WVGOBA KEYSTONE CHAMPIONSHIP KICKS OFF

Greyhounds from three different kennels posted victories Friday afternoon in the first round of the $65,000 West Virginia Greyhound Owners and Breeders Association Keystone (3/8th) Championship at Wheeling Island.

Xtrem Hess Racing Kennel’s Wild Blue Bee, Patriot/Taplin Kennel’s JAS Strait Aces and Steve Sarras Kennel’s CET Dirty Skinny registered first-round wins. Each accumulated 15 points and the top spot on the leaderboard.

The second round will be held Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 11. The semi-finals are set for Sunday, Oct. 15, and the Keystone Championship is scheduled for Saturday matinee, Oct. 21.

Capsule looks at the first-round races follow:

Wild Blue Bee took command early and never looked back in romping to a 5 ½-length victory in 38.61. CG’s Delete and CET Miguel closed in the stretch to round out the trifecta ticket.

JAS Strait Aces rallied from last after a slow break, getting up by a length at the wire in 39.10. CET Dirty Toodle finished strong for second while Wild Chomp Dude took third.

CET Dirty Skinny flew by the leaders on the backstretch and never let up in rolling to a 10 ½-length victory in 37.99. CET Zinc powered home for second followed TS Woody.

Points after the first-round follow:

CET Dirty Skinny (Steve Sarras), 15 points JAS Strait Aces (Patriot/Taplin), 15 points Wild Blue Bee (Xtrem Hess Racing), 15 points

CET Dirty Toodls (Steve Sarras), 10 points CG’s Delete (Code Red), 10 points CET Zinc (Imark), 10 points CET

Miguel (Steve Sarras), 7 points TS Woody (Steve Sarras), 7 points Wild Chomp Dude (Xtrem Hess Racing), 7 points

CET Beta (Steve Sarras), 5 points CET Marlin (Imark), 5 points

Apollo Justice (Steve Sarras), 3 points Raise The Wind (Steve Sarras), 3 points TS Porky (Steve Sarras), 3 points

CET Perch (Steve Sarras), 2 points Trade Up (Steve Sarras), 2 points

Aaralynn Jean (Patriot/Taplin), 1 point Arroyo Kingston (Code Red), 1 point CET Murray (Wayne Ward), 1 point

Baccarat (Steve Sarras), 0 points TS Overbite Ovie (Steve Sarras), 0 points

(Rico’s Hell Yeah was scratched before the first round, CET Mist was withdrawn after the first round and CET Helga received a checked ticket from the judges and eliminated from the stakes).