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< Back Year In Review: Highlights from Wheeling's 2019 Racing Season Stan Pawloski Jan 9, 2020 Another thrilling and fun-filled season of Wheeling Island greyhound racing is in the books and more excitement is anticipated in 2020. There were numerous highlights on the track throughout 2019, including the $100,000 Mountaineer Classic, two West Virginia bred stake events and win streaks which generated plenty of fan interest. In addition, a number of youngsters broke their Maiden and look like future stars. Top greyhound honors went to Patriot/Taplin Kennel’s GF La Duena, who became the first Wheeling greyhound to reach the 30-win plateau since 2009 when Kiowa Power Pak posted 31 victories. La Duena posted 32 wins. The Blanchard Kennel, trained by James E. Blanchard, captured the 2019 kennel championship after finishing runner up to the Lester Raines Kennel in 2018. In the $100,000 Mountaineer Classic on a rainy day in late October, Wayne Ward Kennel’s WW’s Chewbacca took charge on the far turn before pulling away from Xtrem Hess Racing Kennel’s Axtrem Bomb, the early pacesetter, for a 2-length victory in 29.72 to capture the racetrack’s featured stakes event for 2019. Brad Boeckenstedt Kennel’s BGR Bonecrusher closed late to round out the trifecta ticket. Completing the final order of finish were L’s Luv It (Blanchard Kennel), fourth; L’s Griz (Blanchard Kennel), fifth; TNT Coal Trickle (Steve Sarras Kennel), sixth; AMF Bystander (A Ray Kennel), seventh; and Barts Sea Sail (Charter Kennel), eighth. WW’s Chewbacca broke in at Wheeling Island before a short stint at Southland Park. In the qualifying rounds, the sprinter was a mark of consistency – a win, a second, a third and a fourth in the four rounds. In the $35,000 West Virginia Greyhound Owners and Breeders Association Juvenile in late September, Abrahamson Kennel’s CG’s Sneaker rocketed to an early lead and then held off her brother CG’s Penny Shoe by a length at the wire in 29.84 to capture the stakes crown. Rounding out the trifecta ticket was CET Sassy (Steve Sarras Kennel). Completing the final order of finish were Mac’s Zaxxon (A Ray Kennel), fourth; CET Little Razz (Steve Sarras Kennel), fifth; TS Shaq (Steve Sarras Kennel), sixth; Mac’s Crabtree (A Ray Kennel), seventh; and TS Tito Ortiz (Steve Sarras Kennel), eighth. In the $65,000 WVGOBA Keystone Championship in late November, A Ray Kennel’s Mac’s Trudeaux pulled away in the stretch for a 6 ½-length victory in 38.11. Abrahamson Kennel’s MO’s Live Oak took runner up honors while Lester Raines Kennel’s RS’s Buckeyebuck rounded out the trifecta ticket. Completing the order of finish were CET Sassy (Steve Sarras Kennel), fourth; RS’s Hammerdown (Patriot/Taplin Kennel), fifth; CET Hellen Ann (Steve Sarras Kennel), sixth; Mac’s Murdoch (A Ray Kennel), seventh; and CET Earthquake (Steve Sarras Kennel), eighth. The longest winning streak during the 2019 racing season was seven in a row by Mac’s Glightfoot. The 3/8th racer, who came to Wheeling in March from Tri-State Greyhound Park, also had a six-race victory streak last year. Three other greyhounds had six-race win steaks in 2019 – GF La Duena (twice), BGR Later Gator and Flyin Michiyoshi (streak started in December 2018 and extended into January). Imark Grande won five in a row. Several other greyhounds captured four straight victories – GF La Duena, L’s Griz, High Wire Willy, FF Biscayne, Imark Solo, BGR Whysoserious, JS Drinkmepretty, TNT Coal Trickle, ZB Tremonti and JS Go Flex. There was an influx of greyhounds to Wheeling in 2019, most from Southland, Iowa and Derby Lane. Upcoming in 2020 are plans for the annual $100,000 Mountaineer Classic, two West Virginia-bred stakes races and possibly another event. Previous Next

< Back 2019 WIN LEADERS Jan 28, 2020 Previous Next

< 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 Wheeling Hot Dogs ( as of November 1, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted ) Stan Pawloski Nov 1, 2021 Lester Raines Kennel’s RS Big D has three wins, a second and a third in his last five Grade TAA 3/8 races for trainer Joel Roden. Kennel-mate Craigie Padre has back-to-back victories (B, A). Charter Kennel’s Oshkosh Heart has won three out of her last four Grade AA trips for trainer James Campbell. Blanchard Kennel’s JS Rob Stone has back-to-back Grade AA wins for trainer Sarah Blanchard. Wayne Ward Kennel’s WW Cha Ching has three straight victories (C, B, A) for trainer Ron Otto. Brad Boeckenstedt Kennel’s BGR Sundayfunday has back-to-back wins (B, A) for trainer Frank Pellittere. A Ray Kennel’s AMF Girls Only has captured three out of her last four races (D, C, B) for trainer Joe Palmer. Previous Next

