< Back Wheeling Hot Dogs ( as of December 28, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted ) Stan Pawloski Dec 28, 2020 Lester Raines Kennel’s Teasemansqueezem has three straight wins (A, AA) for trainer Joel Roden. Jacobs Racing Kennel’s JSK Crockett has back-to-back Grade AA victories for trainer Alisha Nichols. Xtrem Hess Racing Kennel’s Keeper Cry has captured three out of his last four races (B, A, AA) for trainer Jill Spicer. Blanchard Kennel’s Fabio Fognini (TA, TAA 3/16) and Arkans Kochab (B, A) have two wins and a second in their last three starts for trainer Sarah Blanchard. Charter Kennel’s Barts Worthwhile has back-to-back victories (A, AA) for trainer Kenneth Brotherton. Patriot/Taplin Kennel’s TNT Motor City has won three out of his last four 3/8 trips (TC, B, A) for trainer Joe Otto. Wayne Ward Kennel’s My Mercedes has captured three out of her last four races (D, C, B) for trainer Ron Otto. Previous Next

< Back SALUD RAINDROP AND SARKAZUM SELECTED FOR TOP NGA AWARDS Jim Gartland Mar 24, 2020 Two Southland stars have picked up the NGA’s annual Awards; Salud Raindrop winning the 49th Annual NGA Rural Rube Award as the nation’s top sprinter for 2019, and Sarkazum capturing the Flashy Sir Award as the best distance greyhound in the land. Raindrop nosed out JS Flamin Ace for the Rural Rube and Sarkazum got the nod over B Tigger in this year’s voting. Voting was tight in both races with twelve different greyhounds receiving Rural Rube votes and eleven different racers getting votes in the Flashy Sir category. A 2017 daughter of Bella Infrared-Mega Whitney , Raindrop was considered the "best greyhound in the country" for most of the year. She captured the nation's attention by snapping off win streaks and running blistering times throughout the 2019 Southland campaign. She put together win streaks of nine, five, eleven and five on her way to winning a meet leading thirty six races at Southland against the best in the country even while missing a full two months of racing. She was also voted as Captain of the All American team by the NGA. Owned by Jeff Blair and Mike Montoya and racing for the Natalie Looper trained, Gloria Dorsey Kennel, Raindrop started the year off with a bang winning ten of her first fourteen starts, including a first round win in the Hound Madness Stake. A stumble out of the box in the second round took her out of the running for the finals, however. She would then go on to rip off nineteen wins in her next twenty one starts including all four qualifying rounds and the championship final of the 2019 Southland Derby. Her next twelve starts would bring eight more wins to her already stellar resume including four qualifying round wins in the $200,000 Darby Henry Female Sprint Championship. Racing luck, or maybe bad luck, got the best of her in the finals where she was hit at the turn and suffered a hip injury which sidelined her until late in the year. Her quick box break and speed to the front were her signature and she was rarely caught once on the lead. She won 76% of the races she started and hit the pay sheet forty four times in forty seven tries, a 93% in the money finishing rate! A much deserved award for this fabulous sprinter. Congratulations to Jeff, Mike, Gloria, Natalie and all the connections of Salud Raindrop . Runner-up in the Rural Rube voting was Garth Bolton and Lester Raines' JS Flamin Ace . This son of Superior Panama-CH Sweet Honey made the finals of five stakes at Southland including the GAGF, Southland Derby, Male Sprint, King & Queens and Two For The Money Stakes. He captured the $200,000 Darby Henry Male Sprint title as well as the King & Queens and Two For The Money events. He compiled an amazing 58-28-9-5-7 record and most likely would have been a shoe in for the Rural Rube in any other year. He was also named to the All American team. Others high in the voting for the Rural Rube were Ungs & Galbreath's Revin Devon , Pat McMillon's Mac's Trudeaux , and John & Jill Lashmet's LK's Crush N It . Voting was close for the top spot in the Flashy Sir contest. Only two greyhounds received double digit votes and were separated by only three votes in the end. Sarkazum won out over B Tigger with Dyenuhmite , Takin N Interest , Elizabeth Banks and LK's Hi Pockets not far behind. Sarkazum is a brindle son out of "home grown" O'Donnell stock, Shonn and Jennah . He is the epitome of a distance star as he ran only one official race less than 660 yards in 2019. He won races at 660, 703 and 880 yards over the course of the Southland meet. His credentials for the year read as follows: $100,000 Razorback Champion (660), 2nd in the $100,000 Super Marathon Championship (820), overall 2019 record of 51-14-15-5-9 and 1st team NGA All American. Racing against the best competition in the country day in and day out, Sarkazum consistently brought home paychecks, finishing in the money 43 times or nearly 85% of his starts. Running distance races only, and a majority of those at 820 yards, he managed to remain competitive and relatively injury free. He rarely missed a start and other than a short break in early March averaged about 4.25 races a month. All of this while turning three midway through the year. His win in the final of the $100,000 Razorback Championship was in typical, blazing come from behind style winning by a length in the end over the likes of Super C Chilly , American Andale , MRL Full Boat , Drink It Off , Cool It Now and Cherokee Fiddle . He would win three of four qualifying rounds in the $100,000 Super Marathon Championship before running a trouble filled 2nd to B Tigger in the final. A classic distance star and a proud product of his owner's own bloodlines lines, we congratulate William O'Donnell and the Northshore racing team for Sarkazum's Flashy Sir honor! Previous Next

