The coveted Rural Rube award is presented to North America’s most accomplished greyhound sprinter each year.  Winners are nominated and voted by the NGA Membership as well as the Greyhound Review readership. Rural Rube The coveted Rural Rube Award is presented to North America’s most accomplished sprinter each year. Winners are nominated and voted by the NGA Full and Associate Membership as well as the Greyhound Review readership. Note, due to a change in format and a reduction in greyhound racing tracks, the format changed in 2023 from Rural Rube to NGA's Best Sprinter Award. CG's Nail Biter Jax Yardley CG's Lady Bug Janice Abrahamson 2024 Best Sprinter Award Pedigree Artex Pumbaa Flying Hydrogen Arkans Cancer Joe Frey & Rachelle Henry 2023 - Best Sprinter Pedigree CET Dirty Dilly SH Avatar CET Dirty Nicki Carl Tomblin II 2022 Pedigree CET Dirty Dilly SH Avatar CET Dirty Nicki Carl Tomblin II 2021 Pedigree JS Flamin Ace Superior Panama CH Sweet Honey Lester Raines/Garth Bolton 2020 Pedigree Salud Raindrop Bella Infrared Mega Whitney Jeff Blair/Ursula O'Donnell 2019 Pedigree Jiminy Reno Alivefortomorrow Oceania James Morgan/Kathleen Hastings 2018 Pedigree Flying Wolfpack Flying Lone Wolf PJ Aces Up Vince Berland 2017 Pedigree Oaks Maddy Pat C Clement Oaks Gem Brandy Mick Hymes 2016 Pedigree Husker Magic Rhythmless Casino Zada Imark Kennels 2015 Pedigree Joey Ice Kiowa Sweet Trey Queen Rania Joey Lingel 2014 Pedigree Rob Gronkowski Switzer Jammin Chatty Cathy Steve Sarras 2013 Pedigree 1 2 3 4 5 1 ... 1 2 3 4 5 ... 5

< Back Wheeling Hot Dogs ( as of March 16, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted ) Stan Pawloski Mar 16, 2020 Abrahamson Kennel’s Hashtag Attitude has three straight victories (A, AA) for trainer Tom Engle. Lester Raines Kennel’s Lee Enid has two wins and two seconds in her last four races (A, AA) for trainer Joel Roden. Brad Boeckenstedt Kennel’s BGR Shake It up (AA) and BGR Waxon Waxoff (TAA 3/16) have back-to-back victories for trainer Chris Brill. Xtrem Hess Racing Kennel’s XM Sky has two straight Grade AA wins for trainer Jill Spicer. Blanchard Kennel’s PBW Gannicus (A, AA) and Fuzzys Welington (B, A) have back-to-back victories for trainer Sarah Blanchard. Imark Kennel’s Imark Mash (A, AA) and Imark Otter (B, A) have two wins in a row for trainer Scott Purdy. Jacobs Racing Kennel’s Time Killer has back-to-back victories (B, A) for trainer Louise Strong. Previous Next

< Back RS'S PRIME TIME CAPTURES WVGOBA KEYSTONE STAKES Stan Pawloski Nov 30, 2021 Lester Raines Kennel’s RS’s Prime Time romped to victory Saturday afternoon in the final of the $65,000 West Virginia Greyhound Owners and Breeders Association Keystone Championship at Wheeling Island. Breaking from the seven box, RS’s Prime Time rocketed out to an early lead and was never challenged in winning the 3/8th stake event by 5 lengths in 38.33. CET Dirty Gurly (Steve Sarras) took runner up honors while JA’s Moon Man (Code Red) rounded out the trifecta ticket. Completing the Keystone final finish were Mac’s Choo (A Ray), fourth; Mac’s Zhivago (A Ray), fifth; GLS Fast Food (Jacobs Racing), sixth; Macs Chapman (A Ray), seventh; and RS’s Blue Heaven (Lester Raines), eighth. RS’s Prime Time, sent to post as the overwhelming favorite, is owned by Kelly Jo Salem and trained by Joel Roden. Previous Next

< Back Wheeling Hot Dogs ( as of November 9, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted ) Stan Pawloski Nov 9, 2020 Lester Raines Kennel’s JS Fine Toon has won four out of her last five Grade AA starts for trainer Joel Roden. Kennel-mate Baby Face Nelson has back-to-back wins (B, A). Wayne Ward Kennel’s WW Slick Simon has two victories and two seconds in his last four outings (A, AA) for trainer Ron Otto. Brad Boeckenstedt Kennel’s BGR Big Daddy has captured three out of his last four trips (B, A, AA) for trainer Frank Pellittere. Imark Kennel’s Imark Solo has back-to-back wins (A, AA) for trainer Diann Derr. Previous Next

