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< Back LESTER RAINES' IS SECOND TO NONE Oct 26, 2020 Lester Raines generated its own brand of Super Tuesday at Derby Lane. In one of the most astonishing accomplishments in the modern era at the Florida West Coast greyhound track, the reigning meet kennel champion nearly pulled off the improbable on this past Tuesday’s matinee performance – winning all but one race it entered. Lester Raines captured nine races with its 10 starters. Yes, nine of 10 . . . and its other dog ran third. “I guess it probably would have been the day to buy a lottery ticket,’’ said Gary Reicherts, a septuagenarian who bred four of the winning greyhounds on Lester Raines’ iconic day. Under the guidance of kennel manager and trainer Anthony Diaz, Lester Raines won three consecutive races in three different stages of the 15-race card with victories in Races 1-3, 5-7, and 13-15. The performance erased the track’s previous modern-day record of wins by a kennel for one performance on March 14, when the Hans Limmer-owned Nova kennel registered eight victories. Prior to Nova’s big effort, two kennels had recorded seven wins on one card in the past 11 years: Everett Racing on June 22, 2019, and Filipelli & O’Donnell kennel on June 16, 2009. “(This past Tuesday) wasn’t one of my better days in life, and I come home and I (look at the results) and go win, win, win, win. . . . Jeepers! It definitely brightened up my day.’’ Reicherts, who breeds and raises greyhounds on his farm in Osage, Iowa, with wife Beverly and daughter Angie, starred on the performance with the four winners: littermates O Ya Bartender (Maiden, $10.40 to win) and O Ya Bree (Grade D, $4.20), along with O Ya Praire Wind (D, $6.80), and O Ya Shady Lady (D, $5.20). The first three greyhounds were sired by Oya Stan The Man, one of Reicherts’ all-time best athletes that gave Mick D’Arcy his only St. Petersburg top-dog win title as a Derby Lane kennel owner in the January-to-June 2016 meet. In that season, Oya Stan The Man parlayed a $30,000 St. Petersburg Derby championship into All-America first-team honors. Lester Raines’ other victories were produced by Dutch Blair (C, $7.60), owned by Jo Ann Koerner; JS Bizzyasabee (A, $6.40), owned by Sharon Henry; PJ Show Time (D, $8.40), owned by Gloria Dorsey and William McCarthy; Super C Aneeta (C, $9.40), owned by Cole Kennel; and Jax Score (C, $8), owned by Michael Jackson and Henry. The only Lester Raines dog to lose was Grade A sprinter O Ya Flo, another daughter of Oya Stan The Man and bred by Reicherts. O Ya Flo finished third, four lengths behind Everett Racing’s Turbo Baylor in one of Derby Lane’s largest upsets of the year. Turbo Baylor, the longest shot on the tote board at 63-1, paid $129.80 to win for a $2 ticket. The nine victories were part of a massive 24-win week for Lester Raines, which won at least three races on five of the seven performances. It moved into third place in the Derby Lane kennel standings with 162 victories. Everett Racing is the leader at 175. “I feel very proud of my dogs,’’ Reicherts said. “I know some of them had favorable holes (that day). “Anthony is doing a very good job with my dogs. I’ve never met him personally, but he took over as head trainer (earlier this year) and I can tell he really likes the dogs.’’ Diaz replaced Jennifer Richardson as Lester Raines’ trainer when she moved to Virginia. “I was very, very happy with Jennifer,’’ Reicherts said. “She did a very good job with my dogs, too.’’ Michael Strickland of Abilene, Kan. is Reicherts’ go-to guy who gets the greyhounds prepared for competitive racing. “I’ve been very fortunate, and have dealt with other kennels before (at Derby Lane),’’ Reicherts said. “Mick D’Arcy did a wonderful job with my dogs, and did a heck of a job with Oya Stan The Man; and Lester Raines is very relaxing to work with. “We spend a lot of times with our greyhounds, and they give us back a lot of enjoyment.’’ Previous Next

