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< Back WHEELING TRACK ANNIVERSARY: TOP STAKES FINAL FIELDS, NO. 3 AND NO. 4 Stan Pawloski Aug 21, 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. 4 – the 1977 $11,000 Thomas F. Shehan Sprint Classic and No. 3 – the 1984 $80,000 West Virginia Commissioner’s Cup. 1977 Thomas F. Shehan Sprint Classic (ranked No. 4) Friday evening, Nov. 18, 1977 The championship final field featured two All-American greyhounds, Rooster Cogburn and Highway Robber. In addition, Rooster Cogburn was voted into the U.S. Greyhound Hall of Fame. Five out of the other six finalists made stakes championships during their careers with a pair winning the events. The field included four Wheeling racers – Slick Genius, unbeaten in the qualifying round races, Dixie Miler, Cool Highway and E.Z. Ike. From the rail out, the finalists and their achievements follow: 1-COOL HIGHWAY (Steubenville Kennel) - Winner of the 1978 West Virginia Classic - Second in the 1977 Wheeling Spring Derby - Second in the 1978 Wheeling Downs Sprint Championship - Finalist in the 1978 City of Wheeling Stakes - 61 career wins - 1977 Wheeling mark (63-25-19-9), second in wins 2-DIXIE MILER (James G. Conlen Kennel) - Second in the 1977 Wheeling Top Dog Stakes - 1976 Wheeling win champ, 14 wins - 1977 Wheeling record (36-18-11-2) 3-SF’S TAIN’T SO (Steubenville Kennel) - Third in the 1977 Wonderland Battle of Ages - Finalist in the 1978 Wheeling Downs Sprint Championship - 1978 Wheeling record (52-18-14-10) 4-HIGHWAY ROBBER (Wayne Strong Kennel) - 1976 All American - Winner of the 1974 NGA Futurity - Winner of the 1976 Wonderland Inaugural - Second in the 1976 Orlando Derby - Second in the 1976 Biscayne Inaugural - Second in the 1976 Orlando Inaugural - Second in the 1977 St. Petersburg Derby - Finalist in the 1977 Derby Lane Sprint Classic - 52 career wins 5-ROOSTER COGBURN (Wayne Strong Kennel) - U.S. Greyhound Hall of Fame - 1977 All-American - Second in the 1977 Wonderland Battle of Ages - Finalist in the 1978 Hollywood World Classic - 1977 racing record (87-43-17-5) - 59 career wins 6-JAMES G . (J. Johnson & Son Kennel) - Raced at Mobile, ALA 7-E.Z. IKE (Julian Dial Kennel) - Finalist in the 1978 Wheeling Downs Sprint Championship - 1978 Wheeling win co-champ (53-27-4-5) 8-SLICK GENIUS (Julliene J. Goble Kennel) - Winner of the 1977 City of Wheeling Stakes - Third in the 1979 Wheeling Downs Sprint Championship - Finalist in the 1978 Wheeling Downs Sprint Championship - 51 career wins at Wheeling - 1977 Wheeling record (64-30-6-7) In the championship final, All-American Rooster Cogburn lived up to his pre-race publicity when he rushed to the early lead and never looked back in drawing away to a 6-length victory in 31.39 on a track rated “slow.” Florida invader SF’s Tain’t So took runner up honors while local star Slick Genius was third. Completing the finish were Highway Robber, fourth; Dixie Miler, fifth; Cool Highway, sixth; James G., seventh; and E.Z. Ike, eighth. Rooster Cogburn had two wins and a second in the three qualifying rounds. Three new wagering marks were set in the stake final – new total pool of $24,316, new quiniela mark of $12,862 and a win, place and show standard of $5,992. 