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< Back Artex Pumbaa named Captain for 2023 NGA All Star Team James Gartland Mar 14, 2024 Wheeling co-win leader Artex Pumbaa , has been voted Captain of the 2023 NGA All Star team. The annual naming of an All-America team dates back to 1963, but the format changed somewhat this year, as a result of far fewer eligible greyhounds and less racing opportunities. This year, the program pays tribute to some of the top greyhounds racing in West Virginia as voted on by the NGA's Board of Directors. Others named to this year’s All Star Team include: JSP Rayzendacash , Florentine, Tenacity , JSP Burninmoney, CET Dirty Dilly , CG's Sun Storm and JS Comin Undone . Heading up the team is it's Captain, Artex Pumbaa (Flying Hydrogen-Arkans Cancer) who was the co-win leader at Wheeling and finished in the money in 82% of his starts. Perhaps the most steady and consistent greyhound at Wheeling in 2023, Pumbaa competed against the best, day in and day out, and closed the year winning six in a row. He would finish the season with a 51-22-8-6 record and the well earned reward as Captain of the 2023 AA team. Florentine (Rob Gronkowski-PJ Sour Diesel) is a return honoree from last years' All American team. Florentine continued her winning ways in 2023, finishing tied for 2nd in wins at the Wheeling oval. Early speed is her game and although she may have lost a step, she was still tough to beat once on the lead. A couple of three and four race win streaks helped contribute to her overall record of 58-21-11-8-6. Joining Artex Pumbaa on the team is kennel mate Tenacity (Tip Top-JW Arrietta). The second youngest member of the team, Tenacity broke her maiden in March of 2023, reached AA in May, and never looked back picking up 17 of her 21 wins in the AA ranks. Her 21 wins tied her with Florentine for 2nd most at the meet. She could win from the lead or come from behind and when clear of traffic was perhaps the fastest greyhound at the track. Her final record was 50-21-10-5-6 for the 2023 season. The 4th member of the team is another Wheeling sprinter, JSP Rayzendacash (Superior Panama-Gonz Mani) who's 22 wins tied him for the win lead at the meet with Artex Pumbaa, many of those wins coming in dominant fashion. He finished the year with a 54-22-4-9-5 record including a couple of three and four race win streaks. CET Dirty Dilly (SH Avatar-CET Dirty Nicki) receives national honors, once again, making it three straight years as a recognized All Star in the greyhound industry despite racing only half the year. "The Queen" retired in June of 2023 finishing with a 14 race win streak including the WBGOBA Sprint Championship. Her twenty two wins were good enough for 2nd in the final standings even though she had roughly half the starts of her competitors. She ended the year early with a 26-23-2-0-1 record. The only distance star to make this year's team, JS Comin Undone (Show On The Road-CH Keepin Faith), dominated 3/8ths mile racing at Tri State during 2023. He won 19 races over the 660 yard course despite missing an entire month of racing and finished in the money in 30 of his 37 starts. His record for the year was 37-19-5-4-2 and included 5 in a row in a September stretch winning one of those races by 12-1/2 lengths! The youngest member of this year's squad is CG's Sun Storm (Jax Yardley-CG's Lady Bug) who broke in at Tri State in May and soon after became one of the top sprinters at the track. He won 24 races in 2023 including a couple at Wheeling. He finished 2nd in the WVGBOA Juvenile stake at Wheeling to littermate, CG's Honesty. He ran out of the money only once over the course of the year finishing with an outstanding 34-24-6-3-0 record. The final member of the team is Tri State and American win leader, JSP Burninmoney (Show On The Road-Gonz Mani). His 34 win in 2023 were, by far, the most for any greyhound racing in the U.S. and ten wins ahead of the 2nd place finisher in the Tri State standings. He put together win streaks of seven and eight races during the year while dominating top level competition at the Charleston track. He finished in the money 45 out of 49 times with a final record of 49-34-6-4-1. These eight representing the team and will be honored with All-Star plaques at the Greyhound Hall Of Fame awards ceremony on Thursday night, Apr. 25, during the NGA Spring Meet in Abilene, KS. Previous Next

< Back NGA FALL MEET SCHOOLING RESULTS - SUNDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2021 Jim Gartland Oct 3, 2023 NGA Fall Meet Schooling Results—Sunday, October 3, 2021 43 races scheduled: Dragged after every listed 10, no watering. Conditions: Sunny & cool - 60º Track: Fast (HS = Hand School-untimed; SCR = Scratched) MIKE STRICKLAND - (Race 1) HS, 30.66, 30.74, 31.03 GURLEY/GARDNER/SEASTRO M – (Race 2) 30.43, 30.56, 30.55, 30.67, 30.85, 30.74, 30.98, 30.95, 31.29, 30.56, 31.38, 31.21, 31.29, 31.64 DAVID STRONG - (Race 3) 30.47, 30.62, 30.62, 31.24, 30.71, 31.17, 31.06, 30.87, HS, HS, SCR, SCR STEVE WARD - (Race 4) 30.42 , 30.90, 30.71, 31.04, 30.75, 31.04, 31.19 HARDISON/FLAHIVE - (Race 17) 31.37, 31.17, 31.28, 31.58, 31.30, 31.03 Previous Next

