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< Back semi Finals of $35,000 WVRC Juvenile Sprint at Tristate P. Saul Mar 26, 2024 On Tuesday evening, March 26, the remaining top 16 greyhounds will race the oval in the semi finals of the $35,000 WVRC Juvenile Sprint at Tri State. After three rounds, Gls Baby Maggie remains undefeated. Post time is 6:00 PM EST with the semi finals in Race 6 and Race 8. Competing in Race 6 by kennel representation are: CET Kennels - CET Bishop, Cet Press, Cet Blair Heather Lomax Kennel - Arroyo Aaron JS Kennels - Gls Baby Maggie, Gls Youowemeone RS Racing LLC - Bronze Lass, Buckeye Bandit, Competing in Race 8 by kennel representation are: CET Kennels - Cet Blazin Blitz, Cet Shinin Shea, Cet Dirty Earl Double G Racing - Coach Grace Heather Lomax Kennel - Hlo’s Lilgeneral JS Kennels - Gls City Boss RS Racing LLC - Grease Lightning, Prison Wallet. The Juvenile Sprint Finale is scheduled for Saturday, May 30th. Previous Next

< Back SLEEK 16 - HOUND MADNESS Shane Bolender Mar 19, 2021 After two rounds and 48 greyhounds eliminated, the “Hound Madness” Stakes whittled down to 16 greyhounds remaining after action on Thursday at Southland Casino & Racing. The West Region still has #1 seed AIR ACE in the mix, after the black male advanced in the opening round by beating #16 seed WHAT COMES NEXT and then winning his match against #8 seed BUG BRUSH to set up a match with the Cinderella story of this part of the bracket, #13 seed RAFE UP THERIVER. “RAFE”, racing for Bussmann-Balakas, LLC and trained by Kelly Everett squeaked by in the opening round by defeating #4 seed ATASCOCITA KERNS and followed that up by beating #5 seed MONSTER BOX to set up the show down on Monday with the region’s top seed. The other matchup in this region will be a “chalk” battle as #2 seed ARKANS PHERKAD (Darren Henry Kennel) rolled to victories over #15 seed GOOD WIN BOB in the opening round and then followed that up by beating #10 seed CTW OREO TRUFFLE. The #3 seed, PAT C RAM ROD coasted over #14 seed BGR SPOTTED COW and #11 seed OSHKOSH TOYE. Unless there is a major upset with the top seed on Monday, this side of the bracket is guaranteed to have no worse than a #1 vs. a #3 seed for a spot in the Furry Four. The Midwest Region has been the scene of upset carnage, with only the #1 seed, CRAIGIE DELAGATE looking like the best greyhound in the region after two rounds. The sixty-nine pound male trained by Monte Hoopes has won 7 of his last 8 races overall and cruised over #16 seeded AB ON THE ROCKS and #9 seed GONZ CANELO. He will face a dangerous #13 seed in AMF URUGUAY who dispatched #4 seed L’S BOZ in the opening round and #5 seed ARKANS ZINC in round 2. The bottom half of the Midwest region will be a battle of two middle seeds in #6 seed TMC’S SWEETCRAIG and #10 seed BOOTS RANDOLPH. The former took care of #11 seed KEY PLAYER in the opening round before pulling off a bit of an upset victory over #3 seed JS PRETTY FLY in round 2. BOOTS RANDOLPH’s opening round victory over #7 seed SUPERIOR PARKER didn’t raise many eyebrows, but the victory over #2 seed FGF MATHIAS in round 2 definitely perked some interest. The right side of the bracket containing the East and South Regions have been havens for “madness” with plenty of upsets. No #1 seeds remain in those regions, but both #2 seeds are hanging on strong. In the East, the biggest upset of the second round came here when #8 seed CTW CHIP N DALE (Robert Thorne, LLC) knocked off #1 seed and multiple stakes champion JS FLAMIN ACE to advance to the round of 16. He will face #5 seed ELIZA FRASER (Gloria Dorsey, LLC) who took care of business by knocking out #12 seed GONZ DANDELION in the opening round and #13 seed BARTS WILD GOOSE in round 2. The bottom half of that bracket will see #11 seed KB’S ROGUE (A Ray Kennel), who knocked out #6 seed HUMBLE YOURSELF in the opening round and got by #14 seed GO BON MAYHAM in round two get to go head to head against #2 seed JS KEEPHOPEALIVE (Lester Raines Kennel). Interesting note that in the first round, KB’S ROGUE actually won by a head over JS KEEPHOPEALIVE in the overall race of eight they were in together, but they were