1984 West Virginia Commissioner’s Cup (ranked No. 3) Friday evening, Oct. 26, 1984 The final featured two All-Americans – two-time honoree My Tipper and Blue Twinkle. My Tipper also won the NGA Rural Rube Award as the country’s top sprinter. Six out of the eight finalists made stake championships. From the rail out, the finalists and their accomplishments follow: 1-BLUE TWINKLE (Julian Dial Kennel) - 1984 All-American - Winner of the 1984 Orange Park Derby - Winner of the 1984 Jacksonville Derby - Winner of the 1984 & 1985 Bayard Derby - Second in the 1984 Greyhound Grand Prix - Finalist in the 1984 West Virginia Classic - Set track record on Jacksonville’s 5/16th (30.47) and 3/8th (37.54) courses - Set Bayard’s 3/8 track record (37.77) - 72 career wins 2-K’S DOUBLE K (Dick Andrews Kennel) - Third in the 1984 Tampa Future Champions Preview 3-ZAMBELLIS - Winner of the 1984 Phoenix Derby - 13-race consecutive win streak - 52 career wins 4-MAGNIFICAT (Steubenville Kennel) - Winner of the 1985 Hollywood World Classic - Finalist in the 1984 Biscayne Florida/World Challenge - Set Flagler 5/16 track record (30.73) 5-I’M GANGSTER (E.J. Alderson Kennel) - Second in wins at Wheeling in 1984 (63-29-14-4) 6-M’S BEST BET (Haber Racing Kennel) - 1984 Wheeling record (39-13-9-3) 7-MY RED STREAK (Steubenville Kennel) - Winner of the 1985 Flagler Derby - Winner of the 1984 Ebro Derby - Finalist in the 1985 Hollywood World Classic - Finalist in the 1985 West Virginia Commissioner’s Cup 8-MY TIPPER (British-Mountaineer Kennel) - 1984 & 1985 All-American - 1985 Rural Rube Award winner (top U.S. sprinter) - Winner of the 1984 Hollywood Inaugural - Winner of the 1985 Florida/World Challenge - Winner of the 1986 Biscayne Irish-American - Third in the 1985 West Virginia Commissioner’s Cup - Finalist in the 1985 Hollywood World Classic - Set three 5/16th track records at Wheeling (29.73, 29.91, 29.97) In the championship final, 7/5 favorite My Tipper set a world record time when the sprinter stopped the clock in a sizzling 29.73 in capturing the stake trophy. My Tipper broke fifth from the eight-hole but rushed up into the lead by a length over Blue Twinkle around the first turn. The champion never looked back as he pulled away for a 5-length victory in record time. Blue Twinkle took runner up honors while Magnificat, despite trouble, rounded out the trifecta ticket. Completing the final field were K’s Double K, fourth; Zambellis, fifth; My Red Streak, sixth; M’s Best Bet, seventh; and I’m Gangster, eighth. In the first round of the West Virginia Commissioner’s Cup, My Tipper set a new Wheeling track mark with a time of 29.97, then lowered his own record with a world record time of 29.91 in the third round. The old mark of 29.95 was set at Naples-Ft. Myers, FL, earlier in the year. Owned by James O’Donnell, Jr., My Tipper – a sprinter from Mobile, Ala., -- had four victories and a second in the five preliminary rounds. Previous Next

