Callahan leads drivers, Hall trainers at Dover

The social event of the First State harness year takes place Friday, Jan. 11, when the Delaware Standardbred Owners Association (DSOA) holds its 15th annual awards dinner at the Dover Sheraton. The annual DSOA membership meeting begins at 12 noon. A banquet cocktail hour begins at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m.

 

Once again, Heather Moffitt will emcee 2012 awards presentations including Pacer of the Meet, Trotter of the Meet, and Claimer of the Meet at both Dover Downs and Harrington Raceway. The James Case Rising Star award recipient will be announced. Following the awards, talented Clarence Smith and his popular group "On The Edge,” will provide music until 1 a.m.

 

In other Delaware racing news, Come Together, in his first start after being claimed a week ago, won again on New Year 's Day at Dover Downs for his seventh victory in a row. The win was the fourth on the card for driver Corey Callahan and second for trainer Mike Hall of the Doug Lewis Stable.

 

Humanitarian/horseman Ken Wood is currently in West Africa digging wells in Ghana and Tanzania. Over the last handful of years whenever Wood is doing his humanitarian work, it seems his horses win. Wood left on his mission last week and on Wednesday his outstanding trotter, Anders Bluestone, which he owns with Bill Dittmar, won for the third time in $23,000 Open Trot at Dover Downs. The now seven-year-old conditioned by Eric Ell is now on the verge of becoming a $1-million winner. The trotters lifetime bankroll is $986,025.

 

Corey Callahan is off to a fast start in quest of a fourth consecutive track leading driver title. Through the meet's first 100 days, Callahan has already reached three figures in winners. He now has 102 wins. Ross Wolfenden is second with 53 wins. Allan Davis, with five wins on Thursday, takes over third place with 39 wins. Ron Pierce is fourth with 38 victories and JIM Morand completes the top five with 29 winners.