Search Results

< Back LEAP DAY ALL-DISTANCE CARD Feb 28, 2020 What a great Saturday evening we have for you for LEAP year. It happens once every four years, so we though we would add 4 other stakes distances to the mix and get an ALL Distance card for everyone to wager on. You get to see stakes events over 330, 550, 660, 770, and 990 yards, and that includes 2 semi-final-round of the 2020 bestbet Sprint Classic. If that was not enough, we will be running our Leap Year Loot promotion where we will be giving away loads of cash! Let’s take a closer look at the races and see if we can get you cashing some tickets this Saturday at bestbet Jacksonville. Leap Day All Distance Evening – Saturday February 29, 2020 Race 2 – (330 Yards) – Super sprint coming your way and there is no better early speeder than JS Range Rover. This greyhound can get to the front on any field and this one is NOT chalked full of grade A’s. Expect him to be pressed, but on the lead, he wins. Prompting the pace will be the other inside ankle burners. Mi Bronc Buster is a promising pup that is not just fast, but he has his beloved rail too. Jay Abu is more rusher than breaker, so see the instant lead won’t happen, but he still should be in the mix. And don’t forget about Misterbythatmuch. Another strong early threat that is well posted and could upset. (3-1-4-2) Race 4 – (990 Yards) – From the shortest course to the longest, the super-marathon runners make their way into the card once again. You never pick against the Lashmet Kennel in this race as they have won the last 2 times, we have run it. They always seem to dominate and LK’s Dimingus gets the nod tonight. RS Libbys Pick has the class edge on everyone else and the rail which makes her dangerous. Like the rest though, just don’t know if she can go this far. WW Aces Of Aces is a good steady runner with good class lines that might be able to contend over the route, and Watch Me Grin might not look that good on paper, but the gears he has late might just come in handy over the added, added distance event. If you are looking for a longshot, pick the Cheshire cat from the middle post. (6-1-7-5) Race 5 – (550 Yards) – Semi-Finals 2020 bestbet Sprint Classic – Talk about your tough races. This one is loaded to the brim with tip top talent and it is going to be highly contested from the get-go. Obviously Pat C News will bomb to the lead and control this race to the stretch but getting home a winner could be a tricky proposition in this race. WHY? The fast as I want to be runner, WW Blazing Crest is right next door and can outbreak, or, run down, News if his head is on right. Recently he has been MONEY, and tonight I the trend continues from a better post. Double winners Penrose Boss and LK’s Effingham are no slouch themselves as both get good post position and can threaten a pace from close or far. (4-5-2-7) Race 7 – (660 Yards) – I see this race looking like the last one over this distance, the finals of the 2020 Orange Park Derby. WP’s Twistedlady is back from a couple of efforts over 550 for the stakes and now gets back at home over 660 yards. She loves the outside, she won the stakes from the 8 box, and I expect her break to return. She will be pressed early by Arby from the rail. This solid grade A early speeder will be on or near the lead in the early stages of this race, but late he just won’t be able to hang with the champ. Fellow finalist Fakeit To Makeit always gives her all in each and every start. A solid chaser, she should factor in the money throughout in this effort, and don’t forget WW Frankie D. You might not know his name, but you need to pay attention. He is a solid grade A that can close well over the round and finally gets out of the 5 box. If he gets loose, he could be upset minded tonight. (5-1-6-7) Race 9 – (770 Yards) – Another wide-open race and only a couple of greyhound have run this far in this field. Class over the rest, so you have to like the grade A’s on the outside of the racetrack. LK’s I Got This looks the part. A solid grade A winner that is not short over the 660 yards course and can dominate up front when she gets loose early. The 8 box with no speed around early, helps her get it done. Pat C Woozy is hot off a win and can flat out fly late when he is not impeded early on. Don’t expect to see her early, but late you know that she will make her presence known. Dutch Bally might lack class, but has the raw late speed needed to be effective over this distance, and KW Cassadee Pope is a solid chasing plugger that has run 770 before and knows how to stay in the money. Look for another superfecta finish tonight. (8-7-3-6) Race 11 – (550 Yards) – Semi-Finals 2020 bestbet Sprint Classic – The other semi-final round race and this one is just as tough as the other. Easi Conroy has to be the one to beat here. He has won 3 straight races, and 5 of his last 6 starts, and took down super pup Pat C Lookie Last time out. He has