Search Results

< Back $100,000 MOUNTAINEER CLASSIC FINAL PREVIEW, RACE ANALYSIS Oct 22, 2021 Blanchard Kennel’s Penrose Boss heads up a solid field for the Saturday afternoon final of the $100,000 Mountaineer Classic at Wheeling Island. The 3-year-old sprinter had two victories and two seconds in the four qualifying round races to accumulate a leading 50 points. Penrose Boss finished fourth in the 2020 Mountaineer Classic championship final. Three kennels – Blanchard, Lester Raines and Jacobs Racing – each have two greyhounds in the final while the Imark and Steve Sarras kennels have one finalist. Completing this year’s championship final field are Teaser’s Tickle (Lester Raines Kennel), 46 points; Frappe (Blanchard Kennel), 45 points; Abbi’s Eagle (Jacobs Racing Kennel), Ding Dong Ditch (Imark Kennel) and CTW Black Forest (Steve Sarras Kennel), 37 points each; Abbi’s Frontman (Jacobs Racing Kennel) and RS’s Dark Night (Lester Raines Kennel), 34 points each. Abbi’s Eagle and Abbi’s Frontman are littermates. Post positions for the final, from the rail out, follow: 1—Teaser’s Tickle, 2—CTW Black Forest, 3—Abbi’s Eagle, 4—RS’s Dark Night, 5—Penrose Boss, 6—Ding Dong Ditch, 7—Frappe, 8—Abbi’s Frontman. The winning greyhound in the championship final will earn $42,000. The complete purse breakdown is second, $18,000; third, $13,000; fourth, $10,000; fifth and sixth, $5,500 each; and seventh and eighth, $3,000 each. The stakes final will be Race 12 on the Saturday matinee race card. Following are capsule looks at the finalists: 1—TEASER’S TICKLE (Lester Raines Kennel, trainer Joel Roden) – had three straight impressive victories by a combined 23 lengths in the qualifiers after a seventh in the first round; one of the youngest greyhounds in the final, the pup broke his Maiden in August and has won eight out of his 13 career races. 2—CTW BLACK FOREST (Steve Sarras Kennel, trainer Barb Long) – had two wins, a third and an eighth in the early rounds; the frontrunner went to the lead in three out of his four qualifying races, all from inside posts; made the final after returning to racing in September after being off for three months with an injury. 3—ABBI’S EAGLE (Jacobs Racing Kennel, trainer Louise Strong) – had two wins, a fourth and a sixth in the qualifying round races; while more of a closer from just off the pace, has gone to the front on occasion; also off for three months in the summer rehabbing an injury before coming back in September. 4—RS’S DARK NIGHT (Lester Raines Kennel, trainer Joel Roden) – had a win, a second, a third and a sixth in the qualifying races; captured the West Virginia-bred Juvenile championship last month; not a ton of box speed, but possesses a power rush to the first turn and finishing speed; prefers to race on the outside. 5—PENROSE BOSS (Blanchard Kennel, trainer Sarah Blanchard) – had two victories and two seconds in the qualifiers to top all the finalists with 50 points; needs to find room early in the race, does have some closing speed; has been a mark of consistency, hitting the pay sheet (top four) in 14 out of his last 15 trips. 6—DING DONG DITCH (Imark Kennel, trainer DiAnn Derr) – had a win, two seconds and a sixth in the preliminary round races; probably the biggest surprise to earn a spot in the stakes final; raced from all inside posts in the qualifiers, so the midtrack hole will be a challenge; will need to pop the box to have a shot. 7—FRAPPE (Blanchard Kennel, trainer Sarah Blanchard) – had two wins, a second and a fourth in the early rounds; multi-dimensional – has the ability to go to the front or come from behind; prefers an inside post, but had two nice efforts from the five hole in the early rounds; needs to outbreak the rail crashing eight. 