Hennessey nails down five-bagger

Harness racing leading driver Wally Hennessey added five more wins to his total including the featured $7,800 fillies and mares’ pace with Sweet Young Thing at Tioga Downs on Saturday (July 16).

No Where to Hide (Braxten Boyd) led to the first quarter in :26.4. She used a :29.2 second quarter to hit the half first in :56.1. She continued to show the way and was first to three-quarters in 1:23.3.

As they made the turn for home Sweet Young thing ($8.30) popped out of the pocket and battled No Where To Hide all the way down the stretch. Sweet Young Thing got by just before hitting the wire in 1:52.4. No Where To Hide had to settle for second. Shecouldbegood N (Mike Merton) finished third.

Sweet Young Thing is a 5-year-old mare by Sportswriter. She is owned by Richard Briskey and trained by Kevin Reynolds Jr. It was her fifth win this season. She now has 17 lifetime victories.

SWEET YOUNG THING REPLAY

Hennessey’s other wins came with Machet Time ($4.40), Adrian Hanover ($2.90), Stoked Blue Chip ($6.10), and Phoenician ($3.70).

John MacDonald drove three winners on the card. Jim McDonald, Brandy Wine, and Kevin Reynolds Jr. all had training doubles.

Hennessey leads all drivers with 82 wins. Braxten Boyd is second on the list with 43 victories. Mike Merton has reached the winner’s circle 35 times this season for third best. Jody Jamieson (24) and Marcus Miller (13) round out the top five.

Mike Deters has trained the most winners this season with 29 wins. Jim McDonald is second in wins with 21 tallies. Patti Harmon, Gaston Lareau, and Marc Major have 12 wins each and are tied for third best.

Tioga Downs returns to Live racing on Saturday (July 17) with an 11-race card starting at 6:15 p.m.

For full race results, click here.

by John Horne, for Tioga Downs