the 1 box and I don’t see anything working against him. He will have to be on the top of his game, but an undefeated run through the rounds is within his reach. Speaking of Lookie, she is back in with Conroy again and gets a chance at revenge. This double winner in the stakes was a mere couple of lengths off of the track record in round number 1. Her blazing speed could be a difference maker, especially if she can outbreak Conroy from a great middle post. Others to consider include Lookie’s kennelmate Pat C Adieu and Super C Addison. Adieu looks to rebound after a rough trip last time out and Addison is never out of any race that she runs in. Both have the skills to score, might just need a little help to get it done in this effort against this talented field of greyhounds. (4-1-6-5) Previous Next

< Back Wheeling Hot Dogs ( as of August 24, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted ) Stan Pawloski Aug 24, 2020 Lester Raines Kennel’s CTW Cant Stop It has captured five out of his last six starts (D, C, B, A, AA) for trainer Joel Roden. Kennel-mate JS Wanna Bee has five straight wins (M, D, C, B, A). Jacobs Racing Kennel’s Time Killer has two victories and a third in her last three Grade AA trips for trainer Alisha Nichols. Kennel-mate Rebelicious has back-to-back Grade TAA 3/16 wins. Charter Kennel’s PJ Soul Survivor has two victories and three seconds in his last five outings (A, AA) for trainer Jay Falcone. Brad Boeckenstedt Kennel’s BGR Big Al has back-to-back Grade AA wins for trainer Chris Brill. Previous Next

< Back PASSIONATE TEAM EFFORT SAVES WV GREYHOUND RACING Stan Pawloski Feb 24, 2020 Greyhound racing in West Virginia came under attack again this year. A bill introduced by Senate President Mitch Carmichael, R-Jackson, in the current legislative session would have eliminated the Greyhound Breeding Development Fund on July 1. Passage of Senate Bill 285 would most likely deal “a death blow” to greyhound racing, according to West Virginia Kennel Owners Association President Steve Sarras. At risk were up to 1,700 jobs directly and indirectly related to greyhound racing in the state as well as a far-reaching negative economic impact locally and statewide. The greyhound industry, local lawmakers and countless communities inside and outside of racing joined hands in a team effort with a single goal in mind – save the sport. They persevered, never yielded and battled tooth and nail – eventually prevailing. Last week, Senate Bill 285 – directing roughly $17 million from the Greyhound Breeding Development Fund to the State Excess Lottery Fund – was rejected by a solid 23-11 margin. All 14 Democratic senators were joined by nine Senate Republicans to kill the bill. In 2017, both the Senate and House approved a similar bill before it was vetoed by Gov. Jim Justice. “This year sends a powerful message. The bill, sponsored by the Senate president (Carmichael), was defeated on the Senate floor with 67 percent of the vote and bipartisan support,” Sarras said. “I can’t say enough about the passion of our greyhound community, our lawmakers and the support we received from people in and out of the industry. We owe them all a debt of gratitude – they saved the greyhound industry.” Local senators leading the push for greyhound racing were Ryan Weld, R-Brooke, and Bill Ihlenfeld, D-Ohio, who both spoke on the Senate floor before the vote, and Mike Maroney, R-Marshall, a member of the Senate Finance Committee. Although the legislation never made it to the House, Sarras said Delegates Shawn Fluharty, D-Ohio, and Erikka Storch, R-Ohio, were “very involved and engaged. “All of our lawmakers were champions and did a fantastic job of finding out all the facts about greyhound racing and educating other lawmakers to the truth,” Sarras said. “Some had no idea how greyhound racing impacts other businesses, benefits all 55 counties in the state and is not a state subsidy.” It was no secret the greyhound industry would be targeted this year in West Virginia by the out-of-state, anti-racing group Grey2K. The latter had a hand in the approval of Amendment 13 in Florida which ends greyhound racing in that state in December 2020. Late last year, Grey2K Executive Director Carey Theil confirmed in a Charleston Gazette-Mail story he had a dialogue with Carmichael and indicated West Virginia “will be, speaking for us, an unprecedented lobbying campaign in terms of investment in every sense. In terms of substantial financial investment, time and focus.” For years, the Massachusetts-based Grey2K organization has used questionable tactics and spread misinformation concerning the greyhound industry to deceive the public. They tried it this year in West Virginia, but their sales pitch failed miserably. Grey2K depicted greyhound racing as a dying industry (their poll claimed most West Virginians want it eliminated), an inhumane sport and supported by state tax dollars. “A paid poll