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< Back FESTIVAL OF STAKES UPDATE Shane Bolender Sep 14, 2021 After two qualifying rounds in each of the six divisions in the 2021 edition of the Festival of Stakes at Southland Casino & Racing, the number of undefeated greyhounds remaining appears to be the fewest after two rounds in the history of the event. With two rounds remaining until the championship and consolation fields will be set, the smart money may be on even fewer remaining unscathed before the big event. Let’s take a quick recap look at the fields in each division going into round 3 action this coming weekend: Arkansas Bred Sprint Division (583 yards) To say GOVERNMENT SLAVE is undefeated through two rounds would be one thing, but the way this brindle female won her second round race gives hope that she may finish the deal and stay unbeaten going into Championship Sunday. This Magic City Kennel star isn’t the only one putting up good finishes for trainer Bill Nihan either. The kennel holds three of the top four positions in qualifying right now, nearly ensuring multiple entries at this point into the championship race. Other single race winners in this division had disappointing finishes in the other round so far, with IMARK BOOG (Ryan Farms), CBJ STARGAZER (T and T) and CBJ ELEKTRA (Wayne R. Ward) each running fourth or worse in their other effort, keeping the rest of pack close to possibly sneak into the finals with a couple big finishes in the final two rounds. Round 3 of qualifying action will be on Saturday, September 18th. Darby Henry Male Sprint Division (583 yards) Only one greyhound remains undefeated in this division, and the name of the greyhound who holds that designation is of no surprise. One of the best racing at Southland currently, CRAIGIE DELEGATE (Lester Raines Kennel) is not only undefeated through two rounds of qualifying action, but is now riding a five consecutive race win streak and there appears there is little in his way right now to stop him. He has 24 wins on the season with a little more than 3 months to go and is looking for his second major stakes championship in the past six weeks or so as he already locked up a spot in the championship finals, short of some distasterous occurrence. BARTS BLUE BLOOD (Charter Kennel) and KB’S MOODY RIVER (Magic City) are hanging close tied for 25 points thanks to a win and second place finish over the first two rounds and the next seven greyhounds are within a third place finish or better from making a major move up the charts. Third round action in the Darby Henry Male Sprint Division is slated for this coming Saturday. Darby Henry Female Sprint Division (583 yards) The ladies division in the Festival of Stakes appears to be one of the more exciting divisions as far as picking a clear cut favorite through two rounds. There are two undefeated greyhounds so far with HIGH KEY (Northshore Kennel) and JS KEEPHOPEALIVE (Lester Raines Kennel) riding high into round 3. Southland Derby Consolation Stakes winner, FIESTA GRACE (Gloria Dorsey) is within sniffing distance of the leaders with 25 points and a somewhat surprise entry hanging in fourth place with TURBO GIA (Bussmann-Balakas) scoring 22 points. Eight other greyhounds are lurking behind those top four vying for seemingly the last four spots in the championship field. Third round action for the ladies sprint division is slated for this Saturday. Barry Baldwin Juvenile Sprint Division (583 yards ) A “super” fast pup leads the field in this division as the only undefeated greyhound left. SUPER C BREW (Lester Raines Kennel) dominated his second round qualifying race by 8 lengths and counting past the wire this past Sunday to record his seventh win in just 17 starts. There is a complete logjam behind him with four greyhounds tied for second with 25 points each and another 3 greyhounds behind that pack tied at 22 points going into round 3 action this coming Sunday. Charter Kennel’s OSHKOSH HICKORY also posted a nice win during the second round, pulling away by five lengths as the betting favorite to bring his total to 22 points. This next round of qualifying will likely be key to either solidifying spots in the championship field, or being within a top two finish of sneaking into one of those coveted eight spots. Ness Sechrest Middle Distance Division (660 yards) Second time may be the charm for Razorback Classic Stakes Consolation Champ GODDESSOFTHEHUNT (Steve M. Sarras Kennel), who is the sole undefeated greyhound through two qualifying rounds in the Sechrest Middle Distance Division. Her quick break from the box and early speed has fueled two nice wins, one over ARKANS MABEL (Darren Henry Kennel) who is currently tied for the final spot in the championship field. Speaking of stakes winners, ARKANS RB TAZ (Darren Henry Kennel), the Razorback Classic Stakes Champion this season, lays tied for second after her blistering 10 length romp in round 2 and lurks around with 25 points. Tied with her for second is fan favorite CHILLAXIFICATION (Northshore Kennel), who’s monster closing style of running in sprint races begged to see what he could do in longer distances. He recently turned 4 years old last month, and although he has just three races on the Razorback Course, he has a win and second place so far in qualifying. From front to back, the top eight so far in this field is probably the closest in talent in all six of the divisions. Third round action in this division is slated to be contested this Friday. Ansel Styles, Jr. Marathon Distance Division (703 yards) Although this division had the fewest greyhounds entered into it since it’s inception over a decade ago in the Festival of Stakes, the two undefeated greyhounds sitting on top so far through two rounds should set up for a heck of a championship final if it stays the course. FGF DAVYCROCKETT (Charter Kennel) and SMILE N MEAN IT (Plum Creek Kennel) are unscathed and looking sharp, especially Davycrocket who has won comfortably going away in both his starts in this event. A trio of greyhounds are tied for third with 20 points each in JACK KNIGHT (Gloria Dorsey Kennel), RCK GOLDEN GRACE (Mike Harris Kennel) and WW HUSKY (Wayne R. Ward). The third round of qualifying is scheduled for Friday. Previous Next