< Back SPRINT STAR CET DIRTY DILLY CAPTURES CAREER VICTORY NO. 100 Stan Pawloski Mar 27, 2023 The last two years, 2021-22, CET Dirty Dilly was voted captain of the All-America first team. On top of those prestigious honors, the Tri-State Greyhound Park star captured the Rural Rube Award as the nation’s top sprinter for the second year in a row and was the national win leader both seasons. This year, CET Dirty Dilly joined an elite group – greyhounds with 100 career victories. When the sprint sensation posted a box-to-wire victory in mid-March at Tri-State, she became only the 52nd greyhound in racing history to reach triple figures in wins. Owner Carl Tomblin II calls CET Dirty Dilly “one out of a million.” “I am so proud of Dilly and what she’s accomplished in her career. She’s one dog out of a million … I never expected to raise a greyhound like her,” Tomblin said. “She’s the total package and so suited for the Tri-State racetrack. I’ve been so blessed to have a greyhound like her during my career in racing.” CET Dirty Dilly, a December 2018 greyhound out of SH Avatar-CET Dirty Nicki, and littermates CET Dirty Dan, CET Dirty Gurly, CET Dirty Joey, CET Dirty Red and CET Dirty Ryder were raised the first year by Tomblin on his farm in West Virginia. Mike Strickland completed the group’s final six months of training in Kansas. “The first year on the farm none of the littermates stood out. They all were very responsive, aggressive, smart and a great-handling litter,” Tomblin said. “When Mike (Strickland) had them in Kansas, Dilly and Dan were the two best in the litter.” CET Dirty Dilly broke in at Tri-State in August 2020, winning her first four races (Maiden and Grades D, C, B) by a combined 26 lengths. In September, she traveled to Wheeling Island where she finished second by a head to Mac’s Tayloranne in the West Virginia Greyhound Owners and Breeders Association Juvenile Stakes final. In November 2020, CET Dirty Dilly returned to Tri-State. She won her first start back on her home track in Grade A and 2 ½ years later is still racing in Grade AA. CET Dirty Dilly’s career numbers through March 15 of this year are eye-popping – 100 wins, 18 seconds, 7 thirds and 3 fourths in 137 lifetime trips. She won 42 and 40 races in back-to-back years as national win champion in 2021-22. In addition to reaching 100 career wins, other CET Dirty Dilly accomplishments Tomblin is most proud of include: -Breaking the track record in September 2021, winning by 17 ½ lengths in 29.23 “Going to the track with family since I was 3 years old, I always wondered over the years if a greyhound would ever break the track record,” Tomblin said. “To own the greyhound who broke the record is hard to believe.” -Winning the $100,000 Mardi Gras Challenge at Tri-State in December 2021 by 1 ½ lengths in 29.84. “The final field had greyhounds who raced at Southland, Iowa and Palm Beach in it,” Tomblin said. “It was a tough, stacked stakes final. Winning the championship was very special.” -Capturing the $65,000 WVGOBA Sprint Championship in June 2021 by 13 lengths in 29.89. -Track record 16 straight victories in April through July 2021 as well as other multiple win streaks. -Two-time All-America team captain and Rural Rube Award winner. “Never would I have thought I’d have a greyhound achieve back-to-back All-America and Rural Rube Award honors,” Tomblin said. “It’s been a team effort with a lot of people involved along the way. My CET farm staff in West Virginia work every day with me and with our greyhounds – they are the foundation of my business.” CET Dirty Dilly doesn’t appear to be slowing down this year. She had 10 wins and 2 seconds in her first 12 starts. “I hope Dilly stays healthy and she’s able to compete in the West Virginia-bred sprint stakes in May. Winning it again would be icing on the cake,” Tomblin said. “As far as retiring Dilly, she’ll let us know when it’s time. Right now, she’s loving what she does every day and enjoying life.” Greyhounds with at least 100 career wins during their careers follow: 143 – JR’s Ripper 137 – Indy Ann, Happy Voyage 132 – JJ Littlerichard 128 – L.L.’s Doug 123 – JJ Doc Richard, WW Headliner 121 – LD’s Bahama 120 – Sarah Cap, JL Rat 118 – Okie Bootsy, Darius Stone 115 – Miss Whirl, Algoa Boss 113 – Marathon Hound, Gilded Sherry 112 – Friend Delilah, IR’s Gambler, Fortress Blue 111 – JW Rocket One 109 – TK’s Macho Mutt, Frontier TJ DJ, Mo Kick, My Mr. Peabody, Hometown Scott 107 – Lurcher Boy, Westy Whizzer, Most Certain Lee, JK’s Blue Cougar, Lady Quick 106 – Pat C Yetter, Coldwater Torres 105 – Carbon Cry, Husker Magic 104 – MC’s Harvey S 103 – My Problem, Holy Tera, Leo’s Midas, JR’s Big Chief 102 – Big Gossip, RB’s Ruler, JL Gater Aid, MJ Erin Shea, Mindless 101 – M’s Bon Gee, Silent Power, RC’s Sorcerer 100 – Sox Hunter, Picki Princess, BW’s Unida, CET Dirty Dilly Previous Next