8—ABBI’S FRONTMAN (Jacobs Racing Kennel, trainer Louise Strong) – had two wins and two sixths in the preliminary round races; earned his spot in the final with a win from a favorable one box in the semifinals; two sixth place finishes in the qualifiers were from the outside, so post position not too kind. RACE ANALYSIS: One thing is certain about this year’s Mountaineer Classic final – it’s wide open as many of the greyhounds have drawn less than favorable posts for their running styles. One greyhound, however – CTW Black Forest – has drawn a preferred inside post position and should break sharp from the box, move to the rail and rush to the early lead. Greyhounds on each side of CTW Black Forest – Teaser’s Tickle and Abbi’s Eagle – are in line to get trips behind the frontrunner. One of those two could claim the championship as CTW Black Forest has shown a tendency to be a tad short in the homestretch but still looms as a ticket play. Don’t count out Frappe, although she would prefer an inside hole. In four out of her last five races, Frappe has been first or second at the first turn with three of those races from the difficult five box. If she hits it from the seven post, things will get interesting. All of these greyhounds are talented or they wouldn’t be in the final, but each will need a little luck on their side as well. Congrats to all the finalists and connections and good luck in the championship. Previous Next

NGA Endorsed Adoption Groups - AZ Back to Adoption Groups Arizona Heartfelt Hounds Arizona Website Southern Arizona Greyhound Adoption Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Texas Website Prev Next

< Back SOUTHLAND STAR REPEATS AND CAPTAINS 2020 ALL-AMERICA TEAM Jim Gartland Mar 12, 2021 Southland superstar JS Flamin Ace has, once again, been voted as a 2020 All American and has been named Captain of this year's team as well. The annual naming of the All-America team, dates back to 1963. The program pays tribute to the top eight greyhounds nationally. The pandemic shortened racing year made for an unusually tough selection process to compile the 2020 team but nonetheless, a stellar group was chosen. Others named to this year’s squad are: Chillaxification (Southland), World Ruler (Southland), Air Ace (Southland), CG's Penny Shoe (Tri State/Wheeling), LK's Santorini (Derby Lane), Flying Zulu (Southland) and FGF Mathias (Southland). This year’s second team is comprised of: Rasta (IGP/Southland), LK's Crush N It (Derby Lane), Killer Tolstoy (Naples/IGP/Southland), JD Elegant (IGP/Southland), Bug Brush (Palm Beach/Southland), L's Luv It (Wheeling), FGF Avenger (Southland) and Abbi's Frontman (Palm Beach). Heading up this year's team is it's Captain, JS Flamin Ace (Superior Panama-CH Sweet Honey) who returns to the team for the second year in a row and is the only repeat All American from last year's team. Perhaps the most steady and consistent greyhound racing over the last two years, Flamin Ace made the finals of seven stake races over that period and won 44 races all while racing against the very best the nation has to offer day in and day out. This past year he won the Southland Derby and won 3 of 4 qualifying rounds in the Festival of Stakes Male Sprint Championship only to be knocked around and run 7th in the finals. He would come back after that to win 3 more races in his last 7 starts of the year finishing with a 31-16-6-2-3 record and the well earned reward as Captain of the 2020 AA team. Chillaxification (Shonn-Wreckuhlect) Breaking in at Southland in mid 2019, Chillaxification was tabbed for greatness early in his career, making 2nd team All American in 2019. He fully lived up to the billing in 2020. The shortened racing year and a couple