So far, so good for Jiminy Reno in the $20,000 Remembrance Stakes at Derby Lane.
The surging Cal Holland kennel sprinter remained the only undefeated greyhound Wednesday through two rounds of qualifying. Jiminy Reno rolled to a seven-length victory to remain atop the point standings at 32, virtually ensuring himself a spot in the May 28 championship race.
The third of four qualifying races is Saturday.
Owned by Kathleen Hastings and James Morgan, Jiminy Reno stretched his current track-best win streak to six. He clocked 550 yards in 30.50 seconds and paid $2.60 as the prohibitive favorite. The male from a litter by Alivefortomorrow and Oceania celebrated his second birthday on May 4,“(Jiminy Reno) is just a puppy,’’ Derby Lane racing secretary Les Robison said. “He’s running real well right now. . . . He’s won six in a row and 11 of his last 15 (races).’’
Jiminy Reno is six points in front of Over Zealous of D’Arcy kennel.
In the other qualifiers, CH Nuttin Honey (Lester Raines kennel), Hi Noon Pursuit (Nova) and Kaias Sarah (Porter) notched their first victories.
CH Nuttin Honey cruised to a six-length win in 30.61 seconds and returned $5.60. Hi Noon Pursuit clocked a 30.87 and prevailed by three lengths. He paid $8.60 to win. Kaias Sarah scored the biggest upset, paying $28 to win. She won by a neck in 30.91 seconds.
“Those two dogs from Lester Raines – CH Nuttin Honey and CH Love My Honey (second to Jiminy Reno) – both ran well (Wednesday),’’ Robison said. “I think they’ll be there at the end also.’’