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< Back Wheeling Hot Dogs ( as of August 10, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted ) Stan Pawloski Aug 10, 2020 Wayne Ward Kennel’s WW Slick Simon has four wins and three seconds in his last seven Grade AA races for trainer Ron Otto. Kennel-mate WW West Wing has three straight victories (C, B, A). Patriot/Taplin Kennel’s GF La Deuna has captured four out of her last five Grade TAA 3/16 starts for trainer Joe Otto. Jacobs Racing Kennel’s Too Cute To Boot has three wins and two seconds in her last five outings (A, AA) for trainer Louise Strong. Kennel-mate Shes Kinky has won three out of her last four Grade AA trips. Lester Raines Kennel’s Claptons Blackie has three victories and two seconds in his last six starts (C, B, A, AA) for trainer Joel Roden. Kennel-mates Super C Kix has two wins and two seconds in her last four races (A, AA) while JS Wanna Bee has three wins in a row (M, D, C). Xtrem Hess Racing Kennel’s AD Black Falcon has three victories and two seconds in his last six races (D, C, B) for trainer Jill Spicer. Imark Kennel’s Imark Honda has two wins and a second in her last three trips (B, A) for trainer Scott Purdy. Previous Next

< Back Wheeling Hot Dogs ( as of August 23, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted ) Stan Pawloski Aug 23, 2021 Charter Kennel’s FGF Ron Weasley has won five out of his last six 3/16 races (TB, TA, TAA) for trainer James Campbell. Kennel-mates KB’s Copy Kat has two wins and a second in her last three Grade AA trips while KB’s Mr Expedia has back-to-back victories (B, A). Lester Raines Kennel’s JS Preyforpeace has two straight Grade AA wins for trainer Joel Roden. Kennel-mate JS Kickinupmudd has two victories and a second in his last three outings (A, AA). Jacobs Racing Kennel’s Hi Noon Ricochet has back-to-back wins (A, AA) for trainer Louise Strong. Wayne Ward Kennel’s WW’s Welovetorun has two victories in a row (B, A) for trainer Ron Otto. Blanchard Kennel’s Dark Helmet has three straight wins (D, C, B) for trainer Sarah Blanchard. Previous Next

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< Back WHEELING HOT DOGS ( AS OF MAY 22, ALL RACES 5/16 UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED ) Stan Pawloski May 22, 2023 Steve Sarras Kennel’s Florentine has four straight Grade AA wins for trainer Mike Holguin. Blanchard Kennel’s Artex Pumbaa has three victories and a second in his last four Grade AA races for trainer Sarah Blanchard. Kennel-mate Arkans TMC Athos has three straight Grade AA wins. Charter Kennel’s Oneofthegoodones has won three out of his last four Grade AA trips for trainer James Campbell. Kennel-mate JSP Zippen Good has back-to-back Grade AA victories. Brad Boeckenstedt Kennel’s Smile N Mean It (TAA 3/8) and BGR Bigfoot (A, AA) have two straight victories for trainer Frank Pellittere. Wayne Ward Kennel’s WW Got Rhythm has two Grade AA wins in a row for trainer Ron Otto. Code Red Kennel’s FF Leroy Brown has four straight victories (M, D, C, B) for trainer Tom Engle. Xtrem Hess Racing Kennel’s UBX Crackereater has back-to-back 3/16 wins (B, TAA) for trainer Jill Spicer. Brad Boeckenstedt Kennel’s Smile N Mean It (TAA 3/8) and BGR Bigfoot (A, AA) have two straight victories for trainer Frank Pellittere. Lester Raines Kennel’s JS Mismarymackin has back-to-back wins (B, A) for trainer Joel Roden. Previous Next

< Back $100,000 MARDI GRAS CHAMPIONSHIP TO KICK OFF Stan Pawloski Dec 9, 2021 The $100,000 Mardi Gras Championship kicks off Thursday, Dec. 9, at Tri-State Greyhound Park with a field of 80 sprinters. The stakes event features track win leaders CET Dirty Dilly, 39; CET Dirty Dan, 28; KBJ Powerplay, 25; JS Pumpedupkicks, 24; and Crocket, 20. The second round will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 14. The field will be cut to 56 sprinters heading into the third round on Saturday, Dec. 18. The semifinals with the top 24 greyhounds are set for Thursday, Dec. 23, and the championship final on Thursday, Dec. 30. 