of minor injuries didn't prevent the star from winning 17 races, 3rd most at Southland, and finishing in the money 32 out of 38 times, 26 of those in the quinella. His come from behind style made him a real crowd pleaser as he was the betting favorite in 95 percent of his races. He won the King & Queen Stake after finishing 3rd in the Male Sprint Championship on Festival Day. Another Southland star, Air Ace (Need My Moneynow-Fly Miley Cyrus), makes the team coming off and 18 win season and making the finals of two major Southland stakes; The Derby and Male Sprint Championship. Bad racing luck accounted for his finishes in those stakes but making the finals of both was quite the achievement. Ace put up the 2nd most wins for the year at Southland and had several win streaks throughout the season. He finished the year on a high note winning his final race on December 30 on his way to a 40-18-3-4-6 overall record. A littermate to Air Ace, World Ruler (Need My Moneynow-Fly Miley Cyrus) makes the 2020 team as another dominant sprinter from Southland. The big red male made the final of the Southland Derby and won the Male Sprint Championship during the Festival of Stakes in his final start of the 2020 year. He was able to garner 15 wins in just 29 starts, good for 5th most at the West Memphis track. A factor in every race he enters, World Ruler finished the year hitting the pay sheet in 27 out of 29 starts going 29-15-4-5-3. Flying Zulu (Barcelona Boss-Classy Senza) is the only true distance star to make this year's team. He won the Marathon Championship on Festival of Stakes Day and ran only distance races after coming to Southland from Derby Lane. His win in the Marathon Championship came in the middle of a seven race win streak over the grueling 703 yard distance. He put together several three and four race streaks along the way, finishing up with a 38-19-5-2-5 record. His 19 wins were the most of any greyhound and earned him win leader honors at Southland for 2020. The only female and oldest greyhound to make this year's team is LK's Santorini (LK's Vespar-LK's Chardonnay). This little lady represents the 2nd All American for owners John & Jill Lashmet in the last two years (LK's Crush N It was AA in 2019). Santorini won more races than any other greyhound in North America last year(33). That total included wins in the Derby Lane Inaugural and the $30,000 Grand Finale on Derby Lane's last day. She had numerous win streaks throughout the year including an 8 race streak just prior to the Grand Finale. She ended the year with 33 wins, 11 second place finishes and 7 thirds, obviously capturing the win title in Derby Lane's last season as well. A West Virginia racer makes the team this year as CG's Penny Shoe (Jax Oxford-CG's Marla), joins the team for 2020. The Tri State standout dominated racing at the Charleston oval before moving up the road to Wheeling to capture the $100,000 Mountaineer Classic. Penny Shoe would stay at Wheeling long enough to make the finals of the West Virginia Greyhound Breeder's stake, but finished a disappointing 5th. He won 24 races at Tri State including 12 in a row at one point and finished the year with a 46-26-6-8 record and the Tri State win title. FGF Mathias (SH Avatar-FGF Jamboree) joins the group as the youngest member of the 2020 All American team. Mathias broke in at Southland in March and after just 7 starts was entered into the Great American Greyhound Futurity where he won 4 of the 6 qualifying rounds on his way to a come from behind victory in the stake final. It was then on to the Festival of Stakes and the Barry Baldwin Juvenile where he would just miss out on the finals but go on to win the Juvenile Consolation. Shortly thereafter he would switch over to 3/8ths and continue his winning ways before moving on to the longer 703 yard course where he would find a home with 4 wins and 2 seconds in his first 6 starts at the distance. He finished the year at 30-15-9-4, winning 15 races in his first, albeit short, year of racing. 