by an out-of-state special interest group (Grey2K) asked pointed questions to illicit pointed responses. It was discredited when 67 percent of the Senate voted to keep greyhound racing,” Sarras noted. “Their claims of cruel and inhumane treatment of greyhounds was discredited too. We had first-hand accounts from Sen. Ryan Weld and Sen. Bill Ihlenfeld who both visited the kennels and were impressed with how the greyhounds are treated.” On the Senate floor before the vote, Weld disputed a claim by Carmichael that one greyhound dies at the two racetracks in West Virginia every 10 days. West Virginia Racing Commission public record over the last five years didn’t support those claims. Sarris said the opposition’s numbers focused on more than a decade old kennel cough and influenza epidemic that lead to numerous deaths in not only the greyhound population but the entire canine population. Weld took exception to another claim by Carmichael and Grey2K that greyhound racing is “an industry in decline.” Over the past 10 years, the handle on greyhound racing increased 34 percent, from $92 million in 2010 to $124 million in 2019, Weld said. During the same period, the handle for horse racing decreased 15 percent. “To say this is an industry in decline, that’s simply a misnomer,” Weld said. After the Florida tracks close their doors at the end of 2020 and Arkansas in December 2022, only a handful of states will still offer greyhound racing nationwide. Ihlenfeld, speaking to his fellow senators, feels this is the time for West Virginia to build the business. “There aren’t many industries in our state that we control. We’re getting close to being the only game in town when it comes to this industry,” Ihlenfeld said. “Instead of kicking this to the curb, we ought to embrace it. We ought to modernize it. We ought to make it even better and allow even more people to send money to West Virginia.” Ihlenfeld is right, there will be a greyhound racing market out there and West Virginia has an opportunity to capture it. Grey2K’s claim the greyhound industry is supported by state tax dollars was discredited in the Senate Finance Committee meeting. Richie Heath, a lobbyist for Grey2K, finally admitted the racing industry is not funded by a state subsidy after being grilled by Ihlenfeld and Maroney. The money in the Greyhound Breeding Development Fund comes directly from a percentage of wagers placed at the racinos – not a state subsidy, Sarras said. People who never go to the casino do not put up one dime for the fund. The potential loss of hundreds and hundreds of jobs in the greyhound industry caught the attention of lawmakers. Sen. Randy Smith, R-Tucker, who acknowledged he does not support legalized gambling, said the Senate Bill 285 was a job-killer. “As a state, we are always willing to take a job away from someone else, to take jobs away from someone else’s area. All we have to do is look at Southern West Virginia to see how that’s worked,” Smith said. “I voted to end greyhound racing twice … in good conscience, I can’t vote today to do away with these people’s jobs.” Wheeling City Manager Robert Herron, voicing support for greyhound racing before the Senate Finance Committee, said approval of the bill would be “catastrophic” to the city. “The (Wheeling Island casino) itself is a large employer for the city of Wheeling, one of the largest employers and one of our largest taxpayers,” Herron said. “The short term would obviously be an impact on the city’s budget for revenue directly from dog racing.” Sarras, who relocated to West Virginia years ago from Massachusetts after receiving a kennel booking at Wheeling Island, feels for the racing workers. “I see people in tears because they don’t know from year to year if they are going to have a job. That isn’t right. These workers pay taxes and raise families here in the state,” Sarras said. “They are tough individuals and take pride in being a West Virginian. They are not going to be bullied.” Wheeling Island President and General Manager Kim Florence said day-to-day operations at the facility will continue as they have since greyhound racing was launched 1976. “We’re going to continue to run live racing with the highest standards of performance and safety of our greyhounds,” Florence said. “We’ve been doing that for 40 plus years now, and we’re going to continue to do so.” Previous Next

