RF JUANITA CAPTURES FUTURE STARS STAKE

RF Juanita celebrated her second birthday with a victory in Iowa Greyhound Park’s Future Star stakes Saturday, Oct. 2.

The red and fawn female broke well and used her strong cornering skills to post a nearly two-length victory.

“She needed to get out fast to get a chance to win it,” said Jerry Cole, Superior Kennel trainer.

RF Juanita, starting from the 3 box, was in a group with box neighbors BGR Big Foot Joe, of Boeckenstedt Kennel, and North End Jill, of Copper Kettle Kennel. As they neared the first turn, Juanita started to separate.

“Once she got her nose in front, I started looking for the 1 (BGR Bottom Up) and 8 (BGR Twistedsista). They were the two main threats.”

She powered through the corner to extend a lead she never relinquished.

“She runs turns really great,” Cole said. “It obviously helped her tonight.”

She posted a 31.35.Others on the board were BGR Bottoms Up, BGR Big Foot Joe and BGR Twistedsista. All are from Boeckenstedt Kennel.

The rest finished as follows: KW Bugatti (Jackson Greyhounds), BGR Half Rack (Boeckenstedt Kennel), North End Jill (Copper Kettle Kennel) and Eager Erlene (Copper Kettle Kennel).

The purse for the Future Stars was $30,000. The earnings by finish are: $12,000, $6,000, $3,000, $2,400, $2,100, $1,800, $1,500 and $1,200.

T’s Capt Phasma, of T and T Kennel, won last year and Revin Devon, of Copper Kettle Kennel, won in 2019.

Juanita has been in the money in 25 of 26 races this season.

“I can’t believe what she’s been doing. She’s absolutely having a great season,” Cole said. “She’s a very special dog and she’s getting better each time.

“I’m pleased at the way she’s been running,” Cole said. “And I’m happy for how well she’s doing.”

Even as the 2021 season nears its end, there are more races in store for the now 2-year-old from Gable Sour Cream and RF River. RF River won the King and Queen stakes at Iowa Greyhound Park in 2017 and the Iowa Breeders’ Cup in 2016.

The Iowa Breeders’ Cup is in the works, along with a couple of stakes the final day of the season on Oct. 31, the Secretary’s Choice and the Au Revoir. The Breeders’ Cup final is Sunday, Oct. 24.