The 55 year old driver hailing from Charlottetown, PEI and long time 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 gelding 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, remains a hobby horseman with 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.
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| Wally Hennessey scores win number 7,995 with Waterside Champ at Pompano Park Saturday Evening (Skip Smith Photo) |
