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 4 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 favored Cane Ridge in The Rags To Riches Final.
One of
Callahan’s wins was the 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 favorite 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 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 and another $3 million betting handle. The $3,037,910 wagered on the Friday card marked a 26% increase from this same Friday in 2012.
Racing resumes with a big thirteen race program Saturday featuring The final of the Rags To Riches. First post is 7:15 P.M.
