Oct 5, 2020
Consistency: Unchanging in nature, standard, or effect over time.
The Google definition doesn’t mention Kaias Alex. Perhaps it should.
Turn the calendar back to Dec. 14, 2019. On that Saturday night performance, Kaias Alex broke slowly in Race 9, got bumped on the first turn, and finished fifth – 9-1/2-lengths behind BD Wells in a Grade A 550-yard sprint.
Something changed after that for the Floyd kennel athlete.
“He’s matured,’’ kennel operator and trainer Randy Floyd said. “He’s just gotten better. I thought he was pretty good, but not this good.’’
Twenty-three races and more than nine months later, Kaias Alex has added consistency to his resume. Not one effort worse than third place, a remarkable streak among the best Grade A sprinters that Derby Lane has to offer.
Owned by George ‘’Dick’’ Adler of Lecanto, Fla., Kaias Alex has 13 wins, nine seconds, and one third since Dec. 20. Not even a coronavirus pandemic that sidelined all Derby Lane dogs for seven weeks has stopped his momentum.
“He’s just a happy and friendly dog,’’ Floyd said. “The whole litter is that way. I told Dick this whole litter is just a pleasure to handle. They just want some attention.’’
Kaias Alex has never been better. In September, he recorded a career-high six-race win streak, beating rivals by a total of 28 lengths. The streak ended this past Tuesday with a second-place effort, but he returned to the winner’s circle on Saturday with a box-to-wire 7-length triumph.
The 39-month-old son of Djays Octane and Ethereal Elation has won 24 of 60 races overall since starting his career in February 2019, raising his in-the-money percentage to 80 percent that represents a top-four finish in a race. His versatility is reflected with 14 wins by leading at every race call, and 10 by coming from off the pace.
“He breaks decent and he’s got a good rush to the turn,’’ Floyd said. “And then he wants to get out wide and on the outside, and get going. It’s been a while since anybody’s run him down.’’
The last time Kaias Alex gave up a lead was Dec. 27, when Super C Casino rallied from a 3-length deficit to defeat the 73-pound dog by a nose. Kaias Alex’s best time at 550 yards is 30.30 seconds on Jan. 15.
Although Kaias Alex didn’t advance to Derby Lane’s top Grade A level until his 20th start, Floyd entered him in three stakes races in 2019: (third in the $20,000 Gold Trophy Juvenile; fifth in the $10,000 Thanksgiving; and unplaced in the $10,000 Howl-O-Ween).
“I’m pleasantly surprised (at his success),’’ Floyd said. “I knew he could run. . . . It’s a matter if you get a chance to run.
“There are so many good dogs (at Derby Lane), you’ve got to be lucky to get out of the box and get around the turn. That’s the name of the game.’’