< Back Wheeling Hot Dogs ( as of May 8, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted ) Stan Pawloski May 8, 2023 Steve Sarras Kennel’s Florentine has three straight Grade AA victories for trainer Mike Holguin. Charter Kennel’s Oneofthegoodones and Cheater Slicks have won three out of their last four Grade AA races for trainer James Campbell. Blanchard Kennel’s Stars Align has three straight 3/8 wins (TB, TA, TAA) for trainer Sarah Blanchard. Kennel-mates Artex Pumbaa has back-to-back Grade AA victories while Tenacity has three wins and two seconds in her last five outings (C, B, A). A Ray Kennel’s AMF Gotworktodo has two victories and a second in his last three trips (A, AA) for trainer Joe Palmer. Xtrem Hess Racing Kennel’s B Luna Eclipse has two wins and two seconds in her last four races (B, A) for trainer Jill Spicer. Previous Next

< 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 WV greyhound racetracks handled $400 million in 2023 Stan Pawloski Feb 5, 2024 The two greyhound racing tracks in West Virginia, Wheeling Island and Tri-State, handled more than $400 million in 2023 – a $50 million increase from the year before. The handle represents the amount of money bet on races from on-track patrons and from simulcast outlets. Last year, a total of $258,952,536 was bet on Wheeling greyhounds while $144,715,912 was wagered on Tri-State racers. The combined amount was $403,668,448. Wheeling Island broke its own national single day handle record for greyhound racing at one track on Saturday afternoon, May 6. The total wagered on-track and off-track on Wheeling Island greyhounds was $1,625,392, surpassing the $1,527,075 bet on greyhounds at Wheeling on Saturday afternoon, Feb. 4, 2022. Tri-State Greyhound Park handled $852,099 the same day Wheeling surpassed its own record – giving the two West Virginia tracks a total of $2,477,491 on one day. Tri-State did set a one-day handle mark of $854,209 on Saturday evening, March 4. Other 2023 highlights from the two racetracks follow: -Wheeling had 120-million-dollar handle days. -Wheeling had 42 straight million-dollar Saturday handles. -Tri-State had 45 days with $700,000 or $800,000 handles. In 2022, a total of $230,672,765 was bet on Wheeling greyhounds while $121,033,046 was wagered on Tri-State racers. The combined amount was $351,705,811. The 2023 handle increased 14.77 percent. (Note: The handle amounts were tabulated daily but are unofficial). Previous Next

< Back Wheeling Hot Dogs ( as of February 10, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted ) Stan Pawloski Feb 10, 2020 Jacobs Racing Kennel’s JSK Roulette has six wins, three seconds and a third in her last 10 Grade AA starts for trainer Louise Strong. Kennel-mate OD Rookie has won three out of his last four 3/8 starts (TD, TC, B). Lester Raines Kennel’s JS Drinkmepretty has won five out of her last six Grade AA races for trainer Joel Roden. Kennel-mate ZB Tremonti has two wins, four seconds and one third in his last seven Grade AA outings. Blanchard Kennel’s L’s Luv It has four wins and three seconds in her last seven Grade AA outings for trainer Sarah Blanchard. Patriot/Taplin Kennel’s TNT Free Falling has three straight Grade AA victories for trainer Joe Otto. Rangel Kennel’s PJ Bye Felicia has four wins and a second in her last six 3/8 trips (TC, B, TA, TAA) for trainer Alex Hall. Previous Next