not bracketed against each other at the time. With just a four dog field for each of the four races in this upcoming round, this could prove key to a possible upset once again. The South Region will have at least one guaranteed Cinderella in the “GREYT 8” round as #9 seed KB’S MC QUEEN (Charter Kennel) will face off against #13 seed XM STRIDE N (T and T Kennel). Both these greyhounds were helped some along the way, with KB’S MC QUEEN getting to face #16 seed BYNGE DRINKIN after that greyhound pulled pff one of the greatest upsets in “Hound Madness” history when he knocked off #1 seed ARKANS RB TAZ in the opening round. XM STRIDE N got to face #12 seed WAGGING THE DOG when that greyhound pulled off an upset of #5 seed FLYING RAPIDFIRE in the opener. If XM STRIDE N advances on Monday, it will be the highest seed in the GREYT 8 round in the past six years. The other half of the South Region is more “normal” as two chalks set to battle it out. #2 seed ARKASKA KAREN (Darren Henry) breezed through #15 seed MR. MONEY BAGS and #10 seed IMARK BOOG in the first two rounds, while #3 seed ALADDIN (A Ray Kennel) took care of #14 seed KB’S AXELROD and #11 seed GUTHRUM to set up a good race between them next round. Catch all the action of this year’s “HOUND MADNESS” Stakes, with the “SLEEK 16” round this Monday. There will be four races of four greyhounds each with simple win and exacta wagering on each of those four races. The “GREYT 8” round will feature four match races on March 27 with the winners of those four races comprising the “FURRY FOUR” round on April 2. The “Hound Madness” head’s up match race for the championship will be contested on Friday, April 9th. Previous Next

< Back Wheeling Hot Dogs ( as of May 24, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted ) Stan Pawloski May 24, 2026 Steve Sarras Kennel’s Takeachanceonme has three straight victories (A, AA) for trainer Chuck DiGiovanni. Kennel-mate Neptune has two wins and three seconds in his last five outings (A, AA). Patriot/Taplin Kennel’s BL Community has back-to-back Grade AA victories for trainer Cheyney Kuriata. Kennel-mate JSP Paige Turner has two wins and a second in her last three trips (B, A). Blanchard Kennel’s Arkwild B Grinch has two straight Grade AA victories for trainer Chris Maynard. Xtrem Hess Racing Kennel’s JSP Adios Al has back-to-back wins (A, AA) for trainer Jill Spicer. Jacobs Racing Kennel’s DD’s Utter Chaos has two 3/16 victories in a row (TB, TAA) for trainer Natalie Looper. Previous Next

< Back AD BLACK FALCON WINS SECOND STRAIGHT $100,000 MOUNTAINEER CLASSIC QUALIFIER S Pawloski Oct 5, 2020 Xtrem Hess Racing Kennel’s AD Black Falcon is the lone greyhound undefeated after two rounds of the $100,000 Mountaineer Classic at Wheeling Island. The sprinter posted his second consecutive victory Friday afternoon in the second preliminary qualifying round. AD Black Falcon has accumulated 30 points heading into the Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 14, third round. Other greyhounds racing to victory in the second round were Gloves Off, Xtrem Hess Racing Kennel; Gonz Pina Kata, Xtrem Hess Racing Kennel; Fit The Battle, Jacobs Racing Kennel; AB Bad Influence, Jacobs Racing Kennel; Easi Lil Charlie, Blanchard Kennel; Atascocita Birma, Abrahamson Kennel; Me No Care, Steve Sarras Kennel; Craigie Pirate, Lester Raines Kennel; Saber Rylie, Imark Kennel; and CTW Tira Misu, Patriot/Taplin Kennel. Next in line behind AD Black Falcon in points are a handful of racers with 25 points each – Craigie Pirate, Easi Lil Charlie, Shes Kinky, Time Killer and WW West Wing. The original field of 88 greyhounds will be cut to 48 sprinters for Wednesday’s third round. Greyhounds with at least 10 points advanced. The field will tentatively be cut to 24 sprinters, but could be higher, for the semifinal round on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 18. The championship final will be held during the matinee card on Saturday, Oct. 24. Points accumulated after the second round: (the following greyhounds advance to the third round): AD Black Falcon (Xtrem Hess), 30 points Shes Kinky (Jacobs), 25 points Time Killer (Jacobs), 25 