LK'S CRUSH N IT UNABLE TO MAKE HISTORY

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – LK’s Crush N It failed in his bid to made history on Tuesday, the final day of the January-to-June meet and last performance of the 2019-2020 season at Derby Lane.

Needing a victory to tie Shoot The Breeze of Floyd kennel to become what is believed to be the first greyhound in Derby Lane’s 95-year history with three consecutive top dog titles, LK’s Crush N It broke slowly from the No. 5 box as the 1-2 favorite for Lashmet kennel and finished fifth behind FGF Kiss My Tail of Watson Racing kennel.

FGF Kiss My Tail clocked the 550-yard course in 30.68 seconds and paid $11.80 to win for the Grade A win.

LK’s Crush N It, a 3-1/2-year male from a litter by LK’s Now R Never and LK’s All In, finished the six-month meet with 14 victories, one behind Shoot The Breeze, who captured his first win title for kennel owners Randy and Pat Floyd. Shoot The Breeze is owned by Charles Haliburton.

Trained by kennel manager Ken Deacon for owners John and Jill Lashmet of Eaton, Colo., LK’s Crush N It had won the previous two meet win championships with a combined 50 victories, which led all greyhounds nationally in 2019.

LK’s Crush N It, a 2019 All-America first-team member and five-time stakes champion, has 78 lifetime victories and more than $134,000 in purse earnings.

Lester Raines led the 14-kennel standings in victories for its first win title since 2010 under the guidance of Jennifer Richardson and Anthony Diaz. Lester Raines entered Tuesday with an insurmountable 195-174 win lead over ABC Racing.

The January-to-June meet was reduced to 131 performances after 49 programs were lost because of the coronavirus pandemic. No racing was held from March 20-May 7.

Derby Lane racing secretary Les Robison said all 14 kennels remain on the roster for the upcoming six-month meet, which kicks off Wednesday with a 15-race matinee performance.