< 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

< 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 WVGOBA OPEN SPRINT SEMI FINALS SHAKEDOWN AT TRISTATE Patricia Saul May 22, 2023 After the quarter-final rounds on Thursday, 33 greyhounds were eliminated from the $65,000 WVGOBA Open Sprint at Tri State. On Tuesday evening, May 23, heading into the semi-finals, 16 greyhounds remain as contenders in Races 4 and 6 with starting post time at 6:00 PM EST. Competing in Race 4 are JA’s Henry Ford, CET Daryl, RS’s Penny Lane, CG’s Roadrunner, CET Dirty Dilly, Mac’s Sugar Pie, GLS Blondie and CG’s Miss Muffet. Competing in Race 6 are GF Steel Horse, CET Bill, CG’s Red Ryder, GLS Daisy Dot, CET Negan, JA’s Dupont, CG’s Bo Peep and Mac’s New York. Littermates competing: CG’s Roadrunner, CG’s Bo Peep, CG’s Red Ryder and CG’s Miss Muffet (Jax Oxford - CG's Lady Bug) JA’s Henry Ford and JA’s Dupont (Jax Yardley - Jax Freida) CET Daryl and CET Negan (Kiowa Myth - Cet Baby Boo) The Open Sprint Stakes championship is scheduled for Saturday, May 27. Accumulated points for the Semi-Finals: 36 points: CET Dirty Dilly (CET) 31 points: CG's Roadrunner (Abrahamson) 30 points: CG's Bo Peep (Abrahamson) 28 points: CET Negan (CET) 27 points: GF Steel Horse (Lomax) 26 points: JA's Dupont (Abrahamson) 24 points: RS's Penny Lane (Lester Raines) 22 points: JA's Henry Ford (Abrahamson) 21 points: Cet Daryl (CET), Mac's Sugar Pie (McMillon/Ward), Mac's New York (Mc Millon/ Ward), GLS Blondie (JS) 20 points: CG's Red Ryder (Abrahamson), GLS Daisy Dot (JS), CG's Miss Muffet (Abrahamson) 19 points: CET Bill (CET) Previous Next

< Back NGA Fall Meet Schooling Results—Thursday, October 9, 2025 Jim Gartland Oct 10, 2025 43 races scheduled: Drag after every 10 races. No watering Conditions: Overcast – 60º – Track: Fast (SCR = Scratched) DAVID STRONG – (Race 1) 30.44, 30.38, 30.40, 30.87, 30.56, 30.62, 31.16, 30.30 JAWS RACING – (Race 2) 31.12, 30.42, 30.56, 30.53, 30.93, 30.88, 30.99, 30.64, 30.96, 30.99, 30.99, 30.87, 31.18, 31.35, 31.56, 31.49, 32.02 MIKE STRICKLAND – (Race 3) 30.27, 29.94 , 30.49, 30.11, 30.83, 30.57, 30.44, 30.51, 30.71, 30.73, 30.96, 30.71, 30.92, 31.33, 31.19, 31.17, 30.80, SCR Previous Next

