Artex Pumbaa named 2023 best sprinter; best distance dog goes to JS Comin Undone.

In the age of less racing opportunities, no stake race programs, and a much smaller pool of competitors, the NGA awards singling out the best of the best at each distance take on a new look for 2023. Historically labeled the Rural Rube and Flashy Sir awards, 2023 honorees will simply be tabbed as America's best sprinter and router.  A Wheeling speedster and Tri State distance star have been chosen as recipient's of these awards for 2023.

Artex Pumbaa and distance star, JS Comin Undone have been named as recipients of the two awards and will be honored at Hall of Fame ceremonies during the spring meet on Thursday, April 25. 

A 2020 son of Flying Hydrogen-Arkans Cancer, Artex Pumbaa finished with 22 wins for the year tying him for the Wheeling lead with JSP Rayzendacash. He finished in the money in 82% of his starts.  Perhaps the most steady and consistent greyhound at Wheeling in 2023, Pumbaa competed against the best, day in and day out, and closed the year winning six in a row. He would finish the season with a 51-22-8-6 record, He was also  named Captain of the 2023 All Star team.

  Artex Pumbaa

Owned by Joe Frey and Rachelle Henry, Pumbaa was raced by Blanchard Kennels at Wheeling .  A much deserved award for this fabulous sprinter. Congratulations to Joe, Rachelle and all the connections of Artex Pumbaa!

JS Comin Undone

JS Comin Undone was an almost unanimous choice for the best distance dog in the land award finishing the year with 19 distance wins at Tri State despite missing over a full month of racing.

Comin Undone is a December 2020 son of Show On The Road-CH Keepin Faith.  He was raised and is owned by Shannon Henry.  Racing exclusively at 3/8ths of a mile, he moved to Tri State after the closing of Southland and immediately took to the Charleston oval winning his first AA after just a few starts.

Racing for the Lester Raines Kennel, he finished in the money in 30 of his 37 starts. His record for the year was 37-19-5-4-2 and included 5 in a row in a September stretch, winning one of those races by 12-1/2 lengths!  Congratulations to JS Comin Undone, and all his connections!

These two will be honored at the awards ceremonies program at the Greyhound Hall of Fame on Thursday night, April 25, during the NGA's Spring Meet.