For the past 60 years, exceptional greyhounds from each US track have been nominated for the NGA's All American Teams. Originally the award was determined by the AGTOA but later the NGA Board of Director takes into account win totals, stakes wins and competition to determine that year's best of the best. All American Teams For the past 60 years, exceptional greyhounds from each US track have been nominated for the NGA's All American Teams. Originally the award was determined by the AGTOA but later the NGA Board of Director takes into account win totals, stakes wins and competition to determine that year's best of the best. 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 Salud Raindrop - Captain Bella Infrared Mega Whitney Jeff Blair/Mike Montoya Pedigree LK's Crush N It LK's Now R Never LK's All In Jon and Jill Lashmet Pedigree JS Flamin Ace Superior Panama CH Sweet Honey Garth Bolton/Lester Raines Pedigree MRL Full Boat CTW Pipe Down MEL Goin Bye Bye Lee Harrington Pedigree LR Iowa Choice Top Of The Pile Springisintheair Mary Robinette/Karen Legg Pedigree Revin Devon U Too Pure Silk Fire And Heat David Ungs/Billy Gallbreath Pedigree Sarkazum Shonn Jennah William O'Donnell Pedigree Flying Givenchy Barcelona Boss Flying Blush Vince Berland Pedigree 2 JS Flamin Ace - Captain Superior Panama CH Sweet Honey Lester Raines/Garth Bolton Pedigree Chillaxification Shonn Wreckuhlect Northshore of Lynn Kennel Pedigree Air Ace Need My MoneyNow Fly Miley Cyrus Michael Montoya Pedigree World Ruler Need My MoneyNow Fly Miley Cyrus Tom Ferris/Paul Bitterman Pedigree Flying Zulu Barcelona Boss Classy Senza Vince Berland Pedigree LK's Santorini LK's Vespar LK's Chardonnay Jill Lashmet Pedigree FGF Mathias SH Avatar FGF Jamboree Kevin Fulton Pedigree CG's Pennyshoe Jax Oxford CG's Marla Janice Abrahamson Pedigree Jiminy Reno - Captain Alivefortomorrow Oceania James Morgan/Kathleen Hastings Pedigree Pat C Rare Deal Rico's Vintage Pat C April Oak Pat Collins Pedigree RT's Bo Jangles Kiowa Mon Manny Penrose Karrie Randy Toler Pedigree Tip Top Barcelona Boss Kiowa Starz Sage Just Win Enterprises Pedigree Superior Cannon kiowa sweet Trey Superior Chacha Alan Hill Pedigree Konomi SH Avatar Money Maid Robert Hardison Pedigree Duxbury Pat C Clement WW Lonesome Dove Steve Sarras Pedigree 3 CET Dirty Dan SH Avatar CET Dirty Dan Carl Tomblin Pedigree CET Dirty Dilly - Captain SH Avatar CET Dirty Nicki Carl Tomblin Pedigree FGF Davycrockett Trent Lee FGF Jamboree Kevin Fulton Pedigree Florentine Rob Gronkowski PJ Sour Diesel Steve Sarras Pedigree JS Nawty Redhead Show On The Road JS Runnin Havoc Shannon Henry Pedigree JS Pumpedupkicks Show On The Road JS E Z Liven Shannon Henry Pedigree RS Big D Oya Stan The Man RS Hard Drive Ronnie Stanley Pedigree Winchester Flying Hydrogen Arkans Jazzy Mike Montoya Pedigree 4 Barts Outofmyway KC And All Seadon Enchanted Lester Raines or Coleen Pace Pedigree Fire Blitzen Dragon Fire Cry Heather Sharon L Williams Pedigree Magnetic Drive Flying Westover Johara Anthony Napolitano Jr/Brindle Kennel Pedigree Janice Dean Rhythmless Audra Barley Anthony Napolitano Jr/Brindle Kennel Pedigree Real Good Feelin TMC Remedy Need A DAte Tina Williams Pedigree Flying WolfPack - Captain Flying Lone Wolf PJ Aces Up Vince Berland Pedigree Tip Top Barcelona Boss Kiowa Starz Sage Just Win Enterprises Pedigree RT's Bo Jangles Kiowa Mon Manny Penrose Karrie Randy Toler Pedigree 5 Very Berry Blend SH Avatar CET Dirty Dan Carl Tomblin Pedigree Very Berry Blend SH Avatar CET Dirty Dan Carl Tomblin Pedigree Very Berry Blend SH Avatar CET Dirty Dan Carl Tomblin Pedigree Very Berry Blend SH Avatar CET Dirty Dan Carl Tomblin Pedigree Very Berry Blend SH Avatar CET Dirty Dan Carl Tomblin Pedigree Very Berry Blend SH Avatar CET Dirty Dan Carl Tomblin Pedigree Very Berry Blend SH Avatar CET Dirty Dan Carl Tomblin Pedigree Very Berry Blend SH Avatar CET Dirty Dan Carl Tomblin Pedigree 77 More All Americans 2010 - 2016 1990-2009 1963-1989

< Back NGA SPRING MEET SCHOOLING RESULTS - MONDAY, APRIL 12, 2021 Jim Gartland Apr 12, 2021 42 races scheduled: Drag after every listed 10. No watering Conditions: Overcast, cool – 45º – Track: Fast (SCR = Scratched) Nominator ran every 4th race (i.e.: Races 1, 5, 9, 13, 17, etc.); Number following name indicates nominator’s first race. DAVID HAYS – (Race 1) 30.99, 31.12, 31.21, 31.32, 31.49, 30.83, 31.30, 31.75, SCR KENNETH BIEHLE - (Race 2) 31.58, 31.92, 31.57, 31.12, 31.26, 31.81, 31.52, 31.61, 31.35, 31.75, 31.32, 31.94, 31.63 JEFF COLE - (Race 3) 30.17 , 30.59, 30.40, 30.74, 30.97, 30.83 CRAIGIE, INC - (Race 4) 30.71, 30.89, 30.73, 31.12 MONTE JACOBS – (Race 20) 31.41, 31.35, 32.12 STEVEN WARD – (Race 27) 31.21, 31.29, 31.39 HARVEY RANDLE - (Race 36) 32.57, 32.83, 31.89, 32.17 Previous Next

< Back Wheeling Hot Dogs ( as of June 12, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted ) Stan Pawloski Jun 12, 2023 Lester Raines Kennel’s JS Xtra Fancy has won three out of her last four Grade TAA 3/8 races for trainer Joel Roden. Kennel-mates LK’s Simone has two wins and two seconds in her last four Grade AA races while JS Bud Lite Nite (AA), SNL Karma (AA) and JS Mr. Big Shot (TB, TAA 3/8) have back-to-back victories. Charter Kennel’s JSP Rayzendacash has captured three out of his last four Grade AA starts for trainer James Campbell. Blanchard Kennel’s BNC R Rooney has won three out of his last four outings (A, AA) for trainer Chris Maynard. Jacobs Racing Kennel’s Marlyn Mason has captured three out of her last four trips (A, AA) for trainer Natalie Looper. Code Red Kennel’s Arroyo Ruger (TA, TAA 3/16) and Ana Azalea (B, A) have back-to-back wins for trainer Tom Engle. Steve Sarras Kennel’s LK’s Chipper (A, AA) and Midnite Bandit (B, A) have two straight victories for trainer Mike Holguin. A Ray Kennel’s Doingitmyway has back-to-back 3/16 wins (B, TA) for trainer Joe Palmer. Previous Next

