< Back SPRING MEET STAKE UPDATE jim Gartland Mar 3, 2022 Thirty spots have been reserved for the NGA's Sunflower State Sprint to be held during the spring meet in April. If all thirty entries pay up and enter at the time of the meet the format and purses will be as follows: Total Purse: $35,000 First Round - 6 - Five dog races Winners in the first round advance to the six dog Championship Final 2nd place finishers in the first round advance to the Flite I 3rd place finishers in the first round advance to the Flite II Purse Payout: Final Flite I Flite II 1st - $10,500 $5,250 $1,750 2nd - $5,250 $2,625 $875 3rd - $3,150 $1,575 $525 4th - $2,100 $1,050 $350 Previous Next

< Back Tri State Kennel Wins for Grade AA/A 550 & TAA 677: June 11 - 15, 2024 P. Saul Jun 17, 2024 Superior Kennel, trained by Jadwiga Kups, secured the Grade TAA (677) victory with Oya Phil T Rich, while Oya Will E Makit, a littermate, seized a Grade AA win, and Superior Integra claimed the Grade A win, Abrahamson Kennel, trained by Todd Johnson, captured a Grade AA victory with Cg’s Nail Biter and a Grade A win with Ff Easy Wheezy. Cet Kennels, trained by Scott Robinette, seized two Grade AA wins for Cet Fernando. Blanchard Kennel, trained by Scott Scharff, took a Grade AA win for Arkwild B Asami and a Grade A for Arkwild B Bernad. JS Kennels, trained by Garret Gruden, clinched a Grade AA win with Special Ops and a Grade A with Gls Mohawk Magic. Lester Raines Kennel, trained by Jim Cochran, achieved one Grade A with Rs’s Penny Lane and a Grade A with Valentine Gal. Heather Lomax Kennel, trained by Betty Lomax, took a Grade AA win for Hl’s Carson. Wayne W. Ward Inc Kennel, trained by Eric Griffin, captured a Grade A win from Ww Magic Fire and a Grade TA (677) from Ww Imogene. On Line Race Kennel, trained by Leon Giguere, had one Grade A win from Jsp Eazy Money. Rs Racing Kennel, trained by Joe Osborne, secured a Grade A with Grease Lightning. Double G Racing Kennel, trained by Greg Geter, secured a Grade TA (677) win for Tnt Cabana. Daily handles: $ 401,019.22, $ 499,921.91, $ 601,663.74, $ 655,470.01 and $ 654,673.10. 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 January 6, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted ) Stan Pawloski Jan 6, 2020 Patriot/Taplin Kennel’s GF La Duena has captured five out of her last six Grade TAA 3/16 races for trainer Joe Otto. Kennel-mates TNT Free Falling has won three out of her last four Grade AA starts while CTW Tira Misu has four wins and two seconds in her last six outings (M, C, B, A). Jacobs Racing Kennel’s Intrique has three victories in her last four trips (A, AA) for trainer Louise Strong. Kennel-mates JSK Roulette (AA) and LK’s Ferdinand (B, A) have back-to-back wins. Abrahamson Kennel’s CTW Givin It All has captured three out of his last four races (A, AA) for trainer Tom Engle. Imark Kennel’s Imark Tequila has back-to-back victories (A, AA) for trainer Scott Purdy. Previous Next

< Back Wheeling Hot Dogs (as of November 20, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted ) Stan Pawloski Nov 20, 2023 Charter Kennel’s JSP Feelthestring has three wins and a second in her last four Grade AA starts for trainer James Campbell. Blanchard Kennel’s TR Hill has two victories and two seconds in his last four Grade AA trips for trainer Chris Maynard. Lester Raines Kennel’s SNL Sir Liam has two victories and two seconds in his last four Grade AA outings for trainer Joel Roden. Imark Kennel’s Kentucky DB (A, AA) and GF Straight One (B, A) have back-to-back wins for trainer DiAnn Derr. Previous Next

