< 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 Artex Pumbaa named Captain for 2023 NGA All Star Team James Gartland Mar 14, 2024 Wheeling co-win leader Artex Pumbaa , has been voted Captain of the 2023 NGA All Star team. The annual naming of an All-America team dates back to 1963, but the format changed somewhat this year, as a result of far fewer eligible greyhounds and less racing opportunities. This year, the program pays tribute to some of the top greyhounds racing in West Virginia as voted on by the NGA's Board of Directors. Others named to this year’s All Star Team include: JSP Rayzendacash , Florentine, Tenacity , JSP Burninmoney, CET Dirty Dilly , CG's Sun Storm and JS Comin Undone . Heading up the team is it's Captain, Artex Pumbaa (Flying Hydrogen-Arkans Cancer) who was the co-win leader at Wheeling and 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 and the well earned reward as Captain of the 2023 AA team. Florentine (Rob Gronkowski-PJ Sour Diesel) is a return honoree from last years' All American team. Florentine continued her winning ways in 2023, finishing tied for 2nd in wins at the Wheeling oval. Early speed is her game and although she may have lost a step, she was still tough to beat once on the lead. A couple of three and four race win streaks helped contribute to her overall record of 58-21-11-8-6. Joining Artex Pumbaa on the team is kennel mate Tenacity (Tip Top-JW Arrietta). The second youngest member of the team, Tenacity broke her maiden in March of 2023, reached AA in May, and never looked back picking up 17 of her 21 wins in the AA ranks. Her 21 wins tied her with Florentine for 2nd most at the meet. She could win from the lead or come from behind and when clear of traffic was perhaps the fastest greyhound at the track. Her final record was 50-21-10-5-6 for the 2023 season. The 4th member of the team is another Wheeling sprinter, JSP Rayzendacash (Superior Panama-Gonz Mani) who's 22 wins tied him for the win lead at the meet with Artex Pumbaa, many of those wins coming in dominant fashion. He finished the year with a 54-22-4-9-5 record including a couple of three and four race win streaks. CET Dirty Dilly (SH Avatar-CET Dirty Nicki) receives national honors, once again, making it three straight years as a recognized All Star in the greyhound industry despite racing only half the year. "The Queen" retired in June of 2023 finishing with a 14 race win streak including the WBGOBA Sprint Championship. Her twenty two wins were good enough for 2nd in the final standings even though she had roughly half the starts of her competitors. She ended the year early with a 26-23-2-0-1 record. The only distance star to make this year's team, JS Comin Undone (Show On The Road-CH Keepin Faith), dominated 3/8ths mile racing at Tri State during 2023. He won 19 races over the 660 yard course despite missing an entire month of racing and 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! The youngest member of this year's squad is CG's Sun Storm (Jax Yardley-CG's Lady Bug) who broke in at Tri State in May and soon after became one of the top sprinters at the track. He won 24 races in 2023 including a couple at Wheeling. He finished 2nd in the WVGBOA Juvenile stake at Wheeling to littermate, CG's Honesty. He ran out of the money only once over the course of the year finishing with an outstanding 34-24-6-3-0 record. The final member of the team is Tri State and American win leader, JSP Burninmoney (Show On The Road-Gonz Mani). His 34 win in 2023 were, by far, the most for any greyhound racing in the U.S. and ten wins ahead of the 2nd place finisher in the Tri State standings. He put together win streaks of seven and eight races during the year while dominating top level competition at the Charleston track. He finished in the money 45 out of 49 times with a final record of 49-34-6-4-1. These eight representing the team and will be honored with All-Star plaques at the Greyhound Hall Of Fame awards ceremony on Thursday night, Apr. 25, during the NGA Spring Meet in Abilene, KS. Previous Next

