mm a: f] 14 L7 .-

gave me a lot of nice wins including the Kentucky Futurity. As a three—year-old, after Lindy Lane and Continental Victory were injured, he was unbeatable for a period of time.”

“In the New York Sires, I had great suc- cess over the years with so many quality colts and fillies that are too numerous to mention. I would hate to list names because I would miss some that should be mentioned; however, I did drive Gallo Blue Cbzp for seven straight wins in his first starts as a two—year—old. It was hard for me to get attached to these colts and fillies because I often drove them for such a short season. I drove for a lot of trainers in the New York Sires — Chuck Sylvester, Ron Gurfein, Joe Holloway, Bret Pelling, Tom Artandi and others were so loyal to me over the years.”

MoniMa/eer is and always will be number one among the horses associated with Wally Hennessey. He tried to explain, “Monz' Maleer ruined me because I have no comparisons any more. During my phenomenal wins with her, I was so into what I was doing that I didn’t get the same enjoyment that the spectators did. She instilled so much confidence in me. My Chances or anyone’s chances of get- ting another like her are negligible. I thought that she could be beaten only if I did something wrong in the race. I real— ly can’t express in words what she did for me and my career.”

Would it be possible for this teamster

16

Behind the Gate

1% -- i. I

with over 7,000 wins to select his most memorable race? How can you ask someone who has competed in and won some of the most prestigious and lucra— tive races in North America and Europe to select one as the best? inevitable that it would have to be with Moni Ma/eer but there were so many great races with her that Wally found it impossible to choose one particular race. He answered, “This mare won on every size of track and at every distance. She won in Europe without a starting gate from a standstill start. She won many major, major races. She won The Elitlopp, The Copenhagen Cup, The Hambletonian Oaks to name just a few. How do you select one of them to the exclusion of her others? There was no one race with Mont Mot/eel”; there were so many with Mom' Maker.”

It was

Wally was a keen student of harness rac— ing and observed significant changes in his four decades of involvement. He noted the emphasis on the safety factor became very evident with the introduc- tion of wheel discs, pylons and safety helmets. On the safety factor he added, “judging is now more strict on drivers crossing the lines and one handed whip- ping. Not only is it cruel and terrible to witness but these drivers have no control of their horse."

A second change was in the breeding of the standardbred. He contended that we breed them so much closer today and have refined the breed to produce speed