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 BIOS - BESTBET SPRINT CLASSIC BESTBET JACKSONVILLE Mar 3, 2020 Penrose Boss – (66 Points) OP Career Totals (24/11-7-1-1) R FBD – MJune 2018 Barcelona Boss – Penrose Macie Owned By – Joan De Salvo Runs for the Jim Blanchard Kennel Trained by Mark Blair Taking the reigns at the top of the leaderboard was the youngster Penrose Boss. Living up to his name, Boss showed the field of stakes greyhounds over and over again just who was the BOSS in the qualifying rounds. Winning three times, and placing third in another, Boss was a dominate threat on or around the lead throughout the rounds. His best effort might not have been his fastest, but it might be a pre-curser to what may be to come in this final round race. In the semi-s, Boss broke the best that he has in ally of the round and was all alone at the turn. Four lengths clear of the rest, he breezed in the open air up front as he coasted to the stretch untouched. Down the stretch he gave it even more gas as he trounced this field by 7 full lengths at the finish line. Completing in his first stakes event, he not only made it to the finals, he was the point leader as they head into the big race on Saturday evening. He is the first of two greyhounds from the Jim Blanchard Kennel in the finals, which is not too shabby for a greyhound with just 24 starts under his belt. A closer by nature, he is not out of any race and you can see that in his lines. He has been in the money in 8 straight races, including all 4 rounds of the stakes, and has finished fourth or better in 16 of his last 17 starts. Post position can always play a role in the outcome of a closer as they need to get room to rush and run early on, and sometimes it can also help them break better. A combination of both help Boss around the racetrack consistently. He loves the inside part of the racetrack. He breaks better from there, and in turn, he always seems to get up into the money at the wire. In his last 10 races from the inside, he has won 7 times and finished in the quiniela on 9 occasions. His only time out of the money, he fell. Looking to continue to Boss around the competition, Penrose Boss just needs to be close early to have a shot to win once again tonight. Easi Conroy – (57 Points) OP Career Totals (24/13-7-1-1) R– MApril 2017 Seldom Told – Easi Celtic Owned By – Allyn Shaw Runs for the Jim Blanchard Kennel Trained by Mark Blair The ship in Easi Conroy has taken to the Orange Park surface like a mouse to cheese, like peanut butter to jelly, like a fly to honey. He has been a strong force in every race since joining the ranks, and that was never more evident than in the stake rounds. Winning 3 races in a row to start off the competition, he was undefeated heading into the semi-finals where he stumbled out of the box, was bumped in the first turn, and finished out of the money. Still an impressive run early, which was showcased by his second-round effort. Breaking close, he rushed to early control, and never looked back. Stealing 3 lengths at the turn, he was in command, but he was not done just yet. Stretching down the backside, he turned that 3 to 5 lengths and maintained all the way to the wire for the uncontested win. Conroy is the 2nd of 2 for the Blanchard Kennel in the stake and gets into his first stakes final in his first try at stakes competition. A stalking closer, he can win with or without the early lead in any race and seems to always be in the mix at the finish line. Just check out his lines, he has been in the money in 24 of his last 26 races, including 13 wins and 20 quiniela efforts. Conroy is a midtrack runner and if he gets it pick a post, the 8 box would be the answer. He has won 4 straight from there and has never finished out of the quinieal starting in the tiger stripes. Forget the last race. I know he won’t stumble twice, and this field better be ready for him again, if they want to take him down tonight. Pat C Lookie – (56 Points) OP Career Totals (22/9-4-3-4) Bk– FFebruary 2018 Pat C Sabbath– Pat C Lulu Owned By – Pat Collins Runs for the Pat Collins Kennel Trained by Scott Jarvis Another puppy phenom for the Pat Collins Kennel here as Pat C Lookie won 2 of 4 rounds of the stakes, and never finished out of the money, on her way to her first stakes final appearance in her first ever stakes action. Clearly this greyhound has the best raw speed in the bunch and that was on full display in her round 1 