< Back TEASER'S TICKLE WINS $100,000 MOUNTAINEER CLASSIC Oct 25, 2021 Favorite Teaser’s Tickle took charge early and never looked back in capturing the $100,000 Mountaineer Classic Saturday afternoon at Wheeling Island. Breaking from the one hole, the Lester Raines Kennel sprinter rushed up to the lead around the first turn, then opened up a 2-length cushion down the backstretch before winning by 2 ½ lengths in a quick 29.58. Abbi’s Eagle (Jacobs Racing) took runner up honors while Penrose Boss (Blanchard) rounded out the trifecta ticket. Completing the final order of finish were RS’s Dark Night (Lester Raines), fourth; Ding Dong Ditch (Imark), fifth; Abbi’s Frontman (Jacobs Racing), sixth; CTW Black Forest (Steve Sarras), seventh; and Frappe (Blanchard), eighth. Teaser’s Tickle, a September 2019 greyhound out of Bella Infrared-Beautiful Tease, is trained by Joel Roden and owned by Suzanne Blair. In 14 career races, he has 9 wins, 1 second and 1 third. Previous Next

< Back Wheeling Hot Dogs ( as of December 27, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted ) Stan Pawloski Dec 21, 2021 Lester Raines Kennel’s RS Big D has won eight out of his last nine Grade TAA 3/8 races for trainer Joel Roden. Kennel-mates JS Keep Diggin has two wins, a second and a third in his last four Grade AA starts, JS Saltythursday has back-to-back Grade AA victories and JS Oakietwister has three wins in a row (C, B, A). Imark Kennel’s Imark Daria has five straight victories (A, AA) for trainer DiAnn Derr. Brad Boeckenstedt Kennel’s BGR Bottoms Up has three wins and two seconds in his last five outings (A, AA) for trainer Frank Pellittere. Kennel-mate BGR Ramblin Man has three straight victories (C, B, A). Patriot/Taplin Kennel’s FGF Georgejetson has two wins and six seconds in his last eight 3/8 races (TA, TAA) for trainer Joe Otto. Rangel Kennel’s VJ Sir Bark Alot has back-to-back 3/16 victories (TB, TAA) for trainer John Farmer. Charter Kennel’s Oshkosh Kennedy has two wins in a row (B, A) for trainer James Campbell. Wayne Ward Kennel’s LW Derby Lane has captured three out of his last four trips (M, C, B) for trainer Ron Otto. Previous Next

< Back CET BARRACUDA WINS WVGOBA JUVENILE Stan Pawloski Sep 13, 2022 Favorite CET Barracuda completed a sweep of the $35,000 West Virginia Greyhound Owners and Breeders Association Juvenile by capturing the championship final Friday afternoon, Sept. 23, at Wheeling Island. Racing out of the Imark Kennel and trained by DiAnn Derr, CET Barracuda rolled through the qualifying round races with three straight victories by a combined 12 ½ lengths. The sprinter was the only greyhound to make it through the early rounds undefeated. In the final, CET Barracuda broke a close second to Arroyo Roxanne. The pair raced side-by-side around the first turn and down the backstretch before CET Barracuda took control near the far turn. CET Barracuda held off a fast-closing CET Tiger Boy (Steve Sarras Kennel) in the homestretch – winning by a length in 30.24. Arroyo Roxanne (Code Red Kennel) settled for third. Completing the order of finish were CET Sashaligotti (Steve Sarras Kennel), fourth; CET Moto Moto (Steve Sarras Kennel), fifth; CET Fernando (Imark Kennel), sixth; CET Marlin (Imark Kennel), seventh; and Mac’s Monreaux (A Ray Kennel), eighth. CET Barracuda, a December 2020 greyhound out of Superior Panama-MRL Bail Me Out, is owned by Carl Tomblin II. Previous Next

< Back Wheeling Hot Dogs (as December 5, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted) Stan Pawloski Dec 5, 2022 Steve Sarras Kennel’s CET Dirty Dan has 10 wins, including six in a row, and two seconds in his last 12 starts for trainer Jay Falcone. Charter Kennel’s Seven Summers has won four out of his last five Grade TAA 3/8 races for trainer James Campbell. Kennel-mate Atta Boy Angus has five wins and five seconds in his last 10 Grade TAA 3/16 trips. Jacobs Racing Kennel’s Slatex Wine has captured four out his last five outings (A, AA) for trainer Louise Strong. Kennel-mate Marlyn Mason has back-to-back Grade AA victories. Lester Raines