Rebellious ($4.60) capped a banner day for Tioga Downs' two-time defending dash champion Wally Hennessey with a 1:52 win in Sunday's (May 2) $9,000 Open Pace.
Hennessey was reserved early with Rebellious, waiting in third while Osborne Seelster (Jody Jamieson) and Macheasy A (Mike Merton) battled through a :26 first quarter. With a circuit to go, Rebellious brushed to the lead from third, hitting the half in :54.2 and deflecting a first-over challenge from Seel The Deal N (Phil Fluet) past three-quarters in 1:23.2. In the stretch, Osborne Seelster tried to squeeze through the pylons in pursuit of Rebellious, but ran out of real estate. Talbotcreekwhiskey (Drew Monti) finished third.
Rebellious, a seven-year-old gelding by Mach Three, is owned by Joel Warner and trainer Mike Deters. It was his fifth seasonal win and the 46th of his career.
Hennessey drove four winners on the card, also scoring with Runhappy Ten ($8.00), Odds On Cheddar ($4.50) and Caviart Reagan ($8.20).
Live racing returns to Tioga Downs on Saturday (May 8), starting at 6:10 p.m. For more information, visit www.tiogadowns.com.
(Tioga Downs)