Nichols, NY — Rebellious captured the $15,000 Open Pace on closing day at Tioga Downs on Saturday (Sept. 24), putting a bow on reinsman Wally Hennessey’s fourth consecutive driving title at the Southern Tier track.

Machiatto A (driven by Mike Simons) led to the first quarter in :26.2 before yielding to Keystone Tenacious (Aaron Byron) before the :55 half. Springsteen (Shane Tritton) came first-up to challenge heading down the backstretch, but Keystone Tencious maintained the lead to three-quarters in 1::22.3. As they made the turn for home, Rebellious swung three-wide and blew right on by to win easily in 1:51.2. Luciano N (Bruce Aldrich Jr.) came flying late to finish second; Machiatto A was third.

Rebellious, driven by four-time Tioga Downs driving champion Wally Hennessey, vaulted to victory in the closing night feature. Fred Brown photo.

Rebellious, 8-year-old gelding by Mach Three, earned his ninth win this season and the 64th of his career. He paid $4.00 to win.

Wally Hennessey defended his driving title at Tioga with 133 victories. Mike Merton finished second with 106. Corey Braden (49), Brandon Parker (45) and Aaron Byron (42) rounded out the top five.

Mike Deters and Patti Harmon tied for the training title with 45 training wins each. Gaston Lareau (28), Jim McDonald (26) and Joe Skowyra (23) completed the top five.

The Charging Moa N was named the Mare of the Year. She had four wins with six second-place finishes in 16 starts at Tioga. The 11-year-old Changeover mare is trained by Patti Harmon for owners Leon Schickman, Howudoin Stable, Richard Lerner and Harmon Racing Stable.

The Trotter of the Year is Bloodstockshalltab. The 12-year-old Cantab Hall gelding had seven wins in 14 starts at Tioga this season. He was formerly trained by Joe Skowyra and owned by Rocco Stebbins.

The Pacer of the Year is Prairie Panther, an 8-year-old gelding by Royel Millennium owned by Joel Warner and trainer Mike Deters. The gelding had six wins in just seven starts at Tioga.

JoAnn Payne was named the caretaker of the year.

Alicia Marrone was the big winner in the season-long Purple Haze Standardbred Adoption Program Horseplay Car Giveaway.

For more information, go to www.tiogadowns.com.