HELL BENT'S FAST START EARNS SPOT IN WHEELING HISTORY

NOTE: August marks 47 years of greyhound racing at Wheeling. In conjunction with the anniversary, this column will feature articles related to the track’s history. Today, greyhounds reaching Grade AA undefeated during their careers are highlighted.

Heading into the 2023 racing season at Wheeling Island, 29 greyhounds had climbed the ladder straight to Grade AA after winning their Maiden debut.

Now there’s 30.

The latest to accomplish the feat in the 47-year history of Wheeling Downs/Island is Xtrem Hess Racing Kennel’s Hell Bent. The youngster won his first Maiden race in early June before capturing Grades D, C, B and A in successive starts.

An August 2021 greyhound out of Konomi-Liz Cambage, Hell Bent is trained by Jill Spicer and owned by David Strong. He finished fourth in his first Grade AA trip.

Of those 30 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 Hell Bent was JS Wanna Bee in 2020, capturing her 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.

Although Kiowa Sweet Trey and Onie Reid are regarded as two of the best greyhounds to ever grace the Wheeling oval, most of the racers who reached Grade AA undefeated weren’t superstars. It’s a rare feat as only 30 greyhounds have turned the trick since the track opened on Aug. 18, 1976.

Following are the nine greyhounds who raced straight to Grade AA undefeated and then won at least their first top grade start, year accomplished and number of career-opening victories:

Kiowa Sweet Trey – July through December 2001; won 12 in a row; Maiden, D, C, B, A, seven in AA.

Onie Reid – December 1985 thru January 1986; won 10 straight; Maiden, C, B, A, six in AA.

Final Vote – June 2013 thru July 2013; seven wins; Maiden, C, B, A, three in AA.

Itsa Screamer – November 1998 thru December 1998; six wins; Maiden, C, B, A, two in AA.

AMF Bone Bruise – April 2009 thru May 2009; six wins; M, D, C, B, A, AA.

Slatex Johnny – November 2003 thru December 2003; six wins; M, D, C, B, A, AA.

Soul Cipher – December 2000 thru January 2001; six wins; Maiden, D, C, B, A, AA.

Iruska Zederiah – January 1999 thru February 1999; five wins; M, C, B, A, AA.

Royal Onyx – May 1978 thru June 1978; five wins; M, C, B, A, AA.

Following are the 21 greyhounds who climbed the ladder straight to Grade AA, but did not capture their initial top grade race, year accomplished and number of career-opening victories:

Hell Bent – June 2023 thru July 2023; five wins, Maiden, D, C, B, A.

JS Wanna Bee – July 2020 thru August 2020; five wins; Maiden, D, C, B, A.

Atascocita Sig – March 2016 thru April 2006; five wins; Maiden, D, C, B, A.

WW Ruff Enough – October 1998 thru November 1998; five wins; Maiden, D, C, B, A.

KB’s Try This On – June 2013; five wins; Maiden, D, C, B, A.

Mansfield Hollow – July 2011 thru August 2011; five wins; Maiden, D, C, B, A.

Go Bon Jitterbug – November 2009 thru January 2010; five wins; Maiden, D, C, B, A.

Mac’s Wynken – June 2010 thru July 2010; five wins; Maiden, D, C, B, A.

Bella Daucus – November 2009 thru December 2009; five wins; Maiden, D, C, B, A.

USS Cool Luke – November 2008 thru December 2008; five wins; Maiden, D, C, B, A.

Shonn – October 2009 thru November 2009; four wins; Maiden, C, B, A.

Kiowa Power Pak – June 2008; four wins; Maiden, C, B, A.

Pat C Die Hard – March 2003; four wins; Maiden, C, B, A.

Mocan Rightaway – December 1997; four wins; Maiden, C, B, A.

She’s A Dreamer – September 1993; four wins; Maiden, C, B, A.

Chartman – January 1993; four wins; Maiden, C, B, A.

Papa Tom – December 1992; four wins; Maiden, C, B, A.

KC’s Okie Dokie – April 1992 thru May 1992; four wins; Maiden, C, B, A.

Gull’s Manny – April 1988; four wins; Maiden, C, B, A.

Gabe Grand – November 1984 thru December 1984; four wins: Maiden, C, B, A.

Erin’s Smile – March 1983 thru April 1983; four wins; Maiden, C, B, A.

(Contributing to this column was Robin Reid, local greyhound historian).