< Back WHEELING HOT DOGS ( AS OF MARCH 13, ALL RACES 5/16 UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED ) Stan Pawloski Mar 21, 2023 Lester Raines Kennel’s SNL Sir Liam has four wins and a second in his last five Grade AA starts for trainer Joel Roden. Kennel-mates SNL Karma has three victories and two seconds in her last five outings (B, A, AA), JS Xtra Fancy has back-to-back 3/8 wins (TA, TAA) and JS Bud Lite Nite has won three out of his last four races (C, B, A). Blanchard Kennel’s Artex Pumbaa has back-to-back Grade AA victories for trainer Sarah Blanchard. Kennel-mate Easi Utley has two wins and a second in his last three trips (A, AA). Rangel Kennel’s Pat C Dog Patch has three straight victories (B, A, AA) for trainer Alex Hall. Kennel-mate Ace Hottakiwaki has captured three out of his last four starts (D, C, B). Charter Kennel’s Tequila Time has back-to-back wins (B, A) for trainer James Campbell. Steve Sarras Kennel’s Nashvilleinferno has three victories in a row (M, D, C) for trainer Mike Holguin. Previous Next

< Back NGA FALL MEET WRAP UP Jim Gartland Oct 19, 2021 In spite of the light number of pups consigned, the fall auction has to be considered a success. 140 pups were entered in the meet with 70 consigned to the auction. After a week of schooling and two rounds of races the consignors walked their charges into the ring at the Hall of Fame early Friday morning. When all was said and done, 34 race meet pups had been sold for a total of $363,000. The top selling greyhound was LS Zoom who was owned and consigned by David Strong & Jill Lashmet . Zoom went to Tom Ferris for a cool $37,500. LK's Simone , raced by David Strong and owned by Jill Lashmet sold for $30,000 and went to Lester Raines . Vince Berland consigned a couple of broods to the auction and they brought $5,500 and $2,500. Several items including a print, a stud service and a surprise donation of a giveaway pup raised some $2,550 in donations to the Hall of Fame. Thanks to J oe Frenette, Jill Lashmet, Bob Crossland, HS Auction Co . and Leslie Csokasy for those contributions. The overall top seller in the meet was David Strong who sold 16 pups either solely or in partnerships for $203,500. The biggest buyer at the meet was Norm Rader who bought $63,000 worth of stock. Previous Next