< Back Wheeling Hot Dogs ( as of September 27, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted) Stan Pawloski Sep 27, 2026 Lester Raines Kennel’s Omaha Lori has six wins and a second in her last seven Grade AA races for trainer Joel Roden. Kennel-mate Squeeze On By has won four out of her last five outings (M, D, C, B). Jacobs Racing Kennel’s Mylittlevalentine has captured three out of his last four Grade AA starts for trainer Natalie Looper. Blanchard Kennel’s Loyal Ark Worley has back-to-back Grade AA victories for trainer Chris Maynard. Kennel-mate RBW Mean It has three wins in a row (C, B, A). Previous Next

< Back NGA FALL MEET SCHOOLING RESULTS - WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2020 Jim Gartland Oct 7, 2020 43 races scheduled: Drag after every 10(last 13 run straight through), no watering. Conditions: Sunny, 58º – Track: Fast SHANNON HENRY - (Race 1) 29.90 , 30.20, 30.53, 30.20, 30.25, 30.42, 30.51, 30.62, 30.34, 30.50, 30.35, 31.17, 30.71, 30.43, 30.56, 30.42, 30.77, 30.39, 30.82, 30.93, 30.58, 30.74, 31.01, 30.61, 31.11, 31.25, 31.67 DAVID STRONG - (Race 2) 30.15, 30.61, 30.29, 29.99, 30.85, 30.80, 30.78, 30.48, 30.39 GLENN JONES - (Race 3) 30.86, 31.40, 31.17, 31.17, 31.42, 31.00, 31.60 Previous Next

< Back Wheeling Hot Dogs (as October 31, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted) Stan Pawloski Oct 31, 2022 Steve Sarras Kennel’s CET Dirty Dan has four wins and a second in his last five starts (SAA, AA) for trainer Jay Falcone. Kennel-mate Florentine has two victories and three seconds in his last five Grade AA trips. Lester Raines Kennel’s RS’s Dark Night has four wins and a second in his last five races (SAA, AA) for trainer Joel Roden. Kennel-mates O Ya Thunder Boy has two victories and a second in his last three outings (A, AA) while JS Run Bubba Run has back-to-back wins (B, A). Code Red Kennel’s O Ya Paws has three victories and two seconds in his last five Grade AA starts for trainer Tom Engle. Charter Kennel’s Oshkosh Edward has three wins, a second and a third in his last five Grade AA trips for trainer James Campbell. Imark Kennel’s Imark Spot has three straight Grade AA victories for trainer DiAnn Derr. Rangel Kennel’s JS Sugar Rush (TAA 3/8) and Pat C Dog Patch (B, A) have back-to-back wins for trainer Alex Hall. Brad Boeckenstedt Kennel’s BGR Boogie Man has two straight 3/8 victories (TA, TAA) for trainer Frank Pellittere. Patriot/Taplin Kennel’s Fly Panama Blue has back-to-back wins (B, A) for trainer Joe Otto. Previous Next

< Back Wheeling Hot Dogs ( as of April 10, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted ) Stan Pawloski Apr 10, 2023 Blanchard Kennel’s Artex Pumbaa has five wins and a second in his last six Grade AA races for trainer Sarah Blanchard. Kennel-mate CNS Kansasthrill has won three out of her last four starts (A, AA). Code Red Kennel’s Upfront has captured four out of his last five outings (A, AA) for trainer Tom Engle. Kennel-mate FF Lets Go has won three out of her last four outings (D, C, B). Lester Raines Kennel’s JS Zip Fuel has won four out of his last five 3/16 trips (B, TA, TAA) for trainer Joel Roden. Kennel-mates JS Switchingears has three wins and a second in his last four Grade AA races while JS Bunsontherun has back-to- back Grade AA victories. Xtrem Hess Racing Kennel’s Xtrem Princess (A, TAA 3/8) and Xtrem Kitty Cat (A, AA) have two wins and a second in their last three starts for trainer Jill Spicer. Brad Boeckenstedt Kennel’s Smile N Mean It has three victories and a second in his last four 3/8 outings (TC, B, TAA) for trainer Frank Pellittere. Steve Sarras Kennel’s Spartan Shield has captured three out of his last four races (C, B, A) for trainer Mike Holguin. Jacobs Racing Kennel’s Angela Lansbury has won three out of her last four trips (D, C, B) for trainer Louise Strong. A Ray Kennel’s Oshkosh Mojo has back-to-back wins (B, A) for trainer Joe Palmer. Previous Next

