On Wednesday, April 5 at Pompano Park, a five-year-old trotting gelding left the winner's circle after completing a victory of 1:55.2 for driver Wally Hennessey.
Not only was the clocking a new lifetime mark for PCs Alleyway, but it also marked the 1,000th career training win for Patrick Sweeney, better known as ‘Mike’ throughout the world of harness racing.
Sweeney, 63, also has over 700 career driving wins, but, since the turn of the new century, has relied on catch-drivers to take his horses back of the starting gate.
While Sweeney's success in the sulky stretches five decades, his career as a trainer began only 25 years ago and his expertise has been apparent with the success with both overnight race horses and stakes performers.
Among his many successes in recent years are stakes winners Walk Two Moons, An The Thunderolls, Aoliveinmymartini, Friends In Low Places, Girly Girl, Wild Bill M and Sues Your Daddy.
Sweeney is currently sporting a .302 UTR.
(With files from Pompano Park)