< Back 2023 HALL OF FAME AUCTION Jul 31, 2023 The Greyhound Hall of Fame museum preserves and presents the history of the racing greyhound in America from its inception to today. Two resident greyhound greeters are onsite to greet the visitors. Located in Abilene, Kansas, the greyhound capital of the US, the museum provides an in depth look at greyhounds from birth through adoption, and has been doing so for over 50 years. The Hall, like many museums, is always in need of funding so we are asking that you please help us out and join us for our 2023 Auction to Support the Greyhound Hall of Fame on Facebook! This auction will help raise needed funds for the ongoing operating costs of the facility. The Hall of Fame needs EVERYONE'S help to continue to represent our Industry. The auction will run from August 7 to August 19, 2023 at 8:00 pm, but first we need everyone to spread the word about the auction and we need donations for the auction to happen. We really want to make this a super successful fun auction but it can't happen without our greyhound community. We also encourage you to share this information so we can get the word out. Your help in this is greatly appreciated. The official site on Facebook is: "2023 Auction to Support the Greyhound Hall of Fame" Special thanks to Mike and Lisa Muchler for hosting this big event. Previous Next

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< Back Wheeling Hot Dogs ( as May 2, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted ) Stan Pawloski May 2, 2022 Blanchard Kennel’s JS Rob Stone has won eight out of his last nine Grade AA races for trainer Sarah Blanchard. Charter Kennel’s Oshkosh Dally has four straight Grade AA victories for trainer James Campbell. Kennel-mate Seven Summers has captured five out of her last six 3/8 outings (TC, B, TA, TAA). Steve Sarras Kennel’s Florentine has won three out of her last four starts (A, AA) for trainer Jay Falcone. Lester Raines Kennel’s Teaser’sTickle has back-to-back wins (A, AA) for trainer Joel Roden. Rangel Kennel’s MPJ Freeze Up has won three out of her last four trips (C, B, A) for trainer Sheri Comer. Xtrem Hess Racing Kennel’s Gloves Off has back-to-back victories (B, A) for trainer Jill Spicer. Imark Kennel’s Imark Docholiday has captured three out of his last four races (D, C, B) for trainer DiAnn Derr. Previous Next

< Back Wheeling Hot Dogs ( as of July 24, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted ) Stan Pawloski Jul 24, 2023 Charter Kennel’s JSP Rayzendacash has won five out of his last six Grade AA starts for trainer James Campbell. Kennel-mate RHT Kan Do Karla has three straight wins (C, B, A). Blanchard Kennel’s Arkans TMC Athos has captured four out of his last five Grade AA trips for trainer Chris Maynard. Kennel-mates BNC R Rooney has won three out of his last four outings (A, AA) while About To Rock has three victories and a second in his last four races (B, A, AA). Steve Sarras Kennel’s WW Griggsy has back-to-back wins (A, AA) for trainer Mike Holguin. Rangel Kennel’s VJ Full Of Grace has two 3/8 victories in a row (TA, TAA) for trainer Alex Hall. Previous Next

