< Back GF LA DUENA EARNS 2019 TOP GREYHOUND HONORS AT WHEELING Stan Pawloski Jan 21, 2020 The queen is king. GF La Duena reigns. Since coming to Wheeling Island from Tri-State Greyhound Park in June 2018, the Patriot/Taplin Kennel star has been the queen of the 330-yard distance and arguably the best 3/16th sprinter ever on the Wheeling Course. In 2019, GF La Duena strengthened her superiority with a racetrack-leading 32 victories. GF La Duena’s accomplishment earned her top greyhound honors at Wheeling Island for 2019. She is the first 330-yard racer in the history of Wheeling Island racing to capture the track win championship. For Patriot/Taplin Kennel trainer Joe Otto, GF La Duena is the third track win leader he has been associated with at Wheeling Island. He trained Mi Nice Catch (31 wins) for Majestic Kennel in 1997 and was an assistant to Don Corey when Stage Door Ace (29 wins) raced out of the Steubenville Kennel in 1989. “It’s quite an honor to train a track win leader because it doesn’t happen very often. (GF) La Duena had a fantastic year of racing and I am very proud of her,” Otto said. “I wasn’t surprised … she was winning at that rate when she came to Wheeling in 2018, so if she stayed healthy I thought she could have a pretty good year. She’s a bundle of energy.” A June 2016 greyhound out of KC And All-GF Sister Karen, GF La Duena was a mark of consistency throughout the year. In addition to her 32 wins, she had 7 seconds, 4 thirds and 3 fourths in 49 starts – an 87 percent mark in the trifecta and a 94 percent mark on the superfecta ticket. All of her races were against Grade AA or TAA company.“In a race where it’s all about the break, her numbers are amazing. If she gets the lead early, she usually draws away,” Otto noted. “If she breaks in the pack, she still can rush to the front. She’s very good at looking for spots, finding a hole and hitting it fast.” The Tom Salem-owned GF La Duena had a knack of stringing victories together. She had a pair of six-race, a four-race and a trio of three-race win streaks in 2019. “Long winning streaks are so hard to do at any distance, but especially 330,” Otto said. “A greyhound has to hit the break every time out, not coming from behind at that distance.” GF La Duena started 2019 with 14 straight trifecta finishes before her streak was halted. After finishing out of the money once, she came back and hit the superfecta in her next 15 races in a row. Owner Tom Salem was thrilled by GF La Duena’s stellar performance. “I couldn’t be any prouder. You don’t find too many greyhounds like her,” Salem said. “She’s been steady since coming to Wheeling and you know she’ll give a solid effort every time out.” What does 2020 hold for GF La Duena? “Hopefully she has another great year,” Otto said. In 69 career 3/16th starts at Wheeling Island, GF La Duena has 46 wins, 10 seconds, 6 thirds and 4 fourths. While GF La Duena topped the leader board with 32 victories, 31 other greyhounds won at least 11 races in 2019 at Wheeling Island. The 2019 Wheeling Island win leaderboard and kennel follows: 32 – GF La Duena (Patriot/Taplin) 25 – L’s Griz (Blanchard) 19 – L’s Luv It (Blanchard), High Wire Willy (Blanchard), JS Drinkmepretty (Lester Raines), DS Bubbles (Xtrem Hess Racing) 17 – JSK Roulette (Jacobs Racing), Kelsos Ukulele (Lester Raines), RS’s Kingofkings (Lester Raines) 16 – Mac’s Glightfoot (A Ray), AMF Bystander (A Ray), Barts Sugarsnack (Charter) 15 – BGR Whysoserious (Brad Boeckenstedt) 14 – Super C Action (Lester Raines), Imark Solo (Imark) 13 – Jay’s Roxy (Patriot/Taplin), CTW San Marcos (Abrahamson), BRC Chillbump (Xtrem Hess Racing), JS Rich The Kid (Rangel) 12 – For The Birds (Blanchard), Vicki Of Ruckus (Blanchard), BGR Da Crazy One (Brad Boeckenstedt), WW Slick Move (Wayne Ward), Barts Walk Away (Charter), Imark Grande (Imark), Dolla Signs (Jacobs Racing). 11 – ZB Tremonti (Lester Raines), Barts Sand Shark (Charter), Barts Skiptomylu (Charter), GR’s Breeze (Blanchard), DS Gypsey (Xtrem Hess Racing), PJ Boogie Bear (Rangel). Previous Next

