Bout Damn Time A secured the biggest win of her young career on Monday afternoon, Oct. 21 at Saratoga Casino Hotel when the Amanda Kelley trainee prevailed in the $41,389 final of the Bunny Lake Pacing Series.
Bout Damn Time A had a win and a second in the first two legs of the series before sitting out leg three as a prep for Monday’s final. Wally Hennessey has piloted Bout Damn Time A in each of her local starts and that was no different in the final when the Hall of Fame reinsman sat patiently in the early going with the race’s 3-5 betting favourite.
A five-year-old Art Major mare who has displayed early speed at times but has thrived more so as a closer in her short time at Saratoga, Bout Damn Time A powered off the rail with about three-eighths of a mile to pace before taking on and eventually collaring the leader in the stretch for a 1:55 score. A 53-1 longshot, Shutupanddrive (Aaron Byron), closed from last to finish second while Mystic Bell (Shawn Gray) earned the show spot in the fourth annual installment of the series named for 2001 U.S. Horse of the Year Bunny Lake, who is a U.S. Hall of Famer that got her start at Saratoga under the guidance of trainer John Stark Jr.
The biggest career win for Bout Damn Time A was her eighth victory in 14 lifetime starts. The Kelley trainee is owned by SandK Misfit Racing and VIP Internet Stable.
Bout Damn Time A was one of five winners piloted by Hennessey on the 11-race Monday matinee.
The live racing calendar adds Tuesdays starting tomorrow (Oct. 22) with a matinee that begins at 12 p.m.
(With files from Saratoga Casino Hotel)