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1/30/2012 - Pat Collins Owns Round 3 |
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There were only 4 races remaining in the 3rd round of the 2012 Orange Park Derby, and the longshots took over. Three of the four races were won by greyhounds at over 5-1, and of those three trips, the Pat Collins Kennel won two. |
Red Oak Racing has been "red hot" in stakes races over the past two months. Trainer Gary Buckmaster closed out 2011 with a victory in the 660-Yard Challenge with Flying Big Gun. On January 28 he closed out the first month of the new meet with a victory in the 28th annual Matinee Idol. Red Oak Racing’s Meacham Field who is an October 2008 son of Fuzzys Cannon that won the Matinee Idol stakes in 2005, upset the field in a box to wire victory over the favorite Tiger Boy. "He (Tiger Boy) is a nice greyhound and I knew that Tiger wouldn’t like the four post," said Buckmaster. "I trained Tiger Boy in last year’s Victoryland Futurity and know a little about his racing preferences."
Meacham Field was one of the up and coming pups in 2011. His Matinee Idol upset paid $17.60 for his win over the 550-yard course in 30.65. "Meach is my entry for the upcoming Sprint Classic, too," said Buckmaster. Meacham Field raced true to form with his fleet-footed style that saw him earn his spot in the final. Janelle Jackson owns Meacham Field.
HWJ Isabelle (Hambleton) gave a winning effort for second followed by Sing In The Rain (Patriot) and Tiger Boy (McAllister) that returned $722.30 for the 7-1-8-4 superfecta. Fifth through eighth place was Nefarious (D’Arcy), AHK Remember Me (Abernathy), TMC’s Pistol (J. E. O’Donnell) and Spry Kimbrel (Campbell Greyhound Racing).
The next stakes race will be the Sprint Classic. The first round is February 18. The stakes final is March 3.
Mark your calendar for special Cash Giveaway on our special Presidents Day Monday Matinee ONLY on February 20th.
Two BD's Grayson pups (from two different litters) that sold in the NGA's Fall Meet Auction to Terry Scott ran 1-2 in the Mardi Gras Futurity in South Florida Saturday night, Jan. 21.
Flying Oberon (BD's Grayson-Flying Crescent), purchased by Scott for $20,000 from Vince Berland and Steve Ward after the pup ran second in a main-stake final in Abilene last October, demolished the Futurity field as the 80-cent favorite, winning by 9 1/2 lengths in a 30.06 time. Oberon's mother, Flying Crescent, is a littermate to all-time money earning champion Flying Stanley. Oberon races for On Line Racing Kennel.
Runnerup to Oberon on Saturday was Flying Axley (BD's Grayson-Flying Beem), purchased by Scott for $18,000 from Berland and Ward after the pup won an April Main Stake at the NGA Fall meet. Axley is a littermate to Flying Adamonis, the meet's top selling pup (tie), going for $30,000 after having also won an April Main Stake.
Finishing third in the Mardi Gras stake on Saturday was Carrillo (Rhythmless-WW's Kool Show), owned by Clayton Black.
Saturday night McAllister kennel’s Tiger Boy (7) was seeking five in a row. The 72-pound male (photo right winning the 2012 Inaugural stakes) was the betting favorite at 1-2. To Tiger’s surprise he was in the middle of a speed test during the run to the turn, which forced him to the outside. Floyd & Porter’s M’s Glaze Fancy (2) held tight to the rail, which helped put her in a favorable position entering the backstretch. Patriot’s Jim Mercedes (3) took the early lead, but his wide racing style in the backstretch allowed Fancy to pass him and take the lead. Meanwhile Tiger Boy recovered from his first turn jam and was closing in fast on the frontrunners.
Tiger was blocked again trying to make his move in the far turn. Tiger Boy began building his momentum again, but he would not catch M’s Glaze Fancy that gave a solid performance for Kennel owner and trainer Randy Floyd. Jim Mercedes finished second with Tiger Boy nipping at his heels. Hi Noon Maestro completed the 2-3-7-1 superfecta. Although he finished third Tiger Boy was the first to the escape.
According to McAllister Tiger Boy will be entered for the 28th annual Matinee Idol stakes. The qualifying rounds are this Wednesday matinee in races six and ten. The top four finishers from each heat will make up the stakes Saturday matinee January 28. Tiger Boy will be the entry for the kennel. Tiger Boy will be tested over Derby Lane’s 660-yard oval following the Matinee Idol stakes to prep him for the Distance Classic in April then return to the sprints once he completes the required 660-yard races so he can compete in the Sprint Classic next month.
West Palm Beach, Fl. - Rader Racing Kennel’s RK’s Conk Gonk added another notch to his championship belt as he defeated a top-notch field of seven other world-class Greyhounds with his victory in Saturday afternoon’s 32nd running of Palm Beach Kennel Club’s $50,000 He’s My Man Classic.
Wearing the lucky green of post position four, Conk Gonk broke evenly with the rest of the finalists and then turned on the afterburners in his rush to the first turn.
He led throughout the duration of the final, winning by more than four lengths in a 545-yard Royal Palm Course clocking of 29.70 seconds and returning an even $6 to his many, many fans.
Hilco Burner put on a nice finishing kick to finish second, with Riverview Stevie and Jack’s Go Bayou finishing in a dead-heat for third.
The complete $50,000 He’s My Man Classic order of finish:
1st - 4. RK’s Conk Gonk (Dragon Fire - RK’s Tomb Raider, Rader Racing)
2nd - 5. Hilco Burner (Kiowa Sweet Trey - Larks Bronx, B & B Racing)
3rd (DH) - 1. Riverview Stevie (Kiowa Sweet Trey - CV’s Mama Mia, Rader Racing)
3rd (DH) - 2. Jack’s Go Bayou (Lonesome Cry - Leta’s Speedster, Marsella)
5th - 7. JS Millermatic (Trent Lee - JJ Guinevere, Collins / Joe Kennel)
6th - 8. Whats Next (Yahoo Omar - Flying Exorcist, Rader Racing)
7th - 3. Kane’s Getty (Lonesome Cry - Flying Trey Babe, Brindle Kennel)
8th - 6. Pat C Offkey (Kiowa Sweet Trey - Okie Reba, Collins / Joe Kennel)
RK’s Conk Gonk was also the winner of last year’s $20,000 Bob Balfe Puppy Stakes.
This is Norm Rader’s fifth He’s My Man Classic championship, putting his kennel--again--in the record books for most wins of this most-prestigious of stake races.
The Classic is named in honor of Palm Beach Kennel Club racing legend and the track’s first multimedia sensation He’s My Man and dedicated to the man who raised and trained “Roscoe”, Bill Pappas.
Contact: Jeff Prince (561) 683-2222, Ext. 126 / jprince@pbkennelclub.com
The Greyhound Hall of Fame unveiled a new website in October just in time for convenient holiday shopping of greyhound gifts from the Hall’s Online Store. The website, which can be found at www.greyhoundhalloffame. com, has a completely new look but still includes all the same features such as pages on the Hall of Fame inductees, Pioneers, the Hall of Fame Club, Scholarships, links to other greyhound- related websites, and the Store.
The new website was created with the user in mind, according to Kathryn Lounsbury, Hall of Fame general manager. Hall of Fame Club members will be able to do renewals online and students interested in applying for the Hall of Fame’s Jason Dean Hunt Scholarship can download the application from the website.
“And we have gone to great lengths to make sure people’s credit cards are secure so they are safe when they order from the Store,” Lounsbury said, adding the website has been validated to have a secure SSL certificate which provides industry standard data encryption of information transferred from a customer’s computer to the website. “In addition to that, the credit cards are processed through a secure site called Authorize.Net.” The Greyhound Hall of Fame Online Store includes everything you might need on your holiday shopping list – jewelry, Christmas ornaments, figurines, clothing, signage, vehicle accessories, artwork, books, beverage ware and garden items. Prices range from a Greyhound On Board bumper magnet for $5.99 to a 15x15-inch wrought iron welcome sign with a racing greyhound for $67 to a bronze greyhound on a pillow for $250.
Jewelry often makes the perfect Christmas gift. Pendants and earrings feature greyhounds running, playing, standing, bowing, walking, outstretched and in the tucked position. Or, consider a pewter greyhound zipper pull or tack pin. “We have two beaded bracelets on the website done especially for the Hall of Fame by Donna Weeks, who owns racing and adopted greyhounds, ” Lounsbury said. “We’re always on the lookout for something new.” Christmas ornaments feature greyhounds in front of a gingerbread house, in a sleigh, in a unwrapped present, inside an open suitcase, and atop candy canes. There’s even a paw print gift box frame ornament to which you can add your pet’s photograph.
Signs are a fun greyhound item suitable for anyone who lives with a greyhound. You’re sure to bring a smile to the recipient’s face with “For the best seat in the house you’ll have to move the greyhound,” “Spoiled Rotten Greyhounds Live Here,” or “No home is complete without the pitter patter of greyhound feet.” Or perhaps you prefer a magnet that reads “A House isn’t a Home without a Greyhound!”
Unique gifts include a greyhound garden flag and a greyhound bottle stopper.
New items will continually be added to the Store as the holiday approaches, until every item that is available in the museum’s Gift Shop will be also available online, Lounsbury said.
Some work still needs to be finished on other parts of the website, such as including the biographies of every Hall of Fame inductee. “Eventually on the website we will have the biographies for each inductee and photographs if we have them,” she said. “I’d also like to include the pedigrees in the future.”
You can visit the site at greyhoundhalloffame.com.
Story by Maddog McDermuttPhotos by Little Elsie
They say there might be as many as 450 adopted NGA Greyhounds, retired racers mainly, in the Greater Calgary area. Three separate Canadian adoption groups work with American adoption groups, fostering, adopting, sponsoring activities to familiarize the dogs to others and eventually into what has come to be known as forever homes: Northwest Canadian Greyhound League, Chinook Winds Greyhounds, and Southern Alberta Greyhound Association.
When Little Elsie and I received the invite, from Jodi Miller of Southern Alberta Greyhound Association, to join in on a Meets and Greets at a Calgary Petsmart, and I coincidentally happened to be wondering what my next Greyhound Review story would be, and the forthcoming snowstorm appeared to be holding over the Rockies, we charged our camera batteries, grabbed our passports, loaded up, crawled out of bed at 4 am and by 5 am, October 29, Saturday morning, the Jeep was headed north for Calgary, Alberta, on I-15, and by the time the sun was up we had crossed the border: Canada.
I had to feel a little nostalgia: both my parents were Canadian.
Little Elsie and I were not total strangers to Canadian Greyhound adoption. We had participated in three hauls with American Greyhounds headed for Canadian couches, and I had written Greyhound Review stories on each. Additionally, we had been to Canada’s only track, Doug Riches’ Calida track near Sylvan Lake, and more Greyhound Review stores from there.
Some years back, right on schedule, I turned into the parking lot of the Great Falls, Montana, fairgrounds. The Jeep was the only vehicle in the vast parking area. I had been advised by phone a Greyhound haul would arrive, and within about five seconds of the estimated time, here comes a state of the art dog trailer and pickup (e.g., air conditioning all around), with Kansas plates. It pulled into the fairgrounds lot, parked beside my Jeep, and then, almost simultaneously, a car with Alberta plates drove in; parked, everybody hi-how-are-ya stuff, then a manifest checked, ticked, and the dogs earmarked for Canada were helped out of the truck or trailer, leashed up and led over to a small patch of grass on which the dogs gratefully took relief, then, reluctantly, perfectly understandable, exited the patch of grass, like “not again,“ loaded up in the car with the Alberta plates, and off they go, headed north.
The truck and trailer driver, and alternative driver, I believe it to be a father and son team, got directions for the easiest, shortest route headed west, continuing on for Post Falls, Idaho, for another dog drop, at which time the rest would continue on to the west coast.
I stood there in that fairgrounds parking lot for some time, by myself, leaned back against the Jeep door, tried to sort out what had just happened. On the one hand I thought maybe a good cry was in order, and on the other hand, how about a shout for joy. On the other hand … I only had two hands.
Can you imagine? 
What other dog, or anything for that matter, man or beast, could survive a trip like that, hour in and hour out, don’t know how, don’t know why, get lifted out of a dog trailer, take a deep breath, look around, a wag of the tail, then here we go again, loaded into another vehicle, to who knows where.
Greyhounds are special, I mean really special.
So tell me, gentle Greyhound addicts, if you had to sum up this fantastic dog in one word, what would that one word be?
The late John Hern of Post Falls, Idaho, having adopted out more than some 4,000 Greyhounds, I think came up with the winner.
Patience.
No question, these dogs were looking at their destiny, trusting with everything they had, in the most unpredictable species on the planet, homo sapiens. It was the way they accepted their destiny that blew my mind.
Patience.
I looked up short descriptions of S.A.G.A. board members on the S.A.G.A. web site (http://www. sagaa.org). Or just Google Saga Greyhounds and all kinds of information pops up. I think Little Elsie and I met all the board members, except Jodi Miller who nevertheless sent one of my books down which my arthritic hand scribbled on. Anyway, here’s what the S.A.G.A. board members had to say about Greyhounds. I had to notice the word love is tossed around frequently.
Angela Kijewski: What I love about Greyhounds is their affinity to get along … their camaraderie. They have such gentle, easy going personalities which make them great companions to snuggle and stroll with.
Chris Blanar: Quiet and loving, eager to please and always surprising. What’s not to love about greyts?
Lana Moskaluk: Their easy gentle personalities made the transition of adding new dogs into a household with children, three smaller dogs and a cat absolutely seamless.
Tineke Asma: Greyhounds have a way of warming themselves into your heart, even though each has its own personality. From shy to outgoing, they are all so special.
Jodi Miller: What I love about these majestic creatures is their unfailing ability to love and their desire to be loved by those who take them into their homes and hearts. Unconditional love is the only thing you will ever see in their eyes.
Michael Asma: I spend my time looking after our Greyhounds, especially my heart dog Jamey, who passed away … Every day I saw his unconditional love for us in his eyes. 
Another flashback, our next two experiences with Greyhound hauling, we had the privilege and fun of pitching in and picking up dogs off A REAL GREYHOUND BUS, out of Oklahoma and Kansas, headed for the West Coast, at Three Forks, where Montana 287 meets Interstate 90. And when the driver of the bus opened the door, hold your nose, it’s bad. The driver shrugged, said, they all cut loose ten minutes out of town.
Out of town meaning Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana. And Idaho, Washington and Oregon lay ahead.
We walked our new friends extensively, out there in the middle of Montana, then loaded up and drove to our home in Great Falls where the dogs had about twenty minutes to enjoy our old dog run, tell our adopted Greyhound Jones all about the trip so far, before they were loaded up and on to Canada.
As the dogs drove down our gravel road, their last leg on a long, long trip, Little Elise and I waved and wished our passengers the best of luck. One of the dogs, a white with black patches gal, rested her head on my shoulder all the way from Three Forks to Great Falls, whispered sweet nothings in my ear, and I have to say I was quite taken and considered hiding her in the garage, but I didn’t. Her name, I think, was Doti. I never did know (or remember) which Calgary adoption group these dogs were destined. I did hear that Doti was immediately spoken for and was happy as a clam, and I was glad of that, and I really hoped she might show up at Petsmart, but no such luck.
Jodi Miller gave me a rundown on Southern Alberta Greyhound Association. S.A.G.A.
“S.A.G.A began in 2003,” Jodi said. “We have adopted out more than 350 NGA Greyhounds. We are a registered Non-Profit Society in Canada. Our website is www.sagaa. org. We do weekly Meets & Greets at a PetSmart Pet Store in Calgary every Saturday from 1-3p.m. We recently completed a haul of seven Greyhounds and all but three have been adopted out.”
When I mentioned that Little Elsie and I were interested in attending a Meets and Greets, and maybe the forthcoming Saturday because I had a Greyhound Review deadline, Jodi said, “We would love to get you out to meet some of our success stories, come to a Meet & Greet, introduce you to one of the Greys that was just brought up. Please let us know what we can do to help you in making S.A.G.A. an integral part of your article/story as we believe this to be a wonderful opportunity for us to spread not only the word about S.A.G.A. but also about Greyhound adoption in Alberta as well as Greyhounds in general.”
We found the correct Petsmart store, on time, and we found the Greyhounds and Greyhound folks, gathering, in front of the grooming room. The store was big and the place was busy. At the Meets and Greets table we met President of S.A.G.A., Angela Kijewski and daughter Eowin and son Rand. As I thumbed through the material on the table, adoption forms, adoption applications, a S.A.G.A. t-shirt, I picked up a Fall 2011 Celebrating Greyhounds: the magazine.
“Little Elsie!” I said. “Look at this!”
“Look at what?”
“It’s a review of Vintage Maddog!”
Little Elsie read it. When she finished, I said, “What does that last paragraph do for you, Little Elsie?”
She read it to me out loud. “If you know dogmen, you will enjoy Vintage Maddog. If you don’t know this special group of people, this collection of stories just may introduce you to a specific and unique subculture.”
“Is that a smashing line or what?” I said.
She just looked at me.
Next, we caught a Petsmart staff member, David Ashworth, handing out doggie treats to a gaggle of Greyhounds. Little Elsie stepped up with her camera. A big handsome black dog stuck his neck out. I had to ask. “What’s that big dog’s name? The fellow on the other end of the leash, John Mastwijk, said, “His racing name was Mannassa Mauler.”
“Really,” I said.
“Yes, but we changed the name to Dempsey. We felt Manassa Mauler, for those not familiar with prize fighters, might not be appropriate in our neighborhood. So we changed it.”
“Got it,” I said. “Very good.”
When I got home, I looked up Manassa Mauler on Greyhound Data.
He was born April 2006, in Kansas.
And here he was, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, five years old, adopted out, and now, on the rebound, adopted for the second time!
As the story goes, Dempsey’s original adopters had to move to Sweden, and the dog had to remain behind. I gave him a pat. He was in good shape. Manassa Mauler, Molotov the father and Mountaylor Dolly the mother, ran Wheeling Downs and Southland. He ran at 83 pounds and had 86 career starts. His new adopter excused himself to take the dog inside the grooming room to get his nails manicured.
Sometimes, in my twilight years, I get a little melancholy.
Here it was again, a slap in the face. Lady Luck. Destiny. Fate. How do you explain it? It’s a poker game and you play your hand, make the most of it. I just met a dog whelped in Kansas. The dog raced for three years in Arkansas and West Virginia. Somehow, the dog hitched a ride on a dog haul headed west, transferred somewhere for a ride to Canada and was adopted into a happy home by a family that suddenly had to move to Sweden. And here he was, in Alberta, Canada, big as life, one cool customer, participating in a Meets and Greets with other dogs of his kind, accepting treats from David Ashworth of a Petsmart store in another country called Canada and managing to squeeze in a nail manicure in a busy Greyhound adoption promotion afternoon.
And his name was Dempsey.
There used to be a TV show which opened with something like the following: “New York has a million stories. This is one of them.”
The same thing can be said of Greyhounds. Each and every dog in that Calgary Petsmart store that Saturday afternoon has a story. I picked but one.
Crazy.
And wonderful.
We made it back to Lethbridge that evening. We were home in Great Falls by noon the next day.
Good people. Good dogs. Good visit.
Friday evening, November 4, 2011 will go down as one of the most memorable nights in greyhound racing at Southland Park Gaming & Racing. Over $100,000 in added purse money was awarded that night along with the crowning of six champions, the first ever Arkansas Bred stakes race and the likely birth of an All-American greyhound who won her third major stakes title of the season. And that was just a good start for the ladies on this night. All the championships were won by females, which was amazing considering the talent and resumes of some of the boys in the finals. Added to the night to help commemorate the occasion was a prerace handicapping show, a post race analysis show and live interviews with the winning parties involved. All in all, it was a great event that is only destined to get bigger next year.
To recap each division, let’s begin with the first stakes championship event of the night, the Crittenden Super Sprint Division:
BOB’S BLUESTREAK CONTINUES WINNING WAYS IN CRITTENDEN SUPER SPRINT
The championship field in the Crittenden Super Sprint Division started the night out on race 5 for the “Festival of Stakes” with a full field of eight featuring two major stars on that course. KYZ (Dungaree x Mariska) was positioned in the eight box boasting the track record winning time on the 334-yard course and finished second in qualifying with 47 total points earned. Those two facts combined had the betting public backing her as the betting favorite in the race at odds just below 3 to 2. Sitting in the blue post of #2 was BOB’S BLUESTREAK (Deerfield Site* x Bob’s Streak) who came into the night as the points leader with 50 and riding a two race winning streak (and three wins in four qualifying rounds). The rail runner was positioned perfectly to cap off the stakes event with a victory for the Bussmann-Balakas Kennel.
The race started off great for BOB’S BLUESTREAK, who broke crisply from that inside post to latch onto second place early on. KYZ broke mid pack and immediately started having navigation issues with traffic building up to her left as the pack approached the only turn in the race. KEEPER LENOX (Bob’s Skeet x Queenbee Episode) made a nice rush to get into position for the turn for the T and T Kennel. As the case in many of the short distance races, some trouble ensued as the pack rounded the turn that caught up KYZ and ended any small chance of an upset by Craigie Tripper (Fuzzys Cannon x Craigie Tripple).
As they rounded through the turn and came down the homestretch, BOB’S BLUESTREAK asserted command of the race and never looked back. She won the race by 1 ½ lengths stopping the clock at 17.91 which gave trainer Jerry Cruce his first stakes victory in many years. Second place went to KEEPER LENOX and third place went to GENESIS BEST (Swahili Eile* x Simone) who was only 2 ½ lengths behind the winner.
BOB’S BLUESTREAK is owned by Robert Stokes and claimed her 11th win of the season in 37 starts. Kennel owner Tim Balakas was thankful for the victory and when asked about what a victory like that meant in the Festival of Stakes, he replied, “We have been in a drought when it has come to stakes victories, so this one feels great.”
HENRY WINS FIRST EVER ARKANSAS BRED STAKES CHAMPIONSHIP
Arkansas bred greyhounds have found a rebirth of sorts thanks to increasing levels of purse money available since the integration of the gaming product at Southland Park Gaming & Racing. These increased monies have coincided with an increase in registered Arkansas bred and for the first time reached levels to support an Arkansas bred stakes event. In cooperation with the Arkansas Breeders, a division was created within the Festival of Stakes to help support and promote locally bred greyhounds.
Local kennel owner and breeder Darren Henry and his wife Rachelle are not new to the Southland scene and have been concentrating on breeding Arkansas bred greyhounds for awhile. That effort led to landing four finalists in the field including CBJ TEDDY BEAR (Jimbo Scotty x Braska Sweettart) who came in as the points leader with 50 that included two victories and two place efforts in four rounds. Fan betting favorite KEEPER SPODE (Bob’s Skeet x Queenbee Episode) easily had the most wins during the season of the final eight in this race and was made the betting favorite in every single qualifying round, despite only winning one of those rounds.
North Shore Kennel was represented with two finalists owned and trained by Rhianna Marriott including CG’S MISTER CASH (Castor Troy x RR Junkndatrunk) who had two straight victories coming into the championship and was posted in the eight box. Greyhounds from Ryan Farms Kennel and T and T Kennel rounded out the historical field for the 7th race of the evening.
At the start of the race, an upset tried to get going with a sharp break of CBJ GRACELAND (Jimbo Scotty x Braska Sweettart) who got into the finals without a single victory and was going off at odds of nearly 35 to 1. CG’S JABBATHEPUP (Castor Troy x TBO’s Penny) used the #1 post position wisely and found room early inside to get in contention. A big rush to the turn was noticed from the #4 CBJ COLD FLURREZ (Dodgem By Design x LB Quibble) who raced somewhat erratically during the qualifying rounds (2 victories, a 4th place and a 6th place effort).
As the pack rounded the first turn on the 583-yard Arkansas Course, CBJ COLD FLURREZ continued to dig in and extended her lead to three lengths. CG’S JABBATHEPUP improved to giving chase in second place and CBJ GRACELAND settled back into third. As evenly matched as the race was, those three would not change positions the rest of the way around the track and CBJ COLD FLURREZ coasted to victory, winning by two lengths stopping the clock at 32.22.
The victory by the Darren Henry Kennel would prove to be the start of a good evening for kennel owner Darren Henry. His other three entries finished 3rd, 6th and 7th. CBJ COLD FLURREZ is owned by Carmen Jorgensen and picked up her sixth win in 16 starts.
HENRY GOES BACK-TO-BACK, PULLS UPSET IN BALDWIN JUVENILE
The Barry Baldwin Juvenile Division set up to be a three greyhound race on paper. Blazing into the championship was BRASKA MIDAS (B’s O’Grady x Braska Daba) who came into the night with 55 points thanks to three victories and a second place effort in four qualifying rounds. Hot on his heels was BELLA DA BULL (Dodgem By Design x Bella Iona) from the David Blair Kennel who had three victories of his own plus a third place effort during qualifying. KL’s JAEGAR (EM’s Mac Attack x Al E Porsha) wasn’t that far back from the leaders in points racking up 50 thanks to two wins and two second place efforts.
All of those impressive stats made those three greyhounds proverbial “favorites” at the mutuel windows with BELLA DA BULL commanding betting favorite status thanks to her season leading wins (15) and wins showing in five or his last six starts. As has been said in the business before, “THAT’S WHY THEY RUN THE RACE”!
All those stats went out the window when the box opened for the championship event. Little known BRASKA CINCH (E’s Able x Cherry Baby) flashed out the box and took the lead. Despite her not winning a single qualifying round, she did have a 15/5-4- 3-1 record on the season and showed good breaking ability from the inside post positions. ZAFT (Rhythmless x Mariska) was also winless in qualifying but had the coveted #1 post position and used that to his benefit breaking second. BRASKA MIDAS, despite not breaking the best, was still positioned decent in 4th out of the box but lacked the true room to get clean before the first turn. All these events came together to provide one of the two true upset victories in the Festival of Stakes.
As the pack hit the first turn, BRASKA CINCH has built up a 2 ½ length lead and easily cleared the trouble behind her. HANNIBAL SMITH (Flare Gun x Coal Bee) overcame a bad start to the race by avoiding the major traffic in the turn and was positioned in fourth down the backstretch. ZAFT was still giving chase, but it was becoming apparent that he wasn’t gaining any real ground on the leader despite having a clear path. BRASKA MIDAS was still in the hunt in second and seemed to be best positioned to threaten the leader as they headed into the final turn.
