By Dave Little, Meadowlands
Media Relations
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Corey
Callahan was a major player in the two Kindergarten Classic trotting events at
the Meadowlands Saturday night, an evening that saw four Kindergarten finals
for 2-year-olds.
‘The Captain’ drove 1-9
favorite Seven Hills in the $221,540 colt and gelding trot, but after beginning
his career with four powerful wins, the son of Muscle Hill-Southwind Maywood
went off stride in the first turn, losing all chance.
“He’s still really immature,”
said Callahan. “Vinny (Ginsburg, driving Lucky Weekend) kind of crossed
over on me and I had to grab hold of him a little bit and he made a break.”
That opened the door for 7-1 second-choice Reign Of Honor to
break his maiden at a most opportune time.
David Miller kept the gelded son of Father Patrick-Margarita
Momma in a live cover flow, came alongside leader Divine Spirit at the top of
the stretch, before powering past that foe to go on to a convincing 5¼-length
score in 1:55.3. Memo was second with Reve Toujours third.
“It definitely opened the race up,” said Miller of the early
break by the favorite. “And around the first turn I wasn’t real happy with my
spot. But I got cover past the half.”
Reign Of Honor, trained by Nifty Norman, returned $17.60 to
his backers for owners Deo Valente Farms, Jennifer Dalton Stable and Tom
Pontone.
Callahan guided an upset winner in the filly trot, steering
17-1 shot Stella Jane to victory lane in 1:54.4.
Tim Tetrick blasted Sister’s Promise away from the gate from
post 10 and Callahan went with him from the eight hole. After making the lead
at the quarter, Stella Jane yielded to Sister’s Promise and the duo raced 1-2
around the track.
Stella Jane vacated the pocket in mid-stretch and rolled to
2¾-length score in 1:54.4. Princess Deo rallied for second with Sister’s
Promise holding third.
Global Pageant, the 9-5 favorite, went a tough first-over
trip, wilted and finished eighth.
Stella Jane, trained by John Butenschoen, returned $36.20
for owner Crawford Farms Racing.
“She really has been good all year,” said Callahan. “She’s
been handy, so we just shot out of there and everything worked out well. I had
a lot of trot in the last turn.”