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< Back NGA SPRING MEET SCHOOLING RESULTS - THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021 Jim Gartland Apr 15, 2021 49 races scheduled: Dragged after every 10, no watering Track Condition: Fast Weather: Mostly sunny, cool, 42 degrees (SCR = Scratched - HS = Hand Slip, no time) KENNETH BIEHLE – (Race 1) 30.46, 30.53, 30.98, 30.92, 31.31, 30.83, 30.83, 30.61, 31.05, 31.01, 30.93, 31.07, 31.16 CRAIGIE, INC . – (Race 2) 30.18, 30.47, 30.60, 30.92 STEVEN WARD - (Race 3) 30.71, 31.00, 31.05 MICHAEL STRICKLAND – (Race 4) 30.26, 30.24, 30.46, 30.42, 30.67, 30.67 JEFF COLE - (Race 15) 30.31, 30.34, 30.10 , 30.78, 30.40, 30.83 MONTE JACOBS - (Race 18) 30.93, 31.93, 30.99 DAVID HAYS - (Race 28) 30.44, 30.49, 31.39, 31.50, 31.17, 31.50, 31.12, 31.74, SCR HARVEY RANDLE - (Race 30) 32.18, 31.77, 32.02, 31.60 DAVID STRONG - (Race 39) HS Previous Next

< Back GRAND FINALE DERBY FIRST ROUND RESULTS Dec 21, 2020 Hi Noon Recoil of Nova kennel clocked the fastest time in the Grand Finale Derby opening round on Saturday at Derby Lane. One of 32 greyhounds entered in the new 550-yard stakes, Hi Noon Recoil won his race by 2-1/2 lengths in 30.52 seconds - the best time among 221 greyhounds who competed in 28 races on the sprint course throughout the matinee and evening performances. Hi Noon Recoil, a 33-month-old son from a litter by SH Avatar and Hi Noon Wheezy, was among four first-round winners to advance to the next round on Wednesday’s matinee card. It was the 25th lifetime victory from 62 starts for the Missy Kubitz trainee. Hi Noon Recoil, owned by Charles Haliburton III, is making his Derby Lane stakes debut. He paid $6.80 as the second wagering favorite. Floyd kennel’s Kaias Martin recorded a box-to-wire five-length win in his qualifier, clocking a time of 30.58 seconds. He returned $5.40 as the race betting choice. Other first-round winners required photo finish results. Lester Raines kennel’s SB Fine Lines won by a neck in 30.82 seconds, paying $11.40 as the second wagering choice. Ventilator of Everett Racing kennel prevailed by a nose in 30.71 seconds. She returned $10.40 as the fourth betting pick. The top four finishers in each race comprise the 16-dog, two-race field on Wednesday. The top four finishers from those races move on to the championship race in a rare Sunday matinee performance, with each one receiving shares of a purse structure which totals a combined payout of $30,000. LK’s Crush N It of Lashmet kennel was not one of those to advance. The 2019 All-America first-team member finished seventh in his qualifier, seven lengths behind Fine SB Lines. LK’s Crush N It, a five-time stakes winner, has 92 career victories from 152 starts. LK’s Santorini, another Lashmet athlete who has locked up her first meet win title, did move on with a third-place showing in the race won by Hi Noon Recoil. She has 67 lifetime victories from 146 outings. Seven performances remain in the July-to-December meet, and Watson Racing continues to lead the kennel standings with 252 victories. The operation maintained its advantage with a 10-win effort in the past week. Everett Racing, a three-time kennel champion, picked up some ground with 12 victories, and trails Watson Racing by five wins. Reigning kennel champion Lester Raines put itself in contention to repeat with a phenomenal 20-win week over seven performances. Highlighted by six wins apiece on the Friday matinee and Saturday evening cards, Lester Raines raised its victory total to 246 – good for third place. Capabal kennel ranks fourth in the win race with 233, and Abernathy is fifth at 221. The only other operation to total double-digit wins in the previous week was Cal Holland kennel with 12. Previous Next