The lead only got bigger for BRASKA CINCH through the far turn and you could sense that she still had plenty left in the tank coming down the stretch. HANNIBAL SMITH was still driving but gave up too much early ground to make a serious threat and BRASKA MIDAS began to fade back ending his bid at the championship. At 13 ½ to 1 odds, BRASKA CINCH produced the second largest win payoff of the Festival of Stakes when she stopped the clock at 31.87. HANNIBAL SMITH furthered the big payoffs finishing second at 14.30 to 1 and ZAFT rounded out the huge payday by finishing third at odds of 10.70 to 1.
The win was the second straight championship victory of the night for the Darren Henry Kennel and trainer Rachelle Henry. “She always seemed to have the talent,” said Rachelle. “We sent her to Wheeling from here and she didn’t do well there at all and came back. Ever since she returned to Southland, she’s started to show it (the talent)”. BRASKA CINCH is owned by Bill Elliott.
ANSEL STYLES MARATHON CHAMP EXTENDS HER OWN WINNING STREAK
With easily the most wins of the season in the championship race, the prime post position and claiming victories in 4 of her last six races (including 3 straight), it was easy to pick perennial favorite MISTIE BASS (Dodgem By Design x D’s Moondust) to win it all. After all, the red female just set a new River Course record of 39.31 just two starts ago, during the qualifying rounds! Not many in the crowd figured it would be that close of a call. She should just romp away with her 22nd win of the season.
“NOT SO FAST MY FRIENDS”
Right next to her sat COUNTRY KID (Flying Penske x Secrets Told) who won comfortably in the last two starts leading into the championship finale. KELSOS VIRTUOSO (Trent Lee x Kelsos Sleeveen) also had won four of her last six starts, but had lost an earlier head to head battle with MISTIE BASS in the second qualifying round, despite having the lead early in the race. Also lurking in prime post position was #7 GOOD NEWS (Coldwater Keelin x Soda Sipper) who wrapped up two wins and a close third in similar post positions during qualifying and stayed within three lengths of betting favorite MISTIE BASS in the semi-finals.
With all this talent set to do battle in the longest race of the night, it became clear that post position would greatly determine the winner in the event. As the box opened for the start of the race, KELSOS VIRTUOSO used her early foot to take the early lead as she did in five or her past six races. GOOD NEWS from the outside swept around the first turn in second place while the inside was commanded by MISTIE BASS who was within a couple of lengths right from the get-go. In the rearview mirror, little known BELLA FIRE (Trent Lee x Mattie Ross), who didn’t win a single race during qualifying, but accumulated some “board hits” was laying fourth and missed the trouble that tangled up COUNTRY KID and BRASKA DAQUIRI (Dodgem By Design x BD’s Fadalla) and essentially eliminated them from serious contention.
It became apparent as the greyhounds hit the escape turn that it was a three dog race to the finish. GOOD NEWS, MISTIE BASS and KELSOS VIRTUOSO were all within a couple of lengths of each other with clear running lanes down the backstretch. KELSOS VIRTUOSO’s lead was slowly dwindling however and the inevitable seemed to be coming true as GOOD NEWS was about to overtake the lead.
Into the far turn, KELSOS’s VIRTUOSO was clearly out of gas and encountering trouble in the stretch turn accelerated the fading back leaving plenty of room ahead for GOOD NEWS who was now being gained on by MISTIE BASS for a two dog stretch showdown for the title. At the finish line, MISTIE BASS proved to be too tough as she passed GOOD NEWS in the stretch to win the championship by a length and a half. GOOD NEWS was by himself for second place while longshot BELLA FIRE cruised in for third. The superfecta was rounded off by a nice closing effort from DEVIOUS SPEED (Unruly Thomas x Velocious Dash) who showed shades of his mother by closing from last place to notch a fourth place finish.
In most cases, being behind in a race isn’t something to be cherished. Trainer Bob Gray would normally agree with that statement but sees a different MISTIE BASS when she doesn’t have the front. “She seems to run harder when she doesn’t break and has to come from behind,” he said. “She just has tons of run in her and she showed it again tonight.”
MISTIE BASS runs for and is owned by the Plum Creek Kennel.
MAJOR UPSET HEADLINES MIDDLE DISTANCE CHAMPIONSHIP
With not failing to hit the superfecta in all 24 of his starts, TIGER BOY (Flying Penske x Flying Esquisite) had lived up to the hype on the Razorback Course. Twenty of those starts finished with him in the Quiniela and he had won three of his four qualifying rounds with a very close 2nd place effort in his other start. And if that wasn’t enough, he even holds the track record winning time for the course. Without a doubt, as he has in his previous starts, he would be pegged by the gambling public as the favorite to take the championship race as well.
Also garnering talk was CRY HOPE (Gable Zydeco x Iza DC Classic) who’s early speed has allowed her to rack up 31 of 48 starts finishing in the Quiniela and has been a threat to win nearly every race she has started in. With all the flashy stats, it seemed to be the Quiniela to play up to that point of the evening.
All those tickets fell to the floor within seconds of the box opening for the championship race in the Middle Distance Division. KL’S MURIEL (EM’s Mac Attack x PB’s Dina Flo) broke sharply, as expected. The white and brindle female is a known box breaker and nearly pulled off three straight wins to get into the finals, but was also known to be caught at times late in the race. TIGER BOY did not break, also expected, but found himself behind a lot of traffic early and leaving himself prone to trouble in the turns. CRY HOPE missed her break for the first time in months and doesn’t have the reputation to run anybody down from behind which effectively eliminated her from winning the race.
But even with CRY HOPE’s unexpected start, nobody could have predicted the fast start from KL’S SWEET TEA (EM’s Mac Attack x PB’s Dina Flo). While breaking on top has happened with her before, the ability to build leads and maintain them has been elusive. With only six total wins in 42 starts on the year, she was routinely beat by other greyhounds in the championship field. However, somebody forgot to tell her that on this night.
BELLA INCUBUS (Kiowa Mon Manny x Bella Iconic) used her prime post position to sneak in early contention as well. As the race progressed, some traffic and trouble occurred in the escape turn, only helping KL’S SWEET TEA keep her lead as her littermate KL’S MURIEL kept pace down the backstretch. TIGER BOY looked to be out of contention at this point in the race while CRY HOPE recovered to third place but in no position to mount a serious challenge to the leaders.
As the race progressed into and through the final turn for the stretch run, it was all over except counting the lengths as KL’S SWEET TEA coasted to the finish line winning by 6 ½ lengths. BELLA INCUBUS mounted a late charge to pass his rivals to claim second place honors and KL’S MURIEL held on to third with CRY HOPE rounding out the superfecta. At 22.50 to 1, it was the largest odds of the night for the winner and her margin of victory was the largest of any of the championship races.
KL’S SWEET TEA races for the Legg Kennel and is owned by Karen Legg. Trainer Dan Beaton got his second victory of the night with this win (previously won the Ansel Styles Marathon Consolation with K’S SLOANE).
SHANETT EARNS “HATTRICK” WITH VICTORY IN SPRINT CHAMPIONSHIP
While the rest of the championship races featured some of the best fields top to bottom, the Mid-South Sprint Championship was clearly a battle between two greyhounds that combined has amassed 57 victories on the season and six wins during qualifying. BELLA INFRARED (Kiowa Mon Manny x Bella Iconic) had claimed a new Arkansas Course track record winning time of 31.43 right before qualifying began. He has also destroyed a field in opening round action by 11 lengths and had two straight wins coming into the championship event. SHANETT (Rhythmless x Maybix) had already won stakes titles this season by taking the $10,000 Spring Futurity and the $50,000 Southland Derby. She also had two straight wins, both from the #1 post position coming into the championship final and had been soundly beaten by BELLA INFRARED on the day he set the new track record. With so much attention on these two greyhounds, it was a bit of a surprise both were not bet down to mere pennies on the dollar.
Or was it?
BELLA INFRARED was tucked in the middle in post #5. Notoriously a bad post position anyway, it would also not allow any mistakes to be made for a greyhound that lived on making big rushes to the first turn and then pulling away from there. SHANETT had been making a living on inside post positions lately, but winning from the far outside wouldn’t be considered a fluke either. She broke her maiden from post #8 back in early March. She won her first stakes championship from the #8 post as well. The only question would be could she break and rush well enough to clear the first turn and give herself a chance?
Some competition could surely be expected from fellow kennelmate and brother TAQZUN (Rhythmless x Maybix) who’s only win during qualifying came from the #1 post position, which was the same post he drew for the championship. Next to him was BRASKA FAD (E’s Able x BD’s Fadalla) who didn’t have any prime post positions in any of the qualifying rounds, yet still came away with a win and two close place efforts and got the benefit of an inside post position to suit his running style.
As the starting box opened for the much anticipated race, SHANETT didn’t break on top but lurked on the mid part of the track as the turn quickly approached. BELLA INFRARED broke decent but the room to rush was quickly closing as other greyhounds in the race began jockeying for position. Tucked away on the inside was BRASKA FAD who was able to stay step for step with the group and TAQZUN flashed out of the box and was threatening to upstage his sister. Almost sensing that, SHANETT hit another gear and used the room allotted to her to quickly rush and challenge for the early lead.
That burst of speed going into the turn was likely the difference maker in the game. SHANETT quickly hung a left turn and dove to the inside part of the track. That move caused her brother TAQZUN to slow just slightly and cause a bit of a chain reaction of trouble. That trouble effectively took out BELLA INFRARED from being able to win it and also caused issues for half the field. That trouble allowed SHANETT to build a three length lead with BRASKA FAD right behind her on the rail and TAQZUN relegated to third.
Chances to catch and pass SHANETT in the race looked to be slim. She had only been caught twice in her young career once she established a lead past the first turn. Down the backstretch, there was a small sense of urgency to reach the finish line by kennel owner Robert Thorne as BRASKA FAD refused to give up and was ever so slowly gaining on his superstar pup. TAQZUN was slowly losing steam and ended up being blocked by BRASKA FAD in the far turn. As the two dog race entered the homestretch run, SHANETT’S lead was down to two lengths but the ground was not closing fast enough to prevent her from achieving the hat trick of stakes wins for the 2011 racing season. She crossed the finish line in a time of 31.76 winning with a length of room to spare and giving Robert Thorne continued success in the Festival of Stakes. He and trainer Bonnie Thorne won three of the events last year with Marc Randle “Scrabble” dogs, including the Sprint Championship with TROUGELZ.
Robert Thorne felt a sense of relief with the victory. Not only did he wear a suit (which he superstitiously tries to avoid), but he honestly felt there was only one dog in the race (BELLA INFRARED) that he thought could have beat SHANETT straight up. “He’s one heck of a dog”, Thorne said. “We are fortunate to have such a great dog ourselves with her. She tries so hard and I can’t say enough about the Randles and how special it is to get to race a dog like her”.
SHANETT is trained by Bonnie Thorne and is owned by Marc Randle. Her win in the championship marked her 28th win of the season, just two behind BELLA INFRARED.
Mixing humanity with economics, the Iowa Greyhound Association made its presentation to the Council Bluffs Chamber of Commerce Tuesday, Jan. 24, as part of its ongoing battle with Harrah’s to keep greyhound racing alive at Bluffs Run.
The presentation was an effort to counter Harrah’s bid to earn the Chamber’s support to eliminate the sport.
While the five IGA members made their feelings known to the Chamber board, another group approaching 60 from the greyhound families in the area stood outside the meeting room in support.
Bob Hardison, president of the Iowa Greyhound Association, started the comments, speaking on behalf of the “58 active state licensed greyhound farms in Iowa.”
It is these farms which form the basis of an industry that generates up to $77 million yearly and creates 1,237 jobs. Those numbers, Hardison explained, come from a study the IGA commission done at Iowa State University.
“The money is created in Iowa,” said Hardison, “and spent in Iowa. We do have greyhounds that are sent out-of-state to race, but their purse prizes returned to Iowa.”
Greyhound racing is an industry that has created industries.
Jon Stidham of McClelland, who has been breeding greyhounds for 25 years, saw money leaving the state to Kansas for vitamins and other greyhound products. Stidham formed Kennel Supply, LLC, which is now close to a $1 million business.
“That’s money,” said Stidham, “that’s staying in Iowa and being spent in Iowa.”
The human side of the sport mixes in with the economics when Darcy Butts, a Glenwood veterinarian, spoke.
Butts, who has worked with the greyhounds at Bluffs Run for upwards of 15 years, saw greyhound racing as a “significant part of this community.
“There are injuries as there are in any sporting event. But what I see is the love the greyhound community has for their greyhounds as much as the economic interest they have to take care of them.”
It is that love that Joreen King, from Heartland Adoption, has seen.
“We are always, said King, “having to correct misconceptions that greyhounds are mistreated. The greyhounds we receive that are being retired from racing are well treated and loved. The owners often want pictures of them and we’ve seen tears in their eyes at giving up their greyhounds for adoption.”
The core of the greyhound industry is the family farm. Gail Shook told of relocating her family’s farm this past year as the old property was put underwater by the 2011 floods.
“All of the purse money comes back to Iowa,” said Shook. “It’s a family business. Our children plan to stay in the business.”
In the meantime, Bluffs Run continues to operate. To come to a race day is difficult, the entrance is poorly mark. There is no advertisement of about the racing activities, from a day’s race card right up to the $500,000 Iowa Breeders Classic, the richest greyhound race in the nation. One can only wonder what would happen if Bluffs Run were allowed to operate like any other successful business.
Submitted by Steve Sigafoose 712-322-2144 or slsig1@cox.net
For additional information and/or questions, contact Bob Hardison at 712-423-3010 or bob.hardison@yahoo.com
Sunday January 29, greyhound enthusiasists and shoppers alike were treated to a slice of freedom at the Skechers store in Estero FL.
The anti racing group Grey2K had promised a protest at the store over a Skechers ad that will be featured in the big bowl game this weekend. Apparently Grey2K barked up the wrong tree, as security was already in place and sent the tiny group running. This writer was highly impressed with the operation of the store that made sure everyone enjoyed a great shopping experience.
Posters and buttons displayed their mascot Mr. Quiggly styled in skechers for his race debut on February 5. "It was great to see the store send them (protesters) away," said Juan Fra who is the General Manager of Naples Ft. Myers Greyhound track that is a consistent target of the group. "I came out in support of the creative ad," he said via telephone interview.
"We love skechers," said Michelle Edgar President of the GPA Naples/Ft. Myers Greyhound adoption group which places ex-racers in loving homes. Her finance James Campbell brought Henry, a greyhound that hoped to size up the cute Quiggly for Sunday's race. People visiting the store enjoyed petting Henry who was also shoe shopping. Boxes and boxes of shoes were sold to supporters of the ad. Campbell owns racing kennels in Florida and West Virginia and enjoyed parading Henry and answering questions about the breed that would be challenging Mr. Quiggly.
Edward Trow, who owns a racing kennel in Dubuque, was also in the store in support of Skechers and bought several boxes of shoes, as well as Michael Frino and his wife from Naples FL, who left with their skechers shoes, too.
Everyone that was in the store during my hour visit enjoyed the helpful staff. We all wished them the best of luck with Mr. Quiggly's race on Sunday. This year's big game will be enhanced and could be the most watched ever; not just for the teams, but for Skechers' stand on their freedom of speech. In my eyes they will be the true winners of the day and so will our beautiful greyhounds that will be highlighted for the athletes that they are.
Plano, Texas – In conjunction with Super Bowl XLVI, United Greyhound Racing today announced a “2012 Greyhounds for Skechers” photo contest.
Aimed at raising awareness of what wonderful companions greyhounds make once their racing careers are over, the contest runs through Feb. 4 and offers the winner a pair of Skechers GOrun shoes. Be a Giant greyhound and a Skecher Patriot by showing your love and support for greyhounds and Skechers.
“Greyhounds truly make great pets,” said Rory S. Goreé, Director of Welfare & Advocacy for United Greyhound Racing. “I can unequivocally state that the one constant that has remained is the personality of the greyhound. The greyhound is an extremely docile breed and the desirability of retired racing greyhounds as pets can be attributed to the care and attention they receive from the greyhound racing community. If you are considering adding a pet to the family, consider a greyhound.”
In addition to a pair of Skechers shoes, the winner of the contest will receive a greyhound themed eco-tote bag, a beautiful silver greyhound necklace and possibly more prizes.
The photo with the most “LIKES” will receive a donation of $300 courtesy of United Greyhound Racing, Tucson Greyhound Park and the American Greyhound Council to support their local greyhound adoption program.
Following are the contest rules:
Participants must submit photos online from Jan. 25-Feb. 4 (11:59 P.M. EDT) of your greyhound and Skechers on the United Greyhound Racing’s Facebook page. Creativity is urged and the entries must be positive.
Once participants have posted photo(s), let family and friends know and encourage them to click “LIKE” on their favorite photo.
Submitted photos must be the photographer’s own work.
Each contestant will be allowed to submit a maximum of two (2) photos.
On Feb. 6, judges will select a photo from the top three vote-getters. The top three photos will be judged by the United Greyhound Racing Board of Directors and chosen on creativity and originality.
For more information, press only:
Rory S. Goreé, rory.goree@unitedgreyhoundracing.com
For more information on United Greyhound Racing:
http://www.unitedgreyhoundracing.com
United Greyhound Racing Face Book page
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/United-Greyhound-Racing/268692306507362
Big JackPot Betting (www.bigjackpotbetting.com) has announced the first Qualifying Event for the 2012 $10,000 World Series of Greyhound Handicapping. The event will be held online on Wednesday February 1st and Thursday February 2nd. The feature track for handicapping this qualifying event is TriState.
The grand prize for the event is a seat at the table for the 2012 $10,000 World Series of Greyhound Handicapping. It is free to enter the contest click here: Sign Up Now or on the image below.
Come join the fun at www.bigjackpotbetting.com where it is all about the experience of live greyhound racing.
A total of $43,660 was raised for the Florida Greyhound Association in an Internet auction over the weekend, sponsored by GlobalGreyhounds.
Much credit for the huge success of the sale goes to Wendy Brotherton (for offering the services of GlobalGreyhounds for the sale itself), as well as promoters Bob Crossland and Lee Harrington. Credit goes also to all those who participated, whether as consignors or purchasers.
FGA continues to battle for the preservation of live greyhound racing in the Sunshine State. The next few months will see key battles in the Florida legislature over issues that will have great bearing on the men and women in greyhound racing, both in Florida and nationwide.
Greyhounds in a Super Bowl ad? Because the Super Bowl is perhaps the most widely watched TV show of the year, and its ads attract incredible attention, it could mean a lot of exposure for the world's greatest canine athlete--who, in addition to their grace and athleticism, happen to also make ideal pets after their retirement from racing.
But, to few people's surprise, Grey2K is objecting to the Skechers shoe company's ad that's scheduled for presentation during the upcoming Super Bowl. Skechers has assured those objecting that no animals were placed in any danger or risk during the filming of the commercial, thus it's sticking to its guns and says it's going ahead with running the ad.
NGA members are welcome to link to the attached petition to express their viewpoint on the Skechers issue.
Please join us in the interactive Virtual Clubhouse at
Big jackPot Betting's live show will begin at noon Central/1pm eastern.
The final Sire and Dam Standings for 2011 have been released by the NGA and Greyhound Review, and are viewable under the News and Reports Section in the right column of this website.
Kiowa Sweet Trey could be dubbed the "comeback kid" amongst America's leading sires, having taking the Sire Standing title in 2007 and 2008 and now again in 2011. He finished third in 2010 and was second in 2009 (both years won by Dodgem By Design). For Sweet Trey, 2011 was a milestone year, not only because he won his third sire title, but because it was the year he was inducted into the Greyhound Hall Of Fame, both for his sire prowess and championship racing talents.
Sweet Trey, the late son of Oswald Cobblepot-TM's Sweet Dream, is owned by Hall of Famers Vince Berland and Kay Smith.
Finishing second on the standings, just 99 wins back, in 2011 was two-time defending champ Dodgem By Design. Owned by Charter Kennel, Inc., Dodgem was a son of Gable Dodge-Cruzin By Design.
In third was Lonesome Cry (also owned by Charter), who was runnerup in 2010. Lonesome Cry's parentage is Gable Dodge-Jabberin Jackie.
Kiowa Sweet Trey, Dodgem By Design and Lonesome Cry have been the only names in the top Trifecta of the Sire Standings the last three years.
On the Dam Standings, G. Kirk Harlan's Slatex Station was an all-alone winner, with her offspring accumulating 156 wins at the larger tracks in 2011. Slatex Station (WW Apple Jax-Slate Shell) was led by a terrific litter by Kiowa Sweet Trey and distance-stake winner Slatex Cadillac (by Flying Hydrogen). Slatex Emerald was the best of the very deep Sweet Trey litter, taking the Bluffs Run track title with 36 wins for the year.
Second on the Dam Standings with 86 points is former All-American Gable Vermilion (2002), who won the standings championship in 2010. Offspring Rico's Vermilion was Tri-State track champion in 2011 with 24 victories, despite a length time off from injury. Gable Vermilion is owned by Ricardo Pacheco and is by Gable Dodge-Seegold Panache.
Tied for third on the standings, with 69 points each are M's Mary Freeman and RK's Tomb Raider. M's Mary Freeman (NR's Fast Eddie-Arrow Back Annie) is owned by M.G. Porter. RK's Tomb Raider (San Tan Savage-Ms. Patch) is owned by Ronald and Kurt Phillips.
In an effort to make sure all worthy greyhounds are considered in the nominating process, AGTOA wants people to respond to the posts on Global and American Greyhound with whom they think should be nominated for All-America status in 2011.
Provide greyhounds name, accomplishments, etc. (usually a stakes win or stakes in the money, with a good win percentage and/or track record, national win champ, etc. is normally needed).
Not all dogs submitted will likely be nominated, but I will do my best to get this list to the people that nominate from the racetracks. Just trying to do the best we can for the greyhounds.
--Kelly Clark
An auction, with all proceeds going to the Florida Greyhound Association, will be held Jan. 14-15. Details will be posted soon on GlobalGreyhounds.
Those wishing to donate items for auction may send them to Global or to Bob Crossland at: rcrossland76@yahoo.com
"We as an industry need your help and donations in items or cash form," wrote Crossland on American Greyhound.
If donating, checks should be made out to FGA and sent to: P.O. Box 10932, Bradenton , Fl. 34282-5001 (this is a new address).
"Please feel free to contact adopters and friends asking for help to fight the bills being presented on behalf of GREY2K.
Fight and stand up for whats right," Crossland wrote.
"We ask that everyone get involved and come in the auction and check things out. Bid high for the cause."
Rams Kizzy Kate, Tucson Greyhound Park's latest model of a durable sprinter, is the 2011 North American win champion, with 50 victories for the year.
Owned by Cheryl and Johnny Pharrams of Mesa, Az., the September 2008 daughter of Lonesome Cry (who also sired the 2010 win champion, Where's Big Cash) and Rams Annie Oak tallied a 50-13-2-2 record in 72 starts (just six times off the paysheet) for the Gray Kennel at the Tucson track. She had win streaks of 8, 7, 6 and 5 at various times during the year.
It was the seventh North American win title captured by a Tucson sprinter, going back to 1968.
Kizzy Kate won the title comfortably over Caliente's Barts Ladyinred (Deerfield Mover*-B's Optimistic), who charted a 45-16-6-6 record in 79 starts for the Newport Kennel. Barts Ladyinred was bred by Rick Bartley of Abilene; Ladyinred's littermate, Barts Bearcat, won 34 races of her own in 2011.
Tied for third with 41 wins for the year were Jacksonville's superstar GS Uncle Henry (Kelsos Fusileer-Steffie's Mandy) and Birmingham's 3/16 sprint queen Coach Princess (Trent Lee-Its My Fancy). Uncle Henry, owned and raced by Gary and Sharon Willis, won the James Patton Silver Cup at Orange Park last year and finished second to his littermate, GS Uncle Harry, in the Pup Stake. The year's winningest male had a 41-9-6-4 record in 70 starts and finished the year strong, with an 11-race win streak.
Coach Princess, owned by Greg Geter and racing for Double G Racing, was 41-23-10-10 in 99 starts. Her 84 paychecks cashed in the course of the year is a testament to her consistency.
Next on the win list for 2011 with 40 victories is Hi Noon Renegade, Derby Lane's top stake winner. Owned by Charles Haliburton III and raced by Nova Kennel, the son of Dodgem By Design-Bryan's Baby was 40-10-5-2 in 61 starts. He notched wins in the Derby Lane Sprint Classic and Gold Trophy Juvenile and finished second in the T.L. Weaver Memorial. Renegade boasted 10-race and 9-race win streaks during the year.
In sixth place among last year's top winners was Palm Beach star's Turbo Razor (Kiowa Sweet Trey-Turbo Wind Blown), with a 39-4-1-2 record in 55 starts for the Rader Racing Kennel. Razor, who finished the year with a 12-race win skein, is owned by Ed Gardner, Jr. and Norm Rader.
Others in the win race for 2011 were:
7. FM Sapphire (Birmingham)........37 wins
8. Slatex Emerald (Bluffs Run) ......36 wins
Flyin Carnoustie (Derby Lane)....36 wins
10. RK's Conk Gonk (Palm Beach)...35 wins
11. Bella Infrared (Southland) .........34 wins
Barts Bearcat (Caliente) ............34 wins
Where can you get a chance to win a greyhound for $10???
Right here at the Orange Park Kennel Club, and remember the benefits from the sale of the Raffle go 100% to Greyhounds as Pets!
Talk about your double bonuses!
Jax Alex Boy or Jax Alex Girl it's your choice!
You can purchase your tickets online until Thursday January 19th!!
Click HERE to get yours before it is too late!
Thanks to Lester Raines for his generous donation!
It’s been well-documented that Wheeling Island management made a business decision in 2011 to pocket all simulcast funds in their own coffers. The move left one of the most competitive racetracks in the country without a stakes program.
While stake victories have been a stepping stone to All-American honors, should greyhounds with extraordinary talents be passed over for post-season awards when track management doesn’t understand the significance of stake races or doesn’t care about the rich tradition surrounding these events?
If Wheeling would have offered a stakes program in 2011, there’s no guarantee two of the track’s top stars AMF Ex President--the win leader with 28 sprint victories--and WW’s Dog Gone--the marathon ace--would have made it to the winner’s circle.