< Back FULTON FUTURE STAR HAD A "NOSE" UP IN FUTURITY Shane Bolender Sep 8, 2020 He was the best young star during qualifying, nearly regardless of what metric you were using. Owner Kevin Fulton had a dual brother combination of young stars out of SH AVATAR that came into the 2020 Great American Greyhound Futurity with little history to go off of. FGF MATHIAS sure looked the part though. He was wasting little time climbing the grade ladder at Southland, earning a four race win streak a week or so before qualifying began and reached grade “B”. Once qualifying began, the “new puppy dust” started to wear off quickly and he was establishing himself to be one of the likely favorites to win it all. The first three rounds netted two wins and a second by a solo length behind youngster CTW BLACK FOREST who was one of the hottest greyhounds in those opening qualifying rounds. Those 40 points were easily enough to coast into the second set of three qualifying rounds. However, just like life itself, nobody really cares about what you did yesterday. What are you going to do now? The 76 pound brindle male responded in similar fashion. He won two of the next three rounds as well, finishing second this time to eventual fellow finalist AMOS DECKER, despite running into trouble early. Mathias nearly went last to first in such a style that you wondered just how fast and good is this young budding star?? His “little” brother (he is 3 pounds lighter), FGF BRANCH didn’t quite seem to have the talent his bigger brother did. In fact, the first three rounds were a bit shaky as he only earned 15 points with two third place finishes and a seventh. He survived the cut to the field and enjoyed the reset of the points to zero where he made the most of the second opportunity. We went undefeated in the final three rounds, being the only greyhound in the field to do so. Well, he hadn’t faced his brother in any of those three races, but he did beat fellow finalists SNL VIPER and AMOS DECKER. Plus he got a bonus in drawing the one box for the championship too. ELIZA FRASER (Gloria Dorsey Kennel) could be best summed up by saying she got stronger each and every race in qualifying. She was one of two females to make the championship field, but quickly dismissed any doubters about her skillset when she waxed a semi-finals field by just over seven lengths. The inside runner also drew a nice blue blanket for her run to the championship race, which would be her third straight start from the inside. The previous two attempts resulted in that big victory and a close second place effort. JS PRETTY FLY (Lester Raines Kennel) was one of two entries in the championship by trainer Monte Hoopes. Her racing style was a bit different from most in the field in the fact that she relied on a good break and even better rush to the first turn to do her damage. She never finished worse than 3rd in any of the six qualifying rounds and although she claimed two wins in those six starts, she had the lead in four of those six. SNL VIPER was the other Monte Hoopes trained entry in the championship and the 69 pound brindle male was boxed just to the outside of his kennelmate. And just like his kennelmate, this SH AVATAR sired youngster relied on his early speed as well. The more concerning part was that although he had the lead in five of his six qualifying rounds, he only held on for one win, which was in the opening round. AMOS DECKER was the second entry for trainer Natalie Looper who had the second most experience in the field with 23 starts (only kennelmate Eliza Fraser had more with 33). Unlike his kennelmate, he had the polar opposite of running styles. While Eliza Fraser liked the inside, Amos Decker loved the outside part of the track. Where Eliza relied on early speed for success, Amos more than not came off the pace. They both got their one win when it mattered the most though (last qualifying round) and all you need to do is have a seat at the table in stakes championships to have a shot. AB HUCK (Charter Kennel) was the third entry into the championship for trainer Stephen Ulrich. This 73 pound red male was probably the least talked about of the three entries thanks to the overwhelming success Branch and Mathias were having during qualifying. Although he won two of his six rounds, it was that last place finish in round 5 that almost sealed his fate out of the championship race. He had to win a tiebreaker against two other greyhounds, and the sole saving grace for him was a second place finish in the fourth round. This