< Back Wheeling Hot Dogs ( as of January 13, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted ) Stan Pawloski Jan 13, 2020 Jacobs Racing Kennel’s JSK Roulette has four straight Grade AA victories for trainer Louise Strong. Kennel-mates LK’s Ferdinand has won three in a row (B, A, AA) while JS Go Flex has two wins and a second in his last three Grade TAA 3/8 races. Lester Raines Kennel’s JS Drinkmepretty has two victories, a second and a third in her last four Grade AA starts for trainer Joel Roden. Kennel-mate K One More Thing has back-to-back wins (B, A). Patriot/Taplin Kennel’s CTW Tira Misu has captured three out of her last four outings (B, A, AA) for trainer Joe Otto. Kennel-mate CTW Widow Maker has two victories and a second in his last three trips (A, AA). Imark Kennel’s Imark Stingray has won three out of his last four races (C, B, A) for trainer Scott Purdy. Previous Next

< Back CET DIRTY DILLY REPEATS AS CAPTAIN FOR 2022 ALL AMERICAN TEAM Jim Gartland Feb 2, 2023 West Virginia superstar CET Dirty Dilly has once again been voted Captain of the 2022 All American team. The annual naming of the All-America team, dates back to 1963. The program pays tribute to the top eight greyhounds nationally. Others named to this year’s squad are: FGF Davycrockett (Southland), Florentine (Wheeling), CET Dirty Dan (Tri State/Wheeling), JS Nawty Redhead (Southland), Winchester (Southland), RS Big D (Wheeling) and JS Pumpedupkicks (Tri State). This year’s second team is comprised of: World Rule r (Southland), Gold Standard (Southland), Foolish Behavior (Southland), CET Barracuda (Wheeling), Super C Brew (Southland), Oshkosh Edward (Southland), Army (Southland) and FGF Bodacious (Southland). Heading up this year's team is it's Captain, CET Dirty Dilly (SH Avatar-CET Dirty Nicki) who was Tri State's win leader, as well as National Win Leader, and finished out of the money only one time all year. Perhaps the most steady and consistent greyhound racing in 2022, Dirty Dilly won 40 races during the year, just two short of last year's nation leading 42, in seven less starts. She would finish the year with a 48-40-3-4-0 record and the well earned reward as Captain of the 2022 AA team. FGF Davycrockett (Trent Lee-FGF Jamboree) After seven starts at 550 yards while breaking in at Southland in 2021, Davycrockett was moved over to 660 yards. He was finally able to break his Maiden going the longer distance and since then, has never looked back. In 2022 he was the win leader and top money earner at Southland running strictly 660 and 703 yard races. He would finish in the money 40 out of 45 times on his way to winning 18 races, cementing himself as the best distance dog at the track. His final stats would read 45-18-9-5-8. Another Southland distance star, Winchester (Shonn-Fiesta Toril), makes the team coming off a 15 win season and setting a new track record for the 660 yard course at West Memphis. Racing for Plum Creek Kennel at Southland, Winchester sizzled to a 36.06 clocking in April of last year to set the new mark for the course. He never missed the paysheet during the year, ompiling a 38-15-10-7-6 overall record, winning 15 which was good enough for 3rd most for the year at Southland. JS Nawty Redhead (Show On The Road-JS Runnin Havoc) makes the 2022 team as another talented distance dog from Southland. The red fawn female switched over to the longer races in mid-March and