by Frank Salive, publicity director, Isle Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — Not only is Wally Hennessey about to become the 21st driver in history to reach 8,000 wins he also still has a very sharp eye for acquiring a promising horse.

Skip Smith photo

Waterside Champ was a 1:52.2 winner in his first start for driver Wally Hennessey.

The 55-year-old driver hailing from Charlottetown, PEI and longtime resident of Coconut Creek, FL, has made a private purchase of Waterside Champ in partnership with Ian Smith. Dan Hennessey continues as the trainer of record on the pacer. In the first start for the new owners, Waterside Champ stepped to a life’s mark of 1:52.2, as the Camotion-Lasting 4-year-old gelding easily eclipsed the mark he’d taken in 2011 at Georgian Downs.

Hennessey and Smith made the private purchase of Waterside Champ from retired NHL right winger Hilliard Graves who had campaigned the horse at Pompano through January 28. Graves, 61, has 243 career winning drives. His pro hockey career, from 1970 through 1980, included stops with the NHL’s California Golden Seals, Atlanta Flames, Vancouver Canucks and Winnipeg Jets. From 556 pro games, Graves potted 118 goals and added 163 assists.

Saturday night’s win with Waterside Champ brought Wally Hennessey’s lifetime win total to 7,995 in the bike. He has five scheduled drives when racing resumes on Monday evening, February 13.