points Easi Lil Charlie (Blanchard), 25 points Craigie Pirate (Lester Raines), 25 points WW West Wing (Wayne Ward), 25 points L’s Luv It (Blanchard), 22 points Fit The Battle (Jacobs), 22 points TNT Free Falling (Patriot/Taplin), 22 points RS Perfectionist (Lester Raines), 22 points VJ Up Too Speed (Charter), 20 points Me No Care (Steve Sarras), 20 points Atascocita Birma (Abrahamson), 18 points Eau Claire (Charter), 18 points Gonz Pina Kata (Xtrem Hess), 17 points Saber Rylie (Imark), 17 points CTW Cant Stop It (Lester Raines), 17 points HK’s Jessiegirl (Blanchard), 17 points Jedi Tippsy Tail (Lester Raines), 17 points Penrose Boss (Blanchard), 17 points SJ Skynyrdnation (Lester Raines), 17 points VIP Yankee (Jacobs), 16 points CTW Tira Miru (Patriot/Taplin), 16 point Atascocita Berta (Abrahamson), 15 points AB Bad Influence (Jacobs), 15 points BGR Out Of Mind (Brad Boeckenstedt), 15 points Gloves Off (Xtrem Hess), 15 points Lee Logan (Lester Raines), 15 points JSK Crockett (Jacobs), 15 points Pat C Sidepocket (Rangel), 15 points TNT Twister City (Patriot/Taplin), 14 points JSK Roulette (Jacobs), 13 points Imark Solo (Imark), 13 points WW Livorno (Wayne Ward), 13 points WW Mumford (Wayne Ward), 13 points BGR Ready Or Not (Brad Boeckenstedt), 12 points JPRG Ranger (Steve Sarras), 12 points Barts Fire Away (Charter), 12 points PBW Gannicus (Blanchard), 12 points CG’s Penny Shoe (Abrahamson), 11 points BGR Deadpool (Brad Boeckenstedt), 10 points AMF Bystander (A Ray), 10 points Outlaw Bustamove (Lester Raines), 10 points CTW Givin It All (Abrahamson), 10 points WW Foca (Wayne Ward), 10 points BGR King Kong (Brad Boeckenstedt), 10 points Racine (Charter), 10 points BGR Big Al (Brad Boeckenstedt), 10 points (Note: Imark Stingray had 12 points after the second round but was scratched). The following greyhounds were eliminated from the stakes event: 9 points: Flying Alita (Patriot/Taplin) 8 points: JS Wanna Bee (Lester Raines), Keeper Draco (Xtrem Hess), Tkel Ritz (Blanchard), Pat C Dog Patch (Rangel), You Got Lucky (Blanchard) 7 points: Keeper Messier (Xtrem Hess), Imark Mash (Imark), Imark Sonja (Imark) 6 points: CBJ Sharpshooter (Patriot/Taplin) 5 points: KB’s Argon (Blanchard), Hashtag Attitude (Abrahamson), AMF Well Played (A Ray), Abbi’s Eagle (Jacobs), VJ Geturfreakon (Rangel) 4 points: BGR Bonecrusher (Brad Boeckenstedt), Imark Bushwacka (Imark), Keeper Cry (Xtrem Hess), PJ Soul Survivor (Charter), Thanatos (Steve Sarras), Wobble Baby (Steve Sarras) 3 points: AMF Weirdo (A Ray), Aussie Stitch (Rangel), CTW Til Then Tes (Steve Sarras), MPJ Wild Flower (Rangel), WW Slick Simon (Wayne Ward) 2 points: AMF Whisterical (A Ray), BGR Clark Kent (Brad Boeckenstedt), Keeper Go Quasar (Xtrem Hess), BRC Justic (Xtrem Hess), Saber Bennett (Imark) 1 point: AMF Well Played (A Ray), Aussie Mak (Rangel), Hashtag Yani (Abrahamson), Mr Ellie (Rangel) 0 points: JS Beach Patrol (Rangel), Ponda Waco Hound (Abrahamson), Tiny Hug (Steve Sarras) Saber Hannah (Imark), out Previous Next

< Back FALL MEET STILL ON TRACK Jim Gartland Sep 28, 2020 Despite a recent uptick in COVID-19 cases in the Abilene area, the NGA fall meet is scheduled to go on as planned with pre-meet schooling beginning this Sunday, October 4. Some 10 new cases of corona virus popped up in the Dickinson County area over the last two weeks forcing the closure of schools in Abilene and nearby Chapman as well as several area businesses. No new cases have been noted in the last few days, however, and no new mandates have been put in place by the City or County (a proposed mask mandate was tabled by the City Council last week). While no new guidelines have been issued, Abilene remains under some restrictions and we would encourage anyone planning on attending the meet to be prepared see "masks required" areas as well as the need to practice social distancing at certain indoor functions (Hall of Fame, etc.). On a lighter note, this meet will see the return of the Hall of Fame Golf Tournament. The tourney is scheduled for Tuesday, October 13 at 10:00 AM and will be held at the old Abilene Country Club. Entry fee for the tournament is $50 per person and includes 18 holes of