by Ellen Harvey, Harness Racing Communications

Goshen, NY — Blue skies and a packed grandstand framed the getaway day of Grand Circuit Week at Goshen Historic Track on Sunday, July 5.

Geri Schwarz photo

Buck I D and Wally Hennessey captured the Mr. and Mrs. Elbridge Gerry Memorial Trot.

The day’s featured race was the $10,000 Mr. and Mrs. Elbridge Gerry Memorial Trot featuring drivers who have been enshrined in the Hall of Fame. The wire-to-wire winner was Buck I D, with Wally Hennessey driving. The win time was 1:59, fastest mile of the day, and the margin of victory was 2-1/4 lengths over Thirty Trips (Ray Schnittker) and Witch And Famous (Clint Galbraith).

Buck I D led at every point of call, the :29.2 quarter, the 1:00.1 half and the 1:29 three quarters. The winner is trained and owned by Gary Messenger.

“This was an excellent race. Wally gave him a great drive today on the front end,” said Messenger. “This horse has been racing at Monticello and it was fun to be in this event.”

Hennessey was thrilled to win his first race in the event for Hall of Famers.

“Oh man,” he exclaimed. “Gary Messenger told me he’d have no problems with the turns and he thought he’d get around the turns good. I had a good post position and a good horse and what a honor to win this race.

“Make sure you report this — I was the youngest guy in there,” he laughed.

In New York sired-action for 3-year-old trotters, the fastest $15,000 event of the day was won by Rookie Mistake, a colt by CR Excalibur owned and trained by Jody Weidman of New Berlin, N.Y. Rookie Mistake won his division by 16-1/4 lengths.