Kennel’s SNL Sir Liam has four wins and two seconds in his last six Grade AA starts for trainer Joel Roden. Kennel-mates JS Atomic Dawg has four victories and a second in his last five trips (B, A, AA), O Ya Fame has back-to-back wins (A, AA) and JS Big Rig has three straight victories (M, D, C). Wayne Ward Kennel’s WW Cuddlebug has won four out of her last five races (D, C, B, A) for trainer Ron Otto. Kennel-mate Oakland Handoff has captured three out of her last four outings (D, C, B). Rangel Kennel’s Pat C Knob has won three out of his last four 3/8 starts (TD, TC, TA) for trainer Alex Hall. Blanchard Kennel’s Easi Utley has captured three out of his last four races (M, C, B) for trainer Sarah Blanchard. Imark Kennel’s Sharpdressedman has back-to-back wins (B, A) for trainer DiAnn Derr. 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 CET BARRACUDA, CET FERNANDO UNBEATEN IN WVGOBA JUVENILE Stan Pawloski Sep 12, 2023 Imark Kennel’s CET Barracuda and CET Fernando posted their second consecutive victories Wednesday afternoon in the second round of the $35,000 West Virginia Greyhound Owners and Breeders Association Juvenile at Wheeling Island. The two sprinters are unbeaten and have accumulated 30 points each heading into the Sunday afternoon, Sept. 18, semi-finals. The stake final is scheduled for the Friday, Sept. 23, matinee card. Capsule looks at the second-round races follow: CET Barracuda took the early lead and was never challenged in winning by 3 ½ lengths in 29.75. CET Moto Moto finished second while CET Marlin rounded out the trifecta ticket. CET Fernando closed in the stretch to edge pacesetter Arroyo Roxanne at the wire, winning by a head in 30.12. CET Tiger Boy got up for third. Points after the second-round follow: CET Barracuda (Imark), 30 points CET Fernando (Imark), 30 points CET Marlin (Imark), 22 points Arroyo Roxanne (Code Red), 20 points CET Moto Moto (Steve Sarras), 20 points Mac’s Monreaux (A Ray), 15 points CET Tiger Boy (Steve Sarras), 14 points CET Sashaliagotti (Steve Sarras), 9 points CET High Ball (Steve Sarras), 8 points CET Piranha (Imark), 8 points LFR Lucky Clover (Rangel), 7 points CET Foxy (Steve Sarras), 6 points Mac’s Davin (A Ray), 6 points LFR Lucky Seven (Rangel), 5 points JA’s Goal (Code Red), 5 points CG’s Boy Blue (Code Red), 3 points Previous Next

< Back AFTER 95 YEARS, DERBY LANE'S FINAL DAY Dec 28, 2020 hey came. They saw. They wanted more. Except, there would be no more. Derby Lane, the picturesque greyhound track on Florida’s West Coast, provided many parting snapshots for its fans on Sunday – the final day of a racing era that spanned nearly a century. “It’s just really sad that this has come to an end after 95 years of racing, through thick and thin, and wars, and . . . .’’ said Louise Weaver, Derby Lane vice president whose great-grandfather, T.L. Weaver, kicked off the sport in Pinellas County on Jan. 3, 1925. “It’s tough to see the greyhound people lose their livelihoods. I see a subculture leaving.’’ Derby Lane and greyhound racing fans knew this day had been coming since 2018, when state voters approved a constitutional amendment to end the sport by 2021. Richard Winning, track president and chairman of the board, and his staff decided to turn the farewell into a memorable weekend. Two Saturday performances produced a total all-source wagering handle of $929,237 (compared to $645,186 the previous Saturday), and an overflow crowd on Sunday (attendance figures were not available) led to a handle of $685,107 for the 15-race card. The final winner at the historic facility came when LK’s Santorini of Lashmet kennel crossed the finish line at 4:59 p.m. to capture the $30,000 Grand Finale Derby. “It is something I’ll remember forever . . . ever,’’ Lashmet kennel manager and trainer Ken Deacon said. LK’s Santorini paid $5.80 as the second wagering choice. Ironically, it was the identical win price that Caymanacadillac of Tri-Star kennel paid in the final race held at Tampa Greyhound Track on Aug. 18, 2007 – ending that