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. 22, during the NGA Spring Meet in Abilene, KS. Dubuque Classic Champ, Rasta (Nashapelli-Fansome) leads the Second Team of All-Americans. He charted a 31-15-8-2-0 record at IGP, finished tied for the meet win lead and was named Greyhound of the year. Rasta is co-owned by Joe Frenette and Joe Fusaro. LK's Crush N It (LK's Now R Never-LK's All In), makes this year's 2nd team after receiving 1st team honors last year. The "old man" still had it winning two more stakes, including the Husker Magic and Derby Lane Sprint as well as 29 total races even while turning four this past December. Crush N It is a product of the Lashmet Farm in Colorado . JD Elegant (JD Titanium-JD Bombshell) won the $200,000 Iowa Breeders cup this past year, with littermates finishing third and fourth, after breaking in at the meet in June.He finished the year with a 31-12-5-5-4 overall record. Elegant is owned by Jon Stidham. Bug Brush (SH Avatar-Flying Lipstick) owned and raced by Lester Raines dominated at Palm Beach winning the Invitational and making the finals of the Palm Beach Grand Legacy after shipping in from Southland. He compiled a 40-14-13-5-1 record between the two tracks. Co-owned by Krik Harland and Alan Hill, Killer Tolstoy (Superior Panama-Killer Torina) won the IGP Inaugural, was tied for the IGP win lead and finished 2nd in the nation with 31 total victories. He raced at Naples, IGP and Southland over the course of the year garnering a final record of 65-31-10-6. L's Luv It (KC And All-L's Morgan) owned by Kenneth LeFebvre, had 44 starts and won 14 races at Wheeling. Even after turning four years old in August she won 3 of 4 qualifying rounds in the Mountaineer Classic before stumbling in the final and finishing back. She ended the year at 44-14-9-5-7. Southland standout FGF Avenger (SH Avatar-KF's Newsmaker) was one of the best distance dogs at Southland last year, winning the Sechrest Distance Championship on Festival of Stakes Day and finishing in the quinella 15 times in 30 starts after switching to 3/8ths after just 7 lifetime starts. He is owned by Kevin Fulton. Completing the 2nd team is Jacobs Racing's Abbi's Frontman (Kiowa Superior Panama-Abs Almighty). In his maiden season he went right up the ladder on his way to a 21 win year including a victory in the Palm Beach Grand Legacy in his last start of the meet. The youngster finished 36-21-6-2 for the year. Previous Next

< Back NGA FALL MEET SCHOOLING RESULTS - MONDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2021 Oct 4, 2021 NGA Fall Meet Schooling Results—Monday, October 4, 2021 41 races scheduled: Drag after every listed 10. No watering Conditions: Sunny, cool – 55º – Track: Fast (SCR = Scratched - HS - Hand Slip) SHANNON HENRY – (Race 1) 30.49, 30.71, 30.48, 31.19, 30.35 , 30.48, 30.93, 30.57, 30.75, 30.73, 30.83, 30.89, 30.96, 30.73, 30.96, 31.14, 31.33, 31.34, 31.34, 31.41, 31.05, 31.10, 31.41, 31.50, 31.17, SCR DAVID STRONG - (Race 2) 30.50, 30.53, 30.50, 31.09, 30.62, 31.08, 30.51, 30.35 , 30.89, 30.89, SCR, SCR HARVEY RANDLE – (Race 3) 30.85, 31.48, SCR Previous Next

