Saratoga Harness: Wally Hennessey reaches 12,000 career driving victories

With multiple Hall of Fame honors to his name and having recently surpassed $80 million earnings in his illustrious career, Wally Hennessey's driving resume is nothing short of spectacular. Just when you thought there was no room left on that resume, Hennessey passed 12,000 career driving wins on Tuesday (July 22) at Saratoga Casino Hotel.

His first drive was with Serge Nadeau's JK Party, trained by Eve Bergeron. The son of Jk Endofanera-Street Party was heavily-backed at the windows with post five in the field of eight going for $8,200 in the sophomore colt and gelding pace.

Hennessey wasted little time in sending Jk Party to the top, chasing the car out as they rounded the first turn. He opened up by a comfortable 2 1/4 lengths at the quarter in 28 2/5 before cruising to the half in 58 2/5. Jk Party kept a two length lead through the half and to the three-quarters in 1:27 2/5. A final quarter in 28 2/5 put Jk Party and Hennessey in victory lane by four lengths in 1:55 4/5.

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"I remember that feeling I had when I won my first race. I've been searching for it ever since and still haven't found it," said Hennessey, a Prince Edward Island native who earned most of his wins at Saratoga and Pompano Park. "Today was special, but it wasn't like number one."

Hennessey went on to sweep the early double to garner win number 12,001.

Trainer Andy Gardner enjoyed a hat trick on the Tuesday card.

Racing at the Spa resumes on Saturday, July 26, with a first post time of 6:45 p.m. (EDT).

--press release (Saratoga)--