Brian Cross drives 4,000th career winner

Brian Cross earned his 4,000th career harness racing driving win on Friday (July 21) evening at Saratoga Casino Hotel.

From post four in the field of eight condition pacers, Cross was in the bike with Hunky Hanover (Betting Line) for trainer Janis McGhee.

As the gate pulled away, The Best Tyme Ever and Matthew Athearn took the role as the pacesetter. Hunky Hanover got away fifth as they clocked the quarter in :27.1. As the field approached the half in :56.1, Cross pulled Hunky Hanover three-wide and geared up to advance to the top.

The McGhee trainee dug in and took over command before the three-quarters in 1:25.1. Hunky Hanover maintained his lead as he went on to win by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:54.3. The Best Tyme Ever finished second and Beantownboy (Chris Long) was third.

Owned by Janis McGhee, the four-year-old won his first race in four career attempts. The win brought Saratoga Hall Of Fame driver Brian Cross on his 4,000th career trip to the winner’s circle. Hunky Hanover paid $5.70 to win.

HUNKY HANOVER REPLAY

Spending Crazy (Crazy Wow) won his sixth win in a row in an $8,700 condition trot for trainer Benny Eggers with Wally Hennessey in the bike.

Hennessy and Spending Crazy set the tempo through panels in :30, 1:01, and 1:30.3 before winning by 2-1/2 lengths in 1:59.4. U Gurl (John Stark, Jr.) followed the pocket trip to second and Sandonata K (Brett Beckwith) finished third.

Owned by Joseph Hess, Lawrence Vincent, and Michael Card, the three-year-old gelding has only missed the board once in his seven career outings. He paid $2.10 to win.

SPENDING CRAZY REPLAY

Hennessey capped off the evening card with War Memorial (1:57.1; $3.60) and Joey Pro (1:58.2; $24.60) to complete a driving triple.

Racing resumes at The Spa on Saturday (July 22) for a card packed with action including the $250,000 Joe Gerrity Memorial and the New York Sires Stakes and Excelsior Series. The Saratoga Harness Horseperson’s Association (SHHA) is hosting a silly hat contest for kids, a lucky loser’s contest to exchange losing betting tickets for a chance to win prizes, and a virtual reality racing simulation. First post is at 6:45 p.m.

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

by Jessica Hallett, for Saratoga Raceway