midtrack runner also drew on some more luck by drawing a six post for the championship race. SALUD BLACKJACK (Northshore Kennel) seemed destined for the championship race. In the opening round, he fell and finished last. The second round wasn’t much better when he finished fifth. His third place effort in round three earned him a total of 10 qualifying points after three rounds. He just missed not moving on at all. Fourth round action ended up with a seventh place finish, putting this 76 pounder in serious threat of not even making the consolation race. Then a fire struck inside him as he ran a very impressive 2nd to FGF Mathias in round five and then he obliterated a field by 6 ½ lengths that contained the likes of KB’S ROCKYBALBOA and CTW BLACK FOREST. This wide runner also drew the far outside post 8 for the championship. He was as hot as any coming into the finale. And what a finale it would be. When the box opened for the 2020 Great American Greyhound Futurity, nearly all the early speed came flying out of the box that you would expect. JS Pretty Fly, SNL Viper and FGF Branch had a three way duel going into the first turn with Salud Blackjack having all the room he wanted to rush up on the outside. Viper hugged the rail smartly to take control of the race through that first turn as well did Eliza Fraser. Blackjack had an incredibly clean trip around the turn and was closing on the leaders fast. FGF Branch got stepped on some from behind which broke his stride and ended his championship hopes. One greyhound everyone was looking for in the backstretch though was Mathias. And they found him, laying fifth but easily still within striking distance with half the race to go. And he needed 49.99% of it too. By the time the far turn came up, Blackjack had finally worn down Viper and Eliza Fraser couldn’t match his speed either. The one greyhound that could match that late kick was coming fast and quickly and that was Mathias. It would come down to those two in an epic stretch run. Blackjack swung toward the middle of track coming to the finish line, which had Mathias been a rail runner, could have resulted in an easier victory or path. Mathias swung a bit further outside in the stretch run which made the victory even tougher to come by considering the valuable ground he gave up in order to go to that part of the track. In one late last burst, Mathias pulled nearly even with Blackjack when the bright photo finish lights came up. It took a little while to know the results. The photo finish says it all. One greyhound is in extended gait crossing the finish line. The other, in contraction. The difference in a hundredth of a second and those two positions in their running strides resulted in a “win by a head” and a championship by FGF Mathias. If the race was just a hair longer than 583 yards, maybe a photo wouldn’t have even been needed. But then again, for us racing fans, we would have been stripped of this great finish if it would have happened any other way. FGF Mathias not only earned a championship, but showed the heart of a champion in the process. If this turns out to the be the last Great American Greyhound Futurity run, what a heck of a way to go out. Congratulations to all the connections for FGF Mathias, including the entire Fulton family, trainer Stephen Ulrich and kennel owner Rodney Cooley. HISTORICAL WINNERS – GREAT AMERICAN GREYHOUND FUTURITY · 1994 – DESIGN TIME (Bob Bradshaw) · 1995 – BEE LITE (Ron Beckner) · 1996 – BOMB THREAT (Bernie Colette) · 1997 – STAT US SKIPPER (J. Taylor & R. Sifferman) · 1998 – WW TIME WARP (Wayne Ward) · 1999 – HOTSHOT SALESMAN (Charles & Judith Moore) · 2000 – HAPPY VOYAGE (C. Don Godby) · 2001 – TOM S GREEN MILE (Tom Sugihara) · 2002 – WHIP LASH WINK (Jason Haynes & John Henry) · 2003 – SYSTEM MC ASICS (Jimmy King) · 2004 – ATASCOCITA LEROY (Atascocita Racing) · 2005 – ATASCOCIATE SMOKE (Atascocita Racing) · 2006 – FLYING BRITT (Flying Eagles Kennel) · 2007 – USS SAN JUAN (Ron Wiltse) · 2008 – FLYING TANADAK (Vince Berland) · 2011 – TIGER UP A TREE (Vince Berland)* · 2016 – ATASCOCITA SIG (George Ulmer)** · 2017 – KONOMI (Robert Hardison)** · 2018 – FIESTA MOUNTAIN (Jeff Blair) *** · 2019 – SALUD APOLLO (Jeff Blair & Michael Montoya)*** · 2020 – FGF MATHIAS (Kevin Fulton) *** 1994-2008 races run at The Woodlands * run at Victoryland ** run at Wheeling Island *** run at Southland August 29, 2020 – Evening (Great American Greyhound Futurity Championship) · Race: 3 Grade: SAA Distance: 583 Condition: F Fgf Mathias 7 7 5 4 1-ns 31.99 .80 SAA G.A.G.F. Champion Salud Blackjack 8 6 2 1-1 2-ns 32.00 7.30 SC Outdueled Late Wd Eliza Fraser 2 3 3 3 3-6 32.42 7.20 SAA Bmpd Str Turn Ins Fgf Branch 1 2 6 6 4-6.5 32.46 3.10 SAA Bmpd 1st Turn Mt Ab Huck 6 8 4 5 5-7 32.49 36.80 SAA Blckd Str Turn Ins SNL Viper 4 4 1-1.5 2 6-7.5 32.53 12.30 SA Bmpd Str Turn Rl Amos Decker 5 5 8 8 7-8.5 32.60 36.50 SA Bmpd 1st Turn Wd Js Pretty Fly 3 1 7 7 8-13 32.90 7.10 SAA Bmpd 1st Turn In s Previous Next

