DD’s Change N Up’s fast start
earns spot in Wheeling history

In the nearly 50 years of racing at Wheeling Island, only 30 greyhounds climbed the ladder straight to Grade AA after winning their Maiden debut.

            Add one more to the list.

            The latest to accomplish the feat at Wheeling Downs/Island is Jacobs Racing Kennel’s DD’s Change N Up. The youngster won his first Maiden race in mid-April before capturing Grades D, C, B and A in successive starts.

            A July 2023 greyhound out of LK’s Now R Never-LK’s Black Gold, DD’s Change N Up is trained by Natalie Looper and owned by Velocity Racing. He finished fifth in his first Grade AA trip.

            Of those 31 greyhounds, nine went on to capture at least their first start against Grade AA company.

            The first Wheeling greyhound to go straight to Grade AA undefeated was Royal Onyx in 1978, winning his first five starts – Maiden and Grades C, B, A and AA. The last racer to accomplish the feat before DD’s Change N Up was Hell Bent in 2023, capturing his first five races – Maiden and Grades D, C, B and A.

            The Wheeling record for most victories in a row to start a career is 12 by Kiowa Sweet Trey in 2001. The sprint star won Maiden, Grades D, C, B, A and seven in Grade AA.

            Kiowa Sweet Trey broke the mark of 10 straight career-opening wins by Onie Reid in 1985-86. Onie Reid was victorious in Maiden, Grades C, B, A and six in Grade AA.

            The Wheeling Downs/Island racetrack opened on Aug. 18, 1976.