< Back CET DIRTY GURLY, MAC'S ZHIVAGO TOP WVGOBA KEYSTONE STAKES QUALIFIERS Stan Pawloski Nov 18, 2021 Previous Next

< Back WV GREYHOUND RACETRACKS HANDLED $350 MILLION IN 2022 Stan Pawloski Feb 9, 2023 Wheeling sets record, $1.5 million handle in one day The two greyhound racing tracks in West Virginia, Wheeling Island and Tri-State, handled more than $350 million in 2022. The handle represents the amount of money bet on races from on-track patrons and from simulcast outlets. Last year, a total of $230,672,765 was bet on Wheeling greyhounds while $121,033,046 was wagered on Tri-State racers. The combined amount was $351,705,811. The total handle in 2022 was down about $7.3 million, or 2 percent, from the $359 million bet in 2021, however, the two state greyhound tracks ran 771 less races last year, or 8.4 percent, compared to 2021. Wheeling had 453 less races while Tri-State had 318 fewer. At Wheeling Island in 2021, the track held 20 races from January through mid-November when the number was reduced to 17. In 2022, Wheeling only had 17 races from January through the first week in July when the card increased to 20 races. Tri-State went from 16 races a card in 2021 to 15 a program for all of 2022. In addition, the handle per race in West Virginia in 2022 was $42,025 – up from $39,288 per race in 2021. Wheeling’s 2022 handle of $230.6 million was more than three times the $75 million handled in 2019. In 2020, the track was closed for three months due COVID. This year, Wheeling Island broke its own national single day handle record for greyhound racing at one track on Saturday afternoon, Feb. 4. The total wagered on-track and off-track on Wheeling Island greyhounds was $1,527,075, surpassing the $1,487,335 bet on greyhounds at Wheeling on May 7, 2021. Tri-State handled $837,531 the same day Wheeling surpassed the record – giving the two tracks a total of $2,364,606 on one day. Wheeling also had daily handles of $1,341,718 and $1,262,174 in January of this year. As of Wednesday, Feb. 8, Wheeling had five straight days of handling more than $1 million a day. Back in 2020 when the West Virginia Senate defeated a bill targeting greyhound racing, then-Sen. Bill Ihlenfeld of Wheeling saw the potential future for the sport in the state. “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 said the money doesn’t just benefit Ohio and Kanawha counties where the two greyhound tracks are located, but all 55 counties in the state. “There’s a lot of gambling revenue that can be had from places like Florida and Arkansas where they’ve shut down greyhound racing,” Ihlenfeld said. “We ought to double down on the industry, we shouldn’t shut it down.” Previous Next