Wheeling features numerous top-notch competitors and it’s a challenge each time greyhounds go to the box. AMF Ex President and WW’s Dog Gone faced those tests day in and day out and still put up numbers very difficult to ignore.
AMF Ex President’s 28 victories came in 54 starts--a 52 percent win mark. In addition to his 28 wins, AMF Ex President had 9 seconds, 4 thirds and 4 fourths--an 83 percent mark on the pay sheet.
The sprint star was so dominant 19 of his victories were by 5 lengths or more and 22 of his 28 wins were against Grade AA company. He had a four-race and a trio of three-race win streaks.
WW’s Dog Gone dominated the marathon distance at Wheeling with 14 wins, 2 seconds, 1 third and 3 fourths in 20 starts. He also had seven and five-race Grade AA win streaks over the 7/16 distance.
Overall, WW’s Dog Gone had 22 wins, 4 seconds, 8 thirds and 6 fourths in 48 starts--an 82 percent mark on the pay sheet.
Is AMF Ex President one of the top eight sprint greyhounds in the country? Without a doubt. Is WW’s Dog Gone one of, if not the best marathoner, in the land? Without a doubt. Are the Wheeling pair strong All-American candidates? Without a doubt.
It’s true, AMF Ex President and WW’s Dog Gone don’t have stakes blankets but should they have to pay the price or be penalized for a track’s lack of stakes races?
Votes will be cast for All-Americans soon. I’m not asking for votes for AMF Ex President and WW’s Dog Gone, but I am asking voters at the respective racetracks to strongly consider their accomplishments when casting their ballots.
Word is Wheeling Island management has decided to provide $50,000 for stakes races in 2012. Plans call for one $25,000 sprint stake (5/16) and one $25,000 middle distance stake (3/8)–a single chance at two distances for a greyhound to wear a stakes blanket.
If the track offered a full slate of stake races in 2012 with multiple 5/16 and 3/8 events as well as a 7/16 stake, it would tremendously help talented greyhounds like AMF Ex President, WW’s Dog Gone and other rising stars capture All-American honors.
Both auction pups from the Spring 2011 NGA Meet--featured in a short article in this section on Monday (see below)--have qualified for the finals of the $20,000 Dick Andrew Juvenile at Palm Beach.
Now, it's been learned that a third pup from last Spring Meet, KB's Decordova, purchased by Michael Seeger from Ken Biehle for $1,250 in the auction, has also made the finals.
SE's Star Leia and Turbo Porsha--who drew into Monday's semi-final race against each other, and who were tied at the time as the leading point-getters in the stake--have drawn the 4 and 3 post positions, respectively for the stake final next Monday, Dec. 26. Star Leia, owned by Arden Phifer, won the semi-final heat Monday, with Turbo Porsha finishing fourth.
KB's Decordova ran second in the same qualifying race--giving the trio of Spring Meet pups (all females) a 1-2-4 finish in that heat, with all moving on to the finals. Decordova, a daughter of Lonesome Cry-Tempo Jitterstik, ran fifth in The December Flite II Consolation last April in Abilene.
SE's Star Leia was a $3,500 auction purchase after winning a Flite II Consolation Stake in April, bred and brought to the auction ring by Steve Ward. Turbo Porsha was bred by Ed Gardner, Jr., and later sold to Norm Rader and Gary Samuels.
Finalists in Post Position Order
1. Par Sandy Tru-Palm Kennel, Bobby Joe Parker
2. Night Utah Marsella Racing, George Heise
3. Turbo Porsha Rader Racing, Norm Rader or Gary Samuels
4. Se's Star Leia Agganis Kennel, Arden L Phifer
5. KB's Decordova Tru Palm Kennel, Michael (Toledohoundman) Seeger
6. Kells Audacious Rader Racing, John Dalton
7. Flying Antioch Steve Gilster Kennel, Vince Berland
8. Ethereal Moment Royal Racing Team, Fred Schunman
Big JackPot Betting is proud to announce that WezinEville won the 2011 $10,000 World Series of Greyhound Handicapping which was held December 17th & 18th.
Hundreds of handicappers competed in qualifying tournaments that were held over the past twelve months. The World Series was a field of sixteen that emerged from these qualifying events. For two days the contenders handicapped 16 races that encompassed various tracks and distances. The event was held live at www.bigjackpotbetting.com.
At the end of Round 1 the top eight finishers moved on to the Finals. The elite eight were: Wezineville, BobHabe, PuppyPalace, Mike, Racecaller, MarylandBobby, KC'sKevin & Pup.
The Finals brought lots of twists and turns in the leader board and going into the last race Bobhabe had a narrow margin. Wez was on his tail and pulled out the win when in the 4th race of the evening card at Mardi Gras – Alexandrus running from the 2 hole pulled out an impressive upset over one of the favorites Superior Dancer. Alexandrus paid $27.40 to win and boomeranged Wez into the lead and the title.
Our congratulations go out to Wez and all the handicappers throughout the year that supported BigJackpotBetting's handicapping contests.
The Elite Eight and their finishing positions:
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Greyhound World Series |
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1 |
WezInEville |
6 |
111.40 |
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2 |
Bobhabe |
4 |
86.40 |
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3 |
The PuppyPalace |
4 |
73.00 |
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4 |
Mike |
5 |
72.80 |
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5 |
Racecaller |
3 |
58.60 |
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6 |
Maryland Bobby |
4 |
55.20 |
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7 |
KC's Kevin |
4 |
53.60 |
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8 |
Pup |
3 |
52.60 |
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We will be holding a welcome to the New Year contest shortly after the first of the year and a qualifying event for the 2012 $10,000 World Series towards the end of January. Contact TrackData Systems @ 408.446.5595 for sponsorship opportunities for the 2012 $10,000 World Series.
Big Jackpot Betting a product of TrackData Systems live Thurs – Mon at 7:00 pm eastern – www.bigjackpotbetting.com.
Federal trial date for Harry Marshall Rae, originally scheduled for Dec. 19, has been moved to Jan. 23, 2012, in U.S. District Court, Southern District of West Virginia, in Charleston.
Rae, who is accused of hatching an extortion plot targeting West Virginia Gov.-elect Earl Ray Tomblin, has been continued by the court until the latter date following a request by Rae's attorney for more time to conduct further investigation.
For more details of the case, see the AP article on p. 93 of the November/December Greyhound Review or under "features" on this website.
The two leading point-getters in the Dick Andrews Futurity at Palm Beach are scheduled to meet in a semi-final race on Monday. And, with two wins and a second in qualifying heats, are certainly on track to face each other again in the finals.
But it won't be the first time Turbo Porsha and SE's Star Leia have been in a stake race against each other.
Last spring in Abilene, the two females were both in the January Stake (even though Porsha is a February 2010 whelp) for their breeders and nominators: Ed Gardner, Jr., in the case of Porsha, and Steve Ward, in the case of Leia.
SE's Leia (TNT Star Wars-Ozsum Flyby) ran third in the opening round of the stake, then captured the Flite II Consolation Stake (against a field that included Derby Lane stake winner I Am Jak) before selling to Arthur Agganis for $3,500. Turbo Porsha (Turbo Penske-Turbo Wind Burn) ran a close fourth in her first-round race and was scratched from the auction. Months later, she was sold to Norm Rader and Gary Samuels.
Even though the Spring 2011 NGA Meet was one of the smallest in recent memory, it unveiled one of the best crops of auction pups ever--many of which have gone on to compete in a large number of stake races around the country.
SE's Tali Aspen, NGA Spring Meet phenom, captured her third straight 3/8 win at Wheeling on Friday afternoon.
Tali Aspen won the race handily by 2 lengths, taking charge early to post a 38.16 time.
Terry Scott's auction buy, a daughter of Kiowa WW Brother-Time For A Party, ran her record to 4-2-0-1 in 9 starts. She's made a nice comeback following an injury and layoff at her maiden season at Tri-State that saw her charge from maiden ranks to the top-grade in an impressive manner. She's just now re-finding the winning groove--and a new comfort zone over the 3/8 distance--at Wheeling.
SE's Tali Aspen was the top auction sale last spring ($35,000), having won her main-stake for then-owners Steve Ward and Penny Wick.
Florida adoption volunteer Ann Bollens, recently retired president of the
Greyhound Pets of America Emerald Coast chapter (GPAEC), has been named the
2011 Greyhound Adoption Person of the Year by the American Greyhound Council
(AGC).
Bollens has been a driving force in greyhound adoption since 1998, when she
helped found GPAEC. In 2010 alone, her organization moved more than 600
greyhounds into adoptive homes. The northwest Florida group focuses primarily on
finding adoptive homes for greyhounds retiring from Ebro and Pensacola tracks.
“Those who nominated Ann used words like tireless and amazing—in fact, they
described her as a hero,” said AGC Communications Coordinator Gary Guccione.
“We couldn’t agree more. We’ve been privileged to work with her over the years.”
In addition to her work with GPAEC, Bollens also was instrumental in
establishing the Sunburst Greyhound Adoption Project and Kennel, an unprecedented
initiative to expand and coordinate the movement of retired racing greyhounds from
several Florida panhandle tracks to adoption groups around the country. Three
separate adoption organizations are involved in the effort—the Greyhound Alliance,
the Northern Consortium, and GPAEC.
Bollens said she was “stunned and delighted” to hear that she had been
honored. She and a companion will be guests of the AGC at the organization’s
spring meeting next February in Las Vegas, where she will receive the award and a
$500 check for the greyhound adoption organization of her choice.
The GAPY Award was initiated by the American Greyhound Track Operators
Association (AGTOA) in 2007, and became an AGC effort in 2010
She's back! And this time, she's moved her act to a new track--and a new distance.
SE's Tali Aspen, Terry Scott's top purchase from the NGA Spring Meet earlier this year, began her career in a big way at Tri-State, rocketing right to Grade A, winning five of her first nine races.Then an injury sidelined her for a lengthy period.
Now, the daughter of Kiowa WW Brother-Time For A Party has returned--this time at Wheeling. And, this time over the 3/8 distance.
It took a few starts to adjust to her new surroundings and regain her bearings after the long layoff. But the C And C Kennel campaigner has been victorious in her last two races--an A race on Dec. 4 and a AA win on Dec. 12.
She's entered in Friday's matinee program in the 11th race, having improved her record at Wheeling to 3-2-0-1 in 8 outings. Racing from the 2 box, she's touted as one of the favorites in the race.
SE's Tali Aspen was the star at the Spring Meet, impressively winning her main-stake for then-owners Steve Ward and Penny Wick. Later that week, she sold in the auction for $35,000.
A group of business and racing industry interests is trying to bring racing back to Wichita. The effort comes four years after the Wichita Greyhound Park (WGP) ran its last official pari-mutuel race.
WGP owner Phil Ruffin closed the track soon after voters in that county barely defeated a proposal to allow slot machines at the track. A new group, called Wichita Wins, is trying to build support for putting the slot machine issue back on a ballot.
In the initial vote, the question failed by a mere 244 votes, with many believing that a poorly worded question was misinterpreted by voters. The question could have been interpreted as allowing slots in many other businesses--such as convenience stores and restaurants--in addition to the racetrack.
A meeting of backers last Thursday in Wichita drew about 50 people. Tracy Wildey, vice president of the Kansas Greyhound Association, and Wichita Wins hopes to gather 5,000 signatures on a petition to show state lawmakers that support exists for a new county vote, according to an AP article that was released last Friday.
Wildey points out that reopening WGP (which first opened in September 1989) would create 500 jobs and lead to $100 million in new investments to renovate and expand the facility--not to mention giving the greyhound breeding industry in Kansas (home to the Greyhound Hall Of Fame, the National Greyhound Association and hundreds of breeders) an economic boost.
The 38th Annual Symposium on Racing & Gaming came to a close Thursday, wrapping up an innovative week of panels focused on adjusting the current racing business model in order to meet the needs of the modern market.
One of the final panels, “Social Media and the ADW: a Match Made in Heaven?” provided a look at how new technologies can be managed in ways that will re-engage current racing fans, while also stimulating new fan growth. Moderator Chuck Champion, partner and CEO of Paladin Capital Partners, LLC, was quick to point out though that social media tools must be used very specifically.
“You need to clearly understand who you want to reach,” Champion explained. “Then tailor the message to them, to get them to do what you want them to do.” Champion also noted that new fans will only come if racing chooses to invest.
This belief was reiterated in “Big Challenges Facing the Little Guy,” when Corey Johnsen, President of Kentucky Downs explained, “If all your revenue comes from within your four walls, shut the place down because you have no chance of survival.” Using social media to communicate with potential fans and focusing on improving the guest experience at the racetrack will help re-establish racing as a profitable industry.
In earlier panels, Jason Wilson, Vice President of Business Development of The Jockey Club, re-addressed the McKinsey Report and the efforts The Jockey Club is putting forth to implement their recommendations.
The Race Track Industry Program has gained worldwide recognition for its annual Symposium on Racing & Gaming held in Tucson, Arizona each December since 1974. The event attracts attendees from across the United States and around the globe with cutting-edge topics and trends of importance to the pari-mutuel industry.
The University of Arizona’s Race Track Industry Program offers both a Bachelor's and Master’s degree program with an emphasis on the pari-mutuel racing industry.
RTIP Press Release
Doug Reed
520 621-5660
dreed@ag.arizona.edu
Here are some interesting horse-racing statistics from last month, as recently carried in the Daily Racing Form.
Compared with last November (2010), handle declined 3.5 percent for the month (down to $874.4 million), while number of race days increased by 4.5 percent (392 this November). Increase in race days occurred despite a general trend to cut back on race cards in order to counteract a decline in the foal crop and maintain field sizes of about eight horses per race.
Purses jumped 6.7 percent this November (up to $101.9 million). Racing Form points out that purses at racetracks are heavily subsidized by slot machine revenue.
For the year, handle is down 7.1 percent, race days are down 4 percent, and purses are up 1.68 percent.
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The quarter-finals of the 2012 Orange Park Derby is upon us on Friday evening January 27th at the Orange Park Kennel Club. Four races remain, and the action is hotter than ever. Snj Black Porter is the only undefeated greyhound left, but several others have been ok so close to keeping it perfect through two rounds. This will be another night of great racing, so don't miss out on the 7th, 9th, 11th, and 15th races on the card. |
Kelly Clark
Director of Internet Services
Jacksonville Greyhound Racing
Greyhound racing used to be almost strictly a “man’s world,” but there were some grande dames who courageously pioneered their cause and broke the gender barrier over the course of time. One of these ladies was already a leading kennel owner four decades back, shown here in the ‘70s with perhaps the best of her charges from an incredible litter.
If you’re among the first five respondents who can identify her and her greyhound, your name will be in a Jan. 1, 2012, drawing for a free, autographed copy of Paul C. Hartwell’s history of the sport, The Road from Emeryville.
The correct answer to last issue’s photo-at-the-finish on p. 63 is Suzy Kolber, who once co-starred in greyhound racing’s video program, called “TrackSide.” Suzy went on to become much more visible in the world of sports as one of the original anchors of ESPN2 when it launched in 1993. Her face still shows up frequently on TV sports today, as an ESPN football sideline reporter, co-producer and broadcaster.
Correctly ID’ing Ms. Kolber and winning the autographed The Road From Emeryville was Steve Caruso of Lynn Haven, Fl.
A couple of October stakes provide an opportunity to look at a refreshingly different sort of pedigree (through Bluffs Open winner Boc’s Mc Dandy) and an unherald NGA Auction sale who wrote his own rags-toriches tale by winning the Derby Lane Fall Sprint winner (Craigie I Am Jak). An early November win by Angel Tree in the year’s richest stake at Bluffs meant much of the season’s spotlight was focused in Iowa this time around. Meanwhile, back in Florida there was no doubt that Slatex Cadillac was the new queen of Miami’s marathons, thanks to the resurrection of the Hecht Marathon.
Brad Boeckenstedt and Mickey Hasty’s Boc’s Mc Dandy took home top prize in the $60,000 Bluffs Run Open on Oct. 1. The victory for the brindle 2-year-old, bred by Boeckenstedt, put this column’s spotlight directly on his parentage (Dox Out Of Peace-Miss Reta Scott), which is an eye-catching diversion from the usual Top 5 or 10 sire names that tend to dominate the pedigrees featured here most of the time.
Dox Out Of Peace was a Lincoln distant greyhound (won 12 races there one year), plus ran third in the St. Patrick’s Day Stake at the Rhode Island track. He was a littermate to Dea’s Magic Touch, who set the 3/8 record at Wheeling.
This litter’s prowess for distance racing is no surprise—being sired by Greys Statesman, who—besides running some impressive 3/8 stakes of his own—is most noted for having sired Hall Of Famer Talentedmrripley. In Ripley’s case, Statesman combined with an Irish bitch line. Well, Dox goes halfway there, having been sired by Fortress*. The dam line, through Dox Lacie, goes back to X’s Long N Lean, who was by Factual-Miss Oakley— thus a sister to Flagler International Classic winner X’s Call Me Sir. Honey B Troubles boasts two classic dam lines behind each parent—Classy Clema behind Jock’s Warrior, and L.L.’s Zee/Lindy Lil behind X’s Long N Lean. She also boasts two entries of the R.H. Walters’ Basic Black stock (one through Unruly, the other through Outstanding).
If Dox Out Of Peace’s strength leans toward distance racing, Boc’s Mc Dandy’s dam is just the opposite— especially in her sire line. Splishin Vallie was a top-notch sprinter, and her dam, Skimar Giggles goes back to super-sprint star He’s My Man, out of Flower Design*, through Driven By Design (whose sister Cruzin By Design is the mother of the country’s No. 1 ranked sire, Dodgem By Design, by Gable Dodge). In the tail dam line is Petite Genius, whose mother Moonlight Falkon was by Hall Of Famer K’s Flak and Fallon—both champion stake racers at St. Pete in their day (and both Flashy Sir Award winners). From this cross that produced Moonlight Falkon came Infallible, who won the 1987 Mile High puppy stake. Skimar Stinger (Giggles’ dam) is linebred to Downing, through Fallon and through Stinger’s sire HB’s Commander, while Giggles’ sire, Driven By Design, is linebred to the Friend Westy-Miss Gorgeous family (through Highway Robber and Sand Man).
More of the FW-MG family shows up here (a third cross behind Miss Reta Scott coming through Rooster Cogburn, at the very top, then a fourth entry—a second appearance by Sand Man, both with Maythorn Pride—through Fortress*, behind the Dox blood).
Anchoring the very top line and the very bottom is none other than K’s Flak (as the sire of Greys Statesman and Petite Genius’ dam, Moonlight Falkon). In all, there are five Hoefers (Flak’s grandsire) behind Mc Dandy, three of those in conjunction with Elsie Jones.
John Boyd bred the pup Craigie I Am Jak, took him to the Spring Meet, then sold him for a paltry amount ($2,500) to Michelle and Tammy Edgar after a so-so showing in the Track Stakes. Much more attention was focused on Jak’s littermate Craigie I Am Red, who won a main stake and sold for $12,000. But Craigie I Am Jak, a red brindle January 2010 son of Lonesome Cry-Craigie Crimson, found some new gears at Derby Lane in the Campbell Kennel, developed a powerful late kick and is now the Derby Lane Fall Sprint champion.
Craigie I Am Jak’s dad, Lonesome Cry, is also a former NGA auction pup—selling in the Fall 2002 Auction to Cary Alsobrook for $15,000. Now ranked third nationally, Lonesome Cry has been discussed at length before in these pages—a son of Hall Of Famer Gable Dodge, out of Jabberin Jackie (linebred to Profits Andy).
Craigie Crimson is by Craigie M Series—a stud not known to many, but a son of Molotov, out of Craigie Slip On (a Fortress* female, whose mother, Oshkosh Twist, is best known for having produced Craigie Whistler). Crimson’s dam, Yellow Daisy* has been a productive dam for the Boyd family; one of her pups was Craigie Demander (by Craigie Whistler—thus very much bred like Craigie Crimson).
Yellow Daisy’s dam line goes back to HB’s Commander—therefore doubling up the Hall Of Famer in Crimson’s third generation (Commander also having sired Molotov). The tail line goes back to Wise Memory, who was by Jock’s Steeler and Memory Given*, a product of Sail On II and the Sand Man-Maythorn Pride female Bleak Weather—an absolute classic dam line here in America. Note that both SP’s Glitz and Wise Memory combine that Sand Man-Maythorn Pride lineage with Classy Clema—something we saw earlier behind Boc’s Mc Dandy, through Dox Lacie.
There are four Downings in the pedigree, three of them behind Craigie Crimson. Farther back in that lineage resides sire-line pillar Westy Whizzer, who makes an incredible 13 appearances.
Note, too, that both Fortress* and Murlens Slippy are by Irish stud Im Slippy.
Slatex Cadillac, bred and owned by G. Kirk Harlan, combines a little of the blood of both Boc’s Mc Dandy (i.e., the Greys Statesman) and Craigie I Am Jak (i.e., Wise Memory). The red March 2008 veteran out of Flying Hydrogen-Slatex Station has emerged as one of the nation’s top females, especially over the distance courses. She recently won the $50,000 Hecht Marathon at Flagler, then followed up with a 3/8 in the Naples Inaugural.
Flying Hydrogen is by recent Hall Of Fame inductee Kiowa Sweet Trey and gets plenty of distance ability from S.S. Jeno and Kunta Kinte in his dam line. He also offers linebreeding to Friend Westy-Miss Gorgeous, through Rooster Cogburn (behind Valensky) and Sand Man via Westpark Model, who goes back to the Sand Man-Maythorn Pride daughter Slight Chill.
Slatex Cadillac’s dam, Slatex Station, ranks as one of the very best in the country right now—and not just because of Cadillac. Bred to Hydrogen’s sire, Sweet Trey, she produced the best litter at Bluffs Run this year, which includes track win leader Slatex Emerald (33 wins in her first 49 starts). It’s behind Station’s sire WW Apple Jax that we find Greys Statesman and Wise Memory again. Apple Jax’s parents are both dam line descendants of the Sand Man-Maythorn Pride line we just mentioned—Derby Day* through Wise Memory (whose granddam was Bleak Weather, another of those priceless Sand May Maythorn Pride bitches), WW Royal Princess through Slight Chill, whom we saw behind Hydrogen. In all, there are four Sand Mans behind Apple Jax, mingling with a fifth Sand Man behind Hydrogen, plus three more Friend Westy-Miss Gorgeous entries in Cadillac’s pedigree (two through Rooster, one through Robber).
That Highway Robber appearance is behind GH’s Eleanor in Station’s dam line, through GH’s Eleanor’s sire Beau Boogie. Eleanor (owned and bred by Kirk’s grandfather, George) was A Jeno’s Leo Go daughter with an Irish dam line of high reputation—no less than Yurituni, from the Millies Fancy family.
Angel Tree’s victory in the $500,000 Bluffs Run Iowa Breeders Classic on Nov. 5 was a “like father, like daughter” story —Angel Tree being a product of the 2004 winner of that same stake, RA Blazer. Angel Tree, bred by Tim Waller, is a white and brindle September 2009 product, owned by Clayton Black and raced by the Blake & Black Kennel.
Blazer gets the same Flak/ Representation family found behind Mc Dandy—only in Blazer it’s through Greys Outbound’s highly productive dam Greys Julianna (Statesman’s sister). Blazer’s dam, Redbabybrindle, is by Hall Of Famer EJ’s Douglas, with both of her parents’ male lines going back to Downing (through Understood and Nicky Finn). Spell Weaver is out of WM Bones, from the great female lineage synonymous with the Woodall family--namely, Michigan Vickey.
Angel Tree’s dam, Jays Leeann, is by Craigie Whistler, giving Angel Tree’s parents the HB’s Commander paternal line in common. Oshkosh Twist shows up here—as she did behind Craigie I Am Jak, but through a totally different descending line. Jays Leeann’s dam line is a bit unorthodox, coming from the late Dick Andrews’ stock (On Wisconsin, etc.) and the Black Aztec-Strobes Bonnie line out of Oklahoma. Peaceful Bantry, in the tail dam line, was out of Westpark Elgi*, an Irish female from regal bloodlines: Monalee Champion- Westpark Mustard*.
The linebreeding here is not intense, but what’s there is led by the pair of HB’s Commanders and the Jones line, with Onie showing up twice (behind Flak and Lashing Tide) and Kelly making a double appearance—both behind Craigie Whistler’s dam line.
Honorable Mention
With the focus on Iowa this issue, it’s only appropriate to make mention of Dubuque’s top racers: Puppy Stake winner Hug N Dodgem, its track champion Mamas Special Ed, and its $200,000 Iowa Breeders Classic winner Superior Crown.
Hug N Dodgem (racing for the Blanchard-Calabro Kennel, having been purchased from Harland Olson at last spring’s auction for $4,500) is a September 2009 red-brindle son of Dodgem By Design (Gable Dodge- Cruzin By Design) and Anita Hug (Kiowa Sweet Trey-Twisting Dream).
Mamas Special Ed, who ran second in that race (with three other littermates in the final) and was Greyhound Of The Year at Dubuque with a leading 20 victories for the season, is owned by Stephen Lockwood and raced by Sweetcorn Kennel. Special Ed and littermates are by Stan’s Boy Flyer (Gable Dodge-Choicewheel) and Greys Blue Cloud (Flying Penske-Greys Congress)—still another descendant of the Representation line.
Superior Crown, Dubuque’s Iowabred champ, helped make history for the Oxbow-Trow Kennel, which did the unprecedented by winning both that stake and its consolation (with Superior Hailey) on closing day. Crown is a red-fawn December 2009 son of Lonesome Cry (Gable Dodge- Jabberin Jackie) and USS Ceremony (TNT Star Wars-Alive N Well); the dam line here goes back to Hailey, a sister to Valensky, who produced Oswald Cobblepot.
Lastly, special mention must go to a few of Southland’s more significant stake winners on Nov. 4. Shanett—who now has three sprint stakes to her credit this year—captured the Mid-South Sprint Championship, and would be headlined here, had her pedigree not already been featured in the July/ August issue. Owned by Marc Randle and raced by the Thorne Kennel, Shanett is a June 2009 daughter of Rhythmless (Jimbo Scotty-Temp Lizzie) and Maybix (Iruska All Star-Bipi).