race. Breaking to the lead from the 8 box. Lookie said Lookie here to the rest of the field. Driving away to control early by 2 lengths, she cruised on the front end all the way around the far turn and to the wire to win by 3 lengths, but that was not the big news. The time was the big news. How about a 30.18 for you to LOOK at. That’s right just a couple of lengths off the track record. This pup can flat out fly and for what she lacks in experience, she makes up for in spades with talent, drive and determination. She never gives up and that shows up in the box score. She has not missed the money in 16 straight races and has only finished out of the top 4 position in 2 of her career starts. Lookie has all the tools to take home the win in this effort, but if she is going to get it done, she is going to have to get out of the starting box well tonight. Post position could go a lone way an helping her achieve that goal. She breaks and runs best from the edges. In the past she has showed great ability from the 1 box, where she has won 5 of 6 races, and from the 8 box where she has won 2 of her 3 starts. Tough to ignore 30.18 and 30.20 from the outside. So, keep an eye on here if she draws wide. LK’s Effingham – (48 Points) OP Career Totals (54/11-6-4-5) Bk– F August 2017 LK’s Now R Never – LK’s Imagine It Owned By – Jill Lashmet Runs for the Lashmet Kennel Trained by Ashley Bouthillier Coming into her own at the right time, Lk’s Effingham posted a pair of wins and third and seventh place finish to find a spot in the final round field. Competing in her first stakes event, after finally reaching grade A, Effingham made it all way as the only entry left for the Lashmet Kennel. Her best effort came in round number one with a box to wire gem. Hitting the lid, she dashed away early to a 3-lengths lead the never surrendered. She maintained that margin all the way around the racetrack and crossed the wire easily ahead of the rest. A long a battled climb to the top grade has had its up and downs for this greyhound, but right now she is running the best of her career. She has been in the money in 6 of her last 7 races and won two of the four qualifying rounds in the stakes. An early speed runner that gives her best effort when she is close to the leaders early on, the break is a critical part of her success. Post position could aide her in this effort as well. So just where does she want to be? Anywhere on the edges. She has flourished in the past from the far inside and far outside posts, where she can get a clean run to the turn. Away from the crowd would be a better way to put it. Seven of her last 9 wins have come from the 1, 7, or 8 boxes. Clearly up against a tough field, she must break well tonight if she wants a shot at the title. Super C Addison –(46Points) OP Career Totals (25/6-3-6-8) Bk. Bd – F April 2018 Superior Panama– Super C Alice Owned By – Cole Kennel, Inc. Runs for the Lester Raines Kennel Trained by Mike Gerard Super C Addison is the only double stakes finalist in this field despite only having 25 official starts, and she did it the only way she knows how, running in the money in all four rounds. Addison is a super closing pup that has now proven that she can compete with the best greyhounds at the racetrack over 660, and 550 yards. The first of 2 greyhounds for the Lester Raines Kennel, Addison will try her hand again at the finals and hopes to finish better than her 4th place effort in the 2020 Orange Park Derby. Breaking is really what she needs to do as it is a game changer for her. In the second round, that is what she did, and it payed off in the end. Coming out second, she stalked the pace to the far turn and then took over in the deep stretch. Motoring by in time, she scored her lone win by a length in 30.86 seconds. Consistency has been her calling card so far, in the cash in 23 of 25 career starts, but winning needs to be more of a priority as she has only won 6 of those starts. Post position could go a long way to help out this late flying wonder. She loves to run on the rail, but anywhere inside should be a great place for her to start from. Why? All 5 of her 550 wins have come inside the 5 box. No doubt she will be in the mix at the wire for a spot in the money again in this