golf, cart and lunch at the course. If you are interested in playing, please let someone in the NGA office know as soon as possible so that we can make the proper arrangements with the course. It has been a lot of years since we've had a golf tourney and we would like to make this a big success for what will likely be that last organized NGA tourney as well as to raise some funds for the Hall of Fame! First round racing action takes place on Monday, October 12 with the finals on Thursday. The fall Auction will be held at the Hall of Fame on Friday at 9:00 AM. There will be two nights of inductions at the Hall of Fame; Tuesday night we will have regular HOF inductions with Wayne Strong and Djays Octane receiving the honors. Thursday night will be the presentation of the All American, Rural Rube and Flashy Sir awards which were held over from the spring meet. Looking forward to seeing you all! Previous Next

< Back NO MORE SHOOT('IN) THE BREEZE Sep 28, 2020 “I miss him.’’ Randy Floyd couldn’t hide his feelings about Shoot The Breeze, who left Derby Lane recently for the more lucrative purse structure at Southland Racing in West Memphis, Ark. Shoot The Breeze represented the past and present for Floyd and wife Patti, who operate one of the 14 kennels at Derby Lane. He became their first win champion in 13 years at the January-to-June meet, and his dam – Danicas Go Daddy – provided many fond memories for the Floyds, who raced her at the Florida West Coast track from 2010-13. “Shoot The Breeze was just a nice dog,’’ Randy Floyd said. “He didn’t bother anybody. He wasn’t playful. . . more or less, all business. “He just came out and ran. When we broke him in, I didn’t have any idea he was going to turn out to be this good.’’ Shoot The Breeze was better than good. He developed into Derby Lane’s fastest athlete on the 550-yard course. In the January-to-June meet, the 35-month-old son of track record holder Trent Lee possessed seven of the top 10 times – highlighted by a 30.00-second clocking on Feb. 19. From Jan. 29 to Feb. 22, Shoot The Breeze won a career-high six consecutive races with times ranging between 30.00-30.19 seconds. He won those races by a combined 45-1/2 lengths. “He was cooking then,’’ Floyd said. Shoot The Breeze finished the meet with 15 victories from 24 starts, denying 2019 All-America sprinter LK’s Crush N It of Lashmet kennel a potential record-setting third top-dog meet title in a row. He edged LK’s Crush N It by one win. When owner Charles Haliburton sent his standout greyhound to Southland Racing, Shoot The Breeze departed with a four-race win streak - including an 8-length romp in his final start on Sept. 15. The 84-pound speedster won 29 of 49 races at Derby Lane, and finished third in a pair of stakes races: the $64,000 Sprint Classic on Feb. 29, and the $18,000 1925 Historical Inaugural on Jan. 4. “It was fun to watch him, even though I wasn’t (trackside),’’ Floyd said. “When I left the kennel, I could watch him with Patti on the computer. “He doesn’t break that much anymore, but he rushes down to the turn. And then once he gets around that turn, it’s like, “Forget it, you’re not going to catch him.’’ The previous Floyd greyhound to claim a meet win title was Hometown Boy for the then Floyd & Porter kennel in the January-to-June campaign in 2007. Hometown Boy captured his top-dog title with 18 victories from 28 starts, finishing three wins ahead of runner-up Brady Thomas, also a Floyd & Porter athlete. Hometown Boy owned one stakes title: the Sprint Classic in 2007. He made history in that event by becoming the first dog in the 45-year-old Sprint Classic to complete an undefeated series with four qualifying victories and the title win. Only one other dog has achieved that since: LK’s Crush N It in 2019. Hometown Boy raced from 2005-08, and won 54 of 126 races with $64,072 in purse earnings. He also holds the 550-yard record at Tampa Greyhound Track with a clocking of 30.01 seconds. Shoot The Breeze has impeccable breeding. His sire, Trent Lee, set the Derby Lane 550-yard record with a clocking of 29.59 seconds in 2006. Danicas Go Daddy competed in stakes races at Derby Lane for the Floyds, and won 32 of 172 starts from 2010-13. “Dogs like Shoot The Breeze come along very rarely,’’ Floyd said. “A lot of times, they run so had that they break themselves down. They’ve got one speed, and that’s it. “I was proud of (Shoot The Breeze’s win title). I can’t eat it. I can’t spend it. It’s on paper. But yeah, it was nice.’’ Previous Next