On that same big stake-day at Southland, Mistie Bass won the Ansel Styles Marathon Championship. Owned and raced by Plum Creek, she’s a May 2009 daughter of Dodgem By Design (Gable Dodge-Cruzin By Design) and D’s Moondust (Flying Penske-Do’s Moon Shine).
Also on that day, KL’s Sweet Tea captured the Middle Distance Championship for Karen Legg and the Legg Kennel. Sweet Tea is a March 2009 daughter of EM’s Mac Attack (Fortified Power-EM’s Tania Can) and PB’s Dina Flo (Itsa Jubilee- PB’s Queen Meg).
Vince Berland of the Flying Eagles Kennel and one of his champion greyhounds, Kiowa Sweet Trey, are presented the sport’s ultimate honor: induction into the Greyhound Hall Of Fame.
It was an evening never to be forgotten for Vince Berland. Not only was he inducted into the Greyhound Hall Of Fame during ceremonies at the museum on Thursday of the NGA Fall Meet, but so was his champion greyhound (co-owned with Kay Smith), Kiowa Sweet Trey.
A large crowd of Fall Meet attendees--that also included many local Abilene residents and friends of the Berland family, as well as many members of the Berland family itself-- joined in the celebration on the evenng of Oct. 13.
First inducted was race and sire champion Kiowa Sweet Trey, whose legacy has been well documented in the last two issues of the Greyhound Review. Sweet Trey was a two-time national sire champion following a spectacular racing career that was cut short due to injury. Kiowa Sweet Trey is the only greyhound to have sired his own team of All-American greyhounds, having had eight of his offspring named to the All-American teams over the years. Sweet Trey passed away in 2009.
Vince Berland’s induction was primarily for his incredible success in the greyhound business in the last 25 years- -as a breeder and owner of champion greyhounds, highly influential studmaster and kennel operator of the famed Flying Eagles Kennel. Berland greyhounds have captured more NGA annual awards than any other owner--five in all. Some of his more famous greyhounds he’s owned or bred include Kiowa Sweet Trey, Flying Stanley, Flying Hydrogen, Flying Coal City and Flying Penske.
Linda Jensen, greyhound racing’s 2010 Greyhound Adoption Person of the Year, passed away suddenly Nov. 5 at her home in Plainfield, CT, after a brief illness. She was 63.
Linda, an NGA member and industry advocate (she was very much involved with the POWAAH organization in Massachusetts), had spent more than 20 years leading the effort to find adoptive homes for retired racing greyhounds. Her GAPY award, bestowed by the American Greyhound Council, was presented to her last February in Las Vegas.
Those who’d nominated Jensen for that award cited her “unrelenting persistence in organizing, facilitating and coordinating” the movement of retired greyhounds from tracks and farms to greyhound adoption programs.
Among Ms. Jensen’s many contributions, she led an effort to ensure that funds from the Massachusetts Greyhound Welfare Trust would be used to support adoption programs, and for several years spearheaded Greyhound Adoption Expo events at Massachusetts and New Hampshire tracks to educate adoption volunteers about track and kennel operations.
In 2005, she played a key role in the successful placement of hundreds of retired greyhounds when Plainfield Greyhound Park permanently ended live racing. Later, she coordinated the movement of hundreds more greyhounds into adoption programs after a state referendum shut down Massachusetts tracks.
Ms. Jensen’s own adoption organization was known as ROAR (Racing Owners Assisting Racers, Inc.).
Ms. Jensen was born in Germany, a daughter of the late Travis and Elizabeth (Repper) Austin and had resided in Plainfield since 1980. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from South Dakota State University and her Masters from Texas A&M.
“For years, Linda was one of the unsung heroes of the greyhound adoption community,” said NGA director Gary Guccione. “Linda always put the greyhounds first. She worked tirelessly to improve communication between adoption groups and the racing community, building trust and confidence between all the players for the ultimate benefit of the dogs. She was truly one of a kind, and she’ll be dearly missed.”
Ms. Jensen is survived by her sons, Rider Jensen of Greenwood Village, Co., John Jensen of Plainfield, and Robert Hartwell, who Linda thought of as her third son; one brother, Tom Austin of Aurora, Co.; three sisters, Ann Horrar of Kentucky, Wendy Ingbretson of Bennett, Co., and Mary Martin of Houston; also many nieces and nephews.
Veteran greyhound owner and former kennel operator Clinton E. “Buzzy” Blair died Wednesday, Oct. 26 in the Denver, CO, area. He was 78.
Mr. Blair was born in 1933 to Greyhound Hall Of Famer Merrill and Thelma Blair. He married Elsie D. Blair in 1954, and shortly afterward moved to Quincy, MA, where he served in the US Army as a member of its Air and National Defense Battery.
After concluding his service in the Army, Buzzy began a long and storied career as a greyhound racing owner and trainer. Among his many accomplishments were numerous stake winners and kennel championships, under the kennel name of Blair Bros. One of the finest greyhounds raced by Buzzy was Denver crowd favorite Cherokee Go, who won the Timberline Stake at Mile High in 1973. Cherokee Go’s littermate--Apache Go (both owned by Ross Lingle)--was an outstanding sprinter under Buzzy’s handling at that time.
Buzzy treasured the many friends he made during his years in greyhound racing.
He is survived by his wife, four children (Robin, Tammy, Gary and David), and six grandchildren (Rachel, Clint, Elizabeth, Zac, Shane and Olivia). He was preceded in death by his brother, Carroll Blair.
Viewing was set for Friday, Oct. 28 from 4-7 p.m., and funeral services were Saturday, Oct. 29 at Olinger Hampden Mortuary & Cemetery in Denver.
Visit www.olingerhampdenmortuary. com for more of Mr. Blair’s life story.
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Monday - 1/30/2012 |
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Three rounds of the 2012 Orange Park Derby are in the books and only one remains and tonight's races will decide who makes it into the finals on Saturday evening. With several longshots winning last time out, the points are spread out a bit as 17 greyhounds are just a win away from the top spot in points as they head to post. Three races remain and we will take a closer look at the 7th, 9th, and 11th on the card. |
Upsets were seen in Wednesday matinee's Matinee Idol qualifying rounds. The Jan. 25 heats were featured in races six and ten. The top four finishers from each heat earned their slot in the Saturday afternoon race on Jan. 28. Campbell Greyhound Racing's Spry Kimbrel was a major upset in the first heat. The race six winner paid $70.60 for his win. Kimbrel snatched the win away from Red Oak Racing's Meacham Field at the wire. The bet favorite Tiger Boy (McAllister) finished third with Patriot kennel's Sing In The Rain filling the last slot from the first heat. Hi Noon Rogue (Nova), Deanos Joy (Lester Raines), Gabby's Jentowin (Albama) and HAG Andante (Alderson) finished fifth through eighth.
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1/24/2012 - Snj Black Porter Dominate |
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Nothing could have been more exciting than the races in the second round of the 2012 Orange Park Derby. Closers had their way late, but the early speeders held their own all the way to the deep stretch in almost all of the races. Besides the 2 break away winners, the other 5 efforts were won by a length and a half of less at the wire. Only one greyhound remains undefeated headed into the quarter-finals and he made another statement and appears the one to beat. |
Kelly Clark
Director of Internet Services
Jacksonville Greyhound Racing
Talk about taking over early on, the Lashmet Kennel showed everyone at the racetrack that they are going to be the ones to beat in the 2012 Orange Park Derby. Why? Because they not only won 4 of the 7 stakes races on the card, they did it in extreme fashion.
Most impressive was Lk's Mystifier who dominated the 14th race from the get go. She exploded out of the box and races off alone to score a 9 length victory over her kennelmate Lk's Gran Slam at the finish line.
The other winner didn't let the kennel down either. Lk's Energizing won the 15th race by stealing a lead and holding on by a nose over the hard closing upstart from DQ, J's Robin. Lk's Merrell broke close in the 5th race and turned on the jets late to leave the field by almost 5 lengths at the finish line. A similar effort came from Raiders Pharaoh in the 4th race. There he stormed to the early lead and increased his margin throughout as he crossed almost 5 lengths better than the rest.
The other winners might have made a statement of their own too. The fastest race on the card didn't come from a Lashmet greyhound, it came from a O'Donnell greyhound. Kiowa Jill Boom, lowered the Boom on her field as she jumped to the early lead and took instant command of the 7th race. She coasted home for the easy victory and a speedy time of 37.61 seconds.
Another pre-race favorite didn't disappoint either as Jacksonville Juvenile winner, Snj Black Porter, showed up to run in race 11. Granted he didn't get the early lead in this race, but he didn't give up and ran a monster effort to win. Early he was cut off by the leader, swung way wide, and still found a way to get back into the race. Catching the leader by the far turn, he took command and that was the last they were going to see of him. He put on a clinic late and left the field in his lurch. Crossing almost 8 lengths better than the rest, Porter looks like he might have a shot at back to back titles.
The other winner was no slouch either. Pat C Manuel found his break and that was bad news for the field in the 9th race on the card. Clearing early from the outside, Manuel was in complete control from the start and from that point on, it looked easy. He increased his lead early to 3, then 5 lengths, and coasted home for the easy victory. Posting up the second fastest time of the night, Manuel might be the sleeper in the stakes that everyone better look out for.
Second round action takes place on Monday January 23rd at the Orange Park Kennel Club. All 7 races return, so get ready for some more great racing in round number 2.
West Palm Beach, Fl. - Palm Beach Kennel Club will present the 32nd running of the prestigious $50,000 He’s My Man Classic Saturday afternoon, January 21.
It appears that Rader Racing Kennel will garner at least the top two--and and perhaps all three--spots in probable post time favorites.
Rader’s Riverview Stevie drew a favorable starting position and will be donning the red blanket of post one, while super-early speedster Whats Next will be at the other end of the starting box exiting from post eight.
Perched in the middle of the finalist field will be Rader’s third finalist RK’s Conk Gonk, who is set up nicely to use his fantastic rush to the first turn.
The potential spoiler in the mix...B & B Racing’s big-time finisher Hilco Burner.
The 2012 $50,000 He’s My Man Classic field in post position order:
1. Riverview Stevie (Kiowa Sweet Trey - CV’s Mama Mia, Rader)
2. Jack’s Go Bayou (Lonesome Cry - Leta’s Speedster, Marsella Racing)
3. Kane’s Getty (Lonesome Cry - Flying Trey Babe, Brindle Kennel)
4. RK’s Conk Gonk (Dragon Fire - RK’s Tomb Raider, Rader Racing)
5. Hilco Burner (Kiowa Sweet Trey - Larks Bronx, B & B Racing)
6. Pat C Offkey (Kiowa Sweet Trey - Okie Reba, Collins / Joe Kennel)
7. JS Millermatic (Trent Lee - JJ Guinevere, Collins / Joe Kennel)
8. Whats Next (Yahoo Omar - Flying Exorcist, Rader Racing)
The $50,000 He’s My Man Classic finalists will meet in Saturday afternoon’s 12th race with an approximate post time of 4 p.m., all going for the $25,000 first-place prize.
The Classic is named in honor of Palm Beach Kennel Club racing legend and the track’s first multimedia sensation He’s My Man and dedicated to the man who raised and trained “Roscoe”, Bill Pappas.
Activities for this extraordinary afternoon of championship racing, fun and excitement include:
* Free Admission!
* National Anthem performed live by Gary Hodges! (12:30 p.m.)
* Lexxus from WZZR 94.3FM will be on the first floor (12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.) with fun giveaways, prizes and more!
* For the kids, magic and fun with Karl Koppertop and Ace the Poker Bear!
* Prize Drawings! (After Race 12) Enter to win a Super Bowl Trip Giveaway! Prize package includes two Super Bowl tickets and a hotel and travel voucher. All entries must be turned in by Race 10.
YOU MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN THE SUPER BOWL TRIP!
NO EXCEPTIONS!
* Greyhound Pet Representatives will be on hand to answer any questions you may have about adopting a retired racer!
* Race 12 will be the finals of the $50,000 He’s My Man Classic featuring eight of the fastest sprinters in the Country!
Contact: Jeff Prince (561) 683-2222, Ext. 126 / jprince@pbkennelclub.com
Wayne Ward Kennel’s WW’s Kay Quarter has won four out of his last five Grade AA starts for trainer Ron Otto. Kennel-mate WWK Win Day has three straight Grade AA wins.
Douglas Kennel’s Got A Plan has three victories and a second in his last four Grade AA trips for trainer Joe Douglas. Kennel-mate SL Amarillo has won three out of his last four Grade AA races.
Ryan Farms Kennel’s Scimitar has back-to-back Grade AA marathon wins for trainer Mick D’Arcy.
Darren Henry Kennel’s Thera Of Ruckus has two straight Grade AA 3/8 victories for trainer Terry Green.
Lester Raines Kennel’s Windy Bev has four wins (M, D, C, B) and a second in her first six career starts for trainer Joel Roden.
Campbell Racing Kennel’s Morebars has back-to-back victories (B, A) for trainer Joe Otto.
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Friday - 1/20/2012 |
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Starting off the new year right, the Orange Park Kennel Club is excited to jump right into the fray with some live stakes racing action in the 2012 Orange Park Derby. Seven full races of 660 yard power will be headed to post on Friday Evening January 20th. The featured stakes events on the card will be the 4th, 5th, 7th, 9th, 11th, 14th, and 15th races. Let's start out in the 4th with a wide open race that could be won by almost anyone. Only two grade A's here and both have not looked good over the 660 yard distance. Advantage still goes to Dutch Hustle. Even though is lone trip was a rough one, he still looks the part and should come up big when he needs to. Veteran router Gs Dex could provide some early challenge, and "Life's been good to me so far's" Joe Walsh will be making up ground on anyone late. The other A, Pat C Red Dawn, can't be forgotten about either if she can get out of the box. (4-2-8-7) |
West Palm Beach, Fl. - With a second-place finish in last Sunday’s semifinals and a sixth-place showing by her previously undefeated kennelmate RK’s Conk Gonk, Rader Racing Kennel’s Riverview Stevie earned top point-earner status as the countdown to the finale of Palm Beach Kennel Club’s $50,000 He’s My Man Classic draws near.
Riverview Stevie gave a valiant effort in attempting to chase down another kennelmate, Whats Next, but the fleet-pawed early speedster built up to much of an early lead.
In the final semifinal qualifier Sunday afternoon, the aforementioned RK’s Conk Gonk succumbed to an abundance of early speed around him at the break, allowing youngster and 15-1 long shot Kane’s Getty to snag the first-turn advantage, the victory and a shot at the $25,000 first-place treasure.
The eight 2012 $50,000 He’s My Man Classic finalists, in order of points earned:
50 Points: Riverview Stevie (Kiowa Sweet Trey - CV’s Mama Mia, Rader Racing)
47 Points: RK’s Conk Gonk (Dragon Fire - RK’s Tomb Raider, Rader Racing)
39 Points: Jack’s Go Bayou (Lonesome Cry - Leta’s Speedster, Marsella Racing)
36 Points: Hilco Burner (Kiowa Sweet Trey - Larks Bronx, B & B Racing)
35 Points: Kane’s Getty (Lonesome Cry - Flying Trey Babe, Brindle Kennel)
34 Points: Whats Next (Yahoo Omar - Flying Exorcist, Rader Racing)
32 Points: Pat C Offkey (Kiowa Sweet Trey - Okie Reba, Collins / Joe Kennel)
31 Points: JS Millermatic (Trent Lee - JJ Guinevere, Collins / Joe Kennel)
The $50,000 He’s My Man Classic finalists will meet in Saturday afternoon’s twelfth race, all going for the $25,000 first-place prize.
A press conference and post position draw will be held in the track’s Terrace Restaurant Thursday afternoon, January 19, commencing at 11:45 a.m.
The $50,000 He’s My Man Classic is the first event in Palm Beach Kennel Club’s $150,000 “Big 3" Stakes series, which includes the $50,000 James W. Paul 3/8ths Mile Derby (Saturday afternoon, February 25) and the $50,000 Arthur J. Rooney, Sr. St. Patrick’s Invitational (Saturday afternoon, March 17).
The Classic is named in honor of Palm Beach Kennel Club racing legend and the track’s first multimedia sensation He’s My Man and dedicated to the man who trained “Roscoe," Bill Pappas.
Contact: Jeff Prince (561) 683-2222, Ext. 126 / jprince@pbkennelclub.com
Race Pages, Scorecard & Classic Fun Attached!
SEMIFINALS FOR PALM BEACH KENNEL CLUB’S $50,000 HE’S MY MAN CLASSIC SUNDAY AFTERNOON, JANUARY 15!
CAN RK’S CONK GONK ENTER THE FINALS UNDEFEATED?
West Palm Beach, Fl. - Semifinal action for Palm Beach Kennel Club’s $50,000 He’s My Man Classic takes place Sunday afternoon, January 15.
Two semifinal races will be contested with the top eight point scorers earning their way into the championship final slated for Saturday afternoon, January 21.
After 20 qualifying races, the sweet sixteen in point earnings will go muzzle-to-muzzle to determine which eight of these superstars will be going for the 2012 championship and the $25,000 first-place prize.
Race 10 features the second-highest point earner in the semifinals, #1 Riverview Stevie. Although there are several excellent early speed competitors in this event, he will most likely be the one to catch. On a side note, Stevie’s only loss in his last seven races came at the paws of #8 Atascocicta Bowl. The 545-yard Royal Palm Course track record holder is looking pretty sitting in his favorite post.
In Race 12, all eyes will be focused on the only undefeated Classic entrant, #3 RK’s Conk Gonk. In this event, the 2011 $20,000 Bob Balfe Puppy Stakes champ may find getting loose early a bit of a dilemma, having drawn in between two of the semi’s best early speedsters, #2 SE’s Rich Ronnie and #4 Jack’s Go Bayou. Timing on the break between these three athletes will be the determining factor as to whether Conk Gonk will win his fifth-consecutive endeavor.
The lineups for Sunday afternoon’s semifinals:
Race 10
1. Riverview Stevie (Kiowa Sweet Trey - CV’s Mama Mia, Rader Racing)
2. Night Utah (Dragon Fire - TDM Sadie, Marsella Racing)
3. M Cee Drive (Rhythmless - Malice Drive, Tru Palm Kennel)
4. Ethereal Moment (Rhythmless - PTL Lois, Royal Racing Team)
5. Whats Next (Yahoo Omar - Flying Exorcist, Rader Racing)
6. Flying Halladay (Kiowa Sweet Trey - First Hand Smoke, Gilster Kennel)
7. Pat C Offkey (Kiowa Sweet Trey - Okie Reba, Collins / Joe Kennel)
8. Atascocita Bowl (Dodgem By Design - Atascocita Sally, Suncoast)
Race 12
1. JS Millermatic (Trent Lee - JJ Guinevere, Collins / Joe Kennel)
2. SE’s Rich Ronnie (Rhythmless - SE’s Sparkaheart, Steve Gilster Kennel)
3. RK’s Conk Gonk (Dragon Fire - RK’s Tomb Raider, Rader Racing)
4. Jack’s Go Bayou (Lonesome Cry - Leta’s Speedster, Marsella Racing)
5. Kansas Spartan (Overtime Patriot - GLB’s Lauralee, Collins / Joe)
6. Hilco Burner (Kiowa Sweet Trey - Larks Bronx, B & B Racing Kennel)
7. Monkeys Uncle (Yahoo Omar - Flying Exorcist, Rader Racing)
8. Kane’s Getty (Lonesome Cry - Flying Trey Babe, Brindle Kennel)
The $50,000 He’s My Man Classic is the first event in Palm Beach Kennel Club’s $150,000 “Big 3" Stakes series, which includes the $50,000 James W. Paul 3/8ths Mile Derby (Saturday afternoon, February 25) and the $50,000 Arthur J. Rooney, Sr. St. Patrick’s Invitational (Saturday afternoon, March 17).
The Classic is named for Palm Beach Kennel Club racing legend and the track’s first multimedia sensation He’s My Man and dedicated to the man who raised and trained “Roscoe”, Bill Pappas.
Contact: Jeff Prince (561) 683-2222, Ext. 126 / jprince@pbkennelclub.com
Last week NFL’s Tim Tebow and the Bronco’s took down the Steeler’s in one of the best football games viewed in decades. This weekend the Greyhound Flying Tim Tebow will kickoff a weekend of Tebow starting with race 10 Friday night. Tebow races out of the McAllister kennel and will compete from post one. "He has been running well," said kennel owner Malcolm McAllister who said his male prefers an outside post. Flying Tim Tebow has been burning up Greyhound chat rooms. Tebow’s biggest threat might be his kennelmate Flying Prestwick who will break next to Tebow (1) from the inside two. AHK Anudderbrow who has won the top grade recently will also be a strong threat from an unfavorable four post.
Other news: Patriot kennel has kicked off the New Year on top for trainer Cal Holland, Jr. Through January 12 Patriot has 28 wins followed by D'Arcy at 25. Red Oak is in third with 20 wins. McAllister (19) and Cal Holland, Sr. kennel (18) make up the top five.
McAllister kennel’s Tiger Boy (Flying Penske x Flying Exquisite) continued his undefeated spree after scoring the win in the 87th Inaugural last Saturday. The October 2009 male, who was the most traveled athlete in 2011, continues to live up to his name. Tiger Boy has made his mark at several tracks and now adds a Derby Lane stakes to his prestigious resume.
Tiger Boy roared past his rivals Wednesday night January 11 in a six-length victory. His winning time of 30.82 was the only time under 31 seconds in the Wednesday night card.
Other news: Football fans can’t get enough of Tim Tebow right now and Derby Lane’s Flying Tim Tebow will be back on track Friday night January 13 in race 10. The male is seeking his first win this year and hopes he can "Tebow" his rivals. Fans in Florida have watched their former Gator player take the Bronco’s into the playoffs. This week's game along with Tebow's Friday night race will be one to watch for sure.
Douglas Kennel’s Got A Plan has three wins and a second in his last five Grade AA races for trainer Joe Douglas. Kennel-mates SL Amarillo has back-to-back Grade AA victories while Love Street has won three out of her last four starts (C, B, A).
A Ray Kennel’s AMF Ex Pro has two wins and a second in his last three Grade AA trips for trainer Joe Palmer.
Wayne Ward Kennel’s WWK Win Day (AA), Kiowa WW Romero (A, AA) and WW Kay Sprite (A, AA) have back-to-back victories for trainer Ron Otto. Kennel-mate WW Fancy Floyd has two wins and a second in his last three outings.
Abrahamson Kennel’s Serene AZ Laken has back-to-back Grade AA victories for trainer Tom Engle.
Vince Berland Kennel’s Our Lil Boy has won three out of his last four starts (A, AA) for trainer Ricardo Pacheco.
Lester Raines Kennel’s Big Man Chuck has three straight victories (D, C, B) for trainer Joel Roden.
Ryan Farms Kennel’s Flint Castle has won three out of his last four 3/8 races (D, C, B) for trainer Mick D’Arcy.
Valor Racing Kennel’s Flying Rockwell has two wins and a second in his last three trips for trainer James Roche.
If winning the 87th annual Inaugural at Derby Lane on January 7 is any indication of what is in store for Tiger Boy in 2012 then it will be the year of the Tiger for McAllister kennel.
"This greyhound is amazing," said Malcolm McAllister. "He races smart." McAllister's victory in this stake is his fourth in the past five years. "I think Tiger Boy may be as good as Coal City (last year's winner), but until I see what Tiger can do over the distance course I can't make the comparison yet.
Tiger Boy (Flying Penske x Flying Exquisite) broke fifth but it didn't take the male long to get into position to start picking off his foes. TMC's Pistol, last year's runner-up, broke on top followed by Kentucky Grace who took the lead in the backstretch. Tiger Boy was third and passed the two for a 3 1/2-length victory. Kentucky Grace (Holland) finished second followed by Sovereign Beauty (D'Arcy), HWJ Isabelle (Hambleton), TMC's Pistol (O'Donnell), Danicas Go Daddy (Floyd & Porter), Gabby's Jentown (Alabama) and JW Richochet (Capabal).
West Palm Beach, Fl. - Palm Beach Kennel Club will present third-round action for the $50,000 He’s My Man Classic Wednesday afternoon, January 11.
Following two rounds of point earnings, the original field of 63 hopefuls has been reduced to 32 athletes, all eager to make it to the top 16.
And of those score plus 12 athletes, only Rader Racing Kennel’s RK’s Conk Gonk has the opportunity to enter the semifinals undefeated.
Match ups on Wednesday afternoon’s stake qualifying card include:
Race 10 features the very well-positioned #8 Monkeys Uncle (Yahoo Omar - Flying Exorcist, Rader Racing Kennel). Looking to also be in the mix will be #1 Kane’s Getty (Lonesome Cry - Flying Trey Babe, Brindle Kennel), #4 Flying Halladay (Kiowa Sweet Trey - First Hand Smoke, Steve Gilster Kennel) and second-round winner #5 JS Millermatic (Trent Lee - JJ Guinevere, Pat Collins / Neola Joe Kennel).
In Race 12, the undisputed fan favorite will be the impressive #1 Turbo Razor (Kiowa Sweet Trey - Turbo Windblown, Rader Racing Kennel). Although not his most-favorite post position, Razor should be able to outgun the other seven Classic entries to the first turn. Of course, if any problems ensue, be looking for the big finishers #3 M Cee Drive (Rhythmless - Malice Drive, Tru Palm Kennel) and 545-yard Royal Palm Course track record holder #5 Atascocita Bowl (Dodgem By Design - Atascocita Sally, Suncoast Kennel) to take full advantage of it.
Rader Racing Kennel will again have the post time favorite in Race 14 with the speedy #6 Riverview Stevie (Kiowa Sweet Trey - CV’s Mama Mia). He should easily snag the early advantage with round-two qualifying victor #1 Night Utah (Dragon Fire - TDM Sadie, Marsella Racing Kennel) and last month’s $20,000 Dick Andrews Futurity champ #3 Ethereal Moment (Rhythmless - PTL Lois, Royal Racing Team) giving chase late in the race.
Without a doubt, the big story in the final qualifying event of the afternoon, Race 15, will be who will have the lead as the contestants enter the backstretch. Will it be the undefeated qualifier #2 RK’s Conk Gonk (Dragon Fire - RK’s Tomb Raider) or his kennel mate, the fleet-footed #6 Whats Next (Yahoo Omar - Flying Exorcist)? Or will the impressive youngster #8 Be Giving (Dragon Fire - Flying Nenagh, Steve Gilster Kennel) be the ultimate spoiler? This is going to be a very exciting, interesting and well-wagered on race to experience!