< Back DERBY LANE WELCOMES BACK FANS May 20, 2020 ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Derby Lane welcomed back patrons on Wednesday. After losing 49 performances to the coronavirus pandemic, the greyhound track resumed racing May 8 with no fans allowed on the premises. That changed Wednesday, when patrons were allowed back and the poker room was reopened. The card room will be open seven days a week from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. with 50 percent capacity. Twenty-six of its 52 tables are available with a limit of six players per table. Derby Lane also is opening its fourth-floor simulcast area. The track has made several changes to ensure safety for its employees and patrons, including plexiglass dividers, social distancing markings, regular cleaning and disinfectant practices. Derby Lane, which currently holds matinees daily at 12:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, is adding a Saturday evening performance at 7:30 p.m., beginning May 30. All performances feature 15 races. Lester Raines entered Wednesday as the win leader in the 14-kennel standings with 145 victories, 16 ahead of both ABC Racing and Capabal. Shoot The Breeze of Floyd kennel has the meet’s most victories among greyhound runners with 13. Previous Next

< Back Pumbaa, Rayzendacash share Top Greyhound honors Stan Pawloski Jan 26, 2024 For the first time in 10 years, two sprinters share Top Greyhound honors at Wheeling Island. Blanchard Kennel’s Artex Pumbaa and Charter Kennel’s JSP Rayzendacash both notched 22 victories in 2023 to stand atop the track win leader board. The battle for the top spot last year came down to the final week of racing with four greyhounds in the picture. The 2022 track win champ Florentine (Steve Sarras Kennel) and Tenacity (Blanchard Kennel) finished just one victory behind with 21 wins each. Both Artex Pumbaa and JSP Rayzendacash are powerhouses and two of the fastest sprinters at the track. On the lead coming home last year, neither greyhound got picked off in the stretch – each only extended their winning margins. James Blanchard called his star, Artex Pumbaa, multidimensional with a ton of desire. “(Artex) Pumbaa can break on top, or he can come from behind. He’s so consistent and tries hard every race … a lot of heart,” Blanchard said. “I’m proud of him. It’s quite an accomplishment to be a track win champion.” Artex Pumbaa missed the first two months of the 2023 racing season with a hip injury he sustained in late September 2022. He came back with a bang in March by winning five out of six Grade AA races and at the end of June had 10 victories. During the five-month period from July through November, Artex Pumbaa only posted 6 wins but continued to pound the pay sheet. In addition to his six wins, he had 5 seconds, 5 thirds and 5 fourths in 27 races. December was a different story as Artex Pumbaa got on a roll, winning six straight Grade AA races to climb to the top of the win leader board. In January 2024, he extended his streak to nine in a row. “When it gets cold out and the track slows down, it’s Pumbaa’s type of racetrack,” Blanchard said. “He holds the turns better and doesn’t give up as many lengths early like he does to the big speed greyhounds on a fast track in summer.” A majority of Artex Pumbaa’s 22 victories last year were come-from-behind efforts. In eight of his wins, he was in the lead around the first turn. Artex Pumbaa had several multiple-length victories in 2023 – 6 ½ lengths (three times), 6 lengths (twice), 5 ½ lengths, 5 lengths and 4 ½ lengths (three times). His fastest time was 29.47. A May 2020 greyhound out of Flying Hydrogen-Arkans Cancer, Artex Pumbaa had 22 wins, 8 seconds, 6 thirds and 6 fourths in 51 starts last year – an 82 percent mark on the superfecta ticket and 71 percent trifecta finish. He is owned by Rachelle Henry and Joe Frey. Charter Kennel trainer James Campbell had high hopes for JSP Rayzendacash when he came to Wheeling last year. In 2022, Rayzendacash raced at Southland Greyhound Park where he had 7 wins, 5 seconds, 2 thirds and 1 fourth in 22 starts. “As a trainer, you never anticipate having a win leader but it’s nice when it comes to fruition. It’s quite an achievement and honor for Rayzen,” Campbell said. “I knew he was one of the better greyhounds in the litter since he opened his career at Southland while (JSP) Game Changer and Feelthesting broke in at Wheeling.” JSP Rayzendacash got off to a slow start last year at Wheeling Island. Through mid-April, the sprinter only had 3 wins on his resume. It may have taken time to get adjusted to a different track, but JSP Rayzendacash caught fire the next three months. In 17 starts, the sprinter had 12 wins, 2 third and 2 fourths to jump into the mix at the top of the win standings. “Rayzen is getting a little older, but I think there’s still some untapped