< Back YEAR IN REVIEW: HIGHLIGHTS FROM WHEELING'S 2022 RACING SEASON Stan Pawloski Jan 6, 2023 Last year marked 46 years of Wheeling greyhound racing. Fans can expect another thrilling, fun-filled racing season and more excitement in 2023. Even though the track’s featured stakes race, the $100,000 Mountaineer Classic, was not held in 2022, there were plenty of highlights on the track. A 3/8th greyhound etched his name in the record books, two West Virginia-bred stake events were contested, several greyhounds battled throughout the year for top win honors and a number of youngsters broke their Maiden and look like future stars. Top greyhound honors went to Steve Sarras Kennel’s Florentine, who posted 22 victories. Next in line were Oshkosh Edward with 20 and Xtrem Chicken with 19 wins. The Lester Raines Kennel, trained by Joel Roden, captured the 2022 kennel championship with 567 wins – their third straight after winning crowns in 2020 and 2021. The Blanchard Kennel took runner up honors with 516 victories. The top highlight during the 2022 racing season was RS Big D’s streak of 13 straight 3/8th victories as the middle-distance star chased Casual Casey’s track record of 16 wins in a row. RS Big D’s 13 straight victories tied Stage Door Ace for the longest winning streak by a 3/8th greyhound in Wheeling history. The pair share fourth on the all-time win streak list behind Casual Casey (16), Steph’s Good (15) and Win Again (14). A February 2019 greyhound out of Oya Stan The Man-RS Hard Drive, RS Big D is the first Wheeling racer to win 10 in a row to begin a calendar year since Kiowa WW Brother in 2009. The first three of RS Big D’s 13 in a row were in December 2021. Steph’s Good captured a record 15 straight to start the 1987 racing season. RS Big D’s 13 straight victories were by a combined 67 lengths – a 5-length average margin of victory. He had wins by 9 ½, 8 ½, 7 ½ (twice), 7 and 5 ½ (twice) lengths during his streak. In the $35,000 West Virginia Greyhound Owners and Breeders Association Juvenile Championship in late September, the favorite CET Barracuda (Imark Kennel) battled for the early lead with Arroyo Roxanne (Code Red Kennel) before taking charge near the far turn. CET Tiger Boy (Steve Sarras Kennel) closed strong in the stretch to take runner up honors while Arroyo Roxanne settled for third. Completing the final 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. In the $65,000 WVGOBA Panhandle Championship in late November, CET Dirty Dan (Steve Sarras Kennel) rushed to an early 3-length lead before holding off RS’s Dark Night (Lester Raines Kennel) by a neck at the wire. CET Marlin (Imark Kennel) rounded out the trifecta ticket. Completing the final order of finish were CET Barracuda (Imark Kennel), fourth; CET Tiger Boy (Steve Sarras Kennel), fifth; CET Fernando (Imark Kennel), sixth; RS’s Railhauler (Lester Raines Kennel), seventh; and RS’s Dunkindylan (Lester Raines Kennel), eighth. Wheeling will host two West Virginia-bred stakes races again in 2023, the Juvenile and the Keystone Championship. Hopefully the $100,000 Mountaineer Classic returns to the stakes calendar. While RS Big D’s 13 victories in a row was the longest winning streak during the 2022 racing season, two other greyhounds – JS Rob Stone and CET Dirty Dan – won six straight races. Four other greyhounds captured five races in a row – Florentine, Frappe, Xtrem Chicken and JS Cold On Ice. Several other greyhounds captured four straight victories – Marlyn Mason (twice), BGR Jaded, JS Oakietwister, Seven Summers, Oshkosh Dally, Teaser’s Tickle, O Ya Thunder Boy, Xtrem Chicken, Artex Bugaba, WW Cuddlebug and JS Big Rig. With the closing of Iowa Greyhound Park last May and Southland Greyhound Park in Arkansas at the end of December 2022, only the two greyhound racetracks in West Virginia – Wheeling Island and Tri-State – will be operating this year. Look for most, if not all, of the kennels in Wheeling to be dotted with former Southland greyhounds this year and the level of competition raised a few notches. CET Dirty Dan captured the $65,000 West Virginia Greyhound Owners and Breeders Association Panhandle Championship at Wheeling Island last October. In the winner’s circle with the champion are, from left, racing manager Jack Davis, Carl Tomblin II (CET Dirty Dan owner), Summer Tomblin, racing secretary Chris Yahn, lead out Tiffany Daniels, Steve Sarras and Nikolas Sarras. (Photo by Stan Pawloski) Previous Next