< Back Wheeling Hot Dogs (as of November 27, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted) Stan Pawloski Nov 27, 2023 Charter Kennel’s JSP Rayzendacash has back-to-back Grade AA wins for trainer James Campbell. Kennel-mates Doingitmyway (TAA 3/16) and JSP Honey Money (C, B, A) have won three out of their last four starts. Jacobs Racing Kennel’s LK’s Shaylee has captured three out of her last four 3/8 races (TA, TAA) for trainer Natalie Looper. Imark Kennel’s Kentucky DB has three straight victories (A, AA) for trainer DiAnn Derr. Kennel-mate GF Staight One has two wins and a second in his last three races (B, A, AA). Lester Raines Kennel’s GB’s Briar has two victories, a second and a third in his last four Grade AA trips for trainer Joel Roden. Patriot/Taplin Kennel’s Kelsos Landrover has won three out of his last four outings (C, B, A) for trainer Cheyney Kuriata. Code Red Kennel’s FF Evel Knievel has three victories in a row (M, D, C) for trainer Tom Engle. Kennel-mate Arroyo Dean has back-to-back wins (B, A). Blanchard Kennel’s TMC’s Big Money has two straight victories (B, A) for trainer Chris Maynard. Previous Next

Bertillion mark up for greyhound identification and registration purposes for the National Greyhound Association. Individual Registration ) 6 to a page bertillion mark up for litter

< Back Wheeling Hot Dogs (as October 17, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted) Stan Pawloski Oct 17, 2022 Charter Kennel’s Oshkosh Edward (AA) and Poker Laroo (TAA 3/8) have captured four out of their last five starts for trainer James Campbell. Kennel-mates Jack Parkman has won three out of his last four Grade AA trips while Atta Boy Augus has back-to-back Grade TAA 3/16 wins. Jacobs Racing Kennel’s Marlyn Mason has three straight Grade AA victories for trainer Louise Strong. Xtrem Hess Racing Kennel’s Xtrem Chicken has three wins and a second in her last four Grade TAA 3/16 races for trainer Jill Spicer. Code Red Kennel’s O Ya Paws has two victories and a second in his last three Grade AA starts for trainer Tom Engle. Blanchard Kennel’s Loyal Yogi has back-to-back Grade AA wins for trainer Sarah Blanchard. Patriot/Taplin Kennel’s Tagliano has captured three out of his last four 3/8 outings (D, TC, TB) for trainer Joe Otto. Previous Next

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 AD BLACK FALCON WINS SECOND STRAIGHT $100,000 MOUNTAINEER CLASSIC QUALIFIER S Pawloski Oct 5, 2020 Xtrem Hess Racing Kennel’s AD Black Falcon is the lone greyhound undefeated after two rounds of the $100,000 Mountaineer Classic at Wheeling Island. The sprinter posted his second consecutive victory Friday afternoon in the second preliminary qualifying round. AD Black Falcon has accumulated 30 points heading into the Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 14, third round. Other greyhounds racing to victory in the second round were Gloves Off, Xtrem Hess Racing Kennel; Gonz Pina Kata, Xtrem Hess Racing Kennel; Fit The Battle, Jacobs Racing Kennel; AB Bad Influence, Jacobs Racing Kennel; Easi Lil Charlie, Blanchard Kennel; Atascocita Birma, Abrahamson Kennel; Me No Care, Steve Sarras Kennel; Craigie Pirate, Lester Raines Kennel; Saber Rylie, Imark Kennel; and CTW Tira Misu, Patriot/Taplin Kennel. Next in line behind AD Black Falcon in points are a handful of racers with 25 points each – Craigie Pirate, Easi Lil Charlie, Shes Kinky, Time Killer and WW West Wing. The original field of 88 greyhounds will be cut to 48 sprinters for Wednesday’s third round. Greyhounds with at least 10 points advanced. The field will tentatively be cut to 24 sprinters, but could be higher, for the semifinal round on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 18. The championship final will be held during the matinee card on Saturday, Oct. 24. Points accumulated after the second round: (the following greyhounds advance to the third round): AD Black Falcon (Xtrem Hess), 30 points Shes Kinky (Jacobs), 25 points Time Killer (Jacobs), 25 points Easi Lil Charlie (Blanchard), 25 points Craigie