< Back Wheeling Hot Dogs (as December 19, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted) Stan Pawloski Dec 19, 2022 Steve Sarras Kennel’s CET Dirty Dan has won seven out of his last eight Grade AA races for trainer Jay Falcone. Charter Kennel’s Atta Boy Angus has six wins and six seconds in his last 12 races in 3/16 for trainer James Campbell. Kennel-mates Oshkosh Edward has three victories and two seconds in his last five Grade AA outings while Oshkosh Nancy has back-to-back wins (A, AA). Code Red Kennel’s O Ya Paws has three straight Grade AA victories for trainer Tom Engle. Kennel-mate FF Quarterback has back-to-back wins (B, A). Lester Raines Kennel’s O Ya Simon Sez has two victories, a second and a third in his last four Grade AA trips for trainer Joel Roden. Kennel-mates O Ya Trisha (TA, TAA 3/16) and JS Headline News (B, A) have back-to-back wins. Previous Next

< Back WHEELING TRACK ANNIVERSARY: TOP STAKES FINAL FIELDS, NO. 1 AND NO. 2 Stan Pawloski Sep 5, 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. 2 – the 1984 $145,000 West Virginia Classic and No. 1 – the 1987 $60,000 Wheeling Challenge Invitational. 1984 West Virginia Classic (ranked No. 2) Friday evening, July 20, 1984 The final featured three All-Americans – Olly’s Ace, J’s Pecos Bill and Blue Twinkle – the second time that had ever happened in a Wheeling stake championship. Three out of the other five racers had stakes final experience. The 1982 West Virginia Classic had three All-Americans although two of those greyhounds received honors the following year, not in 1982. From the rail out, the finalists and their achievements follow: 1-BEAU’S ROVER (Dick Andrews Kennel) - Winner of the 1986 Naples Trainer’s Special - Finalist in the 1984 Greyhound Grand Prix - Finalist in the 1984 Flagler Derby - Finalist in the 1984 Hollywoodian - Finalist in the 1984 Wonderland Derby 2-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 - Second in the 1984 West Virginia Commissioner’s Cup - 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 3-CASHMAKER (Carl Pritchard Kennel) - Second in the 1984 Connecticut Derby - Third in the 1983 Wheeling Kennel Medley (5/16th leg) - Finalist in the 1985 Hollywoodian - 1984 Wheeling record (40-23-4-4) 4-EXOTICA (A.G. Neville, III Kennel) - Raced at West Memphis, Ark. 5-FRIENDLY DAVID (A.G. Neville, III Kennel) - Winner of the 1984 Connecticut Derby - Winner of the 1984 Palm Beach/Naple Challenge - Winner of the 1984 Palm Beach Au Revoir 6-PLACID ACE (Steubenville Kennel) - 1984 Wheeling record (64-16-14-13) 7-OLLY’S ACE (Steubenville Kennel) - 1984 All-American - Winner of the 1984 Flagler International Classic - Finalist in the 1986 Hollywoodian 8-J’S PECOS BILL (Fritz Kennel) - Winner of the 1984 Hollywoodian - Second in the 1984 Palm Beach St. Patrick’s Day Invitational - Finalist in the 1984 Hollywood World Classic - Finalist in the 1984 Flagler Derby - 1984 Hollywood track win co-champ In the championship 3/8th final, Olly’s Ace broke second to Wheeling’s local star and race favorite Cashmaker. By the first turn, Olly’s Ace had taken command by 3 lengths and was never headed in romping to a 6-length victory in 38.20. J’s Pecos Bill closed in the stretch to take runner up honors while Cashmaker settled for third. Olly’s Ace owner, James E. O’Donnell Jr., said the break would determine the winner. “It was a race where eight finalists get in and there’s no kidding about it, it’s just who gets to the front,” O’Donnell said. “There were a lot of good dogs in that race, it’s just a question of who