< Back FAVORITES POST WINS IN FIRST ROUND OF WVGOBA PANHANDLE SPRINT Stan Pawloski Oct 10, 2022 Four favorites posted opening round victories as the $65,000 West Virginia Greyhound Owners and Breeders Association Panhandle Championship kicked off Friday afternoon at Wheeling Island. Heading into the Wednesday, Oct. 12, second round, CET Barracuda, RS’s Dark Night, CET Moto Moto and CET Dirty Dan have each accumulated 15 points on the strength of their first-round victories to top the leaderboard. The semi-finals are set for Sunday afternoon, Oct. 16, and the stake final is scheduled for the Friday, Oct. 21, matinee card. Capsule looks at the first-round races follow: CET Barracuda jumped out to an early lead and never looked back in winning by 7 ½ lengths in 30.20. TS Pretty Boy and RS’s Power House rounded out the trifecta ticket. RS’s Dark Night rushed to the top early and was never challenged in posting a 4-length victory in 30.20. CET Fernando and RS’s Railhauler completed the trifecta. CET Moto Moto closed in the homestretch, getting up by a length at the wire in 30.78. RS’s Happyharper finished second as frontrunner CET Dirty Mike held on for third. CET Dirty Dan powered to the front early and won easily by 4 lengths in 29.82. CET Piranha was second followed by CET Sashaligotti. Points after the first-round follow: CET Barracuda (Imark), 15 points CET Dirty Dan (Steve Sarras), 15 points CET Moto Moto (Steve Sarras), 15 points RS’s Dark Night (Lester Raines), 15 points CET Piranha (Imark), 10 points RS’s Happy Harper (Lester Raines), 10 points CET Fernando (Imark), 10 points TS Pretty Boy (Steve Sarras), 10 points RS’s Power House (Lester Raines), 7 points RS’s Railhauler (Lester Raines), 7 points CET Dirty Mike (Steve Sarras), 7 points CET Sashaligotti (Steve Sarras), 7 points RS’s Blue Heaven (Lester Raines), 5 points CET Marlin (Imark), 5 points Mac’s Sidnyjames (A Ray), 5 points CET Tiger Boy (Steve Sarras), 5 points RS’s Dunkindylan (Lester Raines), 3 points RS’s Super Freak (Lester Raines), 3 points Rico’s Hell Yeah (A Ray), 3 points GLS Blondie (Jacobs Racing), 3 points RS’s Big Jake (Lester Raines), 2 points Arroyo Roxanne (Code Red), 2 points CET Foxy (Steve Sarras), 2 points CET Musketeer (Steve Sarras), 2 points CET Dirty Stella (Steve Sarras), 1 point Previous Next

< Back 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient: Ken Biehle Connie Karsmizki Feb 3, 2026 The recipient for the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award is: Kenneth Biehle from Thorndale, TX. Kenneth Biehle, 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award Ken has been in the Greyhound business for 43 years and has raised and raced many greyhounds over the years. He has been a huge supporter of the NGA Spring & Fall Meets and Auctions. Selling most of his greyhounds at the meets. He also raced many years in Texas. He still resides in Thorndale where he has lived most of his life with his late wife Darlene and daughters Holli (Derrick VanWest)& Laci Hooper. Please join us in celebrating Ken & his family and friends at the Greyhound Hall of Fame on May 21, 2026 at 7pm for the ceremony. Previous Next

< Back Wheeling Hot Dogs ( as of January 27, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted ) Stan Pawloski Jan 27, 2020 Jacobs Racing Kennel’s JSK Roulette has four wins and three seconds in her last seven Grade AA trips for trainer Louise Strong. Patriot/Taplin Kennel’s CTW Tira Misu has won five out of her last six outings (B, AA) for trainer Joe Otto. Kennel-mates GF La Duena has captured three out of her last four Grade TAA 3/16 races while CBJ Fly Blush has two wins and a second in her last three starts (B, A). Wayne Ward Kennel’s WW Butterworth has three straight Grade AA victories for trainer Ron Otto. Lester Raines Kennel’s JS