< Back 50th Anniversary: Memorable stake finales revisited Stan Pawloski Jul 20, 2026 Down through the years, Wheeling Downs/Island has had a rich tradition in stakes competition. Since the racetrack opened in August 1976, 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 first open stakes races were held in 1977 and have been part of the track’s landscape in all but 10 of the 50 racing seasons. Some years several stakes events were offered, while in others, only one or two. As a fan of greyhound racing since the late 1970s and then for 20 years covering and reporting on the sport with racing columns first in a local newspaper and then in the daily Wheeling racing program, this writer always looked forward to stakes events and finals to see the best go against the best. Although the highlights are endless, stake events in two years in particular – 2004 and 2009 – stand out as well as a few others from different racing seasons. Digging back into my archives of hundreds of stories, following are brief takes as written years ago of some of those stakes finals. 2004 Couch Potato Stakes Lonesome Cry goes box-to-wire in final The old man still has it. Lonesome Cry proved it to Wheeling racing fans as well as a national audience in early November in the $50,000 Couch Potato Stake at Wheeling Downs. It was part of the Night of Stars program featuring top-grade races from 17 tracks across the country. The Charter Kennel sprinter – at 3 1/2 years old and by far the oldest dog in the field – showed he still has plenty in his tank as he posted an impressive box-to-wire victory in the final. Arivada-Plum Creek Kennel’s Lewis And Wax and A Ray Kennel’s Greys Royalcrown rounded out the trifecta ticket. The 5/16th stake final shaped up as a speed race to the first turn, but it never really materialized. Lonesome fired right to the rail and left the other early speed merchants behind. Lewis And Wax’s last rush came up 2 lengths short. 2004 Keystone Classic Longshot CTW Doc Tanner shocks field House call. “The Doctor” is in and he’s making house calls. C And C Kennel’s CTW Doc Tanner “took it to the house” as he exploded down the stretch to nip Robert Thorne Kennel’s Honeybee Episode at the wire to capture the $50,000 Keystone Classic at Wheeling Downs Nov. 26. Doc’s kennel-mate Whistler’s Sound was third in the 3/8th test. It was one of the tightest stake race finals in Wheeling Downs history as all eight Greyhounds finished within 5 lengths of each other. The fifth-place finisher was only 2 lengths behind Doc Tanner. While Honeybee Episode and Rooftop Gizmo were sent to post as the favorites, a case could be made for nearly every greyhound in the final. CTW Doc Tanner was a longshot at 12-1 odds. 2004 Independence Day Classic Greys Royalcrown romps in sprint final Run for fun. A Sunday stroll in the park. A Ray Kennel’s Greys Royalcrown made it look easy. As soon as the 2-year-old sprinter stepped out of the box in the $35,000 Independence Day Classic July 4th at Wheeling Downs, the race was history. Once on top, Greys Royalcrown never looked back as he romped to an 11-length victory in a quick 29.53 over the 5/16th sprint course. Steubenville Kennel’s Hallo Exchange, the race favorite, and Ryan Farms Kennel’s Famous rounded out the trifecta ticket. 2002 Spring Classic Craigie M Roy surprises field in stakes final After Soul Cipher raced to victory in Night of Stars IX at Wheeling Downs, the Lester Raines camp set their sights on the $35,000 Spring Classic in late May. Cipher had just hiked his winning streak to 12 straight and was regarded by many as one of the top sprinters in the country. On the night of the Spring Classic final, Soul Cipher was sent to post as the overwhelming favorite. Just like the 2001 Spring Classic when Fortified Rush gave the kennel the hardware, Raines and company were back in the winner’s circle again. Not with Soul Cipher, but with 7-1 long shot Craigie M Roy. Overshadowed by his kennel-mate, Craigie M Roy roared to the front early before holding off Wayne Ward Kennel’s Luckydeals Honor by a length at the wire. ZEZ Kennel’s Prima Montecarlo completed the trifecta ticket. 2009 Firecracker Classic Good luck on BD’s Grayson’s side Unfortunate incidents and bad luck have plagued BD's Grayson throughout his stakes career at Wheeling Island. Despite being one of the track's top sprinters the past 1 1/2 years, Grayson has only made the final of one stake race – finishing fifth in the 2008 Panhandle Sprint. All the disappointment was washed away July 4 when Grayson came from behind and then held off Hi Noon Hero to capture the Firecracker Sprint at the Wheeling oval. Rounding out the trifecta ticket behind Green-Maupin Kennel’s BD’s Grayson and Wayne Strong Kennel’s Hi Noon Hero (Wayne Strong Kennel) was Darren Henry Kennel’s BD's Herby. 2009 George Kellas Memorial Cup Hero wins stakes with closing rush In the Superstar Challenge at Wheeling Island in March, Hi Noon Hero finished runner up to Kiowa WW Brother in a photo finish. In July, Hero lost another photo finish to BD's Grayson in the final of the Firecracker Sprint. On Labor Day, the disappointment of two close 5/16th stake finishes was erased when Hero staged a dramatic stretch drive to edge USS Cool Luke and capture the $10,000 George Kellas Memorial Cup in yet another photo finish. Wayne Ward Kennel’s WW’s Star Diego finished third. 2009 Mountaineer Classic TK Quick Strike repeats as Mountaineer champ Never underestimate the heart of a champion. TK Quick Strike proved he has that heart on Memorial Day at Wheeling Island. The Charter Kennel distance dandy defended his Mountaineer Classic 3/8th crown with a dramatic stretch drive to overtake Steubenville Kennel's Kiowa Power Pak just before the wire. Ryan Farms Kennel's Miranda rounded out the trifecta ticket. TK Quick Strike also rallied in the stretch to capture the Mountaineer Classic last year. 2009 Holiday Sprint Braska Omni spreads holiday joy Deja vu. For the second time in a four-month period, Braska Omni rallied from eighth to win a 5/16th sprint stake final at Wheeling Island. On New Year's Eve, the Darren Henry Kennel star overcame a slow start with an electrifying first turn move to capture the Holiday Sprint by 6 ½ lengths. Wayne Ward Kennel's Kiowa WW Brother took runner up honors while Charter Kennel's Makin Bakin finished third. In September, Omni rallied to win the Panhandle Sprint. 2008 Wheeling Invitational Kiowa WW Brother dominates sprint stakes Kiowa WW Brother turned it up a notch at the right time. In August, Wayne Ward Kennel operator Julia Ward called trainer Ron Otto and asked him if he thought they had a greyhound who could win the $100,000 Wheeling Invitational in October. "At the time, I told Julia flat out I didn't think we had a dog who could win it," Otto recalled. A lot can change in 2 1/2 months. In October, Kiowa WW Brother romped to a 7-length victory in the 5/16th final of the Wheeling Invitational. Kiowa WW Brother grabbed the early lead and never looked back. Wayne Strong Kennel's Kansas Buzzer was second while Wayne Ward Kennel’s Seldomscenetears finished third. 2015 George Kellas Memorial Sprint AMF Spamwich makes history in finale It’s not easy to go through the qualifying rounds of a stakes race undefeated and then capture the championship final. In the history of Wheeling Island racing, only three greyhounds – Beau Boogie (1979), Greys Beaver (1992) and SMA’s Murphy (1998) – won all of their preliminary round races and then the final in non-West Virginia bred sprint stakes. Make it four. AMF Spamwich, a 3 ½-year-old A Ray Kennel greyhound, displayed her come-from-behind closing rush to capture the $25,000 George Kellas Memorial Sprint Stakes at Wheeling Island on the 5/16th course over July the Fourth holiday weekend. Cry Firestar (Clear The Way Kennel) took runner up honors while PJ Pure Gold (A Ray Kennel) rounded out the trifecta ticket. Racing fifth down the backstretch in the final, AMF Spamwich gradually made up ground before taking command in the homestretch – winning by 1 ½ lengths in 29.52. PJ Pure Gold was another length back, edging out Varoom Esme for third. 2016 Wheeling Island National Stakes Atascocita Sig dominates sprint futurity One of the favorites going into the $140,000 Wheeling Island National Stakes was Atascocita Sig. He did not disappoint. The Lester Raines Kennel sprint star dominated Wheeling’s first ever futurity-type stake by winning five out of his six qualifying round races and then romping to a 4 ½-length victory in the 5/16th championship final in a sizzling 29.14. Brad Boeckenstedt Kennel’s JD Indendence took runner up honors while SE’s Solid Cash, another Lester Raines Kennel pup, got up for third. As far as Lester Raines Kennel trainer Joel Roden was concerned, all his speed merchant had to do was hit the lid. Atascocita Sig did just that. The youngster hit it like a rocket and rushed to the early lead. He opened up by 2 lengths down the backstretch before pulling away by 4 ½ lengths at the wire. 2018 Mountaineer Classic L’s Griz wins sprint final in fantastic finish Blanchard Kennel’s L’s Griz almost didn’t make the final of the $100,000 Mountaineer Classic at Wheeling Island in late October. After the semifinal round, L’s Griz was tied with three other greyhounds for the final spot in the 5/16th championship. On the strength of two wins in the early rounds, L’s Griz won the tie-breaker and a chance for a stakes crown. L’s Griz did not waste the opportunity. Despite a light rain throughout the day, the racetrack’s featured stakes event for 2018 turned into a classic – one of the most electrifying finishes in Wheeling Island stakes history. L’s Griz exploded home from fourth in the stretch to edge AMF Loose End (A Ray Kennel) by a nose at the wire while L’s Luv It (Blanchard Kennel) was third, only 1 ½ lengths back. Waiting for the right moment, L’s Griz moved to the outside at the top of the homestretch – fourth and still about 4 lengths behind the leader. A few yards before the finish line, AMF Loose End appeared to have the stakes crown in her grasp until a final burst from L’s Griz on the inside was enough to nip the leader by a nose at the wire in a photo finish. 2015 Mountaineer Marathon Stakes Ted Cruz makes history in romp In May, Ted Cruz cruised to a 4 ½-length victory in the $25,000 John Dallas Memorial 3/8th Stakes at Wheeling Island. Three months later, the Clear The Way Kennel distance dandy was even more dominant as he captured the $10,000 Mountaineer Marathon Stakes in late August by a whopping 10 lengths. In the history of Wheeling Island racing, five greyhounds previously won two stakes races in the same year but Ted Cruz is the first to accomplish the feat over two different distances. The other two-time stake winners – Greys Beaver (1992), Greys Royalcrown (2004), Iruska Crème Pie (2005), Braska Omni (2008) and Hi Noon Hero (2009) – all won their stakes races in 5/16th. Ted Cruz broke on top early in the Mountaineer Marathon Stakes, opening up 5 lengths before putting it on cruise control. Previous Next