picked up a win in her first start at the distance. She would go on to win 14 more at 660 yards, good enough to finish in 2nd place in the win standings for the year at Southland. She finished with a record of 35-17-3-2-3 for 2022. Florentine (Rob Gronkowski-PJ Sour Diesel) broke in at Wheeling in late 2021 and within 3 months found herself in grade AA. Early speed is her game and once on the lead, she was tough to beat. She finished the year as the win leader at the Wheeling oval with 22 victories. A couple of three and four race win streaks helped contribute to her overall record of 56-22-9-1-4. The only real stake winner of the year, CET Dirty Dan (SH Avatar-CET Dirty Nicki) captured the WVGOBA Championship back in October, just one of his 22 wins on the year. Dirty Dan started the year in Tri State and showed some of the same form as his super sister, CET Dirty Dilly. He would win 8 races at Tri State before moving on to Wheeling for the stake. He took to the Wheeling track and picked up 14 more wins including the stake for an overall 39-22-6-2-1 record for the year. Another distance star to make this year's team, JS Pumpedupkicks (Show On The Road-JS E Z Livin), joins the team off of a stellar 2022. He was easily the best distance dog at Tri State in 2022 pulling off a couple of five race win streaks and setting a track record along the way. In September, the big male rolled to an 11 length win in 37.42, shattering the old record for the 677 yard course. His year was shortened by injury, but he finished with a 45-27-6-3-2 record, good enough for fifth in the nation in wins. In somewhat of a surprise, RS Big D (Oya Stan The Man-RS Hard Drive) makes the team despite being injured and only acquiring 14 starts for the year. But what a 14 starts they were! Running strictly distance races, the big brindle male won 12 of those 14 starts including 10 in a row( 13 in a row carried over from 2021) and was, by far, the best distance hound at Wheeling. He ran out of the money only one time and finished the abbreviated year with a 14-12-1-0-0 record. These eight represent the 1st team and will be honored with All-America plaques at the Greyhound Hall Of Fame awards ceremony on Thursday night, Apr. 27, during the NGA Spring Meet in Abilene, KS. 2nd Team Southland Grandpa, World Rule r (Need My Moneynow-Fly Miley Cyrus) leads the Second Team of All-Americans. He compiled a 31-14-6-4-5 record after turning 4 years of age early in the year. He is joined by the following: Gold Standard (Stealintheshow-Dutch Jackie) 27-14-3-4-2 at Southland. Foolish Behavior (Djays Octane-Mytimetofly) 43-14-107-4 at Southland Super C Brew (Superior Panama-Super C Belle) 24-11-3-2-2 at Southland Oshkosh Edward (Oshkosh Kid-Oshkosh Fired Up) 54-20-8-5-5 at Wheeling CET Barracuda (Superior Panama-MRL Bail Me Out) 18-9-2-1-2 at Tri State/Wheeling Army (Shonn-Bella Cypress) 32-10-8-8-2 at Southland FGF Bodacious (FGF Chisum-FGF Boogiewoogie) 35-14-85-3 at Southland Previous Next

< Back Wheeling Hot Dogs ( as March 28, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted ) Stan Pawloski Mar 23, 2022 Lester Raines Kennel’s RS Big D has won 18 out of his last 19 Grade TAA 3/8 races, including 13 in a row, for trainer Joel Roden. Kennel-mates SNL Sir Liam (A, AA) and B’s Bugatti (B, A) have back-to-back wins. Blanchard Kennel’s Loyal Cmn In Hot has three straight Grade AA victories for trainer Sarah Blanchard. Kennel-mates KW Bugatti has won three out of his last four Grade AA trips while Loyal Alps (B, TAA 3/8) and Penrose Niko (B, A) have two straight wins. Jacobs Racing Kennel’s Abbi’s Frontman has two victories and a second in his last three Grade AA outings for trainer Louise Strong. Xtrem Hess Racing Kennel’s XM Hero (AA) and XM Go Bell (A, AA) have back-to-back wins for trainer Jill Spicer. Charter Kennel’s FGF Lucky Star has two straight Grade TAA 3/16 victories for trainer James Campbell. Imark Kennel’s Saber Enzo has back-to-back wins (B, A) for trainer DiAnn Derr. Previous Next