< Back Caliente Kennel Wins for Grade A / 546 - Dec 3-9 Patricia Saul Dec 10, 2023 La Fiesta Kennel had four Grade A wins with Tv’s Starling, Tv’s Black Swift, Casual Thing and Bgr Jungle Juice. Trainer Bobby Mir Rio Grande Kennel captured four wins from AMF Seldom Found (2), Gonz Simona and AMF Seldomcaught. Trainer Marcos Gonzalez Tijuana Kennel seized three Grade A wins with WW Amor, WW Charity and WW May Queen. Trainer Aldara Fuentes Kennels capturing one Grade A win were Correcaminos (Troublesome, Trainer Karen Sadulski), Los Taxis (WW Wanton Game, Trainer Vicente Lopez) and Newport (Laughter N Tears, Trainer Tyler Sadulski). Previous Next

< Back KAIAS ALEX IS MR. CONSISTENT Oct 5, 2020 Consistency: Unchanging in nature, standard, or effect over time. The Google definition doesn’t mention Kaias Alex. Perhaps it should. Turn the calendar back to Dec. 14, 2019. On that Saturday night performance, Kaias Alex broke slowly in Race 9, got bumped on the first turn, and finished fifth – 9-1/2-lengths behind BD Wells in a Grade A 550-yard sprint. Something changed after that for the Floyd kennel athlete. “He’s matured,’’ kennel operator and trainer Randy Floyd said. “He’s just gotten better. I thought he was pretty good, but not this good.’’ Twenty-three races and more than nine months later, Kaias Alex has added consistency to his resume. Not one effort worse than third place, a remarkable streak among the best Grade A sprinters that Derby Lane has to offer. Owned by George ‘’Dick’’ Adler of Lecanto, Fla., Kaias Alex has 13 wins, nine seconds, and one third since Dec. 20. Not even a coronavirus pandemic that sidelined all Derby Lane dogs for seven weeks has stopped his momentum. “He’s just a happy and friendly dog,’’ Floyd said. “The whole litter is that way. I told Dick this whole litter is just a pleasure to handle. They just want some attention.’’ Kaias Alex has never been better. In September, he recorded a career-high six-race win streak, beating rivals by a total of 28 lengths. The streak ended this past Tuesday with a second-place effort, but he returned to the winner’s circle on Saturday with a box-to-wire 7-length triumph. The 39-month-old son of Djays Octane and Ethereal Elation has won 24 of 60 races overall since starting his career in February 2019, raising his in-the-money percentage to 80 percent that represents a top-four finish in a race. His versatility is reflected with 14 wins by leading at every race call, and 10 by coming from off the pace. “He breaks decent and he’s got a good rush to the turn,’’ Floyd said. “And then he wants to get out wide and on the outside, and get going. It’s been a while since anybody’s run him down.’’ The last time Kaias Alex gave up a lead was Dec. 27, when Super C Casino rallied from a 3-length deficit to defeat the 73-pound dog by a nose. Kaias Alex’s best time at 550 yards is 30.30 seconds on Jan. 15. Although Kaias Alex didn’t advance to Derby Lane’s top Grade A level until his 20th start, Floyd entered him in three stakes races in 2019: (third in the $20,000 Gold Trophy Juvenile; fifth in the $10,000 Thanksgiving; and unplaced in the $10,000 Howl-O-Ween). “I’m pleasantly surprised (at his success),’’ Floyd said. “I knew he could run. . . . It’s a matter if you get a chance to run. “There are so many good dogs (at Derby Lane), you’ve got to be lucky to get out of the box and get around the turn. That’s the name of the game.’’ Previous Next

< Back Wheeling Hot Dogs ( as of April 19, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted ) Stan Pawloski Apr 19, 2021 Abrahamson Kennel’s Atascocita Birma has four wins and a second in her last five Grade AA starts for trainer Tom Engle. Blanchard Kennel’s Frappe has three straight Grade AA victories for trainer Sarah Blanchard. Wayne Ward Kennel’s SH Avenger has won three out of his last four 3/16 trips (AA, TAA) for trainer Ron Otto. Kennel-mates JD Replicate (TAA 3/16) and WW Holdin Fast (B, A) have back-to-back wins. Steve Sarras Kennel’s Kells Xterra has three victories and a second in his last four Grade AA races for trainer Barb Long. Jacobs Racing Kennel’s Abbi’s Frontman has captured three out of his last four Grade AA outings for trainer Alisha Nichols. Lester Raines Kennel’s Rooftop Rachelle has three straight 3/8 wins (C, B, TA) for trainer Joel Roden. Xtrem Hess Racing Kennel’s Axtrem Flicker has back-to-back victories (A, AA) for trainer Jill Spicer. Previous Next