< Back 2024 WV BRED OPEN DISTANCE STAKE Jun 1, 2024 Congratulations to CG's Maggi for winning the WV Bred Open Distance Stakes race! Congratulations to owner Janice C. Abrahamson, trainer Todd Johnson, and the farm and kennel families of Abrahamson Kennel, LLC.! Congratulations to all the participants on an amazing stakes! Fantastic Finish! Previous Next

< Back STORMING TRISTATE Patricia Saul Aug 23, 2023 CG's Sun Storm left a rainbow of AA racing jackets behind as he claimed his 11th win at Tristate last night. The #8 greyhound ran his fastest time of 30.01 seconds & races for Abrahamson kennel. Watch CG's Sun Storms' race! Previous Next

< Back Caliente Kennel Wins for Grade A / 546 - Dec 3-9 Patricia Saul Dec 10, 2023 La Fiesta Kennel had four Grade A wins with Tv’s Starling, Tv’s Black Swift, Casual Thing and Bgr Jungle Juice. Trainer Bobby Mir Rio Grande Kennel captured four wins from AMF Seldom Found (2), Gonz Simona and AMF Seldomcaught. Trainer Marcos Gonzalez Tijuana Kennel seized three Grade A wins with WW Amor, WW Charity and WW May Queen. Trainer Aldara Fuentes Kennels capturing one Grade A win were Correcaminos (Troublesome, Trainer Karen Sadulski), Los Taxis (WW Wanton Game, Trainer Vicente Lopez) and Newport (Laughter N Tears, Trainer Tyler Sadulski). Previous Next

< Back FIRST ROUND $30,000 DUBUQUE CLASSIC Aug 24, 2020 The $30.000 Dubuque Classic Stakes got underway Saturday, August 22, with four first-round winners. Rasta, one of two Copper Kennel winners, posted the best time, 39.91 seconds, the only greyhounds to break 40 seconds in the first round. Rasta, 12-7-3-0, is a 69-pounder, born September 18, 2018 out of Nashapelli – Fansome, Rasha broke away a bit in the homestretch to win by two lengths, her third straight victory. Kennelmate Big Joe Stoffen pulled away with authority to win by three and half lengths is his DCS debut. Stoffen is an 84-pounder, born May 18,2018, out of Will Bill Reeves – Little Iowa. He moves to 17-3-2-3 on the season. It’s My Life (T And T Kennel) rallied from fourth place in the homestretch to win his race by a half-length. It’s My Life, a 72-pounder, born Nov. 25, 2016 out of Stevie Pree – Medicine Woman. The veteran is 16-11-2-1 on the season. XK Want It (Xtrem Hess) rallied from second in the homestretch to win her first-round test by two lengths, the only female among the first four winners. XK Want It, a 59-pounder, born October 19, 2017 out of Flying Westover – Gable Annabeth, moves to 24-9-4-1 on the season. The victory snapped a five-race non-win streak. The greyhounds return for second round action on Thursday, August 27 after which eliminations will be made. The championship race is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 6. Previous Next

< Back Wheeling Hot Dogs ( as of November 6, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted ) Stan Pawloski Nov 6, 2023 Charter Kennel’s JSP Hush Money has five straight 3/8 wins (TA, TAA) for trainer James Campbell. Kennel-mate Doingitmyway has two victories and a second in his last three Grade TAA 3/16 races. Lester Raines Kennel’s JS Xtra Fancy has three wins and a second in her last four outings (TAA 3/8, AA) for trainer Joel Roden. Kennel-mates JS Flush Fund has three straight victories (A, AA) while JS Flamin Hottie has back-to-back wins (B, A). Jacobs Racing Kennel’s GLS On Demand has four wins and a second in his last five 3/16 trips (TA, TAA) for trainer Natalie Looper. Blanchard Kennel’s Arkans TMC Athos has two victories and two seconds in his last four races (A, AA) for trainer Chris Maynard. Kennel-mates TR Hill has back-to-back Grade AA wins while JW Blondie has two victories and a second in her last three starts (B, A). Code Red Kennel’s AMF Gotta Go has two wins and two seconds in his last four Grade AA outings for trainer Tom Engle. Kennel-mate FF Leroy Brown has two victories and a second in his last three trips (A, AA). Imark Kennel’s Saber Jagger has back-to-back wins (B, A) for trainer DiAnn Derr. Previous Next

