1/24/2012 - Snj Black Porter Dominate

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.

Snj Black Porter is showing thru the round that he is not one trick wonder. This puppy, who won the 2011 Jacksonville Juvenile, is thriving over the longer distance too. With 3 wins in a row, including back to back romps in the stakes rounds, this double distance threat is well on his way to another stakes final, and possible victory. Storming from the box in race 9, Porter was never in question as he took instant command and never looked back. Posted up the fastest time on the card, and a personal best of 37.50, Porter clearly has separated himself from the rest of this field. Hurdles might still be ahead of him, but for right now, this Crowe Kennel greyhound has solidified himself as the frontrunner to win this stakes.

The DQ Williams kennel was hot too as they were the only ones that took home more than one win in the rounds. Both J's Robin and Wannadobadthings came from off the pace to get it done in the deep stretch, but J's Robin might have run a bit more impressive of a race.

Robin was jolted back early and had to rally hard throughout to get back just into contention. In the stretch she was a woman possessed as she took down the leaders and made a statement of her own at the finish line in the 11th race. Finishing just barely behind were Pat C Hold Out, Lk's Merrel, and pacesetter, Lk's Energizing.

Wannadobadthings got loose early on in race 2, and was way to close too soon not to win this effort. Well, too close for him as he was just 4 or so lengths off the pace in the early stages. Late he showed off that tremendous late speed and caught the leader like he was tied to a post in the stretch. Kudos to Shadow Master though in this race as she gave her all on the lead and ran a winning effort, even though she was denied near the wire.

The rest of the winners came from different kennels across the board and each showed off their skills in a different ways.

In race 5, veteran grade A monster Ww's Gucci got back to winning and she did it from off the early pace. Miss Trent stole the lead again for the second straight trip, and for the 2nd time in a row, she was run down late and had to settle for place. Gucci gave it all win it counted late and proved best at the wire once again.

Closers also won the 3rd and 4th races on the card. Clever Is Crazy put on a huge stretch rush to take down Rc Mini Power before the finish line for the win in race 3, and Kiowa Aloe Roxie continued her red hot run in race 4 as she battled up late to get by Flying Glenda before the wire.

With a little help from her friends, Pat Cj Funnyface was the winner of the 7th race on the card. Rocketing from the box, Funnyface was clear on the early lead and got the benefit of the rest of the field running into each other on the break. She coasted throughout and breezed to the wire for the easy victory.

Quarter-final action takes place on Friday January 27, 2012 at the Orange Park Kennel Club with 4 full races of stakes power heading to post starting in the 7th race on the card. Tune in as the field gets shorter, the action heats up in the 2012 Orange Park Derby.