< Back $100,000 MOUNTAINEER CLASSIC SET TO BEGIN AT WHEELING Sep 29, 2021 Wheeling Island’s featured stakes race of the year – the $100,000 Mountaineer Classic – kicks off Sunday afternoon, Oct. 3, with a field of 78 sprinters entered. Last year’s winner CG’s Penny Shoe (Abrahamson Kennel) and runner up TNT Free Falling (Patriot/Taplin Kennel) are not in this year’s stakes but two finalists from 2020 are entered – third place finisher Atascocita Birma (Code Red Kennel) and fourth place finisher Penrose Boss (Blanchard Kennel). There will be three qualifying rounds – Sunday, Oct. 3, Friday, Oct. 8 and Wednesday, Oct. 13 – before the semifinals on Sunday, Oct. 17. The championship final will be on Saturday, Oct. 23. Several greyhounds in this year’s Mountaineer Classic have stakes experience, according to local greyhound historian Robin Reed, and their accomplishments are listed below. LK’s SANTORINI – 2020 All-American; 2020 National Win Leader (33); winner 2020 Derby Lane Grand Finale and 2020 Derby Lane Inaugural; finalist 2020 Derby Lane Sprint Classic and 2019 Derby Lane Husker Magic Fall Sprint. ABBI’S FRONTMAN – winner 2020 Palm Beach Legacy Grand Champion. FRAPPE – winner 2020 Orange Park Future Stars Sprint Challenge. RS’S DARK NIGHT – winner 2021 WVGOBA Fall Juvenile at Wheeling. HI NOON RICOCHET – second 2020 Diane Whitely Sprint Championship at the Gulf; third 2020 Derby Lane Grand Finale. LK’S TRUBULEE – second 2020 Derby Lane Grand Finale. PENROSE BOSS – third 2020 Bestbet Sprint Classic at Orange Park; finalist 2020 Mountaineer Classic at Wheeling. ATASCOCITA BIRMA – third 2020 Mountaineer Classic at Wheeling. CRAIGIE DAUGHTRY – finalist 2021 Southland Futurity Consolation. A complete list of greyhounds by kennel entered in this year’s Mountaineer Classic follow: A Ray – Mega Felipe Blanchard – Frappe, JS Rob Stone, BWC Millie, Penrose Boss, Easi Vesurio, BO’s Tracy, Lily Lazer, Easi Kadeem, Easi Volsina, Frogman Brad Boeckenstedt – BGR Out Of Mind, BGR Bigfoot, Kris Was Righh, BGR Onewaystreet, BGR Big Daddy, BGR Goldfinger, BGR Head First, BGR Angel Eyes Charter – KB’s Copy Kat, Oshkosh Dally, Jack Parkman, Eau Claire, Oshkosh Edward, Barts Worthwhile Code Red – Ponda Waco Hound, Turbo Walt, Atascocita Amity, Atascocita Birma Imark – Imark Solo, Imark Sonja, Saber Port, Tickle Ur Fancy, Day Drinking, Clap Back, Sumkindawondrful, Imark Mash, Ding Dong Ditch, Saber Fire Jacobs Racing – Abbi’s Frontman, Hi Noon Ricochet, Slatex Jackson, Dark Guinness, Abbi’s Eagle, Hi Noon Revolver, Gettin My Buz On, Fortuneandfame, Denali Darlin Lester Raines – JS Slush Fund, O Ya Bobbie Sue, CTW Cant Stop It, JS Saltythursday, RS’s Dark Night, Craigie Daughtry, Teaser’s Tickle, Super C Amega, JS Shock Therapy Patriot/Taplin – Vegas Rangel – JS In The Money, Pat C Zenith, Pat C Inferno Steve Sarras – CTW Black Forest, CTW Bahati, Kells Xterra, ASK China, LK’s Trubulee, LK’s Santorini Wayne Ward – Memphis Minnie, WW Holdin Fast, WW Go Chiefs Go, WW Grandiose, WW Blond Roast Xtrem Hess Racing – UBX Unclesweater, CTW Smores To Go, Axtrem Flicker, Keeper Cry, T’s Iron Man, RHT Marylynn. Owners of the Mountaineer Classic winning greyhound will receive approximately 40 percent of the total stakes purse – a check of $42,000. Runner up is worth $18,000 with the third place finisher receiving $13,000 and fourth place getting $10,000. Fifth and sixth place will receive $5,500 each while seventh and eighth will get $3,000 apiece. Previous Next