< Back DERBY LANE ENDS 19-20 MEET Jun 29, 2020 ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – For nearly two years, a bull’s-eye has been attached to LK’s Crush N It. The Lashmet kennel standout greyhound has been an All-America first-team selection and national wins champion – both in 2019 – and a winner of five lifetime stakes titles. On Tuesday afternoon, LK’s Crush N It has a target of his own to shoot at during the final performance of the Derby Lane 2019-20 season. A victory in Race 10 would allow the 3-1/2-year-old son of LK’s Now R Never and LK’s All In to tie Floyd kennel’s Shoot The Breeze for top dog honors at the January-to-June meet. It would complete an unprecedented accomplishment at the 95-year-old track. No greyhound is believed to have captured three consecutive meet win titles. “I don’t think it’s ever been done – three consecutive (times) of being the win leader,’’ Derby Lane racing secretary Les Robison said. “It hasn’t been (done) since I’ve been here. . . . and I’ve been around the track since ’71 - either as a patron or employee. “That would be exciting if he could do that. It would just be one more laurel that he would have.’’ LK’s Crush N It, who would raise his career win total to 79 with a victory, enters the Grade A 550-yard event with 14 victories for the meet, one behind Shoot The Breeze – who hasn’t raced since June 13. LK’s Crush N It has won his past two races and drew box 5 in Race 10, slated for 2:47 p.m. The 75-pound dog is the 5-2 morning-line favorite. Trained by kennel manager Ken Deacon, LK’s Crush N It has been Derby Lane’s top dog in each of the past two meets – amassing 50 victories during that span to lead all greyhounds nationally in total wins for 2019. The 550-yard specialist is owned by breeders John and Jill Lashmet of Eaton, Colo. LK’s Crush N It is the third consecutive dog with back-to-back meet win championships, joining Jiminy Reno (2018) and RT’s Bo Jangles (2017) – both from Cal Holland kennel. Other Derby Lane dogs to equal that feat since at least 2004 include Abernathy kennel’s Husker Magic (2014-15), and Venus Espinosa (2012-13) of Patriot kennel. This will be the first meet win title for Shoot The Breeze, a 32-month-old male from a litter by Trent Lee and Danicas Go Daddy. Owned by Charles Haliburton, Shoot The Breeze sprints for kennel owners Randy and Pat Floyd – whose previous meet win leader was Hometown Boy in 2007. The top kennel in wins will be Lester Raines, which entered Monday with an insurmountable 195-172 lead over ABC Racing. It will be Lester Raines’ first championship since 2010. Jennifer Richardson, who started the meet as the kennel manager and trainer, has subsequently moved to Virginia for family reasons with the operation currently being handled by Anthony Diaz. The meet’s fastest times have been clocked by Shoot The Breeze (30.00 seconds at 550 yards) and Lester Raines’ O Ya Diesel (37.01 seconds at 660 yards). The Derby Lane meet was reduced to 131 performances after losing 49 programs because of the coronavirus pandemic. No racing was held from March 20-May 7. Robison said all 14 kennels remain on the roster for the upcoming July-to-December meet. Previous Next

< Back Wheeling Hot Dogs ( as of May 29, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted ) Stan Pawloski May 29, 2023 Charter Kennel’s JSP Zippen Good has three straight Grade AA wins for trainer James Campbell. Kennel-mate Barts Aviator has back-to-back Grade AA victories. Xtrem Hess Racing Kennel’s Xtrem Begonia (TAA 3/16) and KT’s Fruit Loops (B, A) have two wins in a row for trainer Jill Spicer. Blanchard Kennel’s Artex Tornado has won three out of her last four outings (B, A, AA) for trainer Chris Maynard. Kennel-mates BNC R Rooney (A, AA) and Artex Kusapin (A, AA) have back-to-back victories. Steve Sarras Kennel’s WW Noble Antonio has two wins and two seconds in his last four trips (B, A) for trainer Mike Holguin. Previous Next