< Back BLANCHARD CAPTURES 2019 WHEELING KENNEL CHAMPIONSHIP Stan Pawloski Jan 13, 2020 When the Blanchards were booked at Wheeling Island in July 2017, trainer James E. Blanchard was confident the kennel would be competitive. He was right. After posting nearly 300 wins in just a half season of racing their first year, Blanchard battled the Lester Raines Kennel down to the wire in 2018 before coming up two wins short of the kennel championship. In 2019, the Blanchard Kennel took command a couple months in and never looked back in capturing their first kennel crown at Wheeling Island. The Blanchard Kennel amassed 575 victories in 2019, just off their 581 total the year before. Defending kennel champion Lester Raines took runner up honors with 507 wins, while Jacobs Racing finished third with 497. For Blanchard, their goal every year is to shoot for the top spot. “It’s a great feeling to win the kennel championship after being so close the year before … we worked hard for it which makes it special, a big accomplishment. To be top kennel, you need to have a lot of talented greyhounds and be lucky,” Blanchard said. “Wheeling is a forgotten gem. We aren’t booked at Southland, but we treat this place as our Southland. That’s another reason why we’ve been successful in Wheeling.” The Blanchard family also has two bookings at Orange Park in Florida – the Jim Blanchard Kennel and the Double J Kennel – which they use as a stepping-stone to Wheeling. “We break in most of our pups at Orange Park before picking the ones we feel will be a good fit for Wheeling. We like to give them 20 to 25 starts so they can learn how to race and get experience,” Blanchard said. “The hard work put in by my father Jim, trainers Mark Blair and Chris Maynard as well as their employees at Orange Park is a big factor in keeping us competitive at Wheeling.” Next in line behind Blanchard (575), Lester Raines (507) and Jacobs Racing (497) in the final 2019 standings were Patriot/Taplin (494), Brad Boeckenstedt (451), Charter (442), Xtrem Hess Racing (429), Steve Sarras (417), Abrahamson (416), Rangel (415), Wayne Ward (394), Imark (346) and A Ray (341). The Blanchard Kennel had nine greyhounds reach double figures in wins, including three in the racetrack’s top five – L’s Griz (25), High Wire Willy (19) and L’s Luv It (18). “L’s Griz is the best greyhound I’ve ever raced … he can do it all – go to the front or come from behind. L’s Luv It has been so consistent and can race from any hole which is a big advantage at Wheeling,” Blanchard said. “High Wire Willy has been a diamond in the rough. He came in from Ebro and turned into one of the track’s top 330-yard sprinters.” Other double-digit winners for the Blanchard Kennel were Arkans Scrappy (13), Vicki Of Ruckus and For The Birds (12 each), GR’s Breeze (11), Disco Mania and JW Concepcion (10 each). Three greyhounds had nine victories each – LNT Batman, LNT Iron Man and Priscilla Barnes. Blanchard credited his Wheeling crew – wife Sarah Blanchard, Sheri Comer and Gina Hall – for playing a key role in the kennel’s success in 2019 as well as the owners of greyhounds leased to the kennel to race. “They’ve all been a part of our success and we couldn’t do it without them,” Blanchard said. “They are a big part of our team.” As for 2020, Blanchard expects a competitive fight for the top spot in the kennel standings. “A lot of our top greyhounds are getting a little older, so we need to rebuild our kennel,” Blanchard said. “Hopefully we have a good group of pups come in this year. It’ll be a battle again, but I love the competition.” Handling the greyhounds is a passion for Blanchard, too. “I’ve been around greyhounds my whole life. It’s what I want to do,” Blanchard said. “Each day I wake up and can’t wait to get to the kennel. How many young kids want to grow up and be a greyhound trainer? Not many, but I did.” While Blanchard garnered the most wins in 2019, Patriot/Taplin had the most seconds (556). Blanchard was tops in thirds (544) and fourths (524). Blanchard and Jacobs Racing were the leaders in win percentage with 14 percent followed by Lester Raines, Brad Boeckenstedt and Charter with 13 percent. Jacobs Racing led all kennels with a 42 percent trifecta mark. Blanchard and Lester Raines were next with 40 percent. Topping the charts in starts was Blanchard (4,075) followed by Patriot/Taplin (4,020) and Abrahamson (3,672). Previous Next