< Back The $65,000 West Virginia Greyhound Owners and Breeders Association Open Distance Stakes at Tristate P. Saul May 13, 2024 The $65,000 West Virginia Greyhound Owners and Breeders Association Open Distance Stakes got underway, Saturday, May 11, at Tri State on the 677 yard course. A total of 32 qualifying sprinters were entered. After first round of races, CET Kennels posted three wins with Cet Electrify, Cet Dirty Skinny and Cetmark Zippy. Also Abrahamson Kennel sprinter, Gls Finleysfilly, secured a win. Winning racers accumulate 12 points. The greyhounds return for the second round on Friday, May 16. The quarter-finals will be Tuesday, May 21, followed by the semi-finals on Saturday, May 25. The Open Sprint Stakes championship is scheduled for Friday, May 31. Accumulated points after the first round: 12 points: CET Kennels (Cet Electrify, Cet Dirty Skinny, Cetmark Zippy), JS Kennels (Gls Finleysfilly) 9 points: Abrahamson Kennel (Cg’s Miss Muffet), CET Kennels (Cet Dirty Toodls), RS Racing (Raise The Wind, Coal Powered) 7 points: Abrahamson (Cg’s Apocalypse, Cg’s Maggi, Cg’s Musician, Cg’s Mustardseed) 5 points: CET Kennels (Ts Dustin Lynch), Heather Lomax Kennel (Jas Strait Aces) JS Kennels (Gls Lady Jupiter) RS Racing (Eagle Rare) 3 points: Double G Racing (Coach Mondrell, Coach Hatfield, Coach Phillips, Coach Doodles) 2 points: CET Kennels (Cet Static) Heather Lomax (Hlo’s Grumpy Gus, Jas Silver Queen) JS Kennels (Gls Crystal Rose) 1 point: Double G Racing (Coach Heath, Coach Mc Grew) Heather Lomax (Jas A King Wins) RS Racing (Worlds Collide) Previous Next

< Back Wheeling Hot Dogs ( as of August 2, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted ) Stan Pawloski Aug 2, 2021 Wayne Ward Kennel’s WW Little Lies has three straight Grade AA victories for trainer Ron Otto. Kennel-mate WW Well Spent has back-to-back wins (B, A). Lester Raines Kennel’s Crocket Pace has three victories, a second and a third in his last five 3/8 starts (TAA, AA) for trainer Joel Roden. Charter Kennel’s FGF Ron Weasley has four straight 3/16 wins (TB, TA, TAA) for trainer James Campbell. Kennel-mates Barts Worthwhile has two wins and three seconds in her last five Grade AA trips, Take What U Want (A, AA) and Oshkosh Dally (B, A) have back-to-back victories while Barts Fire Away has two wins and two seconds in his last four races (B, A). Xtrem Hess Racing Kennel’s Keeper Tai has won four out of his last five outings (C, B, A, AA) for trainer Jill Spicer. Blanchard Kennel’s BO’s Owen has two wins, a second and a third in his last four 3/8 trips (A, TAA) for trainer Sarah Blanchard. Steve Sarras Kennel’s Wildkat Sally has three victories, two seconds and a third in her last six 3/8 starts (C, B, TAA) for trainer Barb Long. A Ray Kennel’s AMF Exemplar has two wins and a second in his last three races (A, AA) for trainer Joe Palmer. Previous Next

< Back Wheeling Hot Dogs ( as of July 12, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted ) Stan Pawloski Jul 12, 2026 Blanchard Kennel’s Arkwild B Elliot has four wins and a second in his last five Grade AA starts for trainer Chris Maynard. Kennel-mate Arkwild B Enon has back-to-back victories (A, AA). Patriot/Taplin Kennel’s Forest’s Goal has four wins and a second in his last five Grade TAA 3/16 races for trainer Cheyney Kuriata. Kennel-mate USA Fiesta has two straight victories (B, A). Jacobs Racing Kennel’s Miss Popular has won three out of her last four Grade AA trips for trainer Natalie Looper. Code Red Kennel’s FF Deebo has a win and two seconds in his last three Grade AA starts for trainer Tom Engle. Previous Next

< Back Tri State Kennel Wins for Grade AA/A 550 & TAA 677 - Jan 2-6 Patricia Saul Jan 8, 2024 Lester Raines Kennel took two Grade AA wins with Js Great White and Js Stay Humble. Two Grade A winners were KK Pretty Girl and Nostalgia. Superior Kennel had two Grade AA wins for O Ya Joe Kerr and Oya Thunderstorm. Abrahamson Kennel grabbed one Grade AA win from Cg’s Sun Storm and one Grade A win with Ff Boca Ciega. Blanchard Kennel had one Grade AA win from Tmc’s Wildeclair. Two racers, Arma Shamrock and Arkwild B Bernad, seized Grade A wins. Js Kennel captured one Grade AA win from Jsp Burninmoney and one Grade A win from Od Full Send. Kennels that had one Grade A win were Cet Kennel (Cet Dirty Melvin) and Double G Kennel (Fly Mr. Prudence). On Line Kennel took the Grade TAA win for Army. Previous Next