< Back Wheeling Hot Dogs ( as April 25, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted ) Stan Pawloski Apr 19, 2022 Blanchard Kennel’s JS Rob Stone has won seven out of his last eight Grade AA races for trainer Sarah Blanchard. Kennel-mates BO’s Owen has two wins and two seconds in his last four Grade TAA 3/8 races, Artex Comiskey has three straight victories (D, C, B) while Loyal Imani has back-to-back wins (B, A). Charter Kennel’s Oshkosh Dally has three straight Grade AA victories for trainer James Campbell. Kennel-mate FGF Rose has four wins in a row (C, B, A, AA). Lester Raines Kennel’s RS Big D has two victories and a second in his last three Grade TAA 3/8 races for trainer Joel Roden. Jacobs Racing Kennel’s Abbi’s Frontman has back-to-back Grade AA wins for trainer Louise Strong. Imark Kennel’s Sumkindawondrful has two straight victories (B, A) for trainer DiAnn Derr. Rangel Kennel’s Pat C Knob has back-to-back 3/16 wins (TB, TA) for trainer Sheri Comer. Previous Next

< Back NGA SPRING MEET SCHOOLING RESULTS - WEDNESDAY MAY 27, 2020 Jim Gartland May 27, 2020 54 races scheduled: Dragged after every 10, no watering. Conditions: Partly cloudy, 63 degrees – Track: Fast (SCR = Scratched) RYAN O'DONNELL – (Race 1) 30.41, 30.78, 30.71 GLENN JONES - (Race 2) 31.02, 31.24, 31.46, 31.61, 31.65, 31.12, 32.06 JAY RANGEL - (Race 3) 30.69, 30.65, 30.48, 30.38, 30.85 (run back), 30.70, 30.74, 30.74, 30.63, 30.65, 30.92, 31.27, 30.74, 30.54, 30.80, 32.12, SCR, SCR DAVID STRONG - (Race 4) 30.13 , 30.69, 30.39, 30.51, 30.74, 30.53, 30.43, 30.54, 30.77, 30.32 BIEHLE/FULTON - (Race 13) 30.24, 30.22, 30.31, 30.49, 30.47, 30.65 KENNETH BIEHLE - (Race 37) 31.07, 30.32, 30.53, 30.39, 30.88, 30.70, 30.78, 30.41, 30.65, 30.92, 30.32 Previous Next

< Back Wheeling Hot Dogs ( as of August 14, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted ) Stan Pawloski Aug 14, 2023 Charter Kennel’s Barts Aviator (AA) and FGF Duke (A, AA) have captured four out of their last five trips for trainer James Campbell. Kennel-mates Jack Parkman (A, AA) and JSP Money Talks (B, A) have back-to-back wins while Oshkosh Nancy has three straight victories (C, B, A). Steve Sarras Kennel’s Jolene Parker has three Grade AA wins in a row for trainer Mike Holguin. Kennel-mate WW Beastly Wrath has won three out of his last four 3/8 races (TA, TAA). Lester Raines Kennel’s JS Atomic Dawn has three straight Grade AA victories for trainer Joel Roden. Xtrem Hess Racing Kennel’s Xtrem Chicken has three wins, a second and a third in her last five Grade TAA 3/16 starts for trainer Jill Spicer. Code Red Kennel’s O Ya Paws has two victories and a second in his last three Grade AA outings for trainer Tom Engle. Kennel-mate FF Brooklyn has back-to-back wins (B, A). Blanchard Kennel’s Artex Suave has two straight Grade AA victories for trainer Chris Maynard. Kennel-mates TR Hill has won four out of his last five trips (M, D, C, B), Keep Em Guessing (C, B, A) and Ark RB Heyward (M, D, C) have captured three out of their last four starts while Ark RB Fitzpatrk has three straight wins (M, D, C). Patriot/Taplin Kennel’s SE Tilt A Whirl has back-to-back 3/8 victories (TB, TA) for trainer Cheyney Kuriata. Wayne Ward Kennel’s Resolute has three wins in a row (M, D, C) for trainer Ron Otto. Previous Next