DOVER, Del. — Corey Callahan has his sights set on another Dover Downs leading harness racing driver title. Last season was another big one for leading reinsman Callahan, who registered his eighth consecutive leading driver championship.
Callahan got off to an unusually slow start before getting hot to finish the season with 169 wins. That was 26 more than runner-up Vic Kirby. Several former Dover Downs' champions including three-time track leader Tony Morgan, the second-leading all-time race-winning driver in North America. Two other former titlists, Tim Tetrick and Jim Morand are among fan favorites returning.
Morand, a leading catch-driver at the track over the past two decades, was seriously injured in a racing accident late last Spring. After rehabbing, Morand has recovered and will be back this meet.
Both Tim Tetrick and Yannick Gingras had impressive records last meet finishing in the top five standings with 100 winners each. In addition, the driver colony includes highly regarded Alan Davis, Montrell Teague, Jonathan Roberts, Roger Plante, Vince Copeland, Pat Berry, Sean Bier and Frank Milby.
The top two-and-three-year-olds now in training rendezvous in a stakes filled November of major stakes events highlighted by the $350,000-estimated Hap Hansen Progress Pace for sophomore pacers, all eight rich Matron Stakes for juveniles and four $100,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund finals for freshmen pacers and trotters.
Opening day is Monday, Oct. 30 for the meet which continues until March 30 with racing four days a meet. Monday through Thursday post time is 4:30 p.m. No live racing on Fridays and Saturdays.
Dover Downs Race and Sports Book features daily racing from major harness and thoroughbred tracks and three-picks NFL football from Noon until 12 Midnight. There is no charge for parking or admission at Dover Downs. Reservations are suggested for the popular Winner's Circle Restaurant, call 302-764-4600.
Marv Bachrad