< Back Wheeling Hot Dogs ( as of February 15, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted ) Stan Pawloski Feb 15, 2026 Lester Raines Kennel’s LNS Raisetheroof has four victories and two seconds in his last six Grade AA trips for trainer Joel Roden. Kennel-mate Ali Fox has four straight wins (M, D, C, B). Code Red Kennel’s FF Deebo has won three out of his last four outings (A, AA) for trainer Tom Engle. Steve Sarras Kennel’s Suitesister Mary has back-to-back Grade AA victories for trainer Chuck DiGiovanni. Jacobs Racing Kennel’s GLS Rice Baby (AA, TAA) and ML Side Action (TA, TAA) both have two straight 3/16 wins for trainer Natalie Looper. Kennel-mate Act Natural has captured three out of her last four races (M, D, C). Patriot/Taplin Kennel’s Whiskey Opal has won three out of her last four trips (M, C, B) for trainer Cheyney Kuriata. Previous Next

NGA Endorsed Adoption Groups - MI Back to Adoption Groups Greyt Angels Greyound Adoption Website Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio ALLIES FOR GREYHOUNDS Website Michigan, Illinois, Indiana Greyheart Greyhound Adoptiongroup of Michigan Website Michigan GreytHounds of Eastern Michigan Website Michigan Pure Michigan Greyhound Adoption, GPA-MI Website Michigan Prev Next

< Back CG'S PENNY SHOE WINS MOUNTAINEER CLASSIC Stan Pawloski Oct 26, 2020 Tri-State Greyhound Park invader CG’s Penny Shoe caught front runner TNT Free Falling deep in the stretch to capture the $100,000 Mountaineer Classic Saturday afternoon at Wheeling Island. Racing out of the Abrahamson Kennel, CG’s Penny Shoe cleared the first turn 2 lengths behind Patriot/Taplin Kennel’s TNT Free Falling while a couple more lengths back were Abrahamson Kennel’s Atascocita Birma and Blanchard Kennel’s Penrose Boss. The leaders remained unchanged down the backstretch and far turn. Coming home, CG’s Penny Shoe moved to the outside as the sprinter powered past TNT Free Falling – winning by 1 ½ lengths in 29.82. Atascocita Birm finished third, 2 lengths back, while Penrose Boss rounded out the superfecta ticket. Completing the final field were Craigie Pirate (Lester Raines Kennel), fifth; AD Black Falcon (Xtrem Hess Racing Kennel), sixth; L’s Luv It (Blanchard Kennel), seventh; and TNT Twister City (Patriot/Taplin Kennel), eighth. CG’s Penny Shoe is owned by Janice Abrahamson and trained in Wheeling by Tom Engle. 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 Wheeling Hot Dogs ( as of January 11, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted ) Stan Pawloski Jan 11, 2026 Jacobs Racing Kennel’s Miss Popular has won three out of her last four Grade AA races for trainer Richard Taylor. Kennel-mate Time Stamp has two wins and a third in her last three Grade AA trips. Lester Raines Kennel’s Neon Light Speed has captured four out of his last five 3/16 starts (TA, TAA) for trainer Joel Roden. Code Red Kennel’s Arroyo Amanda has won three out of her last four outings (A, AA) for trainer Tom Engle. Kennel-mate Kwik Navy has back-to-back wins (B, A). Wayne Ward Kennel’s WV’s Lindy Point has two straight victories (A, AA) for trainer Ron Otto. Previous Next

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

< Back NGA SPRING MEET SCHOOLING RESULTS - MONDAY, MAY 25, 2020 Jim Gartland May 25, 2020 37 races scheduled: Drag after every listed 10.No watering Conditions: Light rain – 63 degrees – Track: Fast (SCR = Scratched) Nominator ran every 4th race (i.e.: Races 1, 5, 9, 13, 17, etc.); Number following name indicates nominator’s first race. KENNETH BIEHLE – (Race 1) 30.28 , 30.42, 30.70, 30.93, 30.87(run back), 31.01, 30.71, 30.77, 30.91, 30.98, 30.87, 31.09, 31.25 CRAIGIE, INC - (Race 2) 30.64, 30.88, 30.44 DAVID HAYS – (Race 3) 30.86, 31.24, 31.35, 31.16, 31.41, 31.86, 31.26 RANDY FINEGAN - (Race 4) 31.11, 30.96, 30.80, 30.86, 31.27 BRANT TAPLIN – (Race 14) 31.04, 31.34, 31.08, 31.09, 31.52, 31.57, SCR MONTE JACOBS - (Race 24) 30.86, 30.53, SCR Previous Next