Jiminy Reno and Kentucky Leo, a pair of Cal Holland kennel pups, won final-round qualifying races Wednesday to lead eight greyhounds to the $20,000 Remembrance Stakes championship race at Derby Lane.
The 550-yard finale will be Monday in Race 10 at 2:47 p.m.
Jiminy Reno, the leading qualifier with 58 points through the four rounds, continued his outstanding form with a box-to-wire eight-length victory in 30.73 seconds. He paid $4 as the favorite. The 2-year-old son of Alivefortomorrow and Oceania was the only dog to win three rounds. It was the seventh victory in his past eight starts for owners Kathleen Hastings and James Morgan.
Kentucky Leo, a male from a litter by Pat C Clement and Kentucky Fire who celebrated his second birthday on Sunday, also recorded a box-to-wire win in 30.46 seconds. He won by five lengths and returned $4.40 to win as the top wagering choice. Owned by Helen Godby, Kentucky Leo finished second in the point standings with 43. It was his second qualifying victory.
Other greyhounds in the championship event: WW Dewan Casey (Patriot, 38 points); Lagro K O (Capabal, 32); LK’s Hawkeye (Lashmet, 32); Kaias Sarah (Floyd, 30); Over Zealous (D’Arcy, 30); and PJ Tropicthunder (Rangel, 30).
The Remembrance champion receives $9,000.