site’s 75-year run with live racing. No future plans have been announced for the Derby Lane property, but the track will continue to offer poker and simulcast wagering like Tampa Greyhound Track is doing. Greyhounds at Derby Lane have either been adopted out or are being transported to out-of-state tracks that continue to race. The final performance came on a pleasant and sunny afternoon. Ninety-minutes before the first race, hundreds of fans stood in line outside the track’s main entrance, each wanting to get one of the 1,000 Derby Lane 95th anniversary caps being given away, and to claim their preferred seats or places to stand. Few, if any, parking spots remained. Long lines formed at the concession stands and at the pari-mutuel windows. A band performed outside for several hours, and patrons took turns swapping their favorite racing stories while taking photographs of the track facilities from every conceivable angle. Prior to the final race, fans lined the track fence to take pictures of the greyhounds and their lead-outs – giving them a thunderous applause – before they headed to the starting box for a final time. Patrons also were treated to the trackside presence of Husker Magic, Derby Lane’s all-time win leader who closed her career with 105 victories (104 at St. Petersburg) during a 167-race career from 2013-16. Handled by Derby Lane kennel operators Jim and Kayruth Abernathy, Husker Magic was a three-time All-America first-team member (2014-16), and 2015 Rural Rube champion as the nation’s top sprinter. For 4-1/2 hours, patrons stayed and played – focused on seeing the final race at Derby Lane. John Lashmet was one who remained until the end. A Derby Lane kennel owner and greyhound breeder from Eaton, Colo., Lashmet flew to Florida with wife Jill to see the track’s farewell performance. Joining them was daughter, Deidra, who took a plane from Houston. They were rewarded with a 1-2 finish in the Grand Finale Derby with their LK’s Santorini defeating kennelmate LK’s Trubulee by three lengths in 30.48 seconds – the fastest time among 119 greyhounds that raced during the afternoon on the 550-yard track. After participating in a lengthy and packed post-race winner’s circle ceremony on the track infield, John Lashmet walked across the racing strip toward the paddock area. Overcome with emotion, Lashmet needed time to himself before speaking to anyone. “I don’t know what to say,’’ he said, finally. “There will be no more (racing).’’ The championship by LK’s Santorini, her second career stakes title, wasn’t the only memory that Lashmet and his family took home. Less than 19 hours earlier on the Saturday evening performance, their LK’s Crush N It recorded his 93rd lifetime victory in his 153rd and final start. The 2019 All-America first-team selection and five-time stakes winner was arguably Derby Lane’s top 550-yard athlete in recent years. LK’s Crush N It, a son of LK’s Now R Never and LK’s All In, was the 2019 national win leader and a two-time Derby Lane meet win champion. “Not many of them run until they’re 4 (years old, his fourth birthday was last week),’’ John Lashmet said. LK’s Santorini, who started the year by winning the $18,000 1925 Inaugural on Jan. 4, also put the finishing touch on her first meet win crown. With 21 victories from 33 starts, she wound up six wins ahead of LK’s Crush N It and Deco Colt Gun of Nova kennel. A 44-month-old female from a litter by LK’s Vespar and LK’s Chardonnay, LK’s Santorini raised her overall win total to 68 from 147 starts. “It’s just an unbelievable ending to two great dogs - between Santorini and Crush N It,’’ Deacon said. “You couldn’t ask for more than that. (LK’s Santorini) is the win champion. . . . She picked up where (LK’s Crush N It) left off. She really came into her own in this final run.’’ For Deacon and the Lashmet kennel, the Grand Finale Derby represented their third consecutive stakes title and fifth in the track’s final seven stakes since Sept. 28, 2019. Another operation that had reason to celebrate was Watson Racing kennel, which claimed its first meet win championship with 260 victories from 1,971 starts. The July-to-December campaign featured 176 performances. Watson Racing finished three wins in front of former champion Lester Raines. Three-time winner Everett Racing was third among 14 kennels at 256 victories followed by Capabal with 243 and Abernathy at 232. Deacon and others in the industry will now begin other chapters in their respective lives. Deacon plans to return to a previous career in the Tampa Bay area as a captain for charters and commercial fishing. A kennel owner said he may accept employment in a golfing pro shop in the Florida Panhandle, while one trainer said she expects to move to Iowa without any employment plans. As patrons began to depart the premises, track announcer Jim Peake, a 25-year Derby Lane employee, provided poignant words in his final time at the microphone. “Good luck, good day, and good bye from St. Petersburg.’’ Previous Next

< Back WV Juvenile stake kicks off Stan Pawloski Sep 16, 2024 Greyhounds from three different kennels – GLS Arbor (Jacobs Racing), CET Shortie (Steve Sarras) and CET Littles (Imark) – posted early speed victories Friday afternoon in the first round of the $35,000 West Virginia Greyhound Owners and Breeders Association Juvenile Stakes at Wheeling Island. Heading into the Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 18 second round, the three sprinters have accumulated 15 points to top the leader board. The semi-finals are set for Sunday, Sept. 22, and the juvenile stake final is scheduled for Saturday matinee, Sept. 28. Capsule looks at the first-round races follow: GLS Arbor posted a box-to-wire 13-length victory in 30.09. Only Rock N Roll placed second while Gimme Shelter closed for third. CET Shortie rocketed to an early lead and never looked back in winning by 10 lengths in 30.27. Under My Thumb and Coach Chinook rounded out the trifecta ticket. CET Littles sprinted to the front early in romping to a 16-length victory in 30.04. CET Rydin Red finished second while Chng Gonna Come settled for third. Points after the first-round follow: GLS Arbor (Jacobs Racing), 15 points CET Shortie (Steve Sarras), 15 points CET Littles (Imark), 15 points Only Rock N Roll (Steve Sarras), 10 points Under My Thumb (Steve Sarras), 10 points CET Rydin Red (Steve Sarras), 10 points Gimme Shelter (Steve Sarras), 7 points Coach Chinook (Patriot/Taplin), 7 points Chnge Gonna Come (Steve Sarras), 7 points CET Comet (Steve Sarras), 5 points TS Vegas (Steve Sarras), 5 points Coach Supreme (Patriot/Taplin), 5 points TS Pittsburgh (Steve Sarras), 3 points GLS Dexter (Jacobs Racing), 3 points CET Fanny (Imark), 2 points Paint It Black (Steve Sarras), 2 points Coach Shalnomi (Patriot/Taplin), 1 point CET Jenny (Imark), 1 point Arroyo Taz (Code Red) was withdrawn after the first round. Previous Next

< Back Wheeling Hot Dogs ( as June 6, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted ) Stan Pawloski Jun 20, 2022 Steve Sarras Kennel’s Florentine has four straight Grade AA wins for trainer Jay Falcone. Xtrem Hess Racing Kennel’s Keeper Cry has two victories, two seconds and a third in his last five Grade AA races for trainer Jill Spicer. Kennel-mate Xtrem Chicken has back-to-back Grade TAA 3/16 wins. Lester Raines Kennel’s SNL Ramey has two victories and two seconds in her last four Grade TAA 3/16 outings for trainer Joel Roden. Kennel-mate RS’s Power House has won three out of his last four trips (D, C, B). Blanchard Kennel’s Frappe has back-to-back wins (A, AA) for trainer Sarah Blanchard. Jacobs Racing Kennel’s Abbi’s Gusta Win has two straight victories (A, AA) for trainer Louise Strong. Brad Boeckenstedt Kennel’s BGR Boogie Man has back-to-back 3/8 wins (B, TAA) for trainer Frank Pellittere. Charter Kennel’s KB’s Expedia has two victories in a row (B, A) for trainer James Campbell. A Ray Kennel’s AMF Witch Wilma has back-to-back wins (B, A) for trainer Joe Palmer. Previous Next