The top 16 point earners following Wednesday’s third round will advance to the Classic semifinals Sunday afternoon, January 15.
The $50,000 He’s My Man Classic finale will be contested Saturday afternoon, January 21.
The $50,000 He’s My Man Classic is the first event in Palm Beach Kennel Club’s $150,000 “Big 3" Stakes series, which includes the $50,000 James W. Paul 3/8ths Mile Derby (Saturday afternoon, February 25) and the $50,000 Arthur J. Rooney, Sr. St. Patrick’s Invitational (Saturday afternoon, March 17).
The Classic is named for Palm Beach Kennel Club racing legend and the track’s first multimedia sensation He’s My Man and dedicated to the man who raised and trained “Roscoe”, Bill Pappas.
Contact: Jeff Prince (561) 683-2222, Ext. 126 / jprince@pbkennelclub.com
West Palm Beach, Fl. - Round two qualifying action for Palm Beach Kennel Club’s $50,000 He’s My Man Classic takes place Saturday afternoon, January 7.
The 63 greyhounds who competed in the first round of qualifying last Wednesday afternoon will return for the second round, facing different Classic entries and all striving to be among the top 32 point earners.
The above mentioned 32 will go on to compete in round three on Wednesday afternoon, January 11, with the top 16 point earners moving on to the Classic semifinals on Sunday afternoon, January 15.
The $50,000 He’s My Man Classic finale will be contested Saturday afternoon, January 21.
Probable round two wagering and fan favorites include:
In Race 2, the overwhelming favorite will be round-one winner #2 Whats Next (Yahoo Omar - Flying Exorcist, Rader Racing Kennel). Along with kennel mate RK’s Conk Gonk, ran the fastest 545-yard Royal Palm Course time of the day, 29.84 seconds.
Race 4 is a tough one to handicap. It features two first-round victors, #1 Jack’s Go Bayou (Lonesome Cry - Leta’s Speedster, Marsella Racing Kennel) and the big closer #4 Hilco Burner (Kiowa Sweet Trey - Larks Bronx, B & B Racing Kennel). Also competing will be the defending $50,000 He’s My Man Classic champion #3 Tuff Stuff (Lonesome Cry - Night Breeze, Rader Racing Kennel) and breaking from his favorite post, stakes veteran #8 JS I Am Legend (B’s O’Grady - Bizzy Babe, Pat Collins / Neola Joe Kennel).
Race 6 features first-round winner and holder of the Royal Palm Course track record, #3 Atascocita Bowl (Dodgem By Design - Atascocita Sally, Suncoast Kennel). Three other entries to keep an eye on, #4 JS Kerry Oki (Dodgem By Design - Soft Melody, Collins / Neola Joe Kennel), #5 Monkeys Uncle (Yahoo Omar - Flying Exorcist, Rader Racing Kennel) and a potential surprise, # 1 Uhaul Muffin (Red Ranger - SE’s Wayout Jan, Tru Palm Kennel).
It appears in Race 8, that first-round winner #2 Be Giving (Dragon Fire - Flying Nenagh, Steve Gilster Kennel) will again be the pacesetter. There are a few Classic entries that have the ability to catch him, but as usual in most races, what happens behind him at the first turn will be the determining factor.
In Race 10, racing fans will be wagering en masse on the Quiniela combination of #5 Alarm Red Nose (Dodgem By Design - PBJ’s Cupid, Rader Racing Kennel) and #7 Atascocita Rylie (Kiowa Sweet Trey - Atascocita Betty, Suncoast Kennel).
In Race 12, round-one winner # 3 RK’s Conk Gonk (Dragon Fire - RK’s Tomb Raider, Rader Racing Kennel) looks to repeat as he is being chased around the oval by the well-positioned #1 Flying Halladay (Kiowa Sweet Trey - First Hand Smoke, Steve Gilster Kennel).
In Race 14, you can’t leave first-round victor #1 Pat C Offkey (Kiowa Sweet Trey - Okie Reba, Collins / Neola Joe Kennel) and round-one runner up #6
Riverview Stevie (Kiowa Sweet Trey - CV’s Mama Mia, Rader Racing Kennel) off your Trifecta tickets.
Race 15 features the Greyhound who many believe will take home the Classic championship, #4 Turbo Razor (Kiowa Sweet Trey - Turbo Wind Blown, Rader Racing Kennel), whose 12-race win streak came to a heartbreaking end, as he succumbed to Hilco Burner at the wire, finishing second by a neck. Another entry to watch, #1 Blazin Spitfire (Dragon Fire - Tin Nee Ann, Marsella Racing Kennel) who put forth a fantastic effort in round one.
The $50,000 He’s My Man Classic is the first event in Palm Beach Kennel Club’s $150,000 “Big 3" Stakes series, which includes the $50,000 James W. Paul 3/8ths Mile Derby (Saturday afternoon, February 25) and the $50,000 Arthur J. Rooney, Sr. St. Patrick’s Invitational (Saturday afternoon, March 17).
The Classic is named for Palm Beach Kennel Club racing legend and the track’s first multimedia sensation He’s My Man and dedicated to the man who raised and trained “Roscoe”, Bill Pappas.
Point System: 1st - 15 points, 2nd - 10, 3rd - 6, 4th - 4, 5th - 3, 6th - 2, 7th - 1, 8th - 0
Contact: Jeff Prince (561) 683-2222, Ext. 126 / jprince@pbkennelclub.com
Derby Lane began the celebrations of their 87th year of greyhound operations on January 2. The track showcased the first greyhound race in 1925. Wednesday night sixteen greyhounds were presented and the first four from each heat would fill the eight available slots for the January 7 stakes. The powerful sixth race featured Derby Lane’s super star Hi Noon Renegade that collected an outstanding record in 2011. Renegade made stakes history last year by becoming the first greyhound to win the Sprint Classic and the Gold Trophy Juvenile. He was also one of the youngest to win the Sprint Classic stakes usually captured by the track veterans. Although Renegade was sidelined for three months last year he managed to collect 40 wins and boasts staggering stats winning 40 of his 61 starts. His record for 2011 is 61/40-10-5-2. The Nova star made the cut despite much early trouble and will vie for his third career stakes victory on Saturday.
McAllister kennel has won three of the past four Inaugural stakes with superstars Flying Stanley, Flying Mancini and last year’s Triple Crown award winner Flying Coal City. The kennel has thrown another stellar athlete in the mix making the stakes deadline with last year’s World Classic winner Tiger Boy. The male won impressively in his Derby Lane debut despite his last start at Naples. Tiger Boy roared in a five and a half-length victory. JW Ricochet (Capabal) paid $17.40 and $18.40 earning a slot in the final followed by D’Arcy kennel’s Sovereign Beauty-a longshot that paid $48.20 for third.
The second heat of the night presented a glitch when a first time dead-heat for fourth place interrupted the normal elimination process. Hambleton kennel’s HWJ Isabelle came off the pace to pay $42.80 for her victory over the favorite TMC’s Pistol (O’Donnell) that finished second. Kentucky Grace set the pace and took third for Cal Holland earning her slot in the final. The two-way tie for fourth between Floyd & Porter’s Danicas Go Daddy and Alabama Racing’s Gabby’s Jentowin forced a draw by lot to be determined in the Racing office Thursday night. Afterwards post positions will be drawn for the 87th annual St. Petersburg Inaugural featured in race 10 on January 7.
The McAllister kennel won the kennel championship by one to close out the year at Derby Lane.
Malcolm and Barbara McAllister, who own and train their operation, were jockeying for the top spot. Hambleton kennel, which formed their first booking this year, nearly wrapped up the title. The two kennels thrilled fans in the final weeks right up to the end of the year.
After the Saturday matinee McAllister was two in front. In the final 15 races of the year McAllister scored another win with Cindy's Call pulling three in front, but Hambleton narrowed the gap with back-to-back wins with Yogi Bear Bones and their St. Pete Derby champion Storm Rush. McAllister finished with 270 wins to Hambleton's 269 during the Tampa at Derby Lane July - December meet.
Both kennels will face-off in the first stakes of the New Year. Qualifying rounds for the 87th annual St. Petersburg Inaugural are Wednesday night January 4. The first four finishers from the two qualifying heats will compose the oldest stakes race in North America. The stakes race is January 7, kicking off the 87th year of racing in St. Petersburg, FL.
Several changes have been made to the 2012 racing schedule at Wheeling Island.
Effective immediately, the new schedule follows:
Monday: no live racing
Tuesday: 2 p.m. post time with 17 races
Wednesday: 2 p.m. post time with 17 races
Thursday: no live racing
Friday: 12:30 p.m. post time with 17 races; 7:30 p.m. post time with 15 races
Saturday: 12:30 p.m. post time with 17 races; 7:30 p.m. post time with 15 races
Sunday: 2 p.m. post time with 17 races.
On Monday holidays, there will be a 2 p.m. post time with 17 races and Tuesday will be dark.
West Palm Beach, Fl. - Round one qualifying action for the $50,000 He’s My Man Classic gets underway Wednesday afternoon, January 4, at Palm Beach Kennel Club.
An impressive field of 64 Greyhounds will go to post Wednesday afternoon in eight qualifying events to be run on the 545-yard Royal Palm Course. The same 64 competitors will return for round two Saturday afternoon, January 7.
Following the second round, the field will be trimmed to 32, and they will go on the compete in the third round Wednesday afternoon, January 11. The field will then be halved to 16 for the semifinals on Sunday afternoon, January 15.
The final eight will comprise the field for the $50,000 He’s My Man Classic which will be contested Saturday afternoon, January 21.
I must say, that on paper, it appears that Rader Racing Kennel will have the wagering favorites in most - if not all - of the eight qualifying races.
In Race 2, veteran stakes competitor #2 Custom Trent (Trent Lee - Gifted Whistler, Rader Racing) looks to be the one to catch.
In Race 4, the wagering favorite will be the impressive #8 Alarm Red Nose (Dodgem By Design - PNJ’s Cupid, Rader Racing). This perfectly set up youngster will be going for his fourth consecutive victory. Possible challenges may come from super-early speedster #3 Be Giving (Dragon Fire - Nenagh, Steve Gilster Kennel) and last month’s $20,000 Dick Andrews Futurity finalist #1 SE’s Star Leia (TNT Star Wars - Ozsum Flyby, Arthur Agganis Kennel)
Race 6 features the defending $50,000 He’s My Man Classic champion, #3 Tuff Stuff (Lonesome Cry - Night Breeze, Rader Racing). This handsome guy is definitely back in form and will be going for his fourth straight win.
In Race 8, Norm Rader mania continues with the well-rested #2 What’s Next (Yahoo Omar - Flying Exorcist). Who can catch the probable pacesetter? Two possibilities lay in the well-posted #1 Night Utah (Dragon Fire - TDM Sadie, Marsella Racing Kennel) and the veteran of veteran stakes finalist, the well respected and loved #5 JS I Am Legend (B’s O’Grady - Bizzy Babe, Collins / Neola Joe Kennel).
Race 10 will feature the 2011 $20,000 Bob Balfe Puppy Stakes champ #5 RK’s Conk Gonk (Dragon Fire - RK’s Tomb Raider, Rader Racing), who seems to have retrieved his patented super rush to the first turn.
Race 12 will be a much anticipated showdown between last month’s $20,000 Dick Andrews Futurity champ #3 Ethereal Moment (Rhythmless - PTL Lois, Royal Racing Team) and #5 Monkeys Uncle (Yahoo Omar - Flying Exorcist, Rader Racing). But don’t overlook #1 Pat C Offkey (Kiowa Sweet Trey - Okie Reba, Collins / Neola Joe Kennel) who is looking good breaking from her favorite post.
Race 14 may be Rader Racing Kennel’s toughest one to win. The probable wagering favorite looks to be #2 Riverview Stevie (Kiowa Sweet Trey - CV’s Mama Mia, Rader Racing), who will be going for his fifth win in a row. Possible spoilers include the strong rail-running #1 Go Bon Backtalk (Kiowa Sweet Trey - Flying Pawnee, B & B Racing Kennel), super pup #3 No Inflation (EA’s Itzaboy - JJ Johnson, Marsella Racing Kennel) and the 545-yard Royal Palm Course track record holder, #5 Atascocita Bowl (Dodgem By Design - Atascocita Sally, Suncoast Kennel).
Race 15 stars the hottest Greyhound racing at Palm Beach Kennel Club, #7 Turbo Razor (Kiowa Sweet Trey - Turbo Wind Blown, Rader Racing). This incredible athlete will attempt to attain his thirteenth consecutive victory. The only challengers that may be a thorn in his side are two other early fleet-footed Classic entries, #4 Pat C Whereby (DK’s Prime Time - Pat C Whereon, Collins / Neola Joe Kennel) and #5 Flying Halladay (Kiowa Sweet Trey - First Hand Smoke, Steve Gilster Kennel).
It’s going to be an incredible first round!
The $50,000 He’s My Man Classic is the first event in Palm Beach Kennel Club’s $150,000 “Big 3" Stakes series, which includes the $50,000 James W. Paul 3/8ths Mile Derby (Saturday afternoon, February 25) and the $50,000 Arthur J. Rooney, Sr. St. Patrick’s Invitational (Saturday afternoon, March 17).
The Classic is named for Palm Beach Kennel Club racing legend and the track’s first multimedia sensation He’s My Man and dedicated to the man who raised and trained “Roscoe”, Bill Pappas.
Contact: Jeff Prince (561) 683-2222, Ext. 126 / jprince@pbkennelclub.com
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Tucson Greyhound Park held the finals of the Puppy Stakes late last month. The 1st round started out with 32 dogs. Then after the 2nd round 24 greyhounds remained. The 3rd round then gave us the 8 finalists.
The race itself proved to be real exciting. Redrock Mirror went to the front and was closely tracked by Kiowa Coin Pride all the way. In deep stretch Kiowa Coin Pride went by and held off the late closing Boc’s Craze E by a length. The time of the race was 30.88.
Kiowa Coin Pride is owned by Smith Greyhound Inc. and James E. O’Donnell and trained by William Eyler. Over 250 fans cheered the winner in the winners circle. She was presented a blanket by Brian Duncan, Director of Racing and Aaron Larriva, Racing Secretary.
Wayne Ward Kennel’s Flesk Flyer has seven straight Grade AA wins for trainer Ron Otto. Kennel-mates WW’s Kay Quarter has three victories and a second in his last four Grade AA trips, WW Kay Snow has three wins and three seconds in her last six Grade AA starts while WW’s Crystal Zach has back-to-back 3/8 victories (A, AA).
A Ray Kennel’s AMF Ex President has three straight Grade AA wins for trainer Joe Palmer.
C And C Kennel’s CTW Pesky Pedro has three 3/8 victories in a row (C, B, A) for trainer Patrick Bever. Kennel-mate CTW Jackpot has back-to-back wins (A, AA).
Douglas Kennel’s Eat N Flea has won three out of her last four outings (C, B, A) for trainer Joe Douglas.
Bussmann-Balakas Kennel’s Gale Gloria has captured three out of her last four trips (C, B, A) for trainer David O’Keefe.
West Palm Beach, Fl. - Royal Racing Team Kennel’s Ethereal Moment proved to all in attendance that he is of this world, as the youngster handily won the 14th running of Palm Beach Kennel Club’s $20,000 Dick Andrews Futurity Monday afternoon, December 26.
Ethereal Moment took advantage of his post position and a crowded break, to enter the backstretch all but unchallenged.
Once he assumed command of the situation, it was all she wrote.
The Ethereal One drew off to win by more than six lengths in a 545-yard Royal Palm Classic clocking of 29.81 seconds and returned a healthy $7.60 to his many happy supporters.
The victory brings Ethereal Moment’s career stats to 25-9-7-3-5, having finished out of the top four only once.
The newly-crowned champ collected a cool $10,000 for his impressive victory.
Flying Antioch, Par Sandy and Night Utah finished second, third and fourth, respectively.
The complete order of finish:
1st - 8. Ethereal Moment (Rhythmless - PTL Lois, Royal Racing)
2nd - 7. Flying Antioch (Trojan Cruze - Flying Crestline, Steve Gilster)
3rd - 1. Par Sandy (BD’s Flip - Husker Grace, Tru Palm Kennel)
4th - 2. Night Utah (Dragon Fire - TDM Sadie, Marsella Racing)
5th - 6. Kells Audacious (Team Record* - Too Late, Rader Racing)
6th - 4. SE’s Star Leia (TNT Star Wars - Ozsum Flyby, Arthur Agganis)
7th - 3. Turbo Porsha (Turbo Penske - Turbo Wind Burn, Rader Racing)
8th - 5. KB’s Decordova (Lonesome Cry - Tempo Jitterstik, Tru Palm)
The Futurity is named in honor of former PBKC kennel operator, humanitarian and 2004 inductee to the Greyhound Hall of Fame Dick Andrews.
In other Futurity day news, Rader Racing Kennel’s Turbo Razor (Kiowa Sweet Trey - Turbo Wind Blown) cruised to his 12th consecutive victory, winning by 6 lengths in a time of 29.72 seconds, and returning an expected $2.80 to all who knew better than to wager against one of the hottest greyhounds in the country.
The victory was Turbo Razor’s 36th win of the year.
Contact: Jeff Prince (561) 683-2222, Ext. 126 / jprince@pbkennelclub.com
A pair of familiar names at major Florida tracks--Hi Noon Renegade at Derby Lane and GS Uncle Henry at Jacksonville--are
going to have 40 or more wins for the year before they're through. In fact, Renegade just won No. 40 last night.
But the North American win title for 2011 is more apt to fall to a steady charger at a smaller track--very possibly to Rams Kizzy Kate, a 44-race winner to date (for this year) at Tucson Greyhound Park.
Rams Kizzy Kate (Lonesome Cry-Annie Oak), racing for the Gray Kennel, has a record of 44-13-2-2 in 66 Tucson starts, as of Dec. 21. During the year, she's had win streaks of 8 races, 7 races, 6 races and 5 races.
Rams Kizzy Kate is owned by Johnny and Cheryl Pharrams of Mesa, AZ.
Still, with the final days of the year winding down, it's still unofficial who'll officially be declared North American win champ for 2011. Reporting from other smaller tracks has been scanty, and records are being combed to see of there are others who might be in contention from the smaller venues. Any relevant data from tracks not reporting thus far, or from website readers, would be appreciated.
Hi Noon Renegade (Dodgem By Design-Bryan's Baby), racing for the Nova Kennel and owned by Charles Haliburton III, captured win No. 40 (and 10th in a row) Thursday night at Derby Lane. Certainly a three-month absence midway through the year, due to injury, likely ruined the multi-stake champ's chances at the win crown.
GS Uncle Henry (Kelsos Fusileer-Steffie's Mandy), owned and raced by Gary and Sharon Willis, has similar credentials: a stake race winner at his home track who has an impressive win-streak of his own right now (going for his 10th straight Friday night at Orange Park). Stake wins and a stellar record have earned both Renegade and Uncle Henry Review cover appearances in 2011.
Others from major circuits with a large number of wins in 2011 are Slatex Emerald from Bluffs Run and Turbo Razor from Palm Beach, each with 35 victories for the year as of Dec. 22.
Turbo Razor (Kiowa Sweet Trey-Turbo Wind Blown), owned by Ed Gardner and kennel operator Norm Rader, has also been especially hot lately, boasting a 10-race win streak at Palm Beach after another big win Monday. Slatex Emerald (Kiowa Sweet Trey-Slatex Station) is on course to be Bluffs' Greyhound of the Year and will easily win the track championship for owner and kennel operator Kirk Harlan. Emerald's half sister, Slatex Cadillac (Flying Hydrogen-Slatex Station), also owned by Harlan, is also one of the year's top winners, with 29 victories to date. She too is a stake winner this year (the Hecht Marathon), dominating distance races in South Florida much of the year.
Last year's North American win champion was Melvin Drayton Jr.'s Florida sprinter Where's Big Cash, an All-American who won 49 races in 2010.
West Palm Beach, Fl - Palm Beach Kennel Club proudly presents the finals of the $20,000 Dick Andrews Futurity Monday afternoon, December 26.
After four-qualifying rounds, Arthur Agganis Kennel’s SE’s Star Leia leads the list of the eight-hopeful youngsters with 55 qualifying points, after scoring three victories and a second-place finish.
The $20,000 Dick Andrews Futurity finalists, in post position order:
1. Par Sandy (BD’s Flip - Husker Grace, Tru Palm Kennel)
2. Night Utah (Dragon Fire - TDM Sadie, Marsella Racing)
3. Turbo Porsha (Turbo Penske - Turbo Wind Burn, Rader Racing)
4. SE’s Star Leia (TNT Star Wars - Ozsum Flyby, Arthur Agganis)
5. KB’s Decordova (Lonesome Cry - Tempo Jitterstik, Tru Palm)
6. Kells Audacious (Team Record* - Too Late, Rader Racing)
7. Flying Antioch (Trojan Cruze - Flying Crestline, Steve Gilster)
8. Ethereal Moment (Rhythmless - PTL Lois, Royal Racing)
The $20,000 Dick Andrews Futurity finale will be contested in Monday afternoon’s 12th race with an approximate post time of 4 p.m.
The Futurity is named in honor of former PBKC kennel operator, humanitarian and 2004 inductee to the Greyhound Hall of Fame Dick Andrews.
Scheduled activities for this very special day of championship Greyhound racing include:
* The Paddock Restaurant will be open! (11:30 a.m.)
* Live performance of our National Anthem by Lou Galterio (12:30 p.m.)
* Dave Brewster from WRMF 97.9 FM will be on the first floor (1:00 - 3:00 p.m.) with their Hi-Lo Cash Game!
* For the kids, Karl Koppertop will be on the first floor (12:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.) with Balloon Art & Magic!
* 15 Superfecta Races! Post time for the first race is 1:00 p.m.
* Greyhound Pet of America Representatives will be on hand to answer any questions you may have about adopting one of these loving dogs!
* Drink Specials! Enjoy Miller Lite and Coors Light Aluminum Bottles for only $3.50 / Miller Lite Drafts for only $2.00!
* Prize Drawings! Enter to win a one-night stay at the Inn on the Fifth in Naples, Fl.! (Entries must be turned in before Race 10, Drawing after Race 12).
* The Twelfth Race will be the fourteenth running of the $20,000 Dick Andrews Futurity! Find out who will be crowned the 2011 Top Pup for the Winter Season!
Download PDF of Final Race Page
Contact: Jeff Prince (561) 683-2222, Ext. 126 / jprince@pbkennelclub.com
The Bluffs Run season will begin with the $60,000 Bracket Challenge in March. The stakes echoes the NCAA Basketball Tournament with greyhounds seeded and paired against each other. The field starts with 64 greyhounds on March 14 and battle down to the championship race of two on March 31.
The $60,000 3/8 Mile Derby will open on April 18 with a field of 80 greyhounds. That championship race is set for May 5.
The 2012 $60,000 Juvenile begins on May 30 for 96 greyhounds. To be eligible, a greyhound must be under 26 months of age on May 22, 2012 and must have won a Grade M race at Bluffs Run or currently be a Grade M at Bluffs Run. The final is set for June 16.
The $60,000 Bluffs Run Open will have a field of 96 greyhounds. It will start July 11 with the final set for July 28.
New to the Bluffs Run schedule is the $60,000 Kennel Medley. Each kennel will race a greyhound in a 3/6-mile race on September 15, in a 5/16-mile race on September 22, in a 3/8-mile race on September 29 and in a 7/16-mile race on October 6. The kennel earning the most points under the track’s tradition scoring system of 15 points for a win and on down will capture the Medley.
The stakes season will be completed with the 27th running of the $500,000 Iowa Breeders Classic. The Classic opens October 17 with a field of 120 greyhounds. The final is set for November 3.
Wayne Ward Kennel’s WW’s Dog Gone has seven straight Grade AA marathon wins for trainer Ron Otto. Kennel-mates Flesk Flyer has six Grade AA victories in a row while WW’s Kay Quarter has four wins and a second in his last six Grade AA trips.
Vince Berland Kennel’s Flying Walkabout has won four out of his last five Grade AA starts for trainer Pamela Webb. Kennel-mates Tiger In Woods has two wins and a second in her last three 3/8 races while HS Lipton has back-to-back victories (B, A).
Ryan Farms Kennel’s Mansfield Hollow has three Grade AA wins in a row for trainer Mick D’Arcy. Kennel-mate Brigand has back-to-back victories (B, A).
C And C Kennel’s SE’s Tali Aspen has three straight 3/8 wins (A, AA) for trainer Patrick Bever. Kennel-mate CTW Carpool Mom has won three out of her last four outings (M, C, B).
A Ray Kennel’s AMF Ex President has back-to-back Grade AA wins for trainer Joe Palmer.
Sarras Kennel’s KB’s Marquez has won three out of her last four trips (C, B, A) for trainer Steve Sarras.
Darren Henry Kennel’s Atascocita Eda has back-to-back victories (B, A) for trainer Terry Green.
Cardinal Kennel’s WJS Mister Clean has two wins in a row (B, A) for trainer James Grace.
West Palm Beach, Fl. - The fourth and final round of qualifying for Palm Beach Kennel Club’s $20,000 Dick Andrews Futurity takes place Monday afternoon, December 19.
Entering the semifinal round, two greyhounds are tied with the lead in earned qualifying points: Rader Racing Kennel’s Turbo Porsha and Arthur Agganis Kennel’s SE’s Star Leia. Both athletes scored two wins and a second during the first three rounds.
By the luck of the drawn, both leading point earners will face off against each other in Monday afternoon’s 14th race.