breaks. You’ve got to get lucky.” Completing the final field were Blue Twinkle, fourth; Friendly David, fifth; Beau’s Rover, sixth; Placid Chance, seventh; and Exotica, eighth. In the final, Wheeling Downs set a new one-race handle mark of $74,452. Olly’s Ace, son of All-Americans Placid Ace and Printer Olly (winner of the 1980 West Virginia Classic), had three wins, a fourth and a seventh in the five qualifying rounds. The biggest disappointment of the stakes event was when E.J. Alderson scratched Fallon from the semi-final round due to a virus. At the time, the winner of the Greyhound Grand Prix and St. Petersburg Distance Classic had accumulated the most points in the preliminary round races. “Even for all the money, we wouldn’t run her if she wasn’t right,” Eleanor Alderson said. “It wouldn’t be fair to the public or to the recuperating greyhound to race her when she wasn’t in her best condition.” 1987 Wheeling Challenge Invitational (ranked No. 1) Friday evening, Oct. 23, 1987 The championship final field featured U.S. Greyhound Hall of Famer and two-time All-American K’s Broadway and two other All-Americans – Wheeling’s own DD’s Nelson and Kiowa Babs. The rest of the field included multiple stakes winners. There were no preliminary round races, just a one-race final by invitation only. From the rail out, the finalists and their accomplishments follow: 1-ELIOT’S PACER (Danny Williams Kennel) - Raced at Tri-State, WV 2-DD’S NELSON (Gulf & Bay Kennel) - 1987 All-American - 1986 Wheeling win champ (51-38-3-5) - Winner of the 1987 Mile High Stroh’s All-American Invitational - Winner of the 1987 New Hampshire Lottery Stakes - Winner of the 1986 Wheeling Countdown Stakes - Third in the 1986 Great Greyhound Race of Champions - Finalist in the 1988 Mountaineer Classic at Tri-State - 11-race consecutive win streak - 96 career wins 3-CALDERONE (Cuddy-Randle Kennel) - Finalist in the 1987 Seabrook Great Greyhound Race - 9-race consecutive win streak at Taunton & Seabrook 4-KIOWA BABS (David Lingle Kennel) - 1987 All-American - Winner of the 1987 St. Patrick’s Day Feature - Second in the 1987 Wonderland Derby - Finalist in the 1987 Greyhound Race of Champions - Finalists in the 1987 American Derby 5-K’S BROADWAY (Pat Dalton Kennel) - U.S. Greyhound Hall of Fame - 1987 and 1988 All-American - Winner of the 1987 Derby Lane Festival of States Stake - Winner of the 1987 Derby Lane Gold Trophy Stakes - Winner of the 1988 Derby Lane All Star Kennel Preview - Winner of the 1988 Derby Lane Invitational - Winner of the 1988 Derby Lane Festival Stake - Second in the 1988 Derby Lane Sprint Classic - Second in the 1987 Wonderland Grady Sprint - Third in the 1987 Flagler International Classic - Third in the 1989 Derby Lane Matinee Idol Feature - Finalist in the 1987 Seabrook Great Greyhound Race - 1987 National Win Champ, 42 victories 6-OSHKOSH PEPPER (Thunderbird Kennel) - Winner of the 1987 Bluffs Run Countdown - 1987 Bluffs Run Greyhound of the Year 7-HONDO BARBARIAN (Regall Sports Kennel) - Winner of the 1987 Wonderland Grady Sprint - Finalist in the 1986 Wonderland Grady Sprint - 1986 Wonderland win champ - 1985 Lincoln win champ 8-SAY YOU (Fickett Racing Kennel) - Winner of the Bluffs Run Juvenile Stakes - Winner of the 1988 Southland Guys & Dolls - Third in the 1987 Mile High Stroh’s All-American Invitational - Finalist in the 1988 Greyhound Race of Champions - Southland track win champ - Set Southland 5/16 track record (31.84) Before K’s Broadway’s owner Jack Kahn arrived in West Virginia for the Wheeling Challenge Invitational, he was convinced his sprinter was one of the fastest greyhounds in the country. He was not disappointed. In the championship final, K’s Broadway – sent to post as the favorite at 7/5 odds – roared out of the box to the front of the star-studded field