< Back Wheeling Hot Dogs ( as of July 3, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted ) Stan Pawloski Jul 3, 2023 Charter Kennel’s JSP Rayzendacash has won four out of his last five Grade AA races for trainer James Campbell. Kennel-mates Oshkosh Nicole has captured three out of her last four Grade AA trips while You Proof has back-to-back wins (A, AA). Imark Kennel’s Imark Zander has three straight victories (D, C, B) for trainer DiAnn Derr. Steve Sarras Kennel’s WW Griggsy has won three in a row (D, C, B) for trainer Mike Holguin. Previous Next

< Back WHEELING TRACK ANNIVERSARY: TOP STAKES FINAL FIELDS, NO. 7 AND NO. 8 Stan Pawloski Aug 7, 2023 Down through the years, Wheeling has had a rich tradition in greyhound stakes competition. Fans have been blessed with the chance to see some of the all-time greats in some of the track’s most memorable moments. The month of August marks 47 years of Wheeling greyhound racing and with assistance from local greyhound historian Robin Reed, a list of the top eight all-time Wheeling stakes final fields has been put together. Selected as the best of the best stakes championship fields follow: No. 1 – the 1987 $60,000 Wheeling Challenge Invitational No. 2 – the 1984 $145,000 West Virginia Classic No. 3 – the 1984 $80,000 West Virginia Commissioner’s Cup No. 4 – the 1977 $11,000 Thomas F. Shehan Sprint Classic No. 5 – the 2001 $35,000 Spring Classic No. 6 – the 1982 $55,000 City of Wheeling Sprint No. 7 – the 2008 $100,000 Wheeling Island Invitational No. 8 – the 2004 $50,000 Couch Potato Stakes. "Wheeling stakes racing has created some of the most indelible memories in the track's great 47-year history," Reed said. "I love having the opportunity to bring those moments to life again for both veteran fans such as myself who have shared in the experience and new fans to Wheeling racing who may not be aware of the track's remarkable past." Today’s article looks at No. 8 – the 2004 $50,000 Couch Potato Stakes and No. 7 – the 2008 $100,000 Wheeling Island Invitational. 2004 Couch Potato Stakes (ranked No. 8) Saturday evening, Nov. 6, 2004 All eight greyhounds in the championship competed in stake finals during their racing days, including 2004 All-American Greys Royalcrown and 2005 All-American Boone’s Fishnkid. From the rail out, the finalists and their achievements follow: 1- FLYING TAG HEUER (Flying Eagles/Miner Kennel) -2004 Wheeling record (42-9-5-11) 2- BOONE’S FISHNKI D (Lester Raines Kennel) - 2005 All-American - Winner of the 2005 Hollywood Joe Ryan Memorial - Second in the 2005 Hollywood World Classic - Finalist in the 2004 Wheeling Independence Day Classic - 2004 Wheeling record (25-13-6-3) 3- GREY’S ROYALCROW N (A Ray Kennel) - 2004 All-American - Winner of the 2004 Wheeling Independence Day Classic - Winner of the 2004 Wheeling Survivor Stakes - 2004 Wheeling record (46-23-8-5) 4- LONESOME CRY (Charter Kennel) - Winner of the 2003 Derby Lane Puppy Preview - Second in the 2003 Derby Lane T.L. Weaver Memorial Stakes - Finalist in the 2003 Derby Lane Matinee Idol - Finalist in the 2004 Southland Derby - 2003 Derby Lane win champ (35-21-6-3) 5- BOONE’S LINKY (Lester Raines Kennel) - Finalist 2004 Wheeling Independence Day Classic - 2004 Wheeling record (25-8-4-3) 6- FLYING TREY BOY (Flying Eagles/Miner Kennel) - Second in the 2004 Gulf Night of Stars - Third in the 2005 Derby Lane Sprint Classic - 2004 Wheeling record (24-12-3-1) 7- LEWIS AND WAX (Arivada/Plum Creek Kennel) - Second in the Wheeling Independence Day Classic - Finalist in the 2005 Bluffs Run Open - Set Wheeling 5/16th track record (29.37) - 2004 Wheeling record (50-15-13-10) 8- KAY V WILLARD (Steubenville Kennel) - Finalist in the 2005 Hollywood World Classic - Finalist in the 2004 Wheeling Independence Day Classic - 2004 Wheeling record (37-13-6-4) In the championship final, Lonesome Cry – sent to post at 11-1 odds – posted a box-to-wire 2-length victory in 30.30. Lewis And Wax finished second and Greys Royalcrown got up for third. Completing the finish were Boone’s Fishnkid, fourth; Flying Tag Heuer, fifth; Kay V Willard, sixth; Boone’s Linky, seventh; and Flying Trey Boy, the favorite, eighth. Lonesome Cry had a pair of wins and a seventh in the preliminary rounds. 2008 Wheeling Island Invitational (ranked No. 7) Saturday afternoon, Oct. 18, 2008 Six of the eight greyhounds in the championship qualified for multiple stakes finals during their careers, including 2008 All-American Flying Mancini. From the rail out, the finalists and their accomplishments follow: 1- PAL WW WENDY (Wayne Ward Kennel) - 2008 Wheeling record (61-13-11-4) 2- GABLE TWINKIE (Gable Kennel) - 2008 Wheeling record (64-13-12-6) 3- KIOWA WW BROTHER (Wayne Ward Kennel) - Winner of the 2009 Superstar Challenge - Second in the 2008 Holiday Sprint - Finalist in the 2008 Panhandle Sprint - 10-race win streak in 2009 - Tied for second in wins at Wheeling in 2008 (48-22-6-13) 4- MAKIN BAKIN (Charter Kennel) - 2007 Wheeling win co-champ, 55-30-8-3 - Third in the 2008 Holiday Sprint - Third in the 2008 Wheeling Night of Stars - Finalist in the 2006 Woodlands Fall Futurity - Finalist in the 2008 Wheeling Superstar Challenge - 2008 Wheeling mark (50-19-11-8); career wins 58 5- FLYING MANCINI (Flying Eagles/Miner Kennel) - 2008 All-American - Winner of the 2008 Woodlands Kansas Bred Sprint - Winner of the 2008 Woodlands William Grace Countdown Stakes - Winner of the 2008 Derby Lane 660 Challenge - Winner of the 2009 Derby Lane Inaugural - Second in the 2008 Woodlands Great American Greyhound Futurity - Second in the 2008 Woodlands Shamrock 660 Stakes - Second in the 2009 Derby Lane Matinee Idol Stakes - Third in the 2009 Derby Lane Sprint Classic - Finalist in the 2008 American Derby (Lincoln) - Finalist in the 2009 Derby Lane Distance Classic - Finalist in the 2009 Wheeling Holiday Sprint - Set Woodlands 7/16th track record (43.22) 6- FLYING WESTOVER (Flying Eagles/Miner Kennel) - Finalist in the 2008 Woodlands Great American Greyhound Futurity - Finalist in the 2009 Wheeling Winner’s Challenge - Finalist in the 2009 George Kellas Memorial Cup - 2008 Wheeling record (38-15-4-5) 7- SELDOMSCENETEARS (Wayne Ward Kennel) - Finalist in the 2008 Wheeling Holiday Sprint - Finalist in the 2009 Wheeling Superstar Challenge - Finalist in the 2009 George Kellas Memorial Cup - 2008 Wheeling record (30-8-1-7) 8- KANSAS BUZZER (Wayne Strong Kennel) - Second in the 2008 Woodlands William Grace Countdown Stakes - Third in the Wheeling Firecracker Sprint - 11-race win streak at Woodlands - 2008 Wheeling record (41-11-12-6) In the championship final, Kiowa WW Brother – sent to post at 4-1 odds as the second favorite to Flying Mancini – rocketed to the early lead from the three box and never looked back in winning by 7 lengths in 29.65. Kansas Buzzer took runner up honors while Seldomscenetears closed in the stretch to round out the trifecta ticket. Completing the finish were Makin Bakin, fourth; Flying Mancini, fifth; Gable Twinkie, sixth; Flying Westover, seventh; and Pal WW Wendy, eighth. Kiowa WW Brother had two wins and a second in the qualifying rounds. Previous Next