< Back Wheeling Hot Dogs ( as of June 28, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted ) Stan Pawloski Jun 28, 2021 Jacobs Racing Kennel’s Abbi’s Gusta Win has won four out of his last five Grade AA starts for trainer Louise Strong. Lester Raines Kennel’s O Ya Trisha has captured eight out of her last nine 3/16 races (TD, TC, B, TA, TAA) for trainer Joel Roden. Kennel-mate JS Torpedospeedo has back-to-back wins (A, AA). Steve Sarras Kennel’s LK’s Sheridan has won four out of his last five 3/8 outings (TA, AA) for trainer Barb Long. Xtrem Hess Racing Kennel’s UBX Unclesweater has two victories and a second in his last three trips (A, AA) for trainer Jill Spicer. Charter Kennel’s Racine has back-to-back wins (A, AA) for trainer James Campbell. Blanchard Kennel’s TMC’s Tyme Flys has two straight victories (A, AA) for trainer Sarah Blanchard. A Ray Kennel’s Look To The Sky has two wins and a second in her last three starts (B, A) for trainer Joe Palmer. Previous Next

< Back Wheeling Hot Dogs (as November 14, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted) Stan Pawloski Nov 14, 2022 Steve Sarras Kennel’s CET Dirty Dan has six wins and two seconds in his last eight starts (SAA, AA) for trainer Jay Falcone. Kennel-mate Florentine has back-to-back Grade AA victories. Code Red Kennel’s O Ya Paws has five wins and two seconds in his last seven Grade AA starts for trainer Tom Engle. Charter Kennel’s Seven Summers (TAA 3/8) and FGF Allshewrote (AA) have back-to-back victories for trainer James Campbell. Lester Raines Kennel’s SNL Sir Liam has two wins and a second in his last three Grade AA races for trainer Joel Roden. Kennel-mate JS Atomic Dawg has back-to-back victories (B, A). Jacobs Kennel’s Slatex Wine has two straight wins (A, AA) for trainer Louise Strong. Kennel-mate Killians Gold has won three out of his last four outings (D, C, B). Blanchard Kennel’s JW Kokomo has two victories and a second in her last three trips (B, A) for trainer Sarah Blanchard. A Ray Kennel’s AMF Gotta Fly has two wins and a second in her last three 3/8 starts (B, TA) for trainer Joe Palmer. Previous Next

< Back 2024 Spring Meet Schooling Results - Monday April 15 Jim Gartland Apr 15, 2024 NGA Spring Meet Schooling Results—Monday, April 15, 2024 94 races scheduled: Drag after every 10 races. No watering Conditions: Overcast/mild – 61º start - 75º finish – Track: Fast (HS = Hand Slip (not timed) SCR = Scratched) SHANNON HENRY - (Race 1) 31.00, 30.29, 30.98, 31.01, 30.58, 30.53, 30.95, 30.73, 30.43, 30.94, 30.85, 30.85, 30.77, 30.99, 31.23, 30.94, 31.21, 31.42, 30.94, 30.97, 31.11, 31.23, 31.66, 31.75, 31.00, 31.54, 31.86 JAWS RACING – (Race 2) 30.56, 30.49, 30.92, 30.76, 30.84, 30.58, 31.56, 30.99, 31.08, 31.12, 30.95, 30.86, 31.30, 30.88, 30.88, 30.82, 30.55, 31.27, 30.91, 30.88, 30.70, 31.26 SEASTROM KENNELS - (Race 3) 30.12 , 30.85, 30.43, 30.38, 30.92, 31.01, 31.07, 31.13, 31.45, 31.70, 31.55, HS, HS, HS, HS, HS TAPLIN KENNEL - (Race 4) 30.96, 30.62, 31.29 DAVID STRONG – (Race 16) 30.46, 30.49, 30.43 BOBBY WOODALL - (Race 28) 31.17, 31.01, 31.32, 31.25, 31.32, 31.50, 31.99, 31.97 MICHAEL STRICKLAND - (Race 60) 31.12, 30.50, 31.10, 31.41, HS, HS, GLENN JONES - (Race 67) HS, HS, HS, HS JUNE KENNEDY - (Race 83) 30.88, 31.30, 31.66, SCR LYNN BUNN - (Race 84) 31.35 Previous Next

