Meadowlands: Top drivers set to return in coming weeks
With the groundhog’s weather report due in nine days, some of the Meadowlands’ most recognizable names will be seen popping up more in the program in the coming weeks as winter’s chill begins to slowly melt into spring.
First up is Yannick Gingras.
“The Green Hornet” won 395 times a year ago, ending his streak of 400 or more at eight, but things went well nonetheless. The 38-year-old was voted the 2017 Driver of the Year by the United States Harness Writers Association after leading the sport in money earned ($12.9 million) while guiding horses such as Hannelore Hanover, Ariana G and Manchego, all of whom are in the Horse of the Year conversation.
Gingras will be at the Big M this Friday (Jan. 26) and Saturday (Jan. 27), and will be seen on Fridays regularly from this point forward.
Tim Tetrick, who won his fifth Meadowlands Pace in 2017 with Huntsville, is getting ready for his return to the East Rutherford track.
The 36-year-old “Bionic Man” had another big year in 2017, as horses he drove earned at least $11 million for an 11th consecutive year. His Meadowlands return is slated for Friday, Feb. 2, at which time he will drive regularly at the mile oval where he’s been so successful over the last decade.
Corey Callahan is coming to Friday nights at the Big M and his opponents can’t be too happy about that. The eight-time leading driver at Dover Downs has been a Saturday night terror at the Meadowlands of late, winning six races on Dec. 23, three on Dec. 30 and four more on Jan. 20.
The 39-year-old, known as “The Captain”, is as consistent as they come, having won at least 400 races and earned at least $5 million for 10 straight years. Callahan’s schedule calls for him to be a Big M regular (drive both on Fridays and Saturdays) effective Feb. 9.
LIVE RACING SCHEDULE: The Meadowlands will race on Fridays and Saturdays through Aug. 4. Post time currently is 6:35 p.m. On Friday, March 23, post time moves to 7:15 p.m. until Hambletonian Day, Saturday, Aug. 4, when there is a special early post time of noon.
-edited release (Meadowlands)