< Back Wheeling Hot Dogs ( as of June 14, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted ) Stan Pawloski Jun 16, 2026 Steve Sarras Kennel’s Takeachanceonme has won six out of his last seven races (A, AA) for trainer Amy McLaughlin. Xtrem Hess Racing Kennel’s JSP Adios Al has four victories and two seconds in his last six starts (A, AA) for trainer Jill Spicer. Code Red Kennel’s FF Diplomat has two wins and four seconds in his last six Grade AA trips for trainer Tom Engle. Lester Raines Kennel’s JS Hellonwheels has won three out of his last four trips (A, AA) for trainer Joel Roden. Charter Kennel’s FGF Stella has captured three out of her last four 3/16 outings (TA, TAA) for trainer James Campbell. Patriot/Taplin Kennel’s Forest’s Goal has back-to-back Grade TAA 3/16 victories for trainer Cheyney Kuriata. Blanchard Kennel’s Arkwild B Pawpaw has won three out of her last four races (B, A, AA) for trainer Chris Maynard. Kennel-mate Loyal Logan has three straight wins (M, D, C). Jacobs Racing Kennel’s DD’s Acey Duecy has captured three out of his last four starts (C, B, A) for trainer Natalie Looper. Kennel-mate NS Space Hippie has three straight victories (M, D, C). Previous Next

