Defending harness racing driving dash champion Wally Hennessy, once again put on a show at Tioga Downs on Friday (July 10) with six wins including a victory with Prairie Cougar in the $8,000 fillies & mares open handicap.
Persistant Bettor (Bruce Aldrich) was the first to lead in the feature. Prairie Cougar ($6.60) forged to the front before hitting the first quarter in :27.2. She would use us a :29.3 second quarter to hit the half first in :57.0. Charging Moa N (Mike Merton) came first-over down the back stretch and actually took a slight lead to three-quarters in 1:23.4.
Prairie Cougar battled back and reclaimed the lead to win in a lifetime best of 1:51.4. Charging Moa N had to settle for second. Gold Star Mysti (Corey Braden) finished third.
Prairie Cougar is a 4-year-old mare by Royal Millennium. Owned by Laurie Poulin, Barbara Jensen, and trainer Mike Deters, she won for the third time this season. She now has 10 career victories.
Hennessey's other wins came with Odds On Cheddar ($3.60), Ey Cowboy ($21.80), Big Bill Breeze ($3.00), Money Earned ($4.70), and Mister Marvalous ($5.10).
NYSS action on Sunday
Tioga Down welcomes two divisions of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for sophomore pacing fillies on Sunday (July 12).
In the $59,000 first division Rapunzel Blue Chip (Jason Bartlett) looks to be the one to beat. Trained by Tom Fanning, she is looking for her first win as a 3-year-old. The filly by American Ideal has three career victories.
Hen Party (Andrew McCarthy) and Alleyesonme As (Jim Morrill Jr.) should be the chief rivals. Hen Party (Roll With Joe) is trained by Tony Alagna. She has one win this season and four career wins with earnings of almost $200,000. Alleyesonme As (Heston Blue Chip) was second in a NYSS race at Yonkers in her only start this season. Trained by Annette Lorentzon, she has six wins in eight career starts.
So Rude (Joe Bongiorno) and Eye Popping (Marcus Miller) look to be the top contenders in the $59,000 second division. Both are coming off NYSS wins at Yonkers.
Jennifer Bongiorno trains So Rude (So Surreal). She has four career wins and has $135,000 in the bank.
Eye Popping (So Surreal) was winless as a freshman. Trained by Scott DiDomenico she has won her last two races.
The 11 race card starts at 4 p.m.
For more information go to www.tiogadowns.com
by John Horne, for Tioga Downs