.2.
Ice Machine has developed into a solid top class trotter and he doesn't mind a little air. He drew a middle post in the $30,000 trotting feature and Callahan left for position, landing fourth in the early stages. The presence of heavy favourite Tall Cotton on the lead off a leisurely :58 first half did not deter Ice Machine's brave first over assault. He wore down the favourite in late stretch and held off the late charge of Opening Night to prevail in 1:54.1.
Ice Machine is a graduate of the Bob Key academy for top horses, being part of a family Key has cultivated for several generations.
It was just one of three training wins on the night for Walt Carroll. He also sent out Spectator K for Mr. Key and Westside Lindy, who he and wife Beth own in partnership with Jonathan Klee Racing.
The distaff pacing feature was won by...wait for it...Corey Callahan! This one was with the good mare Monochromatic for Delaware connections -- trainer Dylan Davis and owners North Street Stables. It was an action-filled event for Monochromatic, used hard to make front well past a demanding :26 first quarter, then yielding to a well-meant Unred Hanover for a pocket breather. She mustered another move in deep stretch when called upon and prevailed by a neck in 1:51.2.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Meadowlands Racetrack.
(With files from Meadowlands Racetrack)