Meadowlands: Callahan looks to keep rolling this weekend
Driver Corey Callahan is off to a fast start in 2020. Coming off what on paper looks like a sub-par 2019, Callahan is energized this winter as he tries to stay at the top of his game both at Meadowlands on weekends and Dover Downs during the weekdays.
“Last year was a bit of a down year. I wasn’t catching on to the best horses,” said Callahan. “Yet when I look back over the last decade, I have to say things have been pretty good.”
Callahan’s positive attitude brings him into the Friday-Saturday Meadowlands cards with a solid lineup as well as a new wrinkle. Gaagaa Gone is likely the first horse Callahan has ever driven at The Meadowlands that he bred and also owns. That distinction may be a bit short-lived as the 5-year-old homebred will be making her final start.
“She’s being sold and will become a broodmare,” said Callahan of his mount in Friday’s fourth race base-conditioned affair. “They are going to breed her to Six Pack and send her to Sweden.”
The Maryland-bred mare has 15 wins during her career mostly against regional competition. “I’d like to get a faster mark on her if possible or even a best time,” Callahan said.
Sandy Win has been red-hot at The Meadowlands with Callahan in the bike and looks for her fourth straight victory on Friday. “It’s not going to be easy. She’s been great but I don’t think Dexter’s (Dunn) mare (Major Occasion A) will be as far behind this time,” said Callahan, who also showed some concern with the classy Ideal Lifestyle A drawing inside of Sandy Win in race five.
Callahan thought that Max Volo (race 7) would benefit from the drop in class. “He knows when he’s in too high,” said Callahan of Max Volo.
Callahan opted for Freshette Hanover in the evening’s ninth affair. “She got a little hot sitting inside last week but she’s been good,” said Callahan. Freshette Hanover drew post four.
Oberto, Callahan’s mount in the 12th race, is a sleeper with a shot. “I’ve been trying to give him easy trips to get him to relax,” said Callahan. “I don’t think he’s ready to be zinged out of there just yet but he’ll follow.” Oberto drew post eight in the conditioned handicap.
J B’s Shooting Star impressed the driver winning by open lengths in a career-best 1:50 3/5 clocking last Friday. “She was vicious,” Callahan said. “The start before the winner just got away from her.”
J B’s Shooting Star has three wins in her last five starts and will be moving up in class in Friday’s 13th event.
Lily Hammer was Callahan’s call over Manhattan Play in Friday’s nightcap. “I had to use her pretty good early and she held up well considering the three weeks off,” Callahan said.
Callahan was in demand on Saturday night and had to make some hard choices but More The Better N in the fourth race was not among them. A winner of $155K in 2019, the import drops to Non-winners of $5,000 in last five for Saturday. “He just got a bit mad and made a break,” Callahan said of a start last week at Dover. “He paced in (1):47 and change here on Hambletonian Day a few years back.”
With the Meadowlands Preferred going for $37,500 on Saturday, Callahan was named on three of the eight horses entered. “I took Endeavor,” said Callahan. “He made $270,000 last year and when you’re going for money that makes a difference.” McThriller (post 3) was an impressive 1:49 winner last week for Callahan but will be up in class in Saturday’s contest.
Callahan again decided to go outside in selecting Mindtrip over two other formful horses in race eight. “He’s just very tough in this class week-in-week-out,” said Callahan.
For much of the homestretch last week it appeared as if Callahan was going to end the hot run of rival driver Dexter Dunn with Whatstroublnurocky. “I was joking with Dexter before the race that he should be nicer to the other drivers,” said Callahan. “This horse (Whatstroublnurocky) has been sitting on a win and I wanted to cut it, but here comes Dexter again so I let him go. I was going by him in the stretch and then the horse got on the right line and I couldn’t get him off.”
The steering issue put Dunn in the winner’s circle again and left Callahan frustrated. “Jeff (Weiner) is going to make some changes this week,” Callahan said of the trainer of Whatstroublnurocky, who landed the rail in Saturday’s ninth.
Callahan’s choices in races 11 and 12 will keep him on the outside but both Incredible Shark (post 9) in race 11 and Jet Airway (post 8) in race 12 are sharp enough to win.