talent,” Campbell said. “Right now, I’d match race him with any greyhound at the track.” In all but three of JSP Rayzendacash’s 22 victories, the sprinter rushed to the lead by the first turn. He closed from second in the stretch in his other three wins. JSP Rayzendacash was dominating in a dozen of his races, winning by 11 ½ lengths, 11 lengths, 10 lengths, 9 lengths, 8 ½ lengths, 7 ½ lengths (twice), 7 lengths (twice), 6 ½ lengths (twice) and 6 lengths. His fastest time was 29.16. An August 2020 greyhound out of Superior Panama-Gonz Mani, JSP Rayzendacash had 22 wins, 4 seconds, 9 thirds and 5 fourths in 55 races last year – a 73 percent mark on the superfecta ticket and 64 percent trifecta finish. He is owned by Shannon Henry and Paul Bitterman. While Artex Pumbaa and JSP Rayzendacash topped the leader board with 22 victories each, 15 other greyhounds won at least 14 races in 2023 at Wheeling Island. The 2022 Wheeling Island win leaderboard and kennel follows: 22 – Artex Pumbaa (Blanchard), JSP Rayzendacash (Charter) 21 – Tenacity (Blanchard), Florentine (Steve Sarras) 18 – Arkans TMC Athos (Blanchard), FGF Duke (Charter) 17 – Easi Utley (Blanchard), JSP Money Maker (Charter) 16 – JSP Hush Money (Charter), JS Xtra Fancy (Lester Raines), Barts Aviator (Charter), SNL Karma (Lester Raines) 15 – WW Got Rhythm (Wayne Ward), Xtrem Bogonia (Xtrem Hess Racing) 14 – O Ya Paws (Code Red), SE Tap House (Patriot/Taplin), JSP Feelthesting (Charter). Other co-track win leaders at Wheeling Island were Flying Lone Wolf and Go Bon Coaltrain, 20 wins each in 2013; Bonafide Speed, KB’s Ruckus and WP’s Cameo, 23 victories apiece in 2010; and Gable Pimento and Makin Bakin, 30 wins each in 2007; Casual Casey and Ben G Desire, 31 apiece in 1994; and Diamond’s Rose and E.Z. Ike, 27 each in 1978. Previous Next

< Back Wheeling Hot Dogs ( as of October 18, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted ) Oct 18, 2021 Blanchard Kennel’s Frappe has four wins and three seconds in her last seven starts (AA, SAA) for trainer Sarah Blanchard. Kennel-mate Penrose Boss has two victories and two seconds in his last four outings (AA, SAA). Lester Raines Kennel’s Teaser’s Tickle has won five out of his last six trips (B, A, SAA) for trainer Joel Roden. Kennel-mate RS Big D has two wins, a second and a third in his last four Grade TAA 3/8 races. Charter Kennel’s Oshkosh Heart (AA) and Barts Big Shot (M, D, C) have captured three out of her last four starts for trainer James Campbell. Xtrem Hess Racing Kennel’s AD Black Falcon has won three out of his last four Grade TAA 3/8 outings for trainer Jill Spicer. Patriot/Taplin Kennel’s GF St Martin has three victories and a second in his last four races (B, A, AA) for trainer Joe Otto. Code Red Kennel’s Mr Einstein has back-to-back wins (B, A) for trainer Tom Engle. Previous Next

< Back Wheeling Hot Dogs ( as of June 26, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted ) Stan Pawloski Jun 26, 2023 Blanchard Kennel’s Arma Guiness has won four out of his last five Grade TAA 3/8 races for trainer Chris Maynard. Kennel-mate Easi Utley has three straight Grade AA wins. Charter Kennel’s JSP Rayzendacash has captured three out of his last four Grade AA trips for trainer James Campbell. Lester Raines Kennel’s Boat Names has three victories and a second in her last four outings (C, B, A, AA) for trainer Joel Roden. Kennel-mates JS Flamin Hottie has three wins in a row (M, C, B) while JS Top Kat has back-to-back 3/8 victories (TB, TAA). Xtrem Hess Racing Kennel’s Hell Bent has four straight wins (M, D, C, B) for trainer Jill Spicer. Jacobs Racing Kennel’s Slatex Wine has back-to-back victories (B, A) for trainer Natale Looper. Patriot/Taplin Kennel’s Fly Elly Hayden has two wins in a row (B, A) for trainer Cheyney Kuriata. Previous Next

< Back Tri State Kennel Wins for Grade AA/A 550 & TAA 677 : Feb 6-10 Patricia Saul Feb 13, 2024 Abrahamson Kennel (trainer Todd Johnson) seized three Grade AA wins from (2) Cg’s Nail Biter and Ja’s Dupont. Cg’s Moon Blast took the Grade A win. JS Kennels (trainer Garret Gruden) had two Grade AA win with Kohagiya and Jsp Burninmoney. Three racers who had Grade A wins were Mac’s Pippin, Gls Daisy Dot and Bartsjoyofmylife. Heather Lomax Kennel (trainer Betty Lomax) took two Grade AA wins for Dastardly Deeds and Hl’s Brian. Blanchard Kennel (trainer Scott Scharff) captured one Grade AA win with Tmc’s Wildeclair and one Grade A win from Arma Shamrock. Superior Kennel (trainer Jadwiga Kups) had three wins: Grade AA/Oya Thunderstorm, Grade A/Oya Hairy Potter and Grade TAA/Oya Phil T Rich. Lester Raines Kennel (trainer Jim Cochran) grabbed three Grade A wins for Kk Pretty Girl, Js Kitty Canuit and Js Big Energy. Kennels capturing one Grade A win were Cet Kennel with Cet Negan and Double G Racing Kennel for Ab Smokin Aces. Daily handles: $ 412,380.69, $ 491,923.48, $ 622,130.99, $ 652,176.56, and $ 627,983.97. Previous Next