by Marv Bachrad, publicity director, Dover Downs

Dover, DE — Game Speed climaxed a big night for the Callahan family by winning the $13,200 Delaware Trot feature over a “sloppy” track on Thursday, Jan. 17, at Dover Downs. Corey Callahan drove four winners, while his father owned and trained three of them.

Fotowon photo

Game Speed splashed home in 1:58.3 for Corey Callahan.

On a night that started with a short blizzard-like snow shower that turned into a drizzle with slightly higher temperatures, Corey Callahan, the third leading driver at the meet, piloted Game Speed to a 1:58.3 victory in the night’s top trot.

The 9-year-old daughter of the late Program Speed held off a fast charging Renegade Dream (second) and Tug River Man (third). The victory elevates Game Speed’s career bankroll to $205,025.

In the $11,000 pacing feature, Jonathan Roberts left fastest of all, driving Gateway Stable’s Reverse The Curse to the lead. After disposing of Coletown USA (George Dennis), after a mid-mile challenge, the 4-year-old Armbro MacKintosh gelding sped to a lifetime best 1:54 victory. Indian Peaks (Jim Morand) was second best. Dragon’s Blood (Tony Morgan) finished third.

Tony Morgan, Ross Wolfenden, Jim Morand, Brandon Givens and Jonathan Roberts had driving doubles.

Two $11,000 trots on Saturday, $16,500 feature on Sunday

Two $11,000 trots are the Saturday, Jan. 19, features, while a $16,500 4- and 5-year-old pace heads Sunday racing at Dover Downs. Post time is 5:30 p.m.

In one of the two $11,000 trots, Financial Glider, owned by Lorna Cohen and Kevin Switzer, won last week for the second time in three races and drew the rail with Ross Wolfenden in the sulky. Serendipity Stable’s Victory Starburst, second in her last two outings, drew alongside with Tony Morgan driving. Joann King’s Nikki’s Game and Jim King, and Mike Casalino’s Laser Lavec with George Dennis, were both second last time.

The other $11,000 division is led by Ed Gold’s Armbro Emma (Ben Stafford, Jr.). Don Eccleston’s fashionably bred altered son of Self Possessed, Budget Gap (Kevin Sizer), leaves from the rail. Owner/trainer/driver Frank Milby’s Goodbye Daddy, Eric Schultz’s Twelve Seventeen (Jack Parker, Jr.), a double-gaited son of Falcon’s Future, and Dingy’s Party, owned, trained and driven by Tom Clendining, lead the opposition.

On Sunday, a hard-hitting eight-horse group of young pacers lead the $16,500 pace for 4- and 5-year-olds. The Yankeeland Farm Keller and Biddle family members send out Big League Yankee (Ross Wolfenden), a winner last week, against a strong field of challengers including Bob and Rhonda Smith’s Hicktown (Corey Callahan) with a three-race win streak; Chris Choros and Crissman Inc.’s Giddy Up N Giggle (Tony Morgan); Life’s Z Tam (Jonathan Roberts), owned by Tom Ceraso and Foulk Stables; and Joel and Diane Halpern’s Full Of Elegance (Tim Tetrick).

Weekend post times are at 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday racing starts at 4:30 p.m. No racing on Fridays. There is no charge for admission or parking. Reservations are suggested for the Winner’s Circle Restaurant. Call (302) 674-4600.