< Back DIRTY DILLY REPEATS Jim Gartland Jan 9, 2023 CET Dirty Dilly Carl Tomblin's CET Dirty Dilly has repeated as National Win Champion winning 40 of her 48 starts in 2022. Dilly had an incredible year in 2021; winning the Rural Rube, named All American team Captain and captured the National win title. It looks like 2022 could certainly be a repeat of most, if not all, of those accolades. Dilly easily outdistanced second place finisher, BGR Jungle Juice, a Caliente racer, who finished second with 32 wins. CET Dirty Dilly is a December 2018 female out of SH Avatar-CET Dirty Nicki. She was raised and is owned by Carl Tomblin II and races for his CET Kennel at Tri State. Her accomplishments for the year included multiple win streaks of five and seven races. She finished the year with a record of 48-40-3-4, missing the trifecta only one time in those forty-eight starts. She won 83% of her races and made the paysheet nearly 98% of the time. She is an exceptional greyhound with exceptional talent. Congratulations to Carl and all his team on the accomplishments of this great greyhound! Steve Sarras presents last year's Rural Rube award to Carl & Summer Tomblin Previous Next

< Back ROUND 3 OF 2020 ORANGE PARK DERBY Jan 21, 2020 Only three races left as the competition heats up in the 2020 edition of the Orange Park Derby. The best routers are still around, and the converted sprinters are making their cases as well. Loads of talent still in the mix as the 24 greyhounds head to post on money evening for the quarter finals. Let’s take a close look at the races and see if we can get the week started off on the right foot. Monday evening January 20th, 2020 – Round 3 of the Orange Park Derby Race 9 – Super C Addison is starting to figure out the distance and that is bad news for the rest of this field. Hot off an impressive win, she will thrive tonight as she is finally on the rail. UC Ricky Snickle won last time out too and has the early needed to see the lead again tonight. Holding on late will be his true hurdle to overcome. Pat C Jacob also got things righted last time out and might just have the best raw speed in the bunch. If he gets loose, watch out. WW Spending Time will contend early for sure with all the breaking ability but won’t be able to hand late with the closers. (2-7-4-3) Race 11 – Undefeated so far is RTSS Gonwitdawin. Posted up impressive back to back box to wire victors from outside post positions, more to come in this effort. No speed around here at the break and another wide box should equal a hat trick. Trying to take her down is the talented Fakeit To Makeit. With 5 quinielas in a row, including a pair of wins, she is no slouch, and if she hits the box, she might just upset the apple cart here. Don’t forget about the closers though. LK’s I Got this is a solid grade A that gets a good post and can challenge throughout, and BGR Woe Is Me is rising in the ranks, running hot in the rounds, and will come flying late to challenge. Race 14 – RPG Get You Back is the other undefeated greyhound in the stakes and looks to be the one to beat for the title. With 3 straight, and 5 wins in 6 races, she is the real deal. Out and gone early on is her motto, and tonight I just more of that happening. Trying to make her work for it will be Pat C Woozy. A huge winner in round 1, she found trouble in round 2 and finished out of the money. With a same post tonight, you don’t know just what you are going to get. If she clears early, it could be quite a race. WP’s Twisted Lady was hot heading into the rounds but has cooled off in the 2 efforts. Still in the money, but not breaking like she has in the past. If she can find that early foot, she too could throw her hat into the ring for the victory. Alcohol U Later is a closer over the distance and winning against the top tier might be too much to ask. Finding a spot in the money, well that is another. Look for her round out the superfecta tonight. (4-2-6-3) The semi-finals will run on Saturday evening January 25th at bestbet Jacksonville. Don’t miss out! Previous Next