and was never seriously challenged in posting a 2-length stakes victory in 30.17. DD’s Nelson appeared to close the gap at one point but couldn’t overtake K’s Broadway. Say You got up for third while Tri-State’s Eliot’s Pacer was fourth. Two of the first four finishers – DD’s Nelson and Eliot’s Pacer – came from West Virginia tracks, a testament to the quality of greyhound racing in the state. A total of $32,000 went through the mutuel windows at Wheeling Downs for the stakes race, which was simulcast to four other tracks. A total of $52,000 was bet on the Wheeling stake race at Biscayne, FL., $49,000 was wagered at Raynham, Mass., $51,000 at Wonderland near Boston and $18,000 at Tri-State. After his stakes victory, K’s Broadway shipped to Florida where he finished third in the Flagler International Classic. 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< Back Wheeling Hot Dogs ( as of July 3, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted ) Stan Pawloski Jul 3, 2023 Charter Kennel’s JSP Rayzendacash has won four out of his last five Grade AA races for trainer James Campbell. Kennel-mates Oshkosh Nicole has captured three out of her last four Grade AA trips while You Proof has back-to-back wins (A, AA). Imark Kennel’s Imark Zander has three straight victories (D, C, B) for trainer DiAnn Derr. Steve Sarras Kennel’s WW Griggsy has won three in a row (D, C, B) for trainer Mike Holguin. Previous Next

< Back NGA SPRING MEET SCHOOLING RESULTS - MONDAY, APRIL 18, 2022 Stan Pawloski Apr 18, 2022 NGA Spring Meet Schooling Results—Monday, April 18, 2022 36 races scheduled: Drag after every listed 10. No watering Conditions: Overcast, cool – 45º – Track: Fast (HS = Hand Slip (not timed) SCR = Scratched) JAWS RACING – (Race 1) HS, HS, HS, HS, HS, HS, HS, HS, HS, HS, HS, HS, HS, HS, HS, HS, SCR SHANNON HENRY - (Race 2) 30.71, 30.55, 30.73, 30.89, 31.33, 31.03, 31.55, 31.59 WARD/TAPLIN - (Race 3) 30.27, 30.68, 30.40, 30.73, 30.73, HS BOBBY WOODALL - (Race 4) 30.23 , 30.61 JUNE KENNEDY – (Race 12) 30.87, 31.17, SCR Previous Next

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

< Back Wheeling Hot Dogs ( as of July 26, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted) Stan Pawloski Jul 20, 2026 Patriot/Taplin Kennel’s Whiskey Oblivion has two wins and two seconds in his last four Grade AA starts for trainer Cheyney Kuriata. Kennel-mate USA Fancy has back-to-back victories (A, AA). Code Red Kennel’s FF Deebo has two wins and two seconds in his last four Grade AA races for trainer Tom Engle. Kennel-mate FF Teeter has back-to-back victories (B, A). Jacobs Racing Kennel’s GLS Rice Baby has two straight Grade TAA 3/16 wins for trainer Natalie Looper. Blanchard Kennel’s Arkwild B Bipolo has back-to-back victories (A, AA) for trainer Chris Maynard. Lester Raines Kennel’s Omaha Lori has won three out of her last four outings (C, B, A) for trainer Joel Roden. Previous Next

< Back DERBY LANE COMPLETES FIRST MONTH BACK Aug 3, 2020 The first month in the July-to-December meet at Derby Lane ended this past Friday with a logjam atop the greyhound win standings. Nova kennel handles two of the four dogs tied for the top spot with four victories each, including Hi Noon Ruger and Hi Noon Ricochet. Kells Ireland of Everett Racing kennel and Kaias Dark Star of Floyd kennel also have four wins. Six greyhounds are only one victory off the pace with three victories apiece: Lashmet kennel’s LK’s Crush N It and LK’s Molinari; Kells Xterra of Everett Racing kennel; JS Hunny Bee of Lester Raines kennel; Atascocita Sure of Watson Racing kennel; and Tail Spin of Nova kennel. Hi Noon Ruger has been the most consistent athlete among the win leaders with four victories and two seconds from six starts for kennel owner Hans Limmer and trainer Missy Kubitz. Hi Noon Ricochet