< Back Dates set for WVGOBA stakes at Wheeling Island Stan Pawloski Jul 29, 2024 A pair of West Virginia Greyhound Owners and Breeders Association championships – a juvenile and a sprint stake – will be held in the fall this year at Wheeling Island. The $35,000 WVGOBA Juvenile Stakes (5/16th) will be held in September. The first round is set for Friday, Sept. 13, the second round on Wednesday, Sept. 18 and the semi-finals on Sunday, Sept. 22. The juvenile stakes final is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 28. The $65,000 WVGOBA Panhandle Championship (5/16th) starts on Friday, Nov. 8, with the second round on Wednesday, Nov. 13. The semifinals will be contested on Sunday, Nov. 17. The Panhandle stakes championship is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 23. No regular stake events are scheduled at Wheeling Island in 2024. Previous Next

< Back NGA SPRING MEET SCHOOLING RESULTS - WEDNESDAY APRIL 14, 2021 Jim Gartland Apr 14, 2021 48 races scheduled: Dragged after every 10, no watering. Conditions: Sunny, cool, 43 degrees – Track: Fast (SCR = Scratched - HS = Hand Slip, no time) JAY RANGEL - (Race 1) 30.63, 30.40, 30.87, 30.97, 31.22, 31.39, 30.79, 31.59, 31.50, 31.23, 32.22, 30.98, 31.27, 31.60, 31.52, 31.77, 31.89, SCR SHANNON HENRY - (Race 2) 30.72, 30.69, 31.76, 31.02, 31.24, 31.61, 31.44, 32.49, 31.68, 31.55, 31.44, 31.62 DAVID STRONG - (Race 3) 30.41, 30.54, 30.62, 30.68, 31.19, 30.67, 31.01 SEASTROM KENNELS - (Race 4) 30.18 , 31.06, 30.63, 31.14, 31.00, 31.24, 31.34, 31.21, 31.39, 31.96, HS Previous Next

< Back CET DIRTY DILLY RETIRES Jul 1, 2023 The Queen, CET Dirty Dilly, rounds her career out with 114 career wins, three stakes championship wins, was the 2021 & 2022 Captain of the All American Team and voted 2021 & 2022 NGA Rural Rube Award Sprint Winner. Dilly holds the Mardi Gras WV sprint course track record with a 29.23. Her owner, Carl Tomblin, decided to retire Dilly “On Top.” “Dilly has nothing more to prove to me or anyone else. She races with all her heart and I don’t want age to catch up with her. She deserves to retire unbeatable,” shares Carl Tomblin. Dilly has planned a full & rich life ahead of her as a Queen Mother. ….and, she added, that she has a Fourth of July BBQ party to attend this weekend. There will be pickles on her hot dog! The NGA congratulates CET Dirty Dilly on an amazing, inspirational greyhound racing career. We all are looking forward to watching the future royals race! Happy retirement, CET Dirty Dilly and congratulations to CET Kennels Inc, Carl Tomblin & Summer Tomblin & all Dilly's connections on an amazing career! Previous Next

< Back NGA 2024 CALENDAR Leslie Csokasy Nov 13, 2023 Previous Next

< Back WVGOBA JUVENILE STAKES SET Stan Pawloski Sep 8, 2021 The $35,000 West Virginia Greyhound Owners and Breeders Association Juvenile Stakes kicks off Friday afternoon, Sept. 10, at Wheeling Island. Four kennels have entered a total of 13 greyhounds – eight from Tri-State Greyhound Park and five from Wheeling Island. The second round will be Wednesday, Sept. 15 and the semi-finals on Sunday, Sept. 19. The juvenile stake final is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 25. Entries by kennel follow with the highest grade the greyhounds have reached as well as the track. A Ray – Mac’s New York (Grade B), TS; Mac’s Zhivago (Maiden), TS; Mac’s Evita (Maiden), TS; and Mac’s Pippen (no official races), TS. Code Red Kennel – JA’s Croft (Grade AA), TS; and JA’s Harper (Grade C), TS. Lester Raines – RS’s Dark Night (Grade AA), WD; RS’s Im All In (Grade AA), WD; RS’s Happyharper (Grade A), WD; RS’s Prime Time (Grade B), WD; and RS’s Blue Heaven (Grade C), WD. Patriot/Taplin – Coach Van Winkle (Grade B), TS; and Coach Wonder (Maiden), TS. Previous Next