Pirate (Lester Raines), 25 points WW West Wing (Wayne Ward), 25 points L’s Luv It (Blanchard), 22 points Fit The Battle (Jacobs), 22 points TNT Free Falling (Patriot/Taplin), 22 points RS Perfectionist (Lester Raines), 22 points VJ Up Too Speed (Charter), 20 points Me No Care (Steve Sarras), 20 points Atascocita Birma (Abrahamson), 18 points Eau Claire (Charter), 18 points Gonz Pina Kata (Xtrem Hess), 17 points Saber Rylie (Imark), 17 points CTW Cant Stop It (Lester Raines), 17 points HK’s Jessiegirl (Blanchard), 17 points Jedi Tippsy Tail (Lester Raines), 17 points Penrose Boss (Blanchard), 17 points SJ Skynyrdnation (Lester Raines), 17 points VIP Yankee (Jacobs), 16 points CTW Tira Miru (Patriot/Taplin), 16 point Atascocita Berta (Abrahamson), 15 points AB Bad Influence (Jacobs), 15 points BGR Out Of Mind (Brad Boeckenstedt), 15 points Gloves Off (Xtrem Hess), 15 points Lee Logan (Lester Raines), 15 points JSK Crockett (Jacobs), 15 points Pat C Sidepocket (Rangel), 15 points TNT Twister City (Patriot/Taplin), 14 points JSK Roulette (Jacobs), 13 points Imark Solo (Imark), 13 points WW Livorno (Wayne Ward), 13 points WW Mumford (Wayne Ward), 13 points BGR Ready Or Not (Brad Boeckenstedt), 12 points JPRG Ranger (Steve Sarras), 12 points Barts Fire Away (Charter), 12 points PBW Gannicus (Blanchard), 12 points CG’s Penny Shoe (Abrahamson), 11 points BGR Deadpool (Brad Boeckenstedt), 10 points AMF Bystander (A Ray), 10 points Outlaw Bustamove (Lester Raines), 10 points CTW Givin It All (Abrahamson), 10 points WW Foca (Wayne Ward), 10 points BGR King Kong (Brad Boeckenstedt), 10 points Racine (Charter), 10 points BGR Big Al (Brad Boeckenstedt), 10 points (Note: Imark Stingray had 12 points after the second round but was scratched). The following greyhounds were eliminated from the stakes event: 9 points: Flying Alita (Patriot/Taplin) 8 points: JS Wanna Bee (Lester Raines), Keeper Draco (Xtrem Hess), Tkel Ritz (Blanchard), Pat C Dog Patch (Rangel), You Got Lucky (Blanchard) 7 points: Keeper Messier (Xtrem Hess), Imark Mash (Imark), Imark Sonja (Imark) 6 points: CBJ Sharpshooter (Patriot/Taplin) 5 points: KB’s Argon (Blanchard), Hashtag Attitude (Abrahamson), AMF Well Played (A Ray), Abbi’s Eagle (Jacobs), VJ Geturfreakon (Rangel) 4 points: BGR Bonecrusher (Brad Boeckenstedt), Imark Bushwacka (Imark), Keeper Cry (Xtrem Hess), PJ Soul Survivor (Charter), Thanatos (Steve Sarras), Wobble Baby (Steve Sarras) 3 points: AMF Weirdo (A Ray), Aussie Stitch (Rangel), CTW Til Then Tes (Steve Sarras), MPJ Wild Flower (Rangel), WW Slick Simon (Wayne Ward) 2 points: AMF Whisterical (A Ray), BGR Clark Kent (Brad Boeckenstedt), Keeper Go Quasar (Xtrem Hess), BRC Justic (Xtrem Hess), Saber Bennett (Imark) 1 point: AMF Well Played (A Ray), Aussie Mak (Rangel), Hashtag Yani (Abrahamson), Mr Ellie (Rangel) 0 points: JS Beach Patrol (Rangel), Ponda Waco Hound (Abrahamson), Tiny Hug (Steve Sarras) Saber Hannah (Imark), out Previous Next

< Back CET BARRACUDA WINS WVGOBA JUVENILE Stan Pawloski Sep 13, 2022 Favorite CET Barracuda completed a sweep of the $35,000 West Virginia Greyhound Owners and Breeders Association Juvenile by capturing the championship final Friday afternoon, Sept. 23, at Wheeling Island. Racing out of the Imark Kennel and trained by DiAnn Derr, CET Barracuda rolled through the qualifying round races with three straight victories by a combined 12 ½ lengths. The sprinter was the only greyhound to make it through the early rounds undefeated. In the final, CET Barracuda broke a close second to Arroyo Roxanne. The pair raced side-by-side around the first turn and down the backstretch before CET Barracuda took control near the far turn. CET Barracuda held off a fast-closing CET Tiger Boy (Steve Sarras Kennel) in the homestretch – winning by a length in 30.24. Arroyo Roxanne (Code Red Kennel) settled for third. Completing the order of finish were CET Sashaligotti (Steve Sarras Kennel), fourth; CET Moto Moto (Steve Sarras Kennel), fifth; CET Fernando (Imark Kennel), sixth; CET Marlin (Imark Kennel), seventh; and Mac’s Monreaux (A Ray Kennel), eighth. CET Barracuda, a December 2020 greyhound out of Superior Panama-MRL Bail Me Out, is owned by Carl Tomblin II. Previous Next