has four wins and one second from seven starts. Kells Ireland has four victories, one second and one third from seven outings for kennel owner Kelly Everett and trainer Kelsie Gubbels. Kaias Dark Star has won four of five starts for kennel operators Pat and Randy Floyd, who is the trainer. Nova kennel’s Hi Noon Recoil has clocked the meet’s fastest time of 30.26 seconds at 550 yards. Penrose Ronnie of Cal Holland kennel has the best time of 37.54 seconds on the 660-yard course. Reigning kennel champion Lester Raines has bolted out to a 13-win lead in the kennel standings. Under the guidance of trainer Anthony Diaz, Lester Raines enjoys a 60-47 edge over both Abernathy and Capabal. Nova is fourth at 45 and Everett Racing is next with 41. Lester Raines also leads in starts with 322, six more than Watson Racing. Derby Lane features seven weekly performances with matinee racing Monday through Saturday, and a Saturday evening card. Previous Next

< Back Wheeling Hot Dogs ( as of March 9, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted ) Stan Pawloski Mar 9, 2020 Jacobs Racing Kennel’s Intrigue has four wins and two seconds in her last six Grade AA races for trainer Louise Strong. Kennel-mates JSK Roulette (AA) and AB Bad Influence (AA) have back-to-back victories. Wayne Ward Kennel’s WW Butterworth has captured three out of his last four Grade AA races for trainer Ron Otto. Rangel Kennel’s VJ Geturfreakon has back-to-back Grade AA wins for trainer Alex Hall. Kennel-mate PJ Walk On Water has three straight 3/16 victories (TB, TA, TAA). Brad Boeckenstedt Kennel’s BGR Waxon Waxoff has two wins and two seconds in her last four 3/16 trips (TA, TAA) for trainer Chris Brill. Xtrem Hess Racing Kennel’s BRC Chillbump has back-to-back victories (A, AA) for trainer Jill Spicer. Lester Raines Kennel’s Paint The Trail has two wins and a second in her last three outings (B, A) for trainer Joel Roden. Abrahamson Kennel’s FF Lulu Lemon has two victories and a second in her last three starts (B, A) for trainer Tom Engle. Imark Kennel’s Imark Tempest has back-to-back wins (B, A) for trainer Scott Purdy. Steve Sarras Kennel’s CET Georgia has two straight victories (B, A) for trainer Barb Long. Previous Next

< Back MOUNTAINEER CLASSIC FINAL PREVIEW, RACE ANALYSIS Stan Pawloski Oct 22, 2020 Blanchard Kennel’s L’s Luv It heads up a stellar field for the Saturday afternoon final of the $100,000 Mountaineer Classic at Wheeling Island. The 4-year-old sprinter had three victories and a third in the four qualifying round races to accumulate a leading 52 points. L’s Luv It was third in the 2018 Mountaineer Classic final and fourth in last year’s championship. An August 2016 greyhound out of KC And All-L’s Morgan, L’s Luv It is the first Wheeling greyhound to make the final of the track’s featured stakes race three straight years. TK Quick Strike captured the Mountaineer Classic in both 2008 and 2009. Completing this year’s championship final field are Atascocita Birma (Abrahamson Kennel), 43 points; Penrose Boss (Blanchard Kennel), 42 points; Craigie Pirate (Lester Raines Kennel), TNT Free Falling (Patriot/Taplin Kennel) and TNT Twister City (Patriot/Taplin) 39 points each; CG’s Penny Shoe (Abrahamson Kennel), 36 points; and AD Black Falcon (Xtrem Hess Racing Kennel), 35 points. Blanchard Kennel’s Easi Lil Charlie also had 35 points but lost the tiebreaker to AD Black Falcon, who had a pair of victories in the qualifying rounds. Post positions for the final, from the rail out, follow: 1—Craigie Pirate, 2—L’s Luv It, 3—AD Black Falcon, 4—TNT Free Falling, 5—Atascocita Birma, 6—CG’s Penny Shoe, 7—TNT Twister City, 8—Penrose Boss. The winning greyhound in the championship final will earn $42,000. The complete purse breakdown is second, $18,000; third, $13,000; fourth, $10,000; fifth and sixth, $5,500 each; and seventh and eighth, $3,000 each. The stakes final will be Race 12 on the Saturday matinee race card. Following are capsule looks at the finalists: 1—CRAIGIE PIRATE (Lester Raines Kennel, trainer Joel Roden) – had a win, a second and two thirds in the qualifiers; youngster has been solid in his first year of racing, hitting the superfecta ticket in 20 out of 24 starts; will need to pop the box to outrush all the speed merchants; should benefit from the red blanket. 