The History of the West Virginia Classic

The History of the West Virginia Classic

During Wheeling Island's initial years of greyhound racing, numerous stakes races took place, with the West Virginia Classic serving as the premier event each season it occurred. Back in 1978, the inaugural year of the event, then General Manager Mike Romaine said the following, “This is our premiere race. It is to honor the state. It’s our biggest race and it will continue to be our highlight.” This race was created as the greyhound racing counterpart to the West Virginia Derby, an event traditionally held at Waterford Park (currently called Mountaineer) near Chester, West Virginia.  The event was held on the 3/8-mile (678 yards) Keystone Course and attracted leading greyhounds from across the nation, along with Wheeling’s top local competitors. Below is a synopsis of each edition of the great race.

1978    $20,000 West Virginia Classic    Winner’s Purse: $10,000       Entrants: 24   Qualifying Rounds: 3

Winner:          Cool Highway     60-21-18-10 Record at Wheeling in 1978           Time: 40.23

                        Red. M. March ’75. Cactus Lonesome-J.F.’s Miss Star. Steubenville Kennel.

1979    $25,000 West Virginia Classic    Winner’s Purse: N/A             Entrants: 48   Qualifying Rounds: 3

Winner:          Liberated Lady    Bayard/Orange Park (Fla.) Star                      Time: 39.60

                        Red. F. October ’76. Opposed-My Friend Dee. Julian Dial Kennel.

1980    $80,000 West Virginia Classic    Winner’s Purse: $30,000       Entrants: 48   Qualifying Rounds: 5

Winner:          Printer Olly           1980 AGTOA All-American                               Time: 39.59

                        Red Brindle. F. March ’77. Yellow Printer, Imp.-Flounced. Steubenville Kennel.

1981    $80,000 West Virginia Classic    Winner’s Purse: $30,000       Entrants: 48   Qualifying Rounds: 5

Winner:          Tuf Threads           40-20-6-5 Record at Wheeling in 1981               Time: 38.73

                        Blue Brindle. M. September ’79. Tuf Miler-Rainin Ice. Kansas Kennel, Inc.

1982    $100,000 West Virginia Classic  Winner’s Purse: $40,000       Entrants: 48   Qualifying Rounds: 5

Winner:          Mr. Wizard             1982 AGTOA All-American                               Time: 37.98 (TR)

                        Brindle. M. December ’79. Tuf Miler-JM’s Mod C. John Seastrom Kennel.

1983    $100,000 West Virginia Classic  Winner’s Purse: $40,000       Entrants: 48   Qualifying Rounds: 5

Winner:          My Problem           1983 AGTOA All-American                               Time: 38.58

                        Red Brindle. M. February ’80. Onie Jones-Quick Spoof. Julian Dial Kennel.

1984    $145,000 West Virginia Classic  Winner’s Purse: $76,000       Entrants: 32   Qualifying Rounds: 5

Winner:          Olly’s Ace                1984 AGTOA All-American                               Time: 38.20

                        Red. M. March ’82. Placid Ace-Printer Olly. Steubenville Kennel.

1985    $145,000 West Virginia Classic  Winner’s Purse: $76,000       Entrants: 48   Qualifying Rounds: 5

Winner:          GH’s Dr Pepper    58-13-17-10 Record at Wheeling in 1985           Time: 38.37

                        Black. M. May ’83. Pecos Pepper-GH’s Lass. Texas Kennel.

  (Information compiled by local racing historian Robin Reed).