1,000 wins for Michael Hennessy

Harness racing driver Mike Hennessy joined the four-digit club on Tuesday as the Century Downs regular piloted Wine Thirty to victory in the fifth race.

Hennessy won the fourth race with True Crime by more than 10 lengths for his 999th win before hitting 1,000 in the the next race. Hennessy’s father, Rodney, trains Wine Thirty for Lorne Duffield of Edmonton.

Hennessy commanded early speed from the sophomore son of Vertical Horizon, who slotted into second behind the quick leaving Kill A Dragon (Brandon Campbell). Wine Thirty followed the leader’s helmet through :28.1, :58.1, and 1:28.3 splits before shifting wide on the final turn, and Hennessy’s mount rolled past his foe under minimal urging for the colt’s second career score in 1:58.

You Can Have Itall (Jamie Gray) beat Kill A Dragon to the line but was disqualified for interference and placed sixth; Light My Shadow (Nathan Sobey) received the show promotion.

WINE THIRTY REPLAY

Hennessy, a resident of Lacombe, began driving in 2003. His mounts have earned $6.9 million in 7,854 starts to date. He sits fifth in the Century Downs standings this season after 112 outings.

Though Hennessy’s milestone highlighted the evening, Phil Giesbrecht turned in a hat trick as the afternoon’s top performer.

Racing returns to Century Downs on Saturday, May 14 at 2:15 p.m. MDT.

For full race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink