Bout Damn Time A with driver Wally Hennessey won the Bunny Lake Pacing Series final at Saratoga on Monday. Jessica Hallett photo.
October 21, 2024 by Mike Sardella, for Saratoga Casino Hotel
Saratoga Springs, NY – 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 $29,800 final of the Bunny Lake Pacing Series.
Bout Damn Time A had a win and a second in the series’ first two legs 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 favorite.
A five-year-old 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 3/8 of a mile to pace before taking on and eventually collaring the leader in the stretch before stopping the timer for a 1:55 score.
The biggest career win for Bout Damn Time A was her eighth victory in 14 lifetime starts for owners VIP Internet Stable LLC and S&K Misfit Racing LLC.
A 53-1 longshot, Shutupanddrive (Aaron Byron) closed from last to finish second in the final while Mystic Bell (Shawn Gray) earned the show spot in the fourth annual installment of the series named for 2001 National Horse of the Year Bunny Lake who is a harness racing Hall of Famer that got her start at Saratoga under the guidance of trainer John Stark Jr.
Bout Damn Time A was one of five winners piloted by Wally Hennessey on the Monday matinee.
The live racing calendar adds Tuesdays starting tomorrow (Oct. 22) with a matinee that begins at noon.