effort, but if she wants a chance at the title, she has to GET OUT OF THE BOX! She cannot spot these leaders 5 lengths early, or it will just be another too little too late effort into the also rans. Its up to her! Let’s see if she hits the zero-light tonight. WW Bizslilboyblu – (46 Points) OP Career Totals (101/18-11-15-9) Be– M July 2016 Kc And All–Ww’s Baby Bonnet Owned By – Joe Recker or Jaws Racing Runs for Win City Racing Trained byTraci Chase Even though He has raced here for over 100 starts, no one really knows his name. Well that all changed when he was entered into this stake and showed up in a big way when he needed too. Finishing 4th, then 3rd, then 2nd, in the first 3 rounds, Biz had given himself a chance to make the finals, but it was his clutch effort in the semi-finals that would seal the deal. Breaking on top, he was outrushed to the lead at the turn, but never gave up the dream. He battled his way throughout the race and by the far turn had poked his nose in front of the leader. It was no way over just yet as he had to dig in deep and survive a resurging charge, and that he did. Winning by a nose, Biz make it into the finals in his first ever effort in the stakes for Win City Racing. A solid grade A and B performer, Biz has been up and down the ranks throughout in this career, but recently he has been running at his best. His 7 race in the money streak is the best of his career and he has peaked at just the right time. A midtrack steady runner, that can close on occasion, has to be close early in order to have a shot at the title. Post position could help him out with that too. He breaks better when he is on the edges of the racetrack. One, two, seven, or eight and he will be right at home. Tonight,he will be a long shot, but he too could surprise again if he hits the lid. Lee Danger – (45 Points) OP Career Totals (67/16-13-13-3) R F– M August 2016 Kiowa Mon Manny– Lee Juliet Owned By – Robert Gurley Runs for the Lester Raines Kennel Trained by Mike Gerard Another greyhound that is a little bit long in the tooth with no stakes experience gets a shot at the title as well. Lee Danger might not have won a round in qualifying, but he was oh so close twice. Finishing with a pair of second place finishes by a NOSE, and another 2nd and a 3rd to go along with it, he was in the mix in each and every effort he ran in the rounds for the Lester Raines Kennel. Either of his by a nose finishes could be his best race as they booth looked so similar around the racetrack. Breaking well, rushing up hard early, stalking the leaders, driving hard late and challenging at the wire for the win. Just missing by a nose, see both the same, but round 1 gets the nod over round 4 as he ran a faster time. Danger is another greyhound that gives his all in every start and always seems to find a way to finish in the money. He has not missed the top 3 spots in his last 12 races in a row but only has 3 wins to show for his efforts. A rail runner that likes the edges, so the 1 or 8 boxes would suit him just fine in this effort. A pressing slight closer that can get it done from the lead or from off the pace as well, Danger needs to some to run early on if he stands a chance against this talented, younger, field of greyhounds. Winning tonight could be a bit of a stretch but finishing in the money might be a much easier task. You never know though as sometimes an old dog might just pull out a trick when needed. Oshkosh Hoggy – (44 Points) OP Career Totals (29/7-3-6-0) R– MJuly 2017 Kiowa Mon Manny– Oshkosh Serena Owned By – Norman Rader Runs for the Crowe Kennel Trained by Garnet Crowe Last but not least is Oshkosh Hoggy. Hoggy has grown accustom to the racetrack since joining us late in 2019 and has flourished over the Orange Park oval. In the rounds he dominated in round 1 with an impressive win and followed that up with a pair of 2nd place efforts and a 7th final finish in the semis. Scoring enough points to squeak his way into the finals, Hoggy finishes off his first attempt at stakes racing with a final round appearance for the Crowe Kennel. That best run effort was in round number 1 where he broke close, rushed to the lead at the first turn and romped away from the rest of the field all the way to the wire. He crossed 7 lengths clear of the rest and showed that he was a player in the stakes. Running his best when he is clear early, he needs a good spot to start from in order to be competitive. He loves the outside and has flourished from the 6, 7 and 8 boxes. In nine efforts in a row he has not finished worse than 3rd and that includes 5 wins. Just because he finished last in points, doesn’t mean that he can’t win this race. All it takes is a good post, a solid break, and maybe a little luck and he could Hogg away the lead and score. Previous Next

