Peter the Con ‘steals’ track record from Holton

On Tuesday (Sept 2), harness racing track records continued to fall at Northville Downs at Barry Expo Center in Hastings, MI. 

Peter The Con (Uncle Peter – Jesse`s Con), owned and trained by Sandra Hennessey and driven by Ed Hennessey, was first up from the half, finally clearing early leader Solar entering the stretch and then held off a late charge by the former track record holder Holton (Kody Massey) in the final strides to capture the afternoon’s co-featured event, the $11,000 Open Handicap Trot, by three-quarters of a length in a final clocking of 1:59 which is a new track record for an aged trotting gelding at the Hastings oval.

In the other co-featured event, the $11,000 Mares Open Handicap Pace, Ed Hennessey struck gold again winning with Lady With No Fear (Fear The Dragon – I-lady) when the duo popped the pocket at the half and brushed to the lead and never looked back to win by a length and three-quarters in 1:57.3 over runner-up Joyful Lady (D. Lake). Lady With No Fear is co-owned by Sandra Hennessey and Paula Sugars and is trained by Sandra Hennessey. 

Also on the afternoon, Rankin (Enterprise – Luvyaformiles) set a new track record for a four-year-old trotting gelding by winning race three by five and a quarter lengths in 2:00 for driver Charles Taylor and winning owner/breeder/trainer Judy Roegner. 

Race eight saw Pair Of Hardts (Manhardt – Earhart Hanover) break the record for a four-year-old pacing mare by winning in a final clocking of 1:57 with driver/trainer Charles Taylor aboard who co-owns the mare with Jamie Zenker.

Finally, in race 12, Left Hand Lou  (Dancin Lou – Rei`s Star Cross) and driver/trainer Tim Roach lowered his own track record for three-year-old pacing colts by nearly four seconds from 2:03 to 1:59.1. Left Hand Lou is owned by Rose Davis. 

Driver Art McIlmurray had two driving wins along with Tim Roach, Charles Taylor, Ed Hennessey and Kody Massey. Trainers Judy Roegner, James Eaton, Sandra Hennessey and Tim Roach each had two wins each on the program. 

Racing resumes Wednesday (Sept 3) in Hastings. MI at Northville Downs with a first race post time of 1pm ET.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Kenneth W. Terpenning for Northville Downs