2—L’S LUV IT (Blanchard Kennel, trainer Sarah Blanchard) – had three victories and a third in the qualifiers, a mere length from sweeping all four early round races; caught fire as the stakes began and the 4-year-old hasn’t let up; prefers an inside post, can go to the front on occasion, has some closing ability. 3—AD BLACK FALCON (Xtrem Hess Racing Kennel, trainer Jill Spicer) – had two wins, a fourth and an eighth in the qualifying round races; has only missed the pay sheet four times in 22 starts this year after coming up from Gulf Greyhound Park; if near lead early, has some closing power to pick off the short early speedsters. 4—TNT FREE FALLING (Patriot/Taplin Kennel, trainer Joe Otto) – had a win, a second and two thirds in the preliminary round races; her game is box speed with a power rush to the first turn; early speed has carried her to nearly a triple double trifecta record this year – 9 seconds, 9 thirds and 8 fourths; needs to hit it. 5—ATASCOCITA BIRMA (Abrahamson Kennel, trainer Tom Engle) – had two wins, a second and a fifth in the qualifying races; has rocketed to the front in four out of her last six races as she’s become more consistent with her break; opened career at Palm Beach before moving over to Gulf Greyhound Park. 6—CG’s PENNY SHOE (Abrahamson Kennel, trainer Tom Engle) – had a win, two seconds and a seventh in the early round starts; not lightning fast out of the box, but possesses a power drive to the turn; captured 26 out of 32 races at Tri-State Greyhound Park this year, including 13 straight Grade AA trips. 7—TNT TWISTER CITY (Patriot/Taplin Kennel, trainer Joe Otto) – had a win, a second and two thirds in the preliminary round races; has rushed to the front early and maintained the lead until the homestretch in five out of his last six starts, hitting the trifecta ticket in each race; speedster needs to pop the box. 8—PENROSE BOSS (Blanchard Kennel, trainer Sarah Blanchard) – had a win, two seconds and a third in the early rounds; the only true closer in the championship final displayed his power in the semifinal round with a 6 ½-length win from a preferred midtrack box; opened career at Orange Park in Florida. RACE ANALYSIS This year’s Mountaineer Classic is loaded with early speed. The big questions: Which greyhound hits it out of the box and gets the front early in the final? If it’s a fast track, will the early leader go away and hide from the rest of the field? Will a greyhound with some bottom be close enough to overtake the leaders? The field is solid from top to bottom. In the finalists’ 32 qualifying round races, they amassed a combined 12 wins, 8 seconds, 8 thirds and 1 fourth – only missing the superfecta ticket three times. Look for TNT Free Falling to hit the lid and rush to the early lead, followed by L’s Luv It on the rail. Next in line will be Craigie Pirate and Penrose Boss. With TNT Twister City slashing to the inside from the seven hole, he should seal off Atascocita Birma and CG’s Penny Shoe – giving Penrose Boss a clean rush to the turn from the outside box. On the backstretch and far turn, TNT Free Falling will maintain her lead but pressure will be mounting in the stretch as L’s Luv It and Penrose Boss kick it into another gear. Could it be a dead heat winner? Let’s go with a 1-2-4-8 trifecta and superfecta boxes. Previous Next