The complete lineup of Monday’s two semifinal events:
Race 12
1. Atascocita Gilma (Lonesome Cry - Atascocita Nell, Atascocita Racing)
2. Palm City Pamela (Dodgem By Design - DB’s Annabella, B & B Racing)
3. Flying Ashford (Trojan Cruze - Flying Crestline, Steve Gilster Kennel)
4. Ethereal Moment (Rhythmless - PTL Lois, Royal Racing)
5. Par Sandy (BD’s Flip - Husker Grace, Tru Palm Kennel)
6. Kells Audacious (Team Record* - Too Late, Rader Racing)
7. Flying Antioch (Trojan Cruze - Flying Crestline, Steve Gilster)
8. Ballys Kiley (Kelsos Fusileer - Bohemian Brash, Tru Palm Kennel)
Race 14
1. Go Bon Goodness (Kiowa Sweet Trey - Go Bon Sugarland, Royal Racing)
2. Sogar (Dragon Fire - Molly, Steve Gilster)
3. Night Utah (Dragon Fire - TDM Sadie, Marsella Racing)
4. KB’s Decordova (Lonesome Cry - Tempo Jitterstik, Tru Palm)
5. Turbo Porsha (Turbo Penske - Turbo Wind Burn, Rader Racing)
6. Lookin For Leahy (Switzler Jammin - KB’s Autumn Dove, Rader Racing)
7. SE’s Star Leia (TNT Star Wars - Ozsum Flyby, Arthur Agganis)
8. Purely Awesome (Rhythmless - Bohemian Jolie, Tru Palm Kennel
The top eight point earners following Monday’s semifinals will advance to the $20,000 Dick Andrews Futurity Championship Monday afternoon, December 26.
Post positions will be drawn in the Racing Office Tuesday afternoon.
The Futurity is named in honor of former PBKC kennel operator, humanitarian and 2004 inductee to the Greyhound Hall of Fame Dick Andrews.
Point System: 1st - 15 points, 2nd - 10, 3rd - 6, 4th - 4, 5th - 3, 6th - 2, 7th - 1, 8th - 0
Contact: Jeff Prince (561) 683-2222, Ext. 126 / jprince@pbkennelclub.com
Red Oak Racing’s Flying Big Gun fired the fastest in the homestretch in a thrilling finish to snatch the win at the wire in the Derby Lane 660-Yd. Distance Challenge.
"After drawing the five box for the first three rounds I was excited to get the rail in semifinals," said trainer Gary Buckmaster. Flying Big Gun took full advantage of the rail post and was the only greyhound to halt the undefeated streak of McAllister kennel’s Flying Marvelous during semifinals in a blistering 37.13--the second fastest time of the meet.
"There were several nice dogs in the final including the stakes winners Storm Rush and Magic Finch," said Robert Lambert, owner of Red Oak Racing. "Not many have caught Kentucky Fire when she has had such a big lead nor have they held off Storm Rush and Marvelous. Big Gun’s win was very impressive."
Flying Big Gun was one of the two males in the stakes final and he wore the coveted red blanket. He won over the female Storm Rush, who was the betting favorite. Kentucky Fire, the current win leader with 17, shot out of the box and was four lengths in front in the backstretch. The field began closing the gap and Big Gun extended to win by a neck capturing the title.
"This is the first stakes race we have won since we came here last summer," said Lambert. "This was a tough race, which makes it extra special for us."
According to the Racing Office trainer Gary Buckmaster’s athletes might hold the record for most consecutive weeks for collecting over 100 points. "We’re just 12 wins from first place," said Lambert. "I’ve got a new group coming from the Plum Creek connections for the New Year that I think will do well." Shelly Rangel, Kenny Allen and Janelle Jackson are a few of Lambert’s long time friends that have supplied him with competitive hounds this year. Flying Big Gun (Flying Penske x Flying Ac Dc) is owned by Vince Berland, who was inducted into the Greyhound Hall of Fame in October.
Kentucky Fire put forth a winning effort and her stubborn loss was the third time this year she finished second in a major stake final. She was the runner up in the Gold Trophy Juvenile (550-yard), St. Pete Derby Consolation and now the 660-Yard Challenge. McAllister’s Flying Marvelous was third followed by Storm Rush (Hambleton), Brother Buck (D’Arcy), AHK Colormegone, Magic Finch (both Abernathy) and Hallo Sangria (O’Donnell)
The next stakes race at Derby Lane will be the 87th annual St. Petersburg Inaugural on Saturday, night Jan. 7.
As fate would have it, L’s Fray, the Boeckenstedt Kennel’s biggest hitter in the year-long chase for the $60,000 Kennel Championship at Bluffs Run, got to race for the clincher on Saturday, Dec. 17.
Her task wasn’t easy. Two other of Bluffs Run’s top greyhounds, P’s Gibbs (Petzold) and Iowa Breeders Classic champion Angel Tree (Blake & Black) were in the race. But L’s Fray broke on top from the two box and never looked back. By the homestretch, she was expanding a lead that reached seven and a half lengths, winning in a day’s best time of 30.14 seconds for the 5/16-mile course.
“Friday was her (second) birthday,” said trainer Chuck Shelton. “I gave her a birthday cake.”
L’s Fray entry into the race followed the year-long Boeckenstedt strategy.
“We talked every month with (owner) Brad (Boeckenstedt),” said Shelton, “about the four entries we would use each month. We tried to use the best greyhounds each month. We were using different greyhounds every month, not the same lineup.”
It worked. Boeckenstedt used 26 greyhounds to fill its 48 slots over the 12 months. The kennel finished with 412 points, winning the title by 41 points.
There were anchors. L’s Fray was called upon seven times and posted three wins and three seconds, piling up 79 points. L’s Zakarack had five starts, producing three wins. Boc’s Roundem Up had four starts and got three wins.
The battle in December turned out to be for second place. Bean & Stout edged out Plum Creek for second, 371-366.
RJ’s Vera led Bean & Stout in December. She rallied from third in the homestretch to win by a head in Class D. Plum Creek got a win by Programable in Grade B, a box-to-wire effort by seven lengths.
The top eight kennels won money and that was quite a battle. The Harlan Brothers finished eighth with 309 points, just nipping Blake & Black (308) and Hardison (306). Slatex Vincent led the Harlan Brothers with a box-to-wire win in Grade A by a length.
The 2011 Kennel Championship final standings:
Boeckenstedt 412; Bean & Stout 371; Plum Creek 366; Mickim 347; Petzold 324;
Bartley Corporation 316; Wilhite 312; Harlan Brothers 309; Blake & Black 308; Hardison 306;
Seastrom & Lovely 287; Legg 280; Woodall 244; River Bluffs 239; Keeper-Red Rock 231.
Friday - 12/16/2011
The stakes races are over for the year, but the action is still running hot all weekend long at the Orange Park Kennel Club. Great talent, and spot plays, adorn the this weekend races, so grab your cash, lay it down, and take home even more in our feature races.
Friday evening starts out the weekend and we will look at the 7th, 11th, 14th, and 15th races on the card.
Race 7 should be interesting as we have a big time early speeder that will taking the reins early on and trying to hold on to that lead all the way to the wire for the win. Leading Steps has been there and done that several times. No doubt he can do it again. Chasing him, and trying to get to him before the wire will be, the pressing Cdc Sagittarius, the rebounding Broncs, and the posted up solid grade A closer Lk's Tiara. (4-7-5-1)
Loads of talent comes your way in the 11thr ace on the card and it all comes down to who wants it more. Several greyhounds could take the win, but Dutch Hustle stands above the rest. He has been dominate as of late with 4 wins, and 5 quinielas, in his last 6 races. He can do it from the lead or off the pace. Double threat = big time winner! Pushing the pace throughout will be the posted up Hardheaded Dude, and setting the early pace will be Miami On Fire. The ever dangerous Gs Quasimoto is posted well on the rail, and if he wants to go, he could upset them all. (7-3-1-8)
Now we are jumping way over the distance in the 14th race as we head to the 770 yard marathon course. Here you have to go with the experience and Lk's Cherokee has it. She loves to run this far and can close on anyone over this distance. Almost midtrack where she wants to be, she will be a tough out again over 770. Wanna Know Me's line don't look that great, but trust me when I say, she is as fast as anyone over this distance. She has closing skills, but needs to show up. Don't forget dropper Lk's Integrity or the newcomer Joe Walsh either, both could step up and surprise tonight. (3-6-5-8)
Capping off the card in the 15th race we head to 660 land and get a great front end match up. What is better than the cagey veteran Ww's Gucci in the 1 box taking on the newcomer to the distance Lk's Energizing in an all out battle on the front end. Both greyhounds have enough to see the lead, but Gucci is frankly has more left in the tank in the stretch. I think she outlasts Energizing late and takes the win. Catching up to the leaders with every step he takes will be Kiowa Kay Karl, and remember that Lk's Peerless has not missed the money in 6 straight and will be a force to be reckoned with again. (1-7-3-4)
Saturday - 12/17/2011
On we head to Saturday evening and the fun continues on in the 7th, 11th, 14th, and 15th races.
Race 7 could be anyone game as there are a bunch of greyhounds that look tough for different reasons. Some are posted up, some are off the stakes, some are breakers, some are closers, and some are just tough outs. Whatever you like we have you covered. So jump on board with M's Free Mason. The best breaker of the bunch gets the 8 box away from the crowd and should be able to see the lead for the first time in a while tonight. He is tough in front and will win. It will not be easy as the ideally posted Braska Deacon is looking to continue his hot running with a try at back to back wins. Speaking of hot, Hs Butane is a solid threat in every race, and Lk's Persuasion is coming off the stakes rounds and has enough late flame to challenge everyone tonight. (8-1-7-5)
If she wants to run, the 11th race on the card will be all about Kiowa Jill Vik. Vik is as fast as she wants to be and when she is close early, she is a winner. She has not missed the trifecta in 6 races, has been in the quiniela in 5 of 6, and has won a pair in her last 6 trips. She has good early and late speed and will be the one to beat in this effort. Trying to take her down, the resurging Kiowa Kj Gale. Finally she has started to break again and when she is close to the lead, she is a big time threat to win races. Both will have to come out running though as the monster breaker, No Moamy, lies between them both. If he can steal enough and get some help behind him, he might be in line for an upset. Miss Kate also gets a look for recent success. She whiffed last time out with a slow break and a troubled race, but previous to that she has been in the money in 5 straight. Look for her to regain her for and contend again tonight. (6-8-7-4)
For the 14th race we head to the 660 yard course and we look at Eds Charger. Easily better than the grade D ranks, this greyhound just needs a little bit of luck and he will be on his way back to grade A. Just a hair short in his last 3 races in a row, he has done everything he needed to do but win. Here he will take enough early to survive at the finish line for the win. Marks Winningboy is an all out chaser over 660 who is a bit short at the finish. Look for him to run his race and do what he always does, factor! Lrc Last Chance is also an early speed grade dropping greyhound and gets to start from a great one box. If she hits the lid she might just wire this field like she did 6 races ago. And for the latter part of our program, Nimby Runawaygal. This strong closer will be making up ground throughout and challenging all the leaders as they approach the finish line. (6-8-1-3)
The 15th race completes the card and what a race this one is going to turn out to be. Vanessa Rousso is always a monster from the rail post positions and the 2 box is on the rail. She will not be around early on, but she will weave her way through this field and find a way to get up in the stretch for yet another win at the Orange Park Kennel Club. If she finds trouble, or waits too long to make her move, Lk's Gan Slam might just steal away the win. Back at 660 after competing in the stakes, this greyhound is at home. He closed hard last time out and was in the mix late, look for more of the same here. Make U Look is better than her lines show, look at that best time of 37.39 seconds, and if she breaks she will be a big time threat here. Last but not least is Miss Minerva. This all out rail runner will be seeing red in this effort and should factor with the leaders for the duration of this effort. (2-4-5-1)
Saturday - 12/17/2011
Saturday matinee is up next and the feature races for this performance are the 2nd, 10th, 11th, and 13th.
Race two is all about the rail and the greyhound sitting on it named Kiowa Adara Ann. Ann has everything going to her in this effort and it's time to break out of this funk, and get back to winning races at the Orange Park Kennel Club. She loves running from the red box and she is now down 2 full grades. She has a big time class edge over this field and will no excuse not to put up a big time victory. If she wants to win, she needs to outduel the hot Gs Nike and Lk's Priortize, and catch Jello Shot Mike on the early lead to get it done. (1-5-7-2)
It's time for the puppy to shine in the 10th race on the card and that puppy is Lk's Dots Galore. This hard closer will be flying through the pack late and finding a way to get up for yet another win at the Orange Park Kennel Club. With no big time breaker, she is going to be closer early on and that just plays into her hands in the stretch. Watch for a big effort, but she will be challenged by Steel Nose and Crazymotion early on and by the out of place veteran Jayvan. (2-6-4-8)
Post will play a role in the 11th race on the card as well. Pat C Offstage gets a great box, and even though Mesa Full House might be a better runner, she has to start from a tough post position. Both greyhound has the opportunity to win this race, but Offstage is coming off a win and just has to hit it at the break. Full House on the other hand has to get to the rail somehow and then think about running. If Full House does clear early though, the race is probably hers to lose. Both must be wary of the breaking Fire Frost. If the mood suits her, she too could see the early lead here, and let's not forget Lk's Mandrianna either. This greyhound has loads of make up speed and can come from off the pace and get it done at the wire late. (2-8-5-4)
Spot play alert in the 13th race on the card as Lk's Merrel competes in a grade D race. This greyhound just ran 3rd in the finals of the Jacksonville Juvenile, right behind a pair of grade A greyhounds. He has a big upside and is going to climb the ladder in a hurry now that he is back on the racetrack. The rail post only helps his cause, so look for a solid break and for him to take command of this race and romp home for the easy victory. Others to consider here, the early speeder Silver's Oprah, the posted up solid dropper Ahk Canudigit, and rail slashing even runner Par Zinc. (2-7-1-6)
Sunday - 12/18/2011
Rounding up the weekend is Sunday matinee and the features races are the 7th, 9th, 11th, and 15th.
Speed will be the key to success in the 7th race as the edges will be firing from the box and trying to wire the field on the front end. Kiowa Vanessa might want to run wide, but she breaks really well from the rail post positions. Now back in grade A and hot off of back to back wins, she is the one to catch in this effort. That is if ThatsthewayIroll doesn't make the early lead from the 8 box. This greyhound is riding high off a 7 length win, but has been really short in the stretch in the past. If these two battle it out up front, I'm afraid that Vanessa will just be too much for him a the wire. Atascocita Zeya is a promising looking pup that might contend if close and never forget about Gs Grace. She is a monster in the open, but might have a hard time getting here from the 4 box in this effort. Need proof? How about 30.22 second best time! (1-8-4-7)
Now for a look at the 9th race and the beneficiary of everything he wanted, Aj Smog Runner. Back at 550 yards, this greyhound is down a grade and draws his best post here in the 1 box. He is an all out late speed greyhound that will be coming on strong late over the shorter distance. The rail should be enough to get him a win today. Another advantaged greyhound here is Lk's All In. Hot off the stakes rounds and down a grade, she too has a class edge and will threaten from box to wire in this effort. Early both are going to have to catch Sunsands Dream and Lk's Glorious if they are going to get it done as either one could see the early lead in this effort. (1-8-2-3)
Now the race that you all have been waiting for, the 11th on the card, featuring the best greyhound at the racetrack, Gs Uncle Henry. If I need to explain who is going to win this race to you, then you haven't been paying attention to our circuit. Henry has won 8 races in a row and no one has been better to the turn here since, Afleet Alex or Kiowa Wish Frank, and both of those boys are ALL-AMERICANS! He is just dominating and with this win he will tally 39 on the year that started in March. He is special, but he must pay attention in this effort to the posted up closing threat Pat C Red Dawn, the always threatening Lk's Mandalay, and Ahk Miss Kellin who is on a 3 race win streak. (7-1-6-8)
Another spot play shows it head in the 15th race on the card. Gm's Cashman is a former Night of Stars winner and is posted up here in grade B. He has all the tools to get back to A in this effort, he just has to want to win. No speed to his inside, so the rail is his for the taking. I think he shows up in a big way in this effort and makes a statement. Puppy power will be factoring as Gs Comet has shown some good late speed and has not been beat yet at the Orange Park Kennel Club. Three wins in a row, could turn into 4 straight today. Watchdasport is a dropping closer that will be making up ground late, and Lk's Angelica is hot off the stakes final and trying to find her winning form again in this effort. (3-7-6-5)
Due to the Christmas holiday, Palm Beach Kennel Club will be dark on Sunday, Dec. 25. There will be a special Saturday Matinee Twin-Tri force out on Dec. 24. The Tri-Super will be forced out as normal on Friday Matinee, Dec. 23.
For the week of Dec. 26 through Jan. 1, the track will follow its normal force out schedule. There will not be an extra Tri-Super or Twin-Tri force out for the end of the year.
Wayne Ward Kennel’s WW’s Dog Gone has six straight Grade AA marathon victories for trainer Ron Otto. Kennel-mate WW’s Patriots has back-to-back 3/8 wins (A, AA).
Vince Berland Kennel’s Flying Walkabout has won three out of his last four Grade AA trips for trainer Pamela Webb. Kennel-mate Flying Dorsey has back-to-back Grade AA wins.
Ryan Farms Kennel’s Mansfield Hollow has two straight Grade AA victories for trainer Mick D’Arcy.
Charter Kennel’s Lassie Come Home (AA) and Alsobrook (B, A) have back-to-back wins for trainer Robert Cooley.
Sarras Kennel’s Red Shadow has two wins and a second in his last three outings for trainer Steve Sarras.
C And C Kennel’s SE’s Tali Aspen has back-to-back 3/8 victories (A, AA) for trainer Patrick Bever.
Bussmann Balakas Kennel’s Augusta National has two straight 3/8 wins (B, A) for trainer David O’Keefe.
A Ray Kennel’s AMF Ex Pro has back-to-back victories (B, A) for trainer Joe Palmer.
Douglas Kennel’s SL Amarillo has two wins in a row (B, A) for trainer Joe Douglas.
12/15/2011 - The Annihilation Continues
Gs Uncle Henry laid waste to another grade A field on Wednesday Evening and stretched his winning streak to 8 in a row and 12 of his last 13 races.
OP 12/14/2011E-11 550 30.86 F 65.5 4 5 1 2 1 2 1 1.5 30.86 *0.20 A Continues The Streak
OP 12/09/2011E-11 550 30.63 F 66 6 1 1 2 1 3 1 2.5 30.63 *0.40 A Running Machine Insd
OP 12/04/2011A-11 550 30.53 F 66 7 1 1 4 1 7 1 5 30.53 *0.70 A Six Wins In A Row
OP 12/01/2011E-11 550 30.62 F 66 6 1 1 2 1 3 1 1.5 30.62 *0.70 A Chalk Up Another Win
OP 11/26/2011E-11 550 31.01 F 66 5 2 1 2 1 2 1 1.5 31.01 *0.30 A Awesome Sprint Insd
OP 11/21/2011E-10 550 30.76 F 65 1 1 1 5 1 8 1 5 30.76 *0.50 A Full Of Energy Rail
OP 11/18/2011E-10 550 30.53 F 65 1 1 1 3 1 3 1 3 30.53 *0.40 A Showed The Way Rail
OP 11/14/2011E-10 550 30.66 F 65 1 2 1 3 1 6 1 3.5 30.66 *0.90 A In Sharp Form Rail
Breaking from the 4 box, he did not come out as well as he normally does and had some work to do early on. So he put his head down, outrushed everyone to the lead at the first turn, and proved tough on top once again in the stretch for the victory.
11th Grade: A Distance: 550 Condition: Fast
Gs Uncle Henry 65.5 4 5 1 2 1 2 1 1.5 30.86 0.20 Continues The Streak
Kiowa Kj Gale 60 5 1 2 2 2 1.5 30.95 31.10 Stalked Winner Mdtrk
Showtime Wilber 67.5 2 2 3 3 3 5.5 31.25 5.20 Strong Effort On Rl
Hallo Mrs. Leen 56 7 3 7 6 4 7 31.34 29.40 Came Back Again Mt
Lk's All In 66.5 6 8 4 4 5 7.5 31.40 16.00 Cutoff At Break
M's Sweet Caress 60 8 7 5 5 6 8 31.42 35.10 Crowded, No Room
Hanks Dreamboat 55 3 4 6 7 7 8.5 31.45 20.40 Shuffled 1st Turn
Tipsy Marcus W 66.5 1 6 8 8 8 9.5 31.51 12.70 In Traffic 1st Turn
Willis Kennels, Bd, M, 09/28/09, Kelsos Fusileer - Steffie's Mandy
4 Gs Uncle Henry 2.40 2.10 2.10
5 Kiowa Kj Gale 18.20 2.10
2 Showtime Wilber 2.10
QU(4-5) 35.40
PF(4-5) 81.00
TR(4-5-2) 161.20
SU(4-5-2-7) 544.30
Clearly the best greyhound at the Orange Park Kennel Club right now, Henry is getting some notice from around the country as well. With each and every start he is proving his worth and if he keeps up this pace he has a chance to win over 40 races this year, which started out in March.
Congratulations to the Willis Kennel, Gary and Sharon Willis, and everyone else connected with this fantastic greyhound. A stakes win, a stakes second by a half a length, and over 40 wins, sounds like an ALL-AMERCIAN to me!
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He might not have been the favorite in the finals, but Snj Black Porter ran like it in this effort. Breaking from the rail post, not really where he wants to be, he came out with the pack, but on the way to the turn is where the race turned for him and the rest of this field. |
McAllister kennel’s Flying Marvelous (Kiowa Sweet Trey x Flying Midnite) is the only undefeated entry in the stakes series and won her third consecutive 660-yard qualifier in the 660-Yard Distance Challenge series at Derby Lane. Flying Marvelous held off all pressure recording three in a row and her 15th win of the year. Her record to date is 32/15-4-3-1 for the year.
Before Marvelous’ flawless run Cal Holland kennel’s Kentucky Fire (Dragon Fire x RK’s Tomb Raider) kept her top dog status as the season win leader by scoring her 17th win since July. The 60-pound female who is also a contender in the 660-Yard Challenge scored top points in her heat moving her in a two-way tie for third place with 32 points. The last qualifying rounds will be held Wednesday night December 14 where the top eight will move to this year’s final on December 17. Below are the greyhounds in POINT TOTAL for Wednesday’s semifinal.
Nova kennel’s historic hound Hi Noon Renegade continued his winning spree and continues to be one of the nation’s top 550-yard greyhounds this year. Renegade’s highly impressive portfolio includes his historic Gold Trophy and Spring Classic victories this year along with a current record of 36 wins in 56 starts. His current stats for 2011 are 56/36-10-5-1.
Kennel owner Hans Limmer and trainer Rosa Gibbs brought Renegade back slowly when the male suffered a minor injury three months ago. Since his return Hi Noon Renegade (Dodgem By Design x Bryan’s Baby) has remained undefeated and seeks seven in a row in race 12 Saturday night December 10 and a 37th win for the year keeping him among the nation’s top dogs.
Other news: In the race for the kennel title trainer Doug Flint of the Hambleton kennel is one win in front of the McAllister kennel who has 238 wins with 1332 starts. Hambleton is 239 wins out of 1703. Red Oak is in third with 227 wins followed by Patriot (210) and D’Arcy (195) rounds out the top five.
Round three of the 660-yard challenge will be held in races 6 and 10 Saturday December 10th. Two greyhounds are undefeated but one of their records will fall as AHK Colormegone (Abernathy) and Flying Marvelous (McAllister) have drawn in the same 10th race.
12/8/2011 - Oh Henry
Is anyone hotter right now?? That is the million dollar question right now for GS Uncle Henry (Kelsos Fusileer - Steffie's Mandy), because no one here can even get close to him. He is on a tear and from the box to the wire he is in total command at the Orange Park Kennel Club in each and every start. Just look at his lines and you will see what I mean!
OP 12/04/2011A-11 550 30.53 F 66 7 1 1 4 1 7 1 5 30.53 *0.70 A Six Wins In A Row
OP 12/01/2011E-11 550 30.62 F 66 6 1 1 2 1 3 1 1.5 30.62 *0.70 A Chalk Up Another Win
OP 11/26/2011E-11 550 31.01 F 66 5 2 1 2 1 2 1 1.5 31.01 *0.30 A Awesome Sprint Insd
OP 11/21/2011E-10 550 30.76 F 65 1 1 1 5 1 8 1 5 30.76 *0.50 A Full Of Energy Rail
OP 11/18/2011E-10 550 30.53 F 65 1 1 1 3 1 3 1 3 30.53 *0.40 A Showed The Way Rail
OP 11/14/2011E-10 550 30.66 F 65 1 2 1 3 1 6 1 3.5 30.66 *0.90 A In Sharp Form Rail
OP 11/11/2011E-07 550 31.09 F 65.5 8 1 3 1 2 2 3 31.29 *0.50 A Always Up Close Rl
OP 11/07/2011E-10 550 30.65 F 66 7 1 1 3 1 8 1 7 30.65 *0.60 A Outclassed Field Mt
OP 11/04/2011E-10 550 30.72 F 65 8 3 1 3 1 4 1 2 30.72 2.20 A Coasted Home Rail
OP 10/31/2011E-10 550 30.79 F 65 3 2 1 4 1 4 1 nk 30.79 *1.50 A Had Just Enough Rl
OP 10/28/2011E-10 550 30.55 F 65 2 1 1 3 1 3 1 2 30.55 *0.70 A Instant Control Rail
How about 6 wins in a row and 10 in his last 11 starts? That is the pace that Gs Uncle Henry is setting at the Orange Park Kennel Club and frankly the one he has been setting all year.
Just look at his accomplishments since breaking in back in March. He didn't even run a full year and so far he has won 36 of 65 races and has been in the money an impressive 55 times. He has competed in 2 stakes event and finished second by a half a length in the JGR Puppy Stake final and he was the winner of the 2011 James J Patton Silver Cup.
Against the best at the racetrack he has an impressive total of 10 starts, 4 wins, 2 place and 2 third place finishes, including a perfect run in the trifecta through 5 rounds of the last stakes.
The best at the racetrack right now at Orange Park, and he should be considered one of the best in the country right now too.
Congratulation to Gary and Sharon Willis for breeding, raising, and running this superior greyhound, and thanks for sharing him will all of us at the Orange Park Kennel Club.
Saturday - 12/10/2011
The finals of the 2011 Jacksonville Juvenile will run on Saturday evening December 10, 2011 in the 11th race on the card. The best of the best are ready for the title and after the post position draw, a couple of standouts got an advantage. So, let's look at this race in further detail.
