by Kimberly French, USTA Web Newsroom Senior Correspondent

Kimberly French

Louisville, KY — He had not been led into the winner’s circle for more than 19 months, but all Tough Trooper needed to triumph was a change of scenery and a bit of good fortune.

“He was a decent horse back at Pompano Park,” said 55-year-old Dan Hennessey, who conditions the 6-year-old gelding for his brother Wally. “He raced against some good horses there, but he ran into some bad luck the previous year and of course had some soundness problems.

“His other trainer (Kim Sears) got him back on a roll again and then Pompano closed down,” he continued. “She wasn’t making to go up North, so we bought him after he won for her in the middle of May. He’s won 10 straight races and the streak started before we got him. We have won nine in a row with him up here at Saratoga (Gaming and Raceway) and it’s been quite a ride.”

Dave Oxford photo

Tough Trooper has won 10 races in a row, with the last nine coming at Saratoga.

The Florida-bred son of Tough Sir-Arcatraz has paced 90 race miles with 20 victories, 10 of which were acquired this season, five second place finishes and 12 thirds. Tough Trooper, a bay with a small star, has banked $103,335, with more than $48,000 earned in 2010, and possesses a lifetime mark of 1:53f.

Wally Hennessey, 53, a native of Prince Edward Island, the regular reinsman for the great Moni Maker and a member of the Living Hall of Fame in Goshen, had previously piloted the gelding on several occasions and decided he had the ability to excel on a half-mile track.

“My brother Wally drives him now and drove this horse a couple times in the past,” Dan explained. “He thought he would be a good fit on the track up here (at Saratoga) because he’s a small horse and is only about 14 hands. He took to it like a duck to water and is absolutely built for a half.”

Although he switched barns, Tough Trooper did not receive any alterations to his equipment or any other special attention.

“There were no changes from his past trainer,” said Dan, who resides in Coconut Creek, Florida and has collected more than $3.8 million throughout his career as a trainer. “He just liked the track and had an incredible run of luck. If he needed a hole, an opening just seemed to be there. It’s just one of those things; you need a lot of luck and he’s had it.”

One of the reasons the gelding did not perform up to par last year was due to health issues.

“He has had some serious injuries,” Dan said. “He had a soft tissue injury that was significant and of course he still has it, but it’s holding together right now. We just keep an eye on him.”

Since Tough Trooper has become accustomed to having his picture taken again, it certainly has built his self-esteem.

“If horses are winning, there is no bigger confidence booster,” Dan said. “It’s the same as with people. If you have a horse with a competitive nature that wants to win, they are very tough to beat. They have been bred for this and they know.”

As far as future plans for the gelding, his connections are simply savoring each moment of his incredible run and are thankful for each victory.

“We are going to race him and make money,” Dan said with a laugh. “He has a very nice disposition and is just a sweetheart. Listen we are enjoying this because we know what a rollercoaster ride the harness business is. As long as we still have him at the end of September when the meet ends, he will move with us down to Pompano. That’s our plan. Wally deserves all the credit for picking him out and buying him.”