Drinkmepretty has won three out of her last four Grade AA trips for trainer Joel Roden. Blanchard Kennel’s High Wire Willy has captured three out of his last four Grade TAA 3/16 starts for trainer Sarah Blanchard. Kennel-mate L’s Luv It has two wins and two seconds in her last four Grade AA races. Rangel Kennel’s PJ Felicia has won three out of her last four 3/8 outings (TC, B, TAA) for trainer Alex Hall. Charter Kennel’s PJ Rich The Kid has captured three out of his last four starts (C, B, A) for trainer Jay Falcone. Abrahamson Kennel’s Arkans Honshu has won three out of her last four races (C, B, A) for trainer Tom Engle. Imark Kennel’s Allday Emma has captured three out of her last four trips (C, B, A) for trainer Scott Purdy. Previous Next

< Back FRIEND DELILAH'S GREATNESS RECALLED ON TRACK ANNIVERSARY Stan Pawloski Aug 22, 2022 When considering the best greyhound to ever grace the Wheeling Island oval, two names always come to the surface – Friend Delilah and DD’s Nelson. Both were superstars in the 1980s, Friend Delilah from 1980-82 and DD’s Nelson shortly thereafter from 1985-88. The pair combined for 186 victories during their Wheeling careers. While Friend Delilah opened her career in Florida, she spent most of her racing years at Wheeling Downs (later changed to Wheeling Island). She never captured a stake race final but still holds records for most career Wheeling victories (106) and most wins in a single year (47). DD’s Nelson not only shined at Wheeling but on the national stage – receiving All-American honors in 1987 when he won the Stroh’s Invitational Sprint in Colorado, the New Hampshire Invitational Cup, and the Wheeling Countdown Stakes. He had 80 Wheeling victories during his career. With the month of August marking 46 years of Wheeling greyhound racing, let’s take a little trip down memory lane to recognize the accomplishments of the only greyhound in Wheeling racing history to surpass 100 career victories – Friend Delilah. The sprinter arrived in West Virginia from Jacksonville, Fla., in the spring of 1980 – winning 23 races her first year at the Wheeling Island oval and making the final of the $45,000 City of Wheeling Stakes. The next season Delilah blossomed into one of the track’s all-time greats. Not only was Friend Delilah the Wheeling win champion in 1981 with 47 victories, but she shared the national win crown with J.R.’s Speck (Tucson, AZ). Friend Delilah captured 10 straight races in her stellar season (a track record at the time) and she established two 5/16 track marks – 30.43 on April 9 and 30.34 on April 14 (both since broken). She was a finalist for the second straight year in the $45,000 City of Wheeling Stakes. In addition to her 47 victories, Friend Delilah, who raced out of the Julian Dial Kennel, had 12 seconds and 4 thirds in 76 starts in 1981 – a 61 percent win mark, a 77 percent quiniela finish and an 82 percent in the money record. Friend Delilah was a darling – a greyhound fans adored. “She epitomized the term fan favorite. In fact, she became a legend during the 1981-82 racing seasons. Back in those days, fans would make sure they were on hand for the race cards when she drew in. She was the mutual favorite in 66 of her 76 races in 1981,” Robin Reed, local greyhound racing historian, related. “I recall West Virginia Gov. Jay Rockefeller took a photo op with Delilah and her trainer Ken Purdy during one of his visits to Wheeling. One fan even made up a song in honor of Delilah. Near the end of her great career, fans gave her a standing ovation when she won her much anticipated victory No. 100 in the summer of 1982. That was truly a golden age for Wheeling racing and I’m glad many patrons still have memories of what a great greyhound she was.” In late 1981, Purdy knew he was handling one of the greats in Friend Delilah – owned by Vernon and Julian Dial. “She’s always had the desire and it never wore off. She’s all desire,” Purdy said. “She’s special and she knows it.” Friend Delilah’s game was getting out of the box and to the first turn on top. Friend Delilah, a December 1977 greyhound out of Opposed-My Friend Dee, was the Wheeling win champ again in 1982 with 36 victories