< Back TRAINERS THRILLED, PROUD OF ALL-AMERICA HONOREES Stan Pawloski Mar 31, 2021 Abrahamson Kennel’s CG’s Penny Shoe and Blanchard Kennel’s L’s Luv It, both all-Wheeling selections, are All-Americans. Recently, the National Greyhound Association announced the 2020 All-American teams with CG’s Penny Shoe earning first team honors while L’s Luv It was named to the second team. Both sprinters were recognized on the 2020 all-Wheeling team earlier this year. The naming of the All-America teams started in 1963 and pays tribute to the top greyhounds in the country. Historically voted on by members of the American Greyhound Track Operators Association, the award process was turned over to the National Greyhound Association in 2019. The 2020 All-American first team is dominated by competitors from Southland Greyhound Park – unquestionably the toughest racetrack in the country. Joining CG’s Penny Shoe on the first team are JS Flamin Ace (Southland), Chillaxification (Southland), World Ruler (Southland), Air Ace (Southland), LK’s Santorini (Derby Lane), Flying Zulu (Southland) and FGF Mathias (Southland). CG’s Penny Shoe, an October 2017 greyhound out of Jax Oxford-CG’s Marla, had a spectacular year of racing in 2020 in West Virginia. At Tristate Greyhound Park, the sprinter was the track win champion and at Wheeling Island he captured the track’s featured stakes event – the $100,000 Mountaineer Classic Sprint – as well as making the final of the West Virginia Greyhound Owners and Breeders Association Panhandle Sprint Stakes. Todd Johnson, CG Penny Shoe’s trainer at Tristate, was ecstatic when he heard the sprint star made first team All-American. “I am tickled to death, so excited, so cool. It’s an honor to train a greyhound like Penny Shoe – it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Johnson said. “I am so proud of him. He’s without a doubt the best greyhound I have ever trained.” In 34 Grade AA starts at Tristate, CG’s Penny Shoe had 24 wins, 3 seconds and 5 thirds. In one stretch of 22 races, he had 19 wins – 12 in a row – 1 second and 2 thirds. “Once Penny Shoe gets a clear look at the lure and out on top, the race is over,” Johnson added. CG’s Penny Shoe came up to Wheeling in late September to compete in the Mountaineer Classic and WVGOBA Sprint. In 12 Wheeling starts, he had 2 wins, 3 seconds and 3 thirds. His magical moment came in the Mountaineer Classic final where he closed deep in the stretch to catch frontrunner TNT Free Falling to capture Wheeling’s featured stakes event of the year by 1 ½ lengths. “Nobody expected a West Virginia bred to come up to Wheeling and upset all the great Wheeling greyhounds,” Johnson said. CG’s Penny Shoe was trained in Wheeling by Tom Engle, who thought the sprinter’s accomplishments deserved consideration for All-America honors. “I am so proud of Penny Shoe and so happy for his owners, Neil and JC (Abrahamson). Being named All-American is quite an honor,” Engle said. “A lot of the credit for Penny Shoe’s success goes to trainer Todd Johnson in Tristate.” Johnson was quick to spread the credit. “A lot of people had a hand in Penny Shoe’s success – from Jack Stolirchick who raised him the first year in West Virginia, Howard Mosier who finished his training in