< Back DERBY LANE LOSING TOP DOG Aug 17, 2020 Goodbye, Florida. Hello, Arkansas. Hi Noon Ruger, the Derby Lane meet win leader, left the Florida West Coast track in style on Saturday in what may have been her final start in the Sunshine State. After scoring her eighth victory from 10 starts at the current six-month meet, Hi Noon Ruger was scheduled to leave Derby Lane today (Monday) for Southland Racing in West Memphis, Ark., where racing purses are higher. Nova kennel manager and trainer Missy Kubitz announced the move on Saturday, hours before her dog’s four-length victory in 30.65 seconds - the second fastest time among 111 greyhounds who competed that evening on the 550-yard course. It was her career-tying fourth consecutive victory, and eighth win in the past nine outings. “I will miss her a lot,’’ Kubitz said. “She’s on top of my list for my favorites. She gets her McDonald’s biscuit and egg every day.’’ Hi Noon Ruger, a 28-month-old female from a litter by two-time All-America first-team member SH Avatar and Hi Noon Wheezy, leaves Derby Lane with three more victories than any greyhound since the current meet began July 1. All eight wins came at the Grade A level, helping the Hans Limmer-owned Nova kennel to a 30-16 advantage over Lashmet for most top-grade victories at Derby Lane. Owned by Charles Haliburton III, Hi Noon Ruger will be relocating for the fourth time since starting her career in October 2019. She ran two stints at Derby Lane sandwiched between a two-month stay earlier this year at Gulf Greyhound Park in La Marque, Texas. Only two of Hi Noon Ruger’s 17 career wins came in the Lone Star State, where she made five starts. At Derby Lane, the 63-pound athlete prevailed in 15 of 29 races – all at 550 yards. Ask Kubitz one of the things that she remembers about Hi Noon Ruger and it doesn’t take long to answer. “Her first (official) race at Derby Lane,’’ Kubitz said. On Oct. 26, 2019, Hi Noon Ruger was the 7-5 wagering favorite in her career debut after finishing first and third in two schooling races. She failed to finish the race. “In her first maiden race, she got over to the far turn (entering the stretch),’’ Kubitz said. “She had to be four or five (lengths) in front, and she stopped. Her ears went up, and she ducked into the rail. The lure had gone through the turn already, and she lost sight of it and she stopped. She thought the race was over.’’ The comment in her racing line reads: “Checked (on the) second turn-rail.’’ After that, Hi Noon Ruger began to shine. She won three subsequent schooling races by a total of 16 lengths, and finished first in her next two official starts by three and two lengths, respectively. Hi Noon Ruger advanced to Grade A on June 6, where she has been ever since – winning 11 of 16 races. Her only two losses at the current meet were a pair of seconds, losing by a nose and a neck, respectively. Hi Noon Ruger’s career-best time at Derby Lane was 30.41 seconds. “When I first broke that litter in, I thought (Hi Noon Ruger) was the fastest one,’’ Kubitz said. “She was just so fast. . . . She didn’t know how fast she could run. “She had to mature. It took her until this year to really figure it out. “She doesn’t have any box speed, but she’s got a good rush to the turn, and then she can just go from there. She’s got late speed, so she can come from behind and catch you. She’s just so calm. You open her crate and she rolls over and you can pet her belly. . . . She smiles from ear to ear with that big old toothy grin. “It’s a pleasure just to watch her.’’ Previous Next