to go along with 17 seconds and 6 thirds in 70 starts. In 214 career races at Wheeling, Delilah had 106 wins, 45 seconds and 22 thirds. At Jacksonville in 1979, Friend Delilah had 6 wins, 5 seconds and 6 thirds in 51 races – a track where she was baffled by the outside lure. She was Grade C when she came to Wheeling, but quickly made the climb up the ladder to Grade AA. In 265 career races, Friend Delilah had 112 victories, 50 seconds and 28 thirds. She was the tenth greyhound in the Sport of Queen’s history to reach 100 career wins and her 112 victories overall place her seventeenth on the all-time win list. Purdy said “she can’t win every time, nobody does,” but she made a habit of crossing the wire first. Reed said Friend Delilah’s performance during the 1981 racing year was one for the ages. “Delilah’s 1981 season was historic. Few Wheeling greyhounds have ever come close to dominating the island oval as she did that year. She set track records for most wins in a calendar year, most consecutive wins and two speed records,” Reed said. “Plus, she made the finals of the track’s premier sprint stake race. It’s amazing to me that her 47 wins record is still intact after 41 years.” The closest was 42 wins in 1990 by DC Jay Bird, who shared the national win championship that year with JL Rat. Greyhounds ahead of Friend Deliliah on the all-time win list are JR’s Ripper, 143; Indy Ann and Happy Voyage, 137 each; JJ Littlerichard, 132; L.L.’s Doug, 128; JJ Doc Richard and WW Headliner, 123 each; LD’s Bahama, 121; Sarah Cap and JL Rat, 120 each; Okie Bootsy and Darius Stone, 118 each; Miss Whirl and and Algoe Boss, 115 each; Marathon Hound and Gilded Sherry, 113 each. While August marks 46 years of live greyhound racing at Wheeling, the rich history of the island facility dates back 100 plus years – first serving as a fairground before becoming a track for thoroughbreds and harness racing. When horse racing fizzled in the early 1970s, Wheeling Downs (later changed to Wheeling Island) opened as a greyhound track on Aug. 18, 1976 – a year after dog racing was approved by the State of West Virginia. Greyhound racing re-energized the facility as more than 4,000 fans attended opening day. In the history of the racetrack, five greyhounds in the U.S. Greyhound Hall of Fame set paws on the Wheeling Island oval. Kiowa Sweet Trey is the only one who considered Wheeling his home track while the others – K’s Broadway, EA’s Itzaboy, Rooster Cogburn and Dutch Bahama – competed in stake races at the island raceway. All have most of their accomplishments from competing nationally, but each won at least one race in Wheeling as part of their Hall of Fame resume. Following are capsule looks at the five Hall of Famers: KIOWA SWEET TREY – Inducted 2011; owned by Vince Berland and Smith Greyhounds; 12-race win streak from Maiden debut through Grade AA in 2001 (track record); captured 16 out of 18 starts and two Hot Box races the same year. K’S BROADWAY – Inducted 2015; owned by Jack Hahn; won 1987 Wheeling Challenge Invitational. EA’s ITZABOY – Inducted 2014; owned by Frederick Fulchino; captured the 2002 Commissioner’s Cup and fourth in the 2003 Commissioner’s Cup. ROOSTER COGBURN – Inducted 2007; owned by Wayne Strong; won the 1977 Thomas F. Shehan Sprint Classic. DUTCH BAHAMA – Inducted 1990; owned by Herb “Dutch” Koerner; won first round of the 1985 West Virginia Classic, checked in the second round and was disqualified. FRIEND DELILAH TIMELINE February 1, 1980 – Friend Delilah made her debut at Wheeling with a Grade B victory in a time of 32.03 and paid $6.60 to win. She previously raced on the Jacksonville circuit in Florida compiling a record of 6 wins, 5 seconds and 6 thirds in 51 starts. October 10, 1980 – Finished eighth in the finals of the $45,000 City of Wheeling Stakes, a sprint event won by 1980 track win champ J’s Susie. Delilah had 3 wins, 1 third and 1 fourth in five qualifying round races. March 24, 1981 – Completed an eight-race winning streak with a 2-length Grade AA win in a time of 31.28. The streak tied the track record previously held alone by Roman Princess (1976). April 9, 1981 – Broke the 5/16th track record