< Back Wheeling Hot Dogs ( as of January 2, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted ) Stan Pawloski Jan 3, 2023 Steve Sarras Kennel’s CET Dirty Dan has won nine out of his last 10 Grade AA starts for trainer Jay Falcone. Charter Kennel’s Atta Boy Angus has seven wins and six seconds in his last 13 Grade TAA races in 3/16 for trainer James Campbell. Kennel-mates FGF Allshewrote has three straight victories (A, AA) while Seven Summers (AA, TAA 3/8) and Oshkosh Patrick (B, A) have back-to-back wins. Lester Raines Kennel’s JS Mismarymackin has captured three out of her last four races (A, AA) for trainer Joel Roden. Kennel-mates JS Cash Out has two victories and a second in her last three Grade AA trips, JS Headline News has three wins in a row (B, A, AA) and JS Salty Dawg has back-to-back victories (B, A). Previous Next

< Back JERRY CRUCE OBITUARY May 14, 2021 Jerry D. Cruce of West Memphis Arkansas passed away at home in the early morning hours of April 26, 2021, surrounded by friends and family Jerry was born June 6th, 1946 in Perry, Florida . Jerry trained greyhounds starting in the mid to late 70’s working for the Don Klink kennel in Miami, Florida & then with the Tom Farrell Kennel in Jacksonville, Florida. He spent the last 18 years of his training career with the Bussmann-Balakas kennel at Southland Greyhound Park in West Memphis Arkansas where he is was affectionately known as Papa Smurf. He loved the greyhounds & enjoyed working with them. He enjoyed, the people he worked with & around in the greyhound business, including the haulers & especially the farmers, who raised the dogs. He met his future wife Mary on a blind date in April of 71. They married on 9-15-84 & were married until his passing. He was predeceased by : his parents, John David Cruce and Christine Watson Cruce; his brother Lewis; and his parents-in-law, Eddie and Maria "Constance" Dicandia. He is survived by : his wife Mary Dicandia Cruce; his sons, Bart Falcone, Phillip Falcone and Quinde Falcone Jr. (Yolanda); his grandchildren, Quinde Falcone III, Kim Falcone, Taylor Falcone and Allison Sosne; his great grandchild Nellie Frey Sosne; his goddaughter Chelsea Whitman; his siblings, Reba Cruce Rogers (Freddie), Joseph William Cruce (Derry) and Richard Harold Cruce (Carol); and his sister-in-law Bessie Cruce. He is also survived by nieces and nephews. A funeral service was held on Saturday, May 1st 2021 at 2:00 PM at the Burns Funeral Home He was laid to rest at the Hendry Cemetery in Shady Grove, Florida 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 SH AVATAR SLATED FOR INDUCTION INTO HALL OF FAME Jim Gartland Jul 22, 2021 Superstar sprinter, money earner, and stud, SH Avatar, was the lone nominee to receive enough votes for induction into the 2021 class of the Greyhound Hall of Fame. SH Avatar was whelped May 13, 2010, and is owned by Tom Sugihara Jr. and Robert Hardison. He was whelped and raised on Hardison's farm in Iowa and later moved to Tom Sugihara's farm in Colorado to finish out his training. He is out of Kiowa Mon Manny-Tom S Caterwaul and is recognized mostly for being the highest money-winning greyhound in the history of the sport in North America. It is very unlikely that his record of $740,328 in earnings (which does not include his supplemental Iowa-bred award monies) will ever be eclipsed. That feat alone would validate his enshrinement, but there is much more to Avatar than just the money. Avatar began his career in 2012, breaking in at Melbourne, where he notched a near-perfect 10-1-0 record in 11 starts. Two of those victories were in track record times. From there, it was time to "move up" and head to Bluffs Run where he would finish