Florida and trainer Tom Engle in Wheeling,” Johnson said. CG’s Penny She is the second All-American the Abrahamsons have owned. The first was DD’s Nelson in 1987 – arguably the best greyhound to ever race at Wheeling. “We are so excited and so proud of what Penny Shoe achieved last year. It was an exciting year,” Neil Abrahamson said. “It’s a great honor to own a greyhound named an All-American – our first since DD’s Nelson.” Joining L’s Luv It on the 2020 All-American second team are Rasta (Iowa/Southland), LK’s Crush N It (Derby Lane), Killer Tolstoy (Naples/Iowa/Southland), JD Elegant (Iowa/Southland), Bug Brush (Palm Beach/Southland), FGF Avenger (Southland) and Abbi’s Frontman (Palm Beach). L’s Luv It, an August 2016 greyhound out of KC And All-L’s Morgan, has been a mainstay in the Blanchard Kennel the last three years. In 2020, the sprinter made the final of the $100,000 Mountaineer Classic Sprint Stakes and was tied for third at the track in victories. The second team All American recognition came as a surprise to trainer James Blanchard. “I didn’t expect Luv It to make an All-American team, it came as a surprise,” Blanchard said. “It’s definitely a great honor and I am super proud of her. She’s had a remarkable racing career at Wheeling.” Last year, L’s Luv It had 14 wins, 9 seconds, 5 thirds and 7 fourths in 44 starts – an 80 percent mark on the superfecta ticket and a 64 percent trifecta finish. She was the first greyhound ever to make the final of the Mountaineer Classic Sprint Stakes and be named all-Wheeling for three straight seasons. Blanchard had thoughts of retiring the sprint dandy a couple times in 2020, but “each time L’s Luv It got hot. She still had the desire to compete.” In the Mountaineer Classic, L’s Luv It won three out of her four qualifying round races before experiencing a tough trip in the final. L’s Luv It was retired after two races in 2021, going out a winner. “It was special when L’s Luv It retired with a Grade AA win in her last race. That doesn’t happen very often,” Blanchard said. “Besides her talent, she was fortunate to stay healthy most of her career.” Previous Next

< Back THE $65,000 WEST VIRGINIA GREYHOUND OWNERS AND BREEDERS ASSOCIATION OPEN SPRINT GETS UNDERWAY TUESDAY EVENING, MAY 9, AT TRI STATE Patricia Saul May 9, 2023 Topping the entries is the 2021-2022 captain of the All-American Team, CET Dirty Dilly. In addition, she won the $100,000 Mardi Gras Challenge and the 2021 WVGOBA Open Sprint along with receiving the Rural Rube Award. Another contender is GF Straight One, who captured the title of the 2023 $35,000 WVGOBA Juvenile Sprint. The following kennels have greyhounds entered in the Open Sprint: Abrahamson: CG’s Roadrunner, CG’s Red Ryder, JA’s Dupont, CG’s Bo Peep, JA’s Henry Ford, CG’s Boy Blue, CG’s Miss Muffet CET Kennels: CET Bill, CET Comin In Hot, CET Daryl, CET Dirty Dilly, CET Fernando, CET Gravely, CET Miguel, CET Negan, CET Nonstop, CET Salina, CET Sanchez, CET Scooby, TS Buckwheat, TS Dustin Lynch, TS Fit Bit Double G Racing: Coach Corralejo, Coach Deathstar, Coach Gelato, Coach Gorillaglu, Coach Hartleben, Coach Hatfield, Coach Molina, Coach Oh Boy, Coach Tanteo, Coach Van Winkle, Coach Wonder, Coach Wonka Heather Lomax: GF Steel Horse, Arroyo Roxanne, GF Straight One, GF Lucky Penny JS Kennels: GLS Blondie, GLS Daisy Dot Lester Raines: RS’s Abraham, RS’s Big Jake, RS’s Happyharper, RS’s Penny Lane, Mc Millon / Ward: Mac’s Augie, Mac’s Gobstopper, Mac’s New York, Mac’s Sugar Pie The greyhounds return for the second round on Saturday, May 13. The quarter-finals will be Thursday, May 18, followed by the semi-finals on Tuesday, May 23. The Open Sprint Stakes championship is scheduled for Saturday, May 27. Previous Next