< Back Wheeling Hot Dogs ( as of April 24, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted ) Apr 24, 2023 Brad Boeckenstedt Kennel’s Smile N Mean It has five wins and a second in his last six 3/8 trips (TC, B, TA, TAA) for trainer Frank Pellittere. Lester Raines Kennel’s JS Switchingears has four wins and two seconds in his last six Grade AA races for trainer Joel Roden. Kennel-mate JS Xtra Fancy has three straight Grade TAA 3/8 victories. Blanchard Kennel’s Arkans TMC Athos has won three out of his last four Grade AA races for trainer Sarah Blanchard. Kennel-mate Arkans Lust has back-to-back wins (B, A). Xtrem Begonia has two victories and two seconds in her last four Grade TAA 3/16 starts for trainer Jill Spicer. Charter Kennel’s Cheater Slicks (AA), JSP Rayzendacash (A, AA) and JSP Game Changer (B, A) have back-to-back wins for trainer James Campbell. Rangel Kennel’s VJ Full Of Grace has two straight 3/8 victories (TB, A) for trainer Alex Hall. Imark Kennel’s Imark Flame has back-to-back wins (B, A) for trainer DiAnn Derr. Previous Next

< 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

< Back FINALISTS SET FOR $100,000 MARDI GRAS CHALLENGE Stan Pawloski Dec 29, 2021 Previous Next

< Back Wheeling Hot Dogs ( as April 18, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted ) Stan Pawloski Apr 21, 2022 Blanchard Kennel’s JS Rob Stone has won six out of his last seven Grade AA races for trainer Sarah Blanchard. Charter Kennel’s Seven Summers has four straight 3/8 wins (TC, B, TA, TAA) for trainer James Campbell. Kennel-mates FGF Rose (C, B, A) and FGF Beth Dutton (C, B, A) have three victories in a row, Dirt Track Diva has captured three out of her last four outings (D, C, B) while Barts Pepperjack has back-to-back wins (B, A). Xtrem Hess Racing Kennel’s Xtrem Chicken has two straight Grade TAA 3/16 victories for trainer Jill Spicer. Lester Raines Kennel’s O Ya Red Thunder has back-to-back wins (B, A) for trainer Joel Roden. Rangel Kennel’s MPJ Freeze Up has won three out of her last four trips (D, C, B) for trainer Sheri Comer. Previous Next

< Back Wheeling Hot Dogs (as October 24, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted) Stan Pawloski Oct 19, 2022 Jacobs Racing Kennel’s Marlyn Mason has four straight Grade AA wins for trainer Louise Strong. Charter Kennel’s Atta Boy Angus has three victories and a second in his last four Grade TAA 3/16 races for trainer James Campbell. Kennel-mate Oshkosh Hermosa has back-to-back Grade TAA 3/8 wins. Steve Sarras Kennel’s Florentine has two victories and two seconds in his last four Grade AA trips for trainer Jay Falcone. Imark Kennel’s Imark Spot has back-to-back wins (A, AA) for trainer DiAnn Derr. Blanchard Kennel’s Dark Helmet has two straight 3/16 victories (B, TAA) for trainer Sarah Blanchard. Lester Raines Kennel’s SNL Sir Luke has back-to-back wins (B, A) for trainer Joel Roden. Previous Next

< Back Wheeling Hot Dogs ( as of December 20, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted ) Stan Pawloski Dec 20, 2021 Lester Raines Kennel’s RS Big D has won seven out of his last eight Grade TAA 3/8 races for trainer Joel Roden. Kennel-mate SNL Whiskey Girl has three straight wins (B, A, AA). Charter Kennel’s Oshkosh Heart has captured seven out of her last eight Grade AA trips for trainer James Campell. Imark Kennel’s Imark Daria has four victories in a row (A, AA) for trainer DiAnn Derr. Kennel-mate Sumkindawondrful has two wins and a second in his last three outings (B, A). Code Red Kennel’s Mr Einstein has won four out of his last five Grade AA outings for trainer Tom Engle. Blanchard Kennel’s Penrose Boss (AA) and HKF FriskyFranny (TAA 3/8) have back-to-back victories for trainer Sarah Blanchard. Brad Boeckenstedt Kennel’s BGR Bottoms Up has three wins and a second in his last four races (A, AA) for trainer Frank Pellittere. Wayne Ward Kennel’s SH Avenger has back-to-back 3/16 victories (B, TAA) for trainer Ron Otto. Previous Next