< Back Blanchard captures 2023 Wheeling kennel championship Stan Pawloski Feb 12, 2024 Back on top. After three straight years finishing runner up to Lester Raines in the kennel standings at Wheeling Island, the Blanchard Kennel roared to an early lead in January 2023 and never looked back in winning the kennel championship. It was the second Wheeling kennel crown for James Blanchard after capturing the championship back in 2019. The kennel was booked at Wheeling in July 2017. The Blanchard Kennel amassed 640 victories in 2023, the most wins at Wheeling Island since the ZEZ Kennel posted 645 wins in 1999 and 659 victories in 2000. Charter Kennel took runner up honors to Blanchard with 565 wins while defending kennel champion Lester Raines finished third with 540 victories last year. Charter made a run at Blanchard in October – cutting the lead to 15 wins – but Blanchard caught fire in the last two months of the racing season, posting 125 victories to pull away. For Blanchard, their goal every year is the top spot in the standings. “It’s a great feeling and exciting to win the kennel championship after finishing runner up the last three years. We have an extremely dedicated team who love what they are doing and worked hard for it which makes it very special,” Blanchard said. “To win a championship, it takes a combination of a lot of talented greyhounds, but you got to have some luck along the way. I am so appreciative of everyone who had a hand in our success last year.” Next in line behind Blanchard (640), Charter (565) and Lester Raines (540) in the final 2023 standings were Steve Sarras (482), Jacobs Racing (432), Imark (394), Code Red (384), Wayne Ward (346), Patriot/Taplin (323), Xtrem Hess Racing (313), Rangel (255), A Ray (184) and Brad Boeckenstedt (149). The A Ray Kennel ceased operations at the end of October while the Brad Boeckenstedt Kennel pulled out at the end of June. The Blanchard Kennel had 15 greyhounds reach double figures in wins last year, including three in the racetrack’s top five – track co-win leader Artex Pumbaa (22), Tenacity (21) and Arkans TMC Athos (18). “Artex Pumbaa is so consistent and tries hard every race. He can break on top or come from behind. Tenacity is very talented and may be the fastest greyhound in the kennel. She needs to get position early,” Blanchard said. “Arkans TMC Athos is another consistent greyhound with a big-time rush to the turn. He will be back this year, after some time off. Anytime these three weigh-in, there’s a good chance of winning.” Other double-digit winners for the Blanchard Kennel were Easi Utley (17), Arkwild B Soleil, About To Rock, BNC R Rooney and TR Hill (13 each), Arkans Pride and Arma Guiness (12 each), Ark RB Heyward, Arkans Lust, Arkwild B Shalom, TMC’s Zoomzoomba and Easi Gil (10 each). Seven greyhounds had nine victories each – Arkans So Long, Artex Kusapin, Artex Suave, JW Bon Jovi, Kabluwie, Stars Align and CNS Kansasthrill. Blanchard praised his fellow Wheeling kennel crew members – trainer Chris Maynard, Kayla Purdy, Jeff Bowers and his wife, Sarah Blanchard. Maynard worked for the Blanchards at their Florida bookings since 2013 before coming to Wheeling in February 2022, after taking some time off after the Florida tracks closed at the end of 2020. “I was impressed with Chris (Maynard) when he worked for my dad (Jim Blanchard) at Orange Park in Florida. I thought he had a great future and he wanted to learn,” Blanchard said. “Kayla (Purdy) is great with the greyhounds and always puts the dogs above everything. Jeff (Bowers) recently joined our team and has been a great addition. We are a tight-knit greyhound family. At the end of the day, the dogs, our love for them and this sport, is what truly makes our operation what it is.” Three greyhound owners/breeders – Tracy Wildey, Rachelle Henry and Darren Henry – play significant roles in the Blanchard Kennel operation, contributing to the kennel’s success. “They are our core. We have a system, and they are a vital piece of the puzzle,” Blanchard said. “They are part of the breeding, raising and training. We couldn’t do it without them.” Several other owners race their greyhounds out of the Blanchard Kennel at Wheeling. They include Jim Rosga, Brian Brady, Allyn Shaw, Joe Frey, Ray Wong, Mike Pence, Jeff Junk, Tom Sugahara, Eddie McDonald, David Strong, CNB Racing (Trish Cescolini and Shannon Lorenz), Kim Sessions, Cathy Cameron, Warp Drive Kennel (Tabbatha Couch and Jayme Gordon) and Christine Johnson-Procopis. As for 2024, Blanchard expects another competitive fight for the top spot in the kennel standings. “It’ll be a battle, but we love a challenge,” Blanchard said. “Right now, our kennel is a little top-grade heavy. We’re hoping we have a good group of pups come in this year.” Handling the greyhounds is a passion for Blanchard. “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.” In addition to garnering the most wins in 2023, the Blanchard Kennel was tops in seconds (603), thirds (508) and fourths (510). Blanchard and Charter were the leaders in winning percentage with 16 percent. Next in line were Lester Raines, 15 percent; Steve Sarras and Imark, 13 percent. Blanchard and Charter led all kennels with a 44 percent trifecta mark. Lester Raines and Steve Sarras were next with 41 percent. Topping the charts in starts was Blanchard (3,915) followed by Lester Raines (3,570) and Steve Sarras (3,507). Artex Pumbaa, captain of the 2023 all-Wheeling team, was the anchor of the Blanchard Kennel last year with a track-leading 22 wins. Previous Next