with a 30.43 effort in an 8-length box-to-wire victory. The previous mark was held by Mr. Tomo, who stopped the clock in 30.44 in November 1980. April 14, 1981 – Broke her own 5/16th track record in back-to-back efforts with a 30.34 in another box-to-wire 6 ½-length victory. July 24, 1981 – Finished seventh in the finals of the $45,000 City of Wheeling Stakes, a sprint event won by Florida invader Dr. Futch. Delilah had 2 wins, 1 second and 1 third in five preliminary round starts. September 24, 1981 – Posted her record-breaking 34th win of 1981, besting the single season mark of 33 victories held by J’s Susie. December 11, 1981 – Completed a record-breaking 10-race winning streak with a 1-length box-to-wire effort, her 45th victory of the year. December 26, 1981 – Won her 47th race of the year, establishing a calendar year win record for Wheeling which still stands. April 16, 1982 – Posted a 2-length box-to-wire victory to complete what would be a 20-race in-the-money streak, the longest of her career. She had 16 wins, 2 seconds and 2 thirds in the streak. June 14, 1982 – Ran second by a head in the Governor’s Cup Trophy Race, caught in the stretch by 17-1 longshot River Roy. July 19, 1982 – Won her 100th career race with a 3-length box-to-wire effort in a time of 30.63, becoming only the 10th greyhound in the history of the sport to reach 100 career wins at the time. November 29, 1982 – Posted the 112th win of her career with a 1-length victory over Urban Cowboy in a time of 30.93. It would be the final win of her illustrious career. December 13, 1982 – Finished out of the money in what ended up being the final race of her career after injuring an ankle and placed on the inactive list. (Compiled by Robin Reed, local greyhound historian) Friend Delilah, a star at Wheeling Downs in the early 1980s, won 112 career races which places her seventeenth on the all-time win list. Previous Next

< Back Wheeling Hot Dogs ( as of May 31, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted ) Stan Pawloski May 31, 2026 Steve Sarras Kennel’s Takeachanceonme has five straight victories (A, AA) for trainer Chuck DiGiovanni. Kennel-mate Neptune has two wins and four seconds in his last six outings (A, AA). Xtrem Hess Racing Kennel’s JSP Adios Al three victories in a row (A, AA) for trainer Jill Spicer. Blanchard Kennel’s Arkwild B Grinch has two wins and two seconds in his last four Grade AA starts for trainer Chris Maynard. Jacobs Racing Kennel’s Mylilvalentine has back-to-back victories (A, AA) for trainer Natalie Looper. Imark Kennel’s Daydream Beliver has two straight wins (B, A) for trainer DiAnn Derr. Previous Next

< Back NATIONAL HANDLE MARK SET AT WHEELING ISLAND Stan Pawloski May 24, 2022 The national single day handle record for greyhound racing at one racetrack was broken Saturday afternoon (May 7) at Wheeling Island. The total wagered on-track and off-track last Saturday on Wheeling Island greyhounds was $1,487,335, surpassing the $1,457,609 bet on greyhounds at The Woodlands in Kansas on March 11, 1992. For the week from Wednesday, May 4, through Sunday, May 8, Wheeling handled nearly $5 million – $4,910,233. In the first quarter of 2022 (January through March), the amount wagered on greyhound racing in West Virginia continued to climb. Wheeling Island handled nearly $56 million in the first quarter of 2022 compared to almost $53 million last year – an 8 percent increase. At Tri-State, $33 million was bet on racing this year in the first quarter compared to $27 million in 2021 – a 24 percent hike. The following numbers validate the popularity of greyhound racing at Wheeling Island: - The Wheeling handle increased this year despite less racing days in the first quarter – 63 days in 2021 and only 60 days in 2022 – and less races this year – 17-race cards in 2022 compared to 20-race programs in 2021. - In the first quarter of 2021, Wheeling had five $1 million plus handle days while in the first three months of 2022 Wheeling had 18 days handling more than $1 million. - This year, Wheeling has had 18 consecutive Saturday handles topping $1 million. One Saturday card was canceled due to flooding. Previous Next