< Back HELL BENT'S FAST START EARNS SPOT IN WHEELING HISTORY Stan Pawloski Aug 7, 2023 NOTE: August marks 47 years of greyhound racing at Wheeling. In conjunction with the anniversary, this column will feature articles related to the track’s history. Today, greyhounds reaching Grade AA undefeated during their careers are highlighted. Heading into the 2023 racing season at Wheeling Island, 29 greyhounds had climbed the ladder straight to Grade AA after winning their Maiden debut. Now there’s 30. The latest to accomplish the feat in the 47-year history of Wheeling Downs/Island is Xtrem Hess Racing Kennel’s Hell Bent. The youngster won his first Maiden race in early June before capturing Grades D, C, B and A in successive starts. An August 2021 greyhound out of Konomi-Liz Cambage, Hell Bent is trained by Jill Spicer and owned by David Strong. He finished fourth in his first Grade AA trip. Of those 30 greyhounds, nine went on to capture at least their first start against Grade AA company. The first Wheeling greyhound to go straight to Grade AA undefeated was Royal Onyx in 1978, winning his first five starts – Maiden and Grades C, B, A and AA. The last racer to accomplish the feat before Hell Bent was JS Wanna Bee in 2020, capturing her first five races – Maiden and Grades D, C, B and A. The Wheeling record for most victories in a row to start a career is 12 by Kiowa Sweet Trey in 2001. The sprint star won Maiden, Grades D, C, B, A and seven in Grade AA. Kiowa Sweet Trey broke the mark of 10 straight career-opening wins by Onie Reid in 1985-86. Onie Reid was victorious in Maiden, Grades C, B, A and six in Grade AA. Although Kiowa Sweet Trey and Onie Reid are regarded as two of the best greyhounds to ever grace the Wheeling oval, most of the racers who reached Grade AA undefeated weren’t superstars. It’s a rare feat as only 30 greyhounds have turned the trick since the track opened on Aug. 18, 1976. Following are the nine greyhounds who raced straight to Grade AA undefeated and then won at least their first top grade start, year accomplished and number of career-opening victories: Kiowa Sweet Trey – July through December 2001; won 12 in a row; Maiden, D, C, B, A, seven in AA. Onie Reid – December 1985 thru January 1986; won 10 straight; Maiden, C, B, A, six in AA. Final Vote – June 2013 thru July 2013; seven wins; Maiden, C, B, A, three in AA. Itsa Screamer – November 1998 thru December 1998; six wins; Maiden, C, B, A, two in AA. AMF Bone Bruise – April 2009 thru May 2009; six wins; M, D, C, B, A, AA. Slatex Johnny – November 2003 thru December 2003; six wins; M, D, C, B, A, AA. Soul Cipher – December 2000 thru January 2001; six wins; Maiden, D, C, B, A, AA. Iruska Zederiah – January 1999 thru February 1999; five wins; M, C, B, A, AA. Royal Onyx – May 1978 thru June 1978; five wins; M, C, B, A, AA. Following are the 21 greyhounds who climbed the ladder straight to Grade AA, but did not capture their initial top grade race, year accomplished and number of career-opening victories: Hell Bent – June 2023 thru July 2023; five wins, Maiden, D, C, B, A. JS Wanna Bee – July 2020 thru August 2020; five wins; Maiden, D, C, B, A. Atascocita Sig – March 2016 thru April 2006; five wins; Maiden, D, C, B, A. WW Ruff Enough – October 1998 thru November 1998; five wins; Maiden, D, C, B, A. KB’s Try This On – June 2013; five wins; Maiden, D, C, B, A. Mansfield Hollow – July 2011 thru August 2011; five wins; Maiden, D, C, B, A. Go Bon Jitterbug – November 2009 thru January 2010; five wins; Maiden, D, C, B, A. Mac’s Wynken – June 2010 thru July 2010; five wins; Maiden, D, C, B, A. Bella Daucus – November 2009 thru December 2009; five wins; Maiden, D, C, B, A. USS Cool Luke – November 2008 thru December 2008; five wins; Maiden, D, C, B, A. Shonn – October 2009 thru November 2009; four wins; Maiden, C, B, A. Kiowa Power Pak – June 2008; four wins; Maiden, C, B, A. Pat C Die Hard – March 2003; four wins; Maiden, C, B, A. Mocan Rightaway – December 1997; four wins; Maiden, C, B, A. She’s A Dreamer – September 1993; four wins; Maiden, C, B, A. Chartman – January 1993; four wins; Maiden, C, B, A. Papa Tom – December 1992; four wins; Maiden, C, B, A. KC’s Okie Dokie – April 1992 thru May 1992; four wins; Maiden, C, B, A. Gull’s Manny – April 1988; four wins; Maiden, C, B, A. Gabe Grand – November 1984 thru December 1984; four wins: Maiden, C, B, A. Erin’s Smile – March 1983 thru April 1983; four wins; Maiden, C, B, A. (Contributing to this column was Robin Reid, local greyhound historian). Previous Next

< Back LK'S SANTORINI SHOOTS FOR NO. 58 Sep 20, 2020 LK’s Santorini, the meet win leader at Derby Lane, goes for her 58th lifetime victory today (Monday) in Race 10, a 550-yard test for Grade A sprinters. The 41-month-old daughter of LK’s Vespar and LK’s Chardonnay, drew box 2 in the race at 2:47 p.m. for Lashmet kennel. She is the 5-2 morning-line favorite, and comes off a 4-length victory this past Thursday in 30.65 seconds. Bred and owned by Derby Lane kennel operators John and Jill Lashmet of Eaton, Colo., LK’s Santorini has recorded 57 victories from 132 overall starts. She tops the meet win standings with 10, including a five-race win streak from Aug. 12-29 under kennel manager-trainer Ken Deacon. One of her opponents is Deco Colt Gun of Nova kennel in box 3. The Missy Kubitz trainee has won his past two races for owner David Hays. Deco Colt Gun has 45 lifetime victories from 92 starts. Entering Monday, Everett Racing, a three-time meet win champion, leads the 14-kennel standings with 122 victories. Everett Racing won 14 races this past week, highlighted by a five-win performance on Wednesday. Kelly Everett owns Everett Racing with Kelsie Gubbels as the trainer. Defending meet win leader Lester Raines also had a 14-win week to move into a tie with Capabal kennel for second place, each with 118 victories. Abernathy kennel ranks fourth at 114, and Nova kennel is fifth with 109. Nova has the most Grade A wins with 45. Derby Lane features seven 15-race performances weekly with matinee cards Monday through Saturday, and an evening performance on Saturday. Previous Next