out his career competing for the Hardison Kennel. He would capture the 2012 $500,000 Iowa Breeders Classic and his year end record at the Bluffs would be 24-7-5-5 in 49 starts. Extra honors included being named Greyhound Of The Year at Bluffs, as well as earning a spot on the 2012 All-America team. 2013 would prove to be an even better year. He finished third in the $60,000 Bluffs Run Open, third in the $60,000 Secretary’s Choice, and once again captured the $500,000 Iowa Breeders Classic. He was track champion at Bluffs with a record of 33-7-9-2 in 55 starts. He became the first and only greyhound to repeat outright as Greyhound Of The Year at Bluffs—this time by a unanimous vote (the only greyhound in Bluffs history to do so). He was also named to his second All-America team. Avatar retired late in 2013 after suffering a shoulder injury with a career record of 115- 67-15-14-7. He managed to hit the pay sheet in an incredible 89% of his starts and won nearly 60% of all his races. Taking into account his career earnings record, every time Avatar broke from a starting box, his average paycheck-per-start was $6,491! Probably another industry record. While his stellar racing career and purse earnings are the primary reasons Avatar was submitted for selection, his sire career makes his nomination all the more impressive. Avatar has produced many outstanding offspring—so many, in fact, that he captured the 2020 Sire Standings Championship. And he did it by his offspring garnering nearly twice as many wins as his second place rival (which was last year’s inductee Djays Octane). He is currently on top of the 2021 standings as well. These days, Avatar is living the life of a king—on the retirement couch of his former trainer Darren Flahive in Shawnee, KS. Congratulations to Bob, Tom and everyone involved with SH Avatar on this great honor! Previous Next

< Back Artex Pumbaa named 2023 best sprinter; best distance dog goes to JS Comin Undone. Jim Gartland Mar 14, 2024 In the age of less racing opportunities, no stake race programs, and a much smaller pool of competitors, the NGA awards singling out the best of the best at each distance take on a new look for 2023. Historically labeled the Rural Rube and Flashy Sir awards, 2023 honorees will simply be tabbed as America's best sprinter and router. A Wheeling speedster and Tri State distance star have been chosen as recipient's of these awards for 2023. Artex Pumbaa and distance star, JS Comin Undone have been named as recipients of the two awards and will be honored at Hall of Fame ceremonies during the spring meet on Thursday, April 25. A 2020 son of Flying Hydrogen-Arkans Cancer , Artex Pumbaa finished with 22 wins for the year tying him for the Wheeling lead with JSP Rayzendacash. He finished in the money in 82% of his starts. Perhaps the most steady and consistent greyhound at Wheeling in 2023, Pumbaa competed against the best, day in and day out, and closed the year winning six in a row. He would finish the season with a 51-22-8-6 record, He was also named Captain of the 2023 All Star team. Artex Pumbaa Owned by Joe Frey and Rachelle Henry, Pumbaa was raced by Blanchard Kennels at Wheeling . A much deserved award for this fabulous sprinter. Congratulations to Joe, Rachelle and all the connections of Artex Pumbaa ! JS Comin Undone JS Comin Undone was an almost unanimous choice for the best distance dog in the land award finishing the year with 19 distance wins at Tri State despite missing over a full month of racing. Comin Undone is a December 2020 son of Show On The Road-CH Keepin Faith. He was raised and is owned by Shannon Henry. Racing exclusively at 3/8ths of a mile, he moved to Tri State after the closing of Southland and immediately took to the Charleston oval winning his first AA after just a few starts. Racing for the Lester Raines Kennel, he finished in the money in 30 of his 37 starts. His record for the year was 37-19-5-4-2 and included 5 in a row in a September stretch, winning one of those races by 12-1/2 lengths! Congratulations to JS Comin Undone, and all his connections! These two will be honored at the awards ceremonies program at the Greyhound Hall of Fame on Thursday night, April 25, during the NGA's Spring Meet. Previous Next