You can’t stop Corey Callahan, you can only hope to contain him. That has been the growing trend at the Meadowlands in recent weeks.
For several years, Callahan has seen his numbers climb, but it wasn’t until 2013 that he has become a force to be reckoned with on harness racing’s biggest stage.
Named the Driver of the Week last week, Callahan picked up right where he left off, winning four races to kick off his weekend. Over the last three nights of racing at the Meadowlands, Callahan has 11 wins and has more wins in the last four weeks at the Meadowlands than any other driver. He continues to lead the nation in both wins and earnings and it may get better for Callahan Saturday night, as he drives favoured Cane Ridge in the Rags To Riches Final.
One of Callahan’s wins was rising star Ice Machine, who parlayed a perfect Corey Callahan steer into his second consecutive win in the week's top trot at the Meadowlands.
Odds on favourite Sevruga made the lead just past the :27.4 quarter and was permitted to set uncontested fractions from there. Callahan sat chilly with a handful of horse and tipped Ice Machine from the pocket as the field came through the final bend, flushed by a surging Harbor Point.
Sevruga dug in valiantly as Ice Machine wore the margin away methodically. Harbor Point looked like he might be the strong horse when Ron Pierce fanned him off the eventual winner's cover, but he rolled off onto the gallop when threatening. Il Mago gathered the final board position.
Ice Machine prevailed over Sevruga by a neck in a career equaling 1:53, returning a generous $15.40.
Walt Carroll, Meadowlands reigning trainer of the week, conditions the winner for Robert Key's powerful stable.
On the wagering front, it was another night with a $3 million betting handle. The $3,037,910 wagered on the Friday card marked a 26 per cent increase from this same Friday in 2012.
Racing resumes with a big 13-race program Saturday featuring the final of the Rags To Riches. First post is 7:15 p.m.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Meadowlands Racetrack.
(Meadowlands Racetrack)