< Back NGA FALL MEET SCHOOLING RESULTS - MONDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2021 Oct 4, 2021 NGA Fall Meet Schooling Results—Monday, October 4, 2021 41 races scheduled: Drag after every listed 10. No watering Conditions: Sunny, cool – 55º – Track: Fast (SCR = Scratched - HS - Hand Slip) SHANNON HENRY – (Race 1) 30.49, 30.71, 30.48, 31.19, 30.35 , 30.48, 30.93, 30.57, 30.75, 30.73, 30.83, 30.89, 30.96, 30.73, 30.96, 31.14, 31.33, 31.34, 31.34, 31.41, 31.05, 31.10, 31.41, 31.50, 31.17, SCR DAVID STRONG - (Race 2) 30.50, 30.53, 30.50, 31.09, 30.62, 31.08, 30.51, 30.35 , 30.89, 30.89, SCR, SCR HARVEY RANDLE – (Race 3) 30.85, 31.48, SCR Previous Next

< Back NGA SPRING MEET SCHOOLING RESULTS - SUNDAY, APRIL 11, 2021 Jim Gartland Apr 11, 2021 56 races scheduled: Dragged after every listed 10, no watering. Conditions: Sunny & mild Low - 40º, High - 60º Track: Fast (HS = Hand School-untimed; SCR = Scratched) Nominator ran every 4th race (Ex: Races 1, 5, 9, 13, 17, etc.); Nominator’s first race listed following name. SHANNON HENRY – (Race 1) HS, 30.59, 31.39, 30.67, 30.68, 30.89, 31.47, 31.33, 31.14, 31.16, 31.26, 31.79, 31.96, 32.07 SEASTROM KENNELS - (Race 2) 30.10 , 30.89, 31.00, 31.02, 31.09, 30.54, 31.14, 31.58, 30.98, 32.02, HS JAY RANGEL - (Race 3) 30.77, 31.09, 30.43, 31.61, 31.40, 31.11, 31.53, 31.81, 31.54, 32.11, 31.53, 31.78, 31.64, 31.65, 31.57, 31.52, SCR, SCR MIKE STRICKLAND – (Race 4) 30.25, 30.25, 30.83, 30.73, 31.03, 30.49 DAVID STRONG - (Race 28) HS, HS, HS, 30.74, 30.82, 31.22, 31.44 Previous Next

< 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

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< 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