Here it's all about the best greyhounds drawing a great post position. Clearly I think that Kiowa Fire Fly is the one to beat in this effort. He love, love, love, loves the rail and gets to start really close here in the 2 box. He has no early speed to his inside with Snj Black Porter, so it's just like starting from the red box. In his last 4 efforts from the 1 box, he has not been beaten and that includes three rounds in qualifying. He has enough early to see the front end here and once in the lead he will take home the prize. No one has ever caught him on the front end, and I don't see that trend breaking in this effort. Pushing the pace and making Fire Fly work for it will be Offthebrakedrake. Drake was only one of two greyhounds to finish in the trifecta in all 4 of the rounds and in each he was around the pace throughout. He won 2 of those efforts and both of those came on the front end. he has blazing early speed, for a DQ greyhound, and will clear early from the outside post. Even though he likes to race from the rail, the 8 box will not be a hindrance tonight. Look for him to press from box to wire and challenge for the win with every step he takes around the racetrack. Now for the closing part of the race and Snj Black Porter. Clearly this greyhounds runs better from the outside, but no one was more consistent in the rounds and no one showed more heart than Porter did. He didn't miss the quiniela in any start and he posted up a huge win in the semi-finals to secure himself a spot in this race. He has late gears the others just wish they had at their disposable, but from this rail post, he is going to have to break if he wants a shot to win. It's going to be tough to outdo Fire Fly early, but that is the task ahead of him here. If he can pull off a holeshot, he might have a good inside track at a stakes title tonight. Now for the longshot in the field, Lk's Merrel. This greyhound is far better than you can see with his lines and since returning he is getting stronger and faster in each and every effort. What he lacks for in experience, he makes up with sure raw close power and determination. He might not be on the favorites radar in this race, but he will keep on coming all the way to the finish line and challenge the leaders late for the win.
So in this final round race, I like the 2-8-1-7.
Good Luck and safe racing to all, and let the puppies leave it all on the track in this final!
Wayne Ward Kennel’s WW’s Dog Gone has five straight Grade AA marathon wins for trainer Ron Otto. Kennel-mates WW’s Kay Quarter (AA), WWK Win Day (C, B, A) and WW Gale Eleven (C, B, A) have won three out of their last four trips.
Darren Henry Kennel’s Braska Hottie has won four out of her last five Grade AA 3/8 races for trainer Terry Green.
Vince Berland Kennel’s Flying Favreau has two wins and a second in his last three Grade AA starts for trainer Pamela Webb. Kennel-mate Flying Killerbee has back-to-back victories (A, AA).
Ryan Farms Kennel’s Scoundrel has two straight Grade AA wins for trainer Mick D’Arcy.
Abrahamson Kennel’s Flying Bassey has back-to-back victories (A, AA) for trainer Tom Engle.
Bussmann-Balakas Kennel’s Desperate Trail has two wins in a row (B, A) for trainer David O’Keefe.
Charter Kennel’s CT Wild Child has back-to-back victories (B, A) for trainer Robert Cooley.
The second round of the 660-yard challenge was held Wednesday night at Derby Lane. Abernathy’s fleet footed female Ahk Colormegone (Fuzzys Cannon x Fuzzys Cessna) scored another box to wire win becoming the first of two to repeat in the qualifying rounds.
Abernathy kennel’s second entry Magic Finch, who finished fifth, scored enough points advancing to round three. McAllister kennel’s Flying Marvelous (Kiowa Sweet Trey x Flying Midnite) also repeated her last start in box to wire fashion tying Colormegone with the high 32 points. McAllister’s other entry Flying Carne’s seventh place finish in round one and fourth in round two did not give him enough points to advance.
J. E. O’Donnell’s Hallo Sangria (Trent Lee x Kiowa High Hand) took full advantage of the rail post and went box to wire upsetting round one winner Storm Rush. Hallo Sangria was the third female to win in the second round series. O’Donnell’s second entry TMC’s Hero also advanced to the third round. The final heat of the night was an all-male field. Lester Raines USS Billionaire came from behind to win the race putting him in the top ten for the next two rounds. A clean cut with 11 points and above advanced the sweet 16.
After posting a nice record at Mardi Gras Casino’s sandy oval of 16 starts with eight victories to his credit, the 76 pound black male stepped it up a notch when he arrived at Southland Park Gaming & Racing in late May of this year. Known for a hard rush to the first turn, he wasted no time showing off those skills for our patrons. Right off the bat he racked up a 5 ½ length official schooling victory. He then won his second start in top grade by 2 ½ lengths. After running into a streak of trouble in the following races, the son of Trent Lee switched over the longer Razorback Course.
It was over this 660 yard course that he posted his best streak of seven races at that time. During that span he won two races and finished a close second in two others. The dual distance running then switched back to the sprint course to get ready for the biggest stakes series at Southland Park. He displayed his sire’s speed by a nice showing in the Sprint Championship Division of the “Festival of Stakes” this past October where he finished second in two of the four qualifying rounds which earned him a spot in the Consolation final. That momentum has turned into a nice winning streak lately where the North Shore Kennel talent has put together a win streak of four of his last five races, including three straight in top “AA” grade.
For the season he is nearly 43% in the Quiniela with eight victories and (4) second place efforts in just 28 starts. Keep an eye on this John Kelly owned speedster as we get ready to close out our 2011 live racing season!
Hi Noon Renegade is seeking his 36th win this year over the 550-yard course despite his three-month layoff. The Nova kennel star could upstage the distance athletes vying for a slot in the semifinals the same night The qualifiers for the stakes will be held in races 4,6,8 and 10 Wednesday night (Dec. 7) where only 16 of the 31 racers will advance. Patriot kennel’s Kay On With It was pulled from the stakes after round one causing the seven-dog field in race six.
Round one winners MW Ispiperin (Alabama), AHK Colormegone (Abernathy), Storm Rush (Hambleton) and Flying Marvelous (McAllister) hope for repeat victories. The points will be tallied following race ten to produce the sweet 16 for the first of two semifinals to be held Saturday night December 10.
Hi Noon Renegade will seek the 36th victory and a sixth in-a-row in race 13, which is the back-half of the Twin Trifecta that is forced out every Wednesday night. Renegade (Dodgem By Design x Bryan’s Baby) is prepping for the St. Petersburg Inaugural. The stakes will be the first in celebration of Derby Lane’s 87 years of racing beginning in January 2012.
Other news: The Hambleton kennel has snatched the top spot away from McAllister, as the two battle it out for the kennel title. Hambleton, which is a new kennel this meet, is raising nice pups that include St. Pete Derby champ Storm Rush, who is currently competing in the 660-yard challenge. Hambleton is five in front with 236 wins over McAllsiter. Red Oak Racing is firmly in third place with 223 wins followed by Patriot (203)and J. E. O’Donnell, Jr.(191) making up the top five.
Lk's Gran Slam - Points (52)
Career Totals (23/7-5-7-1)
W R BD – M February 2010 Domingo Dodge – Hush Darling
Owned By – Jill Lashmet
Runs for the Lashmet Kennel
Trained by Tom Artzer
Lk's Gran Slam took the jump back to 550 yards without a hiccup and won three of the four qualifying rounds in the process. He has great late speed, but he didn't need it in any of his wins. He was in early control of those starts, and once in front, he left the field in his lurch as he won by several lengths over his competition at the finish line. Gran Slam is competing in his first stakes and makes the finals in his very first attempt. He is the first of three, yes that's right, three finalist from the Lashmet Kennel and all three greyhounds come from different litters. Big things were planned for this greyhound from the get go as he broke his maiden in his very first start. He closed well in several starts in grade D, but just couldn't find the top spot at the wire, so he jumped over to the 660 yard course and continued to climb up the ladder. It might have taken him two distance and several starts to reach the top grade, but since he has gotten there, he has never looked back or seen a grade B event. After a lackluster performance in the semi-finals, Gran Slam is looking for another home run in this final round race. If he wants to complete the trip around the bases and take home the win, there is just one thing he has to do, BREAK! He doesn't need to be on top in this effort, but he does need to be in the conversation early on so that he can get around close and use his late speed to get up for the win. Clearly he is one of the one to beat in this final round race and if he decides to come out close, he will factor with the leaders at the finish line tonight.
Offthebrakedrake - Points (52)
Career Totals (26/8-4-3-1)
R – M February 2010 Coldwater Konow – Ruby Is The Best
Owned By – Lorenzo Anguiano
Runs for DQ Williams Kennel
Trained by Louis Amaral
Nice to see DQ back in the finals of a stakes event and Offthebrakedrake earned his spot with some stellar running. He never missed the trifecta in any of the rounds and that includes a pair of wins, a second, and a third place effort. He has been a force throughout in each and every effort, and even though he might lack the all out late speed of the other DQ entries, he has enough early and heart to win races against the best at the racetrack. This stakes event was the first for him and he finds himself smack dab in the elite eight on Saturday evening. Drake is also the first of two entries into the finals for the resurging DQ Williams Kennel, and along with that comes a long pedigree of stakes champions to try and live up to. The pressure will be on but he looks up to the task. Drake took the slow and steady route to grade A, as he won his first maiden race, but ran in 18 more to see the top grade greyhounds. He hasn't slipped back yet and has really come into his own against the best pups at the racetrack. His key to winning this race will be his break. He will have to be close early on in order to contend and if he can see the lead, he could be upset minded all the way to the wire. If he keeps the pedal to the metal, watch-out, he could surprise them all in this effort.
Snj Black Porter - Points (52)
Career Totals (28/8-7-6-3)
BK – M November 2009 Jt's Goesaround – Ultimate Cupcake
Owned By – SNJ D Dogs, LLC
Runs for the Crowe Kennel
Trained by Garnet Crowe
Talk about your special ALE's, Snj Black Porter is one sweet greyhound that loves to POUR in on late and challenge for the win. No greyhound was more consistent as Black Porter racked up 4 efforts in a row in the quiniela, including a big time win in the semi-finals to secure him a spot with the best on Saturday evening. Like the rest, first stakes, first finals, and the first of two greyhounds in the mix for the Crowe Kennel. Unlike the rest, Black Porter flew thru the grading ranks and arrived in grade A in just his 7 career start. He has the most experience against the best at the racetrack and that could really come in handy in this effort. His late speed is his best attribute and even if he is out of it early on, don't count him out, he has enough left in the tank late to catch almost anyone in this race and beat them to the finish line. He does run his best though when he is staking early, so a good break will go a long way in helping him out in this effort. One of the per-race favorites to be in this final, Black Porter has lived up to the hype and now just one race sits between him and the title. Running his best at the right time, Black Porter is firing on all cylinders now and is poised to make some noise on Saturday evening. If he comes to run, he will empty the keg in order to hoist the trophy at the finish line.
Kiowa Fire Fly - Points (50)
Career Totals (42/16-1-2-4)
BK – F January 2010 Lonesome Cry – Kansas Firefly
Owned By – Smith Greyhounds, Inc.
Runs for the Lester Raines Kennel
Trained by Heather Fowler
No big surprise here as the most experienced greyhound in the field makes it to the finals. Kiowa Fire Fly might be a bit of an all or nothing kind of greyhound, but when you are mostly having ALL races, you pretty much dominate. Kiowa Fire Fly won three of the four qualifying rounds, all of which came on the front end, and posted up the two fastest times in all of qualifying in the process. He is deadly on the lead, and once his nose is in front, he has never been caught from behind. He is no one trick pony though, he has won races from off the pace as well and can close on occasion to get up and steal a win. Competing in his first stakes, Fire Fly makes the finals and has a big burden on his shoulders as the only entry in the finals of the kennel standing leader Lester Raines kennel. Loads of training experience is behind him and so is some red hot running. With seven wins in ten starts, everyone better pay attention to him in this effort. All he needs to do is show up early and make the lead in this race. If history repeats itself, Fire Fly will blaze the trail and take home the top prize at the finish line.
Lk's Angelica - Points (37)
Career Totals (22/6-4-4-0)
BK – F February 2010 Daddy Warbarks – Zoomn Cheri
Owned By – Jill Lashmet
Runs for the Lashmet Kennel
Trained by Tom Artzer
Lk's Angelica is a streaky greyhound that has really started to shine at the right time. Right before the stakes, she won back to back to back races and finally reached grade a after 18 races. The fun continued on for her in the stakes as she was the runner up in rounds one, two, and three, before ending her quiniela streak with a rough trip in the semi-finals. The second of three greyhounds in the finals for the Lashmet kennel, Lk's Angelica is competing in her very first stakes event and make it all the way to the finals. Consistency does pay off as she is one of only two greyhounds to make the elite eight without a win during qualifying. Angelica's key to success in this race has to be the break! She runs her best when she is on, or near, the pace early on and all you have to do is look at her lines to see this. In five of her six career wins, she was in the lead at the first turn, and held tough all the way to the finish line for the win. In the other she was second early and outlasted the front runner at the wire. If she can get out fast and get into contention early on in this efforts, she will make everyone else in this field work if they want to win the championship.
Lk's Merrel - Points (36)
Career Totals (12/3-2-1-1)
R – M February 2010 Domingo Dodge – Stress Reducer
Owned By – Jill Lashmet
Runs for the Lashmet Kennel
Trained by Tom Artzer
Lk's Merrel took the long way to the stakes and even though he has the last experience in this field, don't overlook him in this effort. Merrell is the third entry for the Lashmet kennel in the stakes and even though he didn't win a race in qualifying, he was oh so close on a couple of occasions. This big time closer was making up ground in every effort and found himself second twice, third once, and fifth once in qualifying. Sure his recent lines might not look like too much, but if you dig deeper you get a more polished look at just what he can do on the racetrack. Breaking in, Merrel, won his maiden race by ten and a half lengths in a speedy grade A like time of 30.70 seconds. He backed that up with wins in grade D and grade C in consecutive starts and was well on his way to A. He falter after some trouble ridden races and then was laid off for almost two months before returning just before the stakes. This greyhound has speed to burn in the stretch and if he can just get out a bit closer early on, he might be the longshot that everyone will be looking for come post time. Big upside for the true puppy, we will have to see if he is up for the challenge of the finals.
Blazing Hot - Points (34)
Career Totals (39/7-4-2-4)
R – M July 2009 Ahk Cannon Fire* – Kelsos Gabriella
Owned By – Michael Queer
Runs for the Crowe Kennel
Trained by Garnet Crowe
Seizing control is what Blazing Hot did in the semi-finals of the stakes. He needed a win, after a pair of thirds and a six place effort in the first three rounds, and that is just what he came up with at the finish line. Rushing hard to the turn he cleared to the lead and took command of the race. He coasted to the wire and showed that his best running still might be in front of him in this stakes. The second of two entries in the finals for the Crowe kennel, Blazing Hot, is competing in his first stakes event and makes it into his first final round race. He gets the journeyman tag in this race as he has never been to grade A, he has lots of races under his belt, but he has won very few of those starts. He is no slouch though and has competed well and finished in the money in several of his starts. Normally a steady runner, with a bit of a close in the wings, Blazing Hot puts up his best efforts when he is on or near the lead early on. In this final round race, he will need to follow suit with the majority of this field, and find a way to come out running at the start. If he can stalk the pace heading to the turn, he might have a shot to take down the competition and the title at the finish line.
Jeans Two Face - Points (33)
Career Totals (13/2-3-0-1)
W BK – M April 2010 No More Loving – Whoop Dee Do
Owned By – Sharon L Williams
Runs for DQ Williams Kennel
Trained by Louis Amaral
Jeans Two Face is the enigma of this field. He has very few races on her belt and in those he has looked not all the impressive at times, but he found enough in the stakes to post up a win, a second, a fifth, and a seventh place finish and secure himself a spot in the finals. Jeans Two Face is the second of two from the DQ Williams Kennel and he does posses the DQ trait. For those of you unfamiliar of what I speak, it's called CLOSING SPEED! He has a tremendous late kick and when he wants to use it, he can come from well off the pace and take down the leaders before the finish line. Just look at qualifying for example. In his in the money finishes, he was absolutely flying in the stretch and there was no doubt that he was going to get a piece of the action at the wire. Clearly the underdog in this final round field Jeans Two Face is under the radar, and as we all know you can never forget about the DQ Williams greyhound in the stakes final.
A ‘Wow’ of a November has the Plum Creek Kennel in firm command of the leaderboard at Bluffs Run.
Plum Creek’s greyhound produced an amazing 55 victories in November, 22 more than any other kennel. The feat allowed Plum Creek to amass $117,695.25 in earnings in November. That pushed the kennel over $1 million ($1,007,783.25) for the year.
The 55 wins gave Plum Creek a 30-win lead over Boeckenstedt (411-5.-381.5) for the year.
Time Release, 4-3-1-0, Lucky Lad, 4-3-0-0 and Do Hicky, 3-2-1-0, led the Plum Creek effort.
The Hardison Kennel had a solid month with 33 wins. The greyhound of the month, Kosugi, led Hardison with a 6-4-0-1 record, the only greyhound to win four races in November at Bluffs Run.
The Harlan Brothers was third with 31 wins behind Killer Smart at 5-3-0-1.
Other top greyhounds in the month were Mamas Gary Lam (Bean & Stout), 3-3-0-0; L’s Hey Reb (Boeckenstedt), 4-3-0-0 and KL’s Erin (Legg), 5-3-0-0.
Going into December, Slatex Emerald (Harlan Brothers) has the track win championship well in hand with a 54-35-12-2 record. P’s Gibbs (Petzold) sits second at 45-27-6-6.
Highlighting the December schedule is the final round of the $60,000 Kennel Championship. It is set for Saturday, Dec. 17 with entries due Wednesday, Dec. 14.
Boeckenstedt leads the chase with 377 points. Its magic number to clinch the title is 23 points. Bean & Stout has 339 points and Plum Creek has 337.
The thinking around here is that, as long as there are profitable places to race, and as long as quality pups keep coming to NGA Meets and auctions, the NGA Auctions (and thus the gatherings themselves) are going to continue to do just fine.
Such was the case (again) in October in Abilene. Far more young greyhounds than anyone imagined—515 in all, when most expectations hovered around the 400 figure—were entered in the NGA Track Stakes. Most of those—462 to be exact— were also consigned to the auction.
There was nothing in the manner in which these pups performed during the weeklong Track Stakes in mid- October that would suggest they were of any lesser quality than the smallish group of 258 pups that gathered here last April, many of which went on to excel in an impressive fashion over the next six months of 2011. As a result, the Fall Meet Auction exceeded most everyone’s expectations by a wide margin. To sum up—it was another bonanza event with more than $900,000 in pup sales and a surprising $40,000-plus in brood sales.
What some thought would be a $600,000 sale turned out to be the best and biggest NGA Auction, in virtually all statistical areas, the last three years.
Some mistakenly read into the NGA Auction results that this is a sign that the industry isn’t really hurting. No sense fooling oneself or being in denial; this is unquestionably a challenging time for our sport. Fact is, though—again: as long as the there are profitable places to race and as long as the NGA Auctions attract quality pups, future auctions will be OK. Even thrive....
Two crackerjack pups led the way in the sales, going for $30,000 each. Whereas the spotlight last summer was on the Spring Meet’s heroine, SE’s Tali Aspen (who immediately shot up the grade ladder at Tri-State in the summer), this winter all eyes will be on Green Smith’s two acquisitions, Money Maid and Flying Adamonis, purchased from Lisa Riches and Vince Berland, respectively, after they sped to main-stake wins in exhilarating fashion during Meet Week. Their promise appears to have no bounds at this juncture….
But there were many other sales that will be worthy of watching as well—some perhaps like the sale of a not-soimpressive pup named Craigie I Am Jak last April for a measly $2,500 to Michelle and Tammy Edgar, only to have the pup go on to win the Derby Lane Fall Sprint Classic. Or Jimmy Blanchard’s $4,500 purchase of Hug N Dodgem, eventual winner of the Dubuque Puppy Stake in early October.
Loosely paraphrasing a popular old movie: If you bring it (i.e., quality pup stock), they (the buyers) will come.
* * * *
Incredibly mild days— other than a few windy ones, especially during the week of schooling— and pleasantly cool nights made for a great backdrop to the Fall Meet. Big numbers from all corners of the greyhound world pilgrimaged to Abilene to take in the week-long national happening, and attendees were not to be disappointed. Each day (and night) offered its own brand of excitement and fun. Simply put—for most everyone, it was really, really good to be in Abilene during Meet Week….
Those there to watch the races enjoyed more than their fill—what with 17 full stake events, plus the two special features on closing day (the Slack’s Best of 4 and Borchers stakes). On top of that, the NGA Board ruled to allow all the also-rans to return for secondround consolation races late in the week —something that had been tried successfully for the first time last spring. There’s no arguing that having a second chance to show one’s stuff aided consignors and the auction, as 33 of the consolation pups (separate from the Flite I and Flite II qualifiers) sold in the ring for a total of $86,700. Two rounds for every pup will now be a permanent part of every meet….
The social activities were equally enjoyable. On Tuesday night, about 70 Greyhound Hall Of Fame Club members gathered for a barbeque and were highly entertained by a folk-country singer-songwriter named Pete Gile, from North-central Kansas. (We observed Pete selling quite a few of his CDs after the program that evening.)….Wednesday night belonged solely to veteran NGA member Greg Fast, honoree at the NGA Fall Banquet at the local Elks Club. The program was excellent, wonderfully emceed by close friend (and former honoree) Helen Stout (see Dave Bergmeier’s feature this issue). Special guests in town from the racetracks for the banquet and other activities during the week included the usual loyal NGA Meet attendees and Hall Of Fame supporters—folks such as Bill Lee, Tim Leuschner, Shane Bolender, Eric Wilson, Sally Briggs, Jim Gartland and Karen Keelan. Always good to have them join the week-long celebration…. One of the highlights that evening was the drawing for the three prizes in this year’s Pup Giveaway (see Track Talk for results) ….Thursday’s social program at the museum was all about a man and his dog—namely, Vince Berland and Kiowa Sweet Trey, who were both inducted into the Hall Of Fame that evening. Lance Berland made the Sweet Trey presentation to Vince and co-owner Kay Smith, who in turn made the presentation to Vince for his enshrinement. A big dinner party with a live band, hosted by the Berlands, with all invited, was held at the Eagles Club after the ceremony….
Earlier that day, Lester Raines hosted a chuckwagon barbeque lunch in Brown’s Park south of town (prepared and served by Abilene’s own Dollop & Pinch caterers) that was thoroughly enjoyed by nearly 200 of the Meet attendees. This was similar to the barbeque luncheon Lester sponsored in the spring—only this time, twice as much food was needed….What better way to re-energize after Thursday’s final races than to enjoy a few bourbon baby-back ribs with good company on a pleasant fall afternoon—just enough nourishment to carry one through to the Berlands’ evening meal at the Eagles! Yes, evening the eatin’ was great during Meet Week….
Next year’s NGA Meets? Dates have been set for Apr. 23-28 for the spring event and Oct. 8-13 for the fall. You really shouldn’t plan on missing either…. Honorees at the Spring Meet Banquet will be Daryl and Peggy Brumage of Byers, CO. Emcee for the event has already been named: former veteran greyhound track manager and official Bill Lee….No doubt Track Stake entries will be less for the Spring Meet, but very possibly bigger than last spring.
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Changing of the guard: with the retirement of Dick Figurilli from the Board of Directors, newly elected representative from the 3A District is Melvin Johnson of Calhan, CO. Re-elected unopposed from their districts were Jim Blanchard (1A) and Fred Fulchino (2A)…. Newly elected NGA president for the 2011-12 year is Kenny Allen of Abilene, with S. Lester Raines of Charleston, WV, elected as vice-president….
This being the last issue of the calendar year, you’ll find a preliminary list of nominees for the 2011 NGA’s Rural Rube and Flashy Sir Award (best sprinter and best distance greyhound of the year, respectively) elsewhere in this issue. The final list of nominees, along with your ballot, will be carried in the Jan/Feb 2012 issue, with results announced in the Mar/Apr issue…. Your help’s vitally needed here. Readers, members and track personnel are requested to submit names of qualified nominations and their accomplishments by the Jan. 9 deadline, for final publication….
From staff and officers here at NGA, best wishes for a wonderful Holiday Season to all NGA members and Review readers….
Angel Tree from the Blake & Black Kennel took early command of the 26th $500,000 Iowa Breeders Classic at Bluffs Run on Saturday, Nov. 5, and was never challenged in rolling to a four-length triumph.
“That was exciting,” said an excited trainer John Filipelli, “to win the biggest stakes in the country. She was ready. She was in as good a shape as she could be.”
Still, Angel Tree, a 25-month old 66-pounder out of 2004 Iowa Breeders Classic champion RA B l a z e r - J a y s Leeann, wasn’t one of the favorites in this race. She finished fifth in the qualifying points races and went to the boxes sixth favorite according to the bettors.
But Angel Tree wasn’t reading the odds as she broke fourth and jumped to the lead ahead of Jet Force (Hardison), who broke from the eight box.
“We were not expecting her to go to the front,” admitted Filipelli, “and she did.”
Angel Tree and Jet Force beat the field to the first turn and sliced to the rail. By the time the pair reached the backstretch, the race was rapidly turning into a two-greyhound affair.
“On the lead, I was pretty confident,” said Filipelli. “I thought she would be chasing the eight (Jet Force), but it was the other way around. She was being chased by the eight and she had outrun the eight before.”
Jet Force pressed the issue through the backstretch and around the far turn, staying a length behind the lead. But when the pair reached the homestretch, Angel Tree pulled away in dominating fashion to record her four-length win in a time of 30.44 seconds for the 5/16 mile course.
The path to the championship was team effort, explained kennel owner Clay Black.
“Tim Waller raised her,” said Black. “He took care of her in her first year. Randy Caskey trained her at the farm. And give the Iowa Greyhound Association credit for wanting to put together a stakes of this magnitude.”
Jet Force settled for second, but it was a good second.
“I can’t believe it,” said an obviously happy Sandy Phluger from the Hardison Kennel. “She broke good and had a good race.”
Third was P’s Gibbs (Petzold), the leading point earner in the qualifiers. P’s Gibbs went to the boxes as the favorite. He broke third; bumped L’s Fray in the first turn and never made a move. A mild rally returned him to third, but seven lengths back.
Fourth was Shelly (Mickim), who surrendered to P’s Gibbs in the homestretch and finished eighth back.
JD Imperium (Mickim) finished second in points in the qualifiers and had the one box. He went off as the second favorite, but broke last and did nothing in finishing fifth, 10 lengths back.
L’s Fray (Boeckenstedt) needed the front and did not get it. She fell back after bumping P’s Gibbs entering the first turn. L’s Fray finished sixth, a dozen lengths back.
Boc’s Now U Don’t (Boeckenstedt) went off as the longshot at 32-1 and was seventh. L’s Zakarack (Boeckenstedt) settled for eighth.