< Back Wheeling Hot Dogs ( as June 20, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted ) Stan Pawloski Jun 20, 2022 Xtrem Hess Racing Kennel’s Keeper Cry has won four out of his last five Grade AA races for trainer Jill Spicer. Kennel-mate XB Tweak has three wins in a row (C, B, A). Lester Raines Kennel’s SNL Ramey has four victories and two seconds in her last six Grade TAA 3/16 starts for trainer Joel Roden. Kennel-mate JS Phat Chic has back-to-back wins (A, AA). Wayne Ward Kennel’s Memphis Minnie has back-to-back Grade AA victories for trainer Ron Otto. Imark Kennel’s Sharpdressedman has three straight wins (C, B, A) for trainer DiAnn Derr. A Ray Kennel’s AMF Exemplar has back-to-back victories (B, A) for trainer Joe Palmer. Patriot/Taplin Kennel’s RR Cheer Leader has three wins in a row (D, C, B) for trainer Joe Otto. Previous Next

< Back Wheeling Hot Dogs (as November 21, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted) Stan Pawloski Nov 22, 2022 Steve Sarras Kennel’s CET Dirty Dan has eight wins and two seconds in his last 10 starts (SAA, AA) for trainer Jay Falcone. Kennel-mate Florentine has two victories and a second in his last three Grade AA races while Steve Novotney has back-to-back wins (B, A). Lester Raines Kennel’s SNL Sir Liam has three victories and a second in his last four Grade AA trips for trainer Joel Roden. Kennel-mates RS’s Dark Night (AA) and Super C Amega (C, B, A) have won three out of their last four outings while Teaser’s Twist has back-to-back wins (B, A). Jacobs Racing Kennel’s My Bank Account has captured three out of her last four Grade AA starts for trainer Louise Strong. Charter Kennel’s Atta Boy Angus has four wins and four seconds in his last eight Grade TAA 3/16 races for trainer James Campbell. Xtrem Hess Racing Kennel’s Xtrem Kitty Cat has back-to-back victories (A, AA) for trainer Jill Spicer. Rangel Kennel’s VJ Sipnonpatron has two wins and a second in his last three trips (B, A) for trainer Alex Hall. Wayne Ward Kennel’s WW Cuddlebug has three straight victories (D, C, B) for trainer Ron Otto. Imark Kennel’s Kentucky DB has won three out of his last four outings (M, D, C) for trainer DiAnn Derr. Previous Next

< Back DERBY LANE NOTES Dec 14, 2020 As Derby Lane heads toward the end of its current six-month meet on Dec. 27, Watson Racing appears headed toward its first kennel championship at the 95-year-old greyhound facility. Watson Racing, which joined the Florida West Coast roster on Oct. 7, 2019, won 12 races in seven performances in the past week to raise its front-running total to 242 victories. It leads three-time kennel champion Everett Racing by seven wins. Everett Racing lost ground in the previous week with 11 victories. With Brittany Castle serving as the trainer, Watson Racing added to its lead on the Saturday evening performance with four wins. Capabal kennel is third in the standings with 227 victories, followed by reigning kennel champion Lester Raines at 226 and Abernathy at 214. Abernathy tied Watson Racing with 12 wins in the previous week. Cal Holland kennel was the only other operation to reach double digits in victories for the week with 10. Derby Lane is working with 13 kennels after former two-time leading operation Bartley Corporation left on Nov. 30. This past week, Derby Lane reduced its racing schedule on Monday through Thursday to 12 races per performance, down from 15. It continues to provide 15 races on the Friday matinee card, and both performances (afternoon and evening) on Saturday. LK’s Santorini of Lashmet kennel continues to lead all greyhounds in wins at the current meet with 19 from 29 starts. Deco Colt Gun of Nova kennel is second at 15 victories out of 35 outings. A 44-month-old female from a litter by LK’s Vespar and LK’s Chardonnay, LK’s Santorini recorded a four-length victory this past Wednesday in her first start following a four-week layoff. She clocked the 550-yard course in 30.82 seconds as the 3-5 wagering favorite. Trained by kennel manager Ken Deacon for breeders and owners John and Jill Lashmet of Eaton, Colo, LK’s Santorini is seeking her first meet top-dog title. She has 66 lifetime victories from 144 starts with more than $50,000 in earnings. Previous Next

