Hennessey Scores at Saratoga

Hall of Fame driver Wally Hennessey had a spectacular night at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Saturday, August 10, where he claimed six victories on the 14-race card. His impressive performance included guiding all three winners from the stable of trainer Jessica Okusko.

Among Okusko's trio of winners was Natameri, who entered as the 6-5 betting favourite in the evening's feature race, the $20,548 Open Handicap Pace. The six-year-old son of American Ideal and Native Daughter started from post six in his third attempt in the local Open this season, following a close second-place finish in his last outing.

Hennessey quickly moved Natameri to the front, setting the pace with half-mile fractions of :27.1 and :56.2. The pair then faced a challenge from Vintage Cheddar N, driven by Jimmy Devaux, who was making just his second start in five months. Natameri reached the three-quarter mark in 1:24 and successfully fended off Vintage Cheddar N's bid, pulling away in the stretch to secure a win with a time of 1:52.1. Talking Tom, with Chris Long in the sulky, finished as the runner-up for the second straight week, while Vintage Cheddar N held on for third.

Natameri, owned by Purple Haze Stables LLC of Fairport, New York, crossed the finish line two lengths ahead of the competition.

Okusko's training triple was rounded out by victories from two freshmen pacers in the opening leg of the Learn & Earn Pacing Series. Bobby McGee (Huntsville-Her Music Rocks) and Moonshine Express (Huntsville-Clear View Hanover) both broke their maidens by winning their respective $8,219 divisions.

Live harness racing at Saratoga will resume on Thursday evening, with the first race scheduled to start at 5 p.m.