Amid the laughter and the cell phones ringing with calls of congratulations, Filipelli decided to be simply thrilled.
“I had a second at the Derby Lane Million,” Filipelli. “This beats it.”
(Reprinted with permission of the Associated Press 2011)
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — The FBI seized several computers and a cell phone when it arrested a former greyhound racing figure accused of hatching an extortion plot targeting West Virginia Gov.-elect Earl Ray Tomblin, U.S. District Court filings show.
The search warrant for a California residence and a Lincoln Town Car may shed more light on the federal case against the defendant, Harry Marshall Rae.
Rae faces a Dec. 19 trial after pleading not guilty in Charleston. U.S. Magistrate Judge Mary Stanley allowed the 63-year-old to remain free on bond and to return to Angels Camp, Calif.
The Florida resident has been staying at a sister’s home while receiving psychological treatment at a Veterans Affairs hospital in Palo Alto, his public defender Mary Lou Newberger told Stanley. Newberger described his condition as posttraumatic stress disorder.
Rae was indicted in October on a charge alleging he posted a Sept. 18 message on the governor’s website threatening to smear Tomblin. In the arrest warrant, the FBI alleged that Rae had also been emailing demands for $50,000 from a Wheeling greyhound breeder. Emails included with the Sept. 26 arrest warrant show Rae vowing to release a video claiming to show cruel practices at a greyhound kennel.
Arrested just days before the Oct. 4 special election for governor, Rae and his alleged scheme became a lastminute issue in the race. Family members of Tomblin, the Democratic nominee, raise greyhounds. That breeding business had become fodder for attack ads from his GOP opponent, Bill Maloney, and the Republican Governors Association.
Rae alleged in at least four of the released emails that he was negotiating with Maloney’s campaign to provide the video. The campaign has said it had no contact with Rae.
Some Maloney supporters allege the case was an attempt to smear the Republican candidate in the race’s closing days. Tomblin’s campaign had cited the emails in calling for Maloney’s campaign to release any relevant information.
The search warrant targeting Rae’s vehicle and the sister’s residence shows the FBI seized four laptop and desktop computers, along with several thumb-size hard drives and compact discs. A cell phone was also collected during the Sept. 29 search, the federal filings show.
The Wheeling breeder, Dean Miner, agreed to allow the FBI to record several phone calls with Rae. In one, Rae alleged that he kept copies of his videos on his sister’s computer, “and that his sister will disseminate them if anything goes wrong with the extortion plan,” the search warrant said.
While seeking that warrant, the FBI also alleged that someone identifying himself as Rae phoned Tomblin’s campaign office on Sept. 27. The individual told a campaign staffer that he had “video recordings that would embarrass the greyhound industry, and that he had an offer to sell the tapes to individuals involved in the greyhound industry,” the FBI affidavit said.
The caller asked if Tomblin was interested in acquiring the tapes, the filing said, and provided the number to Rae’s cell phone when told that someone else would have to return his call.
The search and arrest warrant affidavits also alleged that Rae had previously attempted to extort $22,000 from the president of the National Greyhound Association by threatening to release a damaging video. Rae is a former NGA member, and a veteran of the industry, the filings said.
Other emails filed in the case show Rae was in contact with GREY2K USA, a greyhound advocacy group whose executive director had endorsed Maloney. That official, Carey Theil, has said that Rae alleged he had evidence of cruelty in the greyhound racing industry, but that Theil’s group knew nothing of the alleged extortion plot.
Federal prosecutors said that any evidence seized remains under review. Newberger did not respond to requests for comment.
Pending trial, Rae is barred from any contact with Theil, Tomblin, Miner or other industry figures mentioned in his emails. Rae must also check in weekly with a federal probation officer in California.
A Kansas producer known for his quiet demeanor was in the spotlight during the annual National Greyhound Association fall banquet Wednesday night, Oct. 12, at the Elks Club.
In typical fashion, Fast said he was humbled by the recognition and thanked those who attended the ceremony. Kenny Allen, of Abilene, presented Fast with a plaque to recognize his achievement.
As he surveyed the crowd, Fast said it was a reminder of the importance of the banquet for others.
“There are a lot more deserving greyhound people here than I, and I hope they get that opportunity to be up here,” Fast said.
Emcee Helen Stout and Sue Boatright, fellow Kansans, as well as Bob Rider of Vinton, Iowa, and Mike Strickland, of Abilene, were in unison about the calm demeanor of their friend.
Stout, also of Burlingame, was glad to see two of Fast’s daughters, Julie and Janice, who were seated with him.
Greg Fast is a quiet person, she said, and as result did not like to ask for any favors. When he did he was quick to repay. The emcee said to keep his passion for greyhounds, Fast worked several jobs to keep his farm in business.
His humbleness is easy to see not from his talking but his actions. Fast is typical in that greyhound owners are grassroots people who are willing to help others in their time of need.
“What people did not know, he is a very good cook,” Stout said. After a long day of work, when most people would be too tired to do anything but rest, Fast would readily ask people to stay and prepare and cook a steak dinner.
Rider said his friend, though quiet, was also a very positive attitude, which is necessary in the greyhound industry. He first got to know Fast in the early 1990s at the NGA meets.
“He’d say I don’t have another (pup) to run,” Rider said. “But he had Lonesome Cry and other All- Americans to be here. I’m really glad to know him.”
Boatright spoke on behalf of her husband, Rod, and noted that the couple’s friend had the catchiest name in the industry. The Boatrights are from Milan, Kan.
“Wouldn’t it be fun to say ‘all my dogs are fast?’” Sue Boatright said. “What a great name to have with greyhounds.”
Boatright said she admired Fast because he was willing to name his greyhounds based on his life experiences. With the assistance of her husband, she provided the audience with a 5-minute story about 40 greyhound names that summed up his life near Burlingame. “Greg Fast – a great name for a great guy,” Sue Boatright said. Strickland was chosen as a young greyhound producer to recognize Fast. “Greg has always been a good friend,” Strickland said. “He is very modest and does not talk much about himself.” When Strickland and Fast get together they do talk about their greyhound pups and their potential. Strickland then smiled and said when Fast did not think his pups will produce is just when the industry becomes aware of the talents of Lonesome Cry and Clapping Thunder.
“I’ve always enjoyed our conversations,” Strickland said. “You have been a friend to the industry and a friend to me.”
Each spring and fall the NGA holds the weeklong nationals in Abilene, KS. A smorgasbord of events is presented and includes pricing sellers’ promising pups at unbeatable bargains. Each meet one or more buyers brag of their delightful deals after the auction.
Last spring one such deal was made when John Boyd of OK accepted the bid of $2,500 from James Edgar of FL for Craigie I Am Jak. The red brindle male was born on January 4, 2010 and is the son of Lonesome Cry and Craigie Crimson. Jak was sent to Derby Lane to Campbell Greyhound Racing kennel and trainer Brandy Glaspey.
Jak debuted at the end of the Derby Lane meet boasting six money finishes in eight official starts by the end of June. He stormed the new meet in July winning his first three starts over the 550-yard oval. Jak’s c rowd-pl e a s ing racing style is a fan favorite. The youngster is a slow starter who is often nowhere to be seen until the backstretch. The strong male creates his own lane powering his way to the finish, as he picks off his rivals one-by-one. Craigie I Am Jak has brought back the excitement of greyhound racing, especially when he is matched with fleet-footed rivals.
Craigie I Am Jak made quite an impression when he scored top points during the qualifying rounds of the $50,000 Fall Sprint against the seasoned athletes. The fierce finalists included Aerial Battle--the oldest in the stakes. The Capabal kennel star known as the “comeback kid” returned for a final stakes before retirement. Aerial Battle clocked the fastest time of the Fall Sprint series (30.41) and finished second high in points with 51. Battle’s kennelmate JW Titleist, who was whelped from the same dam Abita Cruzin, had “top dog” bragging rights at the time of the stakes.
Last year’s Fall Juvenile champion USS Gazillionair of the Raines kennel made the cut, too. The male is also a dual distance athlete that won this year’s Rotary Governor’s race (550). Jak also competed against St. Petersburg Derby champion Storm Rush (Hambleton Racing), who has a similar racing style. Storm Rush’s early speed kennelmate Manicotti Manny was a second Hambleton finalist.
AHK Colormegone (Abernathy) carried a 10 of 11 in-the-money record to the final. She was the second of three females in the stakes. D’Arcy kennel’s Sand Cloud was considered the sleeper in the race and was the third of three females.
Sand Cloud was the first out of the box, but was tangled up in a first turn jam and fell. Gazillionair was shutoff early and faded in the backstretch followed by Colormegone. The veteran Aerial Battle put up a good fight against the younger stronger Jak. Battle led in the backstretch, but couldn’t hold off the “power pup,” as Jak passed Battle in the homestretch. “He (Jak) is a real nice pup,” said James Campbell in the winner’s circle. “Jak will be our entry in more stakes races.”
The Edgar’s were in attendance to relish in the victory of their champion. James who selected the male at the NGA, his wife Tammy who co-owns Jak with daughter Michelle Edgar and trainer Glaspey were among the smiling faces. And it was discovered through the wonders of social media that Michelle Edgar and James Campbell, who are engaged, met on January 4th– the same date as Craigie I Am Jak was born.
At the time of this article Craigie I Am Jak made the first cut in the $20,000 Fall Juvenile stakes. The pup has his eye on the prize. The race final will be held November 12. Jak has won 12 of his 32 starts to date and boasts 28 of 32 money finishes. At this time it is undecided if Jak will course the longer run for the 660- yard Challenge stakes in December to close out the year.
The Iowa Breeders Classic at Bluffs Run celebrated its 26th birthday this November. The track’s premier stakes series has a history as rich as its purse – $500,000 – presently the richest greyhound race in the United States. The 26 races have produced a total purse of $7,125,000.
The Iowa Breeders Classic was born when the Iowa State Legislature passed the bill for greyhound racing in 1984.
Bluffs Run is a focal point for 59 licensed farms in Iowa. There had been as many as 68 farms, but the constant fight over the life of the tracks saw some of the farms go idle. Hopefully, they will start up again and renew their license.
There are 181 licensed owners racing at Bluffs Run.
The first Iowa Breeders Classic came in 1986. There were only two qualifying races, each sending the top four finishers to the championship race. All eyes were on the All-American Kercer, but trouble in the first turn opened the door for Flamboyant Flo, a Grade C entry who cruised home by one and a half lengths for owner Janice Kolander. Kolander was thrilled, the timing could not have been better. Her farm had come out second-best in a tangle with a tornado in the spring and the winning purse was most welcomed.
I can remember walking up the track after the award ceremony, asking questions of trainer Bill Henry. That was a scene, me, just three months moving into town and knowing nothing about the sport and Bill, gracious as he would always prove to be, with this “who the dickens are you?” look on his face.
Two years later, 1988, may still stand as the best finish in the Iowa Breeders Classic. Down Two, fighting a cold, repeated as champion. He remains the only greyhound to win twice in the IBC. But it wasn’t easy for Down Two. Four greyhounds made the charge down the homestretch, side-by-side. Down Two nipped Rm’s Rocket Ride by a head with Gimme Nicky edging Bahama Playgirl for third, both greyhounds barely a half-length behind.
The “highlight” of the 1991 IBC came at the post position luncheon. A chorus of groans filled the air when Ron Mullen, drawing for heavy favorite Bogus Buddy, picked the greyhound’s favorite one box. As expected, Bogus Buddy went to the boxes the big favorite. But when Lucky spun around the rail and the boxes opened to start the Classic, Buddy never broke. He finished a disappointing fifth to Full Circuit.
For the 1992 Iowa Breeders Classic preview show I, as the show’s invited “expert” suggested there were two greyhounds that were longshots. One was Moto Anna. That Saturday, we watched as, much to trainer Mark Arno’s delight, Moto Anna ran away with the title. So much for experts.
The most impressive Iowa Breeders Classic show belongs to Con Man Mike for his 1996 performance. He won all four qualifying races and the title race and he won all of his races by 11 lengths! Still, the greyhound kept his owner, Micky Canapp, nervous.
“I was always afraid he was going to trip,” Canapp explained.
The performance also left Nice Guy Mike with maybe the dubious award as the best greyhound not to win the Iowa Breeders Classic. Nice Guy Mike followed his second place finish in 1996 with a second in 1997 to Noble Titan.
The Wilhite Kennel will remember the 1999 Iowa Breeders Classic when Cals Prime Time led a win-placeshow sweep for the kennel. Be My Bubba, forecasting his win in 2000, was second and Fast Pace Petie, with a rally from seventh, was third.
Heartbreak in the trainer’s room described the 2002 race. The Bob Rider Kennel thought it had a winner in System Mb Mo Try only to see Cravin A Win take the win away in the last stride. The win by a nose is the closest margin of victory in the Classic in 26 years.
The first decade of the new century belonged to the Boeckenstedt greyhounds as Boc’s Big League (2005), Boc’s Bullseye (2008) and Boc’s Skippy Lou (2009) came home with titles. Boc’s Skippy Lou was the biggest longshot to win (37.80 on the dollar) and posted the fastest time (30.03) for the 5/16-mile course for the race.
In the 26 years, only 15 greyhounds have made two appearances in the finals. Of the 15, two did it in non-consecutive years, Tough Outlaw in 1988 and 1990 and Bluffs Run All-Time earnings leader NMS Sweet Thing in 2008 and 2010.
The best news for the Iowa Breeders Classic is still coming. The recent arbitration for the 2012 racing season kept the Iowa Breeders Classic intact with its rich $500,000 purse. The 27th edition will return to Bluffs Run next November.
Past Champions
2011 – Angel Tree
2010 – RJ’s Al
2009 – Boc’s Skippy Lou
2008 – Boc’s Bullseye
2007 – KJ’s Yukon Gold
2006 - Flame’s Nash
2005 – Boc’s Big League
2004 – RA Blazer
2003 – RR Salty Dawg
2002 – Cravin A Win
2001 – RJ’s Meteorite
2000 – Be My Bubba
1999 – Cal’s Prime Time
1998 – Ay’s Whippem
1997 – Noble Titan
1996 – Con Man Mike
1995 – Sally Uhl
1994 – Highplains Sarah
1993 – Racy Miss
1992 – Moto Anna
1991 – Full Circuit
1990 – Jim Driver
1989 – AC Gallent Nathe
1988 – Down Two
1987 – Down Two
1986 - Flamboyant Flo
In nearly 35 years of greyhound racing at Wheeling, there have only been 19 win streaks of 10 or more races.
They are rare, and a number of factors play roles in long winning streaks.
Local greyhound fan and historian Robin Reed, who has tracked Wheeling racing since its inception in 1976, feels a streak of 10 or more is a sign of a truly elite greyhound.
“Of all the greyhound stats, total wins, stakes wins, and so forth, I think achieving a win streak of 10 or more races is probably the most difficult due to the fact that so many obstacles need to be overcome. A lot of greyhounds are very dependent on a good post position, but a big win streak will surely contain some less than ideal holes,” Reed said. “The Grade AA fields these greyhounds face will have some top-notch opponents along the way. Weather can also be an obstacle if sloppy or muddy track conditions prevail.”
Reed is amazed anytime a greyhound goes on an extended winning streak.
“For any greyhound to be at his or her best without missing a beat for what amounts to around two months is astounding,” Reed said.
The top win streaks at Wheeling belong to Casual Casey and Steph’s Good.
CASUAL CASEY: 16 straight 5/16 wins from Sept. 10, 1994-Oct. 13, 1994 and Jan. 25, 1995-March 30, 1995; Grade AA. (Notes: Casual Casey’s win streak is still a Wheeling record. Casey had a three-month layoff during his win streak, he started 1995 with 10 wins in 10 starts).
STEPH’S GOOD: 15 straight 7/16 victories from Jan. 3, 1987-March 17, 1987; Grade AA. (Notes: Steph’s Good set the 7/16 track record in three consecutive races during her streak; Olly’s My Name ran second to Steph’s Good in 10 of her 15 wins before finally ending the streak).
Reed said winning streaks pique fan interest.
“Not only can you make money betting such a great dog, but when these streaks happen, many fans who love the pageantry of greyhound racing make sure to follow the entries daily to ensure they’re in attendance to see racing history occur,” Reed said. “In the past, especially with the streaks of Onie Reid, DD’s Nelson and Steph’s Good, just to name a few, the local papers ran many stories following these great greyhounds as their win streaks started to number six and above. Much fanfare follows such a feat.”
Following is a listing of win streaks of at least 10 in a row.
WIN AGAIN: 14 straight 5/16 wins from Dec. 13, 1999-Feb. 16, 2000; Grade AA. (Notes: Win Again started 2000 with 10 wins in 10 starts).
STAGE DOOR ACE: 13 straight 3/8 wins from Apr. 7, 1990-June 1, 1990; Grade AA. (Notes: Stage Door Ace broke the previous 3/8 consecutive win record of nine in a row held by Cool Change in 1982).
WW TIME WARP: 12 straight 5/16 wins from Feb. 17, 1999- Apr. 16, 1999; Grade AA. (Notes: WW Time Warp had 36 wins at Wheeling in 1999 which was good for runnerup in the win standings).
KIOWA SWEET TREY: 12 straight 5/16 wins from July 6, 2001- Oct. 25, 2001; Grades M, D, C, B, A, AA. (Notes: Kiowa Sweet Trey holds the current Wheeling record for most consecutive wins to start a career. Trey was inactive from Aug. 5-Sept. 25 due to traveling for a stakes event in Kansas which he ended up not entering, although he did win a schooling race there).
SOUL CIPHER: 12 straight 5/16 wins from Feb. 24, 2002-May 11, 2002; Grade AA. (Notes: Soul Cipher won the 2002 Wheeling Sprint Night of Stars for his 12th straight victory).
GABLE PIMIENTO: 12 straight 5/16 wins from Apr. 27, 2007-June 30, 2007; Grade AA. (Notes: Gable Pimiento is only one of four greyhounds to end up as Wheeling win champ in the same year they posted a win streak of 10 or more races).
DD’S NELSON: 11 straight 5/16 wins from June 6, 1986-July 26, 1986; Grade AA. (Notes: DD’s Nelson returned to Wheeling following a third in the finals of the GROC to win two races over the 3/8 course. At the time, he was credited with 13 straight Wheeling wins although his overall streak was broken while racing in New Hampshire).
B J JOACHIM: 11 straight 5/16 wins from July 14, 1989-Sept. 2, 1989; Grade AA. (Notes: B J Joachim won 14 of his first 16 races upon arriving at Wheeling Downs from the Jacksonville, Fla., racing circuit).
GREYS BEAVER: 11 straight 5/16 wins from July 24, 1992-Sept. 5, 1992; Grade AA. (Notes: Greys Beaver won the 1992 Wheeling Sprint Championship during his streak).
BEN G DESIRE: 11 straight 5/16 wins from Sept. 4, 1993-Oct. 21, 1993; Grades A, AA. (Notes: Ben G Desire had 80 career victories, seventh all-time for a Wheeling-based greyhound).
FORTIFIED RUSH: 11 straight 5/16 wins from July 14, 2001- Sept. 12, 2001; Grade AA. (Notes: Fortified Rush had a separate 12-race Wheeling win streak in 2000, but ran sixth in an invitational stakes race in Wichita, Kansas, after his seventh win to break up his overall streak).
FRIEND DELILAH: 10 straight 5/16 wins from Oct. 28, 1981-Dec. 11, 1981; Grade AA. (Notes: Friend Delilah was the first greyhound in Wheeling history to achieve 10 straight wins. Delilah’s win streak represented wins 36 through 45 of her record-setting 47 win campaign in 1981).
PECOS TRADITION: 10 straight 5/16 wins from Sept. 29, 1982-Nov. 15, 1982; Grades A, AA. (Notes: Pecos Tradition set a 5/16 track record of 30.06 in the first victory of his win streak).
ONIE REID: 10 straight 5/16 wins from Dec. 14, 1985-Jan. 29, 1986; Grades M, C, B, A, AA. (Notes: Onie Reid established the Wheeling record for most consecutive wins to start a career).
TROJAN CRUZE: 10 straight 5/16 wins from Dec. 2, 1998-Jan. 20, 1999; Grade AA. (Notes: Trojan Cruze won 20 of 25 races in his short career).
RHYTHMLESS: 10 straight 5/16 wins from Jan. 16, 2006-Mar. 5, 2006; Grade AA. (Notes: Rhythmless was scratched from what would have been his attempt at 11 straight wins on Mar. 10, 2006 and didn’t return to active racing until a month later).
KIOWA WW BROTHER: 10 straight 5/16 wins from Jan. 3, 2009- Feb. 27, 2009; Grade AA. (Notes: Kiowa WW Brother started 2009 with 10 victories in 10 starts).
It is always sad when kennels, owners and fans say farewell to their favorite greyhound when it retires. Much like the professional human athletes, the greyhounds acquire nationwide and sometimes global fans.
The absence of Aerial Battle at Derby Lane will be felt globally. His retirement symbolizes much more than the end of a career. Aerial Battle was one of the few greyhounds in North America that came from Lincoln. His retirement is a bittersweet reminder of grander times.
The beloved 4-year-old male has a faithful following of fans that began at the Rhode Island track when it offered live racing in 2009. Lincoln was renamed Twin River when they were awarded slots. Not only did the track lose the Lincoln name; they also lost the live racing.
Greyhounds that raced at Lincoln were considered a cut above the average greyhound, and Aerial Battle certainly was cut finer than most. The stunning male, sired by the late Derby Lane stakes winner and All-American Dodgem By Design and whelped from Abita Cruzin, has remained a top competitor for years. Aerial Battle is owned by John Bladen of Oklahoma, who placed his prized pup in the hands of the Capabal kennel at Derby Lane upon exiting Rhode Island.
Aerial Battle generated great interest when he arrived in Florida. The male outperformed many when not sitting on the sidelines from an injury. “He’s been off twice with major injuries,” said kennel manager Henry Parker. “We will miss him in the kennel, but he has to retire.” Despite injuries Aerial Battle’s stamina has been impressive. At Lincoln Aerial Battle’s 19 official starts were notable with 10 of his finishes in the quiniela. He was 13 of 19 in the money. He was also blazing trails over the sprint course. His fastest was 29.84.
It didn’t take the male long to clock the fastest times at Derby Lane, too. In 2009 just three months after arriving Aerial Battle clocked a season’s best time of 30.17 over the 550-yard course. Aerial Battle has been the betting favorite nearly every start in his entire career. Last year Aerial Battle was the Matinee Idol champion. He was the runner-up in the Inaugural and the Sprint Classic. Aerial Battle was a finalist in the T. L. Weaver and was featured in the Night of Stars. Aerial Battle was also on a winning spree and at one point he was on a course to becoming the national win leader.
Many felt the male was more deserving than a second team All- American, including Parker. One point all agree upon is that Aerial Battle is a solid competitor with all heart. “He never ceases to amaze me,” said Parker. “I can’t believe he came back from a stopper injury and made the stakes final of this year’s Fall Sprint in October.”
This year Aerial Battle defended his title in the Matinee Idol and finished a respectable second. He was also a finalist in the Sprint Classic. Aerial Battle reeled off seven straight before his streak was halted in qualifying for the T. L. Weaver. Aerial Battle was pulled due to injury in June. After a two-month rest Aerial Battle appeared just as good as ever. The male won both schoolers and his next four starts that included the first round of the Fall Sprint. Aerial Battle earned enough points from all four rounds and was the runner-up in the October 1 stakes. On October 15 Aerial Battle drifted back to last and Parker pulled the male and announced Battle’s retirement.
Aerial Battle will be missed by many, especially those who have faithfully picked the male each week in the KCImagemakers fantasy greyhound league. “Aerial Battle is definitely one of the best that has raced here in my 16 years of calling the races,” said track announcer Jim Peake. “I hope he has a great stud career.” Of Aerial Battle’s impressive Derby Lane career record is 142/70-25-15-6 boasting an 82% money record.
Although Parker will say goodbye to Aerial Battle another star in the kennel hopes to fill the void. JW Titleist who is the current win leader, is also owned by John Bladen and Walter Wasik of TX, who flew in to see his champion compete in the Fall Sprint. The beautiful white and black male is not all business like Aerial Battle when it comes to having fun in the kennel. Titleist is fun loving and enjoys toying with Parker, as in indicated in the accompanying photo. JW Titleist was a finalist in the 2010 Fall Juvenile and he finished third in this year’s Fall Sprint just behind his kennelmate Aerial Battle.
JW Titleist is a 2008 son of Dave The Dog and Abita Cruzin. He has 14 wins for the meet and his record for 2011 is 72/26-18-4-8. At the time of this writing Titleist has collected 128 career starts. JW Titleist is running well and has some “big paws” to fill in the Capabal kennel. JW Titleist also holds the second fastest time this meet of 30.29.
Best of luck to the Bladens with Aerial Battle. He will truly be missed by all that enjoy the true athletes of the sport.
Dubuque Greyhound Park ran its 2011 $45,000 Future Star Stakes, Saturday Evening, October 1st. This stakes event started off with 48 greyhounds that were whelped March 2009, or later, and had won their first official race at Dubuque Greyhound Park this meet. Sweetcorn City Kennel, trained by Bob Rider, had an impressive showing making it into the finals with four greyhounds that were all littermates, Mamas Special Ed, Mamas Lady Gaga, Mamas Pastorjoel, and Mamas Gary Lam, all owned by Stephen E. Lockwood. Mamas Special Ed, the star of the four, had won all three rounds to get into the finals and looked to be the favorite to win. But no one told that to Hug N Dodgem, of the Blanchard-Calabro Kennel, who was posted in the 8 hole. As the race went off Hug N Dodgem did not break out on top but drove around the trouble in the first turn and held off the challenges to win the $45,000 Future Star Stakes. Mama’s Special Ed ran into some trouble in the first turn but came on in the far turn to take second. Boc’s Blast Off of the Boeckenstedt Kennel broke out slowly and worked his way through traffic to take third and O Ya Rose of the Clayton Black Kennel lead early but faded to take fourth place.
We would like to thank Kennyand Janet Allen for their very generousgift of $500 to each of us to usetowards our college education. I amattending McPherson College majoringin biology and playing basketballand softball. Meghan is attendingPratt Junior College and is a cheerleaderthere. Because of people likeKenny and Janet, we are proud to bepart of the greyhound industry.
Sincerely,
Brooke Boatright and Meghan Dalton