< Back Wheeling Hot Dogs ( as of May 17, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted ) Stan Pawloski May 17, 2026 Lester Raines Kennel’s LNS Ritzi Go Go has five wins and two seconds in her last eight Grade AA trips for trainer Joel Roden. Kennel-mate Wanderlusts Call has back-to-back 3/16 victories (B, TA). Code Red Kennel’s FF Whirlwind has four wins, a second and a third in her last six Grade TAA 3/16 starts for trainer Tom Engle. Blanchard Kennel’s Lyl Ark Bernadet has won three out of her last four trips (A, AA) for trainer Chris Maynard. Kennel-mate Bulldozer Mozer has back-to-back Grade AA victories. Jacobs Racing Kennel’s ML Side Pocket has three straight wins (B, A, AA) for trainer Natalie Looper. Patriot/Taplin Kennel’s Forest’s Goal has back-to-back Grade TAA 3/16 victories for trainer Cheyney Kuriata. Previous Next

< Back CG'S HONESTY CAPTURES WVGOBA JUVENILE Stan Pawloski Sep 25, 2023 CG’s Honesty rocketed out to the early lead and never looked back in romping to a 7-length victory in the final of the $35,000 West Virginia Greyhound Owners and Breeders Association Juveniles Stakes at Wheeling Island Saturday afternoon. Breaking from the five-hole, CG’s Honesty – racing out of the Code Red Kennel and trained by Tom Engle – dominated from start to finish. The 2-year-old was sent to post at 6-1 odds despite being the top qualifier for the championship final after recording a pair of wins and a second in the preliminary rounds. Littermate CG’s Sun Storm (Code Red) took runner up honors while CET Mist (Steve Sarras) rounded out the trifecta ticket. Completing the final finish were Wild Blue Bee (Xtrem Hess Racing), fourth; Wild Chomp Dude (Xtrem Hess Racing), fifth; Arroyo Duchess (Code Red), sixth; CG’s Nail Biter (Code Red), seventh; and Arroyo Deon (Code Red), eighth. CG’s Honesty, a September 2021 greyhound out of Jax Yardley-CG’s Lady Bug, had 6 wins, 3 seconds, 3 thirds and 5 fourths in 19 starts at Tri-State Greyhound Park, before shipping up to Wheeling Island for the Juvenile Stakes. She is owned by Janice C. Abrahamson. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVmHVzwOWro Previous Next

< Back Wheeling kennels on fire, post big days Stan Pawloski May 6, 2024 Two Wheeling kennels – Lester Raines and Jacobs Racing – lit up the tote board with winners on two separate days this past week. On the Thursday program, the Joel Roden-trained Lester Raines Kennel posted seven wins – Summerly, JS Leap Of Faith, JS Mismarymackin, JS Up In Flames, JS Reema, Calmbefordastorm and JS Smalltowngirl. During the Saturday card, the Natalie Looper-handled Jacobs Racing Kennel had six victories – GLS Ondemand, Sparks Fly, Bane, O Ya Sammy, Foolish Behavior and Stronglikeabull. Previous Next