< Back WV greyhound racetracks handled $400 million in 2023 Stan Pawloski Feb 5, 2024 The two greyhound racing tracks in West Virginia, Wheeling Island and Tri-State, handled more than $400 million in 2023 – a $50 million increase from the year before. The handle represents the amount of money bet on races from on-track patrons and from simulcast outlets. Last year, a total of $258,952,536 was bet on Wheeling greyhounds while $144,715,912 was wagered on Tri-State racers. The combined amount was $403,668,448. Wheeling Island broke its own national single day handle record for greyhound racing at one track on Saturday afternoon, May 6. The total wagered on-track and off-track on Wheeling Island greyhounds was $1,625,392, surpassing the $1,527,075 bet on greyhounds at Wheeling on Saturday afternoon, Feb. 4, 2022. Tri-State Greyhound Park handled $852,099 the same day Wheeling surpassed its own record – giving the two West Virginia tracks a total of $2,477,491 on one day. Tri-State did set a one-day handle mark of $854,209 on Saturday evening, March 4. Other 2023 highlights from the two racetracks follow: -Wheeling had 120-million-dollar handle days. -Wheeling had 42 straight million-dollar Saturday handles. -Tri-State had 45 days with $700,000 or $800,000 handles. In 2022, a total of $230,672,765 was bet on Wheeling greyhounds while $121,033,046 was wagered on Tri-State racers. The combined amount was $351,705,811. The 2023 handle increased 14.77 percent. (Note: The handle amounts were tabulated daily but are unofficial). Previous Next

< Back Wheeling Hot Dogs ( as of August 12, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted ) Stan Pawloski Aug 19, 2024 Lester Raines Kennel’s GB’s Briar has three straight Grade TAA 3/16 wins for trainer Joel Roden. Kennel-mate JS Bud Lite Nite has back-to-back victories (B, A). Blanchard Kennel’s Easi Come has won three out of his last four starts (A, AA) for trainer Chris Maynard. Kennel-mate Easi Tiger has two wins and a second in his last three outings (B, A). Steve Sarras Kennel’s DD’s Jace has three straight victories (B, A, AA) for trainer Mike Holguin. Patriot/Taplin Kennel’s TNT Tarzan (TAA 3/16) and JSP Wood B Magic (B, A) have two wins and a second in their last three trips for trainer Cheyney Kuriata. Jacobs Racing Kennel’s Showinoff has three victories and a second in his last four 3/16 outings (TC, B, TA) for trainer Natalie Looper. Previous Next

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

< Back Wheeling Hot Dogs ( as of May 15, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted ) Stan Pawloski May 15, 2023 Blanchard Kennel’s Artex Pumbaa has three straight Grade AA victories for trainer Sarah Blanchard. Kennel-mate Arkans TMC Athos has back-to-back Grade AA wins. Patriot/Taplin Kennel’s SE Tap House has two victories and two seconds in his last four Grade AA races for trainer Joe Otto. Xtrem Hess Racing Kennel’s Xtrem Chicken has two wins and two seconds in her last four Grade TAA 3/16 starts for trainer Jill Spicer. A Ray Kennel’s AMF Gotta Go has back-to-back Grade AA victories for trainer Joe Palmer. Lester Raines Kennel’s Solomon Suntinca has two wins and a second in her last three 3/16 outings (TB, TA) for trainer Joel Roden. Kennel-mates JS Big Impact (B, A) and JS Atomic Dawg (B, A) have back-to-back victories while JS Oopsie Daisy has won three out of her last four races (D, C, B). Wayne Ward Kennel’s WW Dunkin Switch has captured three out of her last four trips (C, B, A) for trainer Ron Otto. Code Red Kennel’s Arroyo Ruger (TD, TC, TA 3/16) and FF Leroy Brown (M, D, C) have three straight wins for trainer Tom Engle. Previous Next