< Back TWO SPRINTERS UNBEATEN IN $100,000 MOUNTAINEER CLASSIC Oct 11, 2021 Two greyhounds – Blanchard Kennel’s Penrose Boss and Jacobs Racing Kennel’s Abbi’s Eagle – are undefeated after two rounds of the $100,000 Mountaineer Classic at Wheeling Island. Penrose Boss and Abbi’s Eagle both posted closing victories in the stretch Friday afternoon in the second round. The sprinters have accumulated 30 points. The Lester Raines Kennel had four wins in the second round – Teaser’s Tickle, Craigie Daughtry, CTW Cant Stop It and JS Slush Fund. Other second round winners were Abbi’s Frontman (Jacobs Racing), WW Go Chiefs Go (Wayne Ward) and KB’s Copy Kat (Charter Kennel). The field will be cut to 40 sprinters for the third preliminary round scheduled for Wednesday matinee, Oct. 13. The field will tentatively be cut to 24 sprinters, but could be higher, for the semifinal round on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 17. The championship final will be held during the matinee card on Saturday, Oct. 23. Points accumulated after the second round follow: Penrose Boss (Blanchard), 30 points Abbi’s Eagle (Jacobs Racing), 30 points JS Slush Fund (Lester Raines), 25 points Ding Dong Ditch (Imark), 25 points Frappe (Blanchard), 25 points CTW Black Forest (Steve Sarras), 22 points KB’s Copy Kat (Charter), 20 points O Ya Bobbie Sue (Lester Raines), 20 points LK’s Trubulee (Steve Sarras), 20 points Turbo Walt (Code Red), 20 points WW Go Chiefs Go (Wayne Ward), 20 points JS Rob Stone (Blanchard), 18 points Craigie Daughtry (Lester Raines), 18 points CTW Cant Stop It (Lester Raines), 18 points WW Grandiose (Wayne Ward), 17 points Abbi’s Frontman (Jacobs Racing), 17 points Dark Guinness (Jacobs Racing), 16 points Teaser’s Tickle (Lester Raines), 16 points BO’s Tracy (Blanchard), 15 points Easi Kadeem (Blanchard), 15 points Oshkosh Edward (Charter), 15 points Hi Noon Ricochet (Jacobs Racing), 14 points Gettin My Buz On (Jacobs Racing), 14 points Easi Vesurio (Blanchard), 13 points JS Saltythursday (Lester Raines), 13 points Axtrem Flicker (Xtrem Hess Racing), 13 points Frogman (Blanchard), 12 points BGR Out Of Mind (Brad Boeckenstedt), 12 points RS’s Dark Night (Lester Raines), 12 points JS Shock Therapy (Lester Raines), 12 points Day Drinking (Imark), 12 points Eau Claire (Charter), 12 points RHT Marylynn (Xtrem Hess Racing, 12 points Clap Back (Imark), 11 points Super C Amega (Lester Raines), 10 points Mega Felipe (A Ray), 10 points Oshkosh Dally (Charter), 10 points Jack Parkman (Charter), 10 points Atascocita Birma (Code Red), 9 points LK’s Santorini (Steve Sarras), 9 points (The following greyhounds have been eliminated from the stakes event). Barts Worthwhile (Charter), 9 points BGR Bigfoot (Brad Boeckenstedt), 9 points Tickle Ur Fancy (Imark), 9 points Imark Mash (Imark), 8 points Memphis Minnie (Wayne Ward), 8 points Atascocita Amity (Code Red), 8 points Easi Volsina (Blanchard), 7 points UBX Unclesweater (Xtrem Hess Racing), 7 points Pat C Inferno (Rangel), 7 points Vegas (Patriot/Taplin), 7 points CTW Smores To Go (Xtrem Hess Racing), 6 points CTW Bahati (Steve Sarras), 6 points Lily Lazer (Blanchard), 4 points Keeper Cry (Xtrem Hess Racing), 4 points T’s Iron Man (Xtrem Hess Racing), 4 points Saber Fire (Imark), 4 points Denali Darlin (Jacobs Racing), 3 points Hi Noon Revolver (Jacobs Racing), 3 points Slatex Jackson (Jacobs Racing), 3 points Saber Port (Imark), 3 points Sumkindawondrful (Imark), 3 points BGR Big Daddy (Brad Boeckenstedt), 2 points Pat C Zenith (Rangel), 2 points Ponda Waco Hound (Code Red), 2 points ASK China (Steve Sarras), 1 point BGR Onewaystreet (Brad Boeckenstedt), 1 point Imark Solo (Imark), 1 point WW Holdin Fast (Wayne Ward), 1 point WW Blonde Roast (Wayne Ward), 0 points Kris Was Righh (Brad Boeckenstedt), 0 points Previous Next