< Back WHEELING HOT DOGS ( AS OF MAY 3, ALL RACES 5/16 UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED ) Stan Pawloski May 3, 2021 Blanchard Kennel’s Frappe has five straight Grade AA victories for trainer Sarah Blanchard. Abrahamson Kennel’s Atascocita Birma has won four out of her last five Grade AA races for trainer Tom Engle. Jacobs Racing Kennel’s Firey Canbe Bott has three wins and a second in her last four Grade AA trips for trainer Alisha Nichols. Kennel-mates Abbi’s Gusta Win has captured three out of his last four Grade AA outings while Slatex Sinner has back-to-back Grade TA 3/16 victories. Rangel Kennel’s JS In The Money has three straight wins (A, AA) for trainer Scott Robinette. Kennel-mates Pat C Gorgeous (B, TA, TAA 3/8) and Pat C Sidepocket (A, AA) have two victories and a second in their last three races. Lester Raines Kennel’s Teasemandleavem has back-to-back 3/8 wins (TB, TA) for trainer Joel Roden. Steve Sarras Kennel’s KBJ Mudpuppy has two straight victories (B, A) for trainer Barb Long. Imark Kennel’s Imark Dahlia has back-to-back wins (B, A) for trainer DiAnn Derr. Charter Kennel’s KB’s Copy Kat has two victories in a row (B, A) for trainer James Campell. Previous Next

< Back Wheeling Hot Dogs ( as of November 22, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted ) Stan Pawloski Nov 23, 2021 Lester Raines Kennel’s RS Big D has five straight Grade TAA 3/8 victories for trainer Joel Roden. Charter Kennel’s Oshkosh Heart has won five out of her last six Grade AA starts for trainer James Campbell. Patriot/Taplin Kennel’s Fly Bullet Train has two wins and a second in her last three Grade AA races for trainer Joe Otto. Code Red Kennel’s Mr Einstein has back-to-back Grade AA victories for trainer Tom Engle. Blanchard Kennel’s Fiddlin Frog (A, AA) and Arkans Ballarat (B, A) have back-to-back wins for trainer Sarah Blanchard. Imark Kennel’s Tickle Ur Fancy has two straight victories (A, AA) for trainer DiAnn Derr. Jacobs Racing Kennel’s JW Ladyluck has won four out of her last five outings (D, C, B, A) for trainer Louise Strong. Previous Next

< Back Wheeling Hot Dogs ( as of March 2, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted ) Stan Pawloski Mar 2, 2020 Blanchard Kennel’s L’s Luv It has six wins and four seconds in her last 10 Grade AA races for trainer Sarah Blanchard. Kennel-mate Arkans Kochab has back-to-back 3/8 victories (B, TA). Jacobs Racing Kennel’s Intrigue has three wins and two seconds in her last five Grade AA trips for trainer Louise Strong. Kennel-mate Get Shorty has captured three out of his last four starts (D, C, B). Lester Raines Kennel’s Heska Holka has four victories, a second and a third in her last six races (C, B, A, AA) for trainer Joel Roden. Kennel-mates ZB Tremonti (AA) and Kelsos Last Lady (B, A) have back-to-back wins. Charter Kennel’s Barts Walk On has won three out of his last four outings (A, AA) for trainer Jay Falcone. Wayne Ward Kennel’s WW Spend A Lot has two wins and a second in his last three Grade AA starts for trainer Ron Otto. Imark Kennel’s JS Roc A Feller has back-to-back Grade TAA 3/8 victories for trainer Scott Purdy. A Ray Kennel’s AMF Got It Good has captured three out of his last four trips (B, A, AA) for trainer Joe Palmer. Steve Sarras Kennel’s CTW Chacha Tempo (TB, TAA 3/8) and Cochise Can Fly (B, A) have back-to-back wins for trainer Barb Long. Rangel Kennel’s PJ Walk On Water has two straight 3/16 victories (TB, TAA) for trainer Alex Hall. Previous Next

< Back Wheeling Hot Dogs (as December 12, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted) Stan Pawloski Dec 12, 2022 Lester Raines Kennel’s O Ya Fame has three straight victories (A, AA) for trainer Joel Roden. Kennel-mates JS Big Rig has won four in a row (M, D, C, B) while JS Mismarymackin has back-to-back wins (A, AA). Charter Kennel’s Oshkosh Edward has two victories and two seconds in his last four Grade AA trips for trainer James Campbell. Jacobs Racing Kennel’s Marlyn Mason has two wins and a second in her last three Grade AA outings for trainer Louise Strong. Code Red Kennel’s O Ya Paws has back-to-back Grade AA victories for trainer Tom Engle. Rangel Kennel’s Pat C Dog Patch has two straight Grade AA wins for trainer Alex Hall. Xtrem Hess Racing Kennel’s Xtrem Begonia has back-to-back Grade TAA 3/16 victories for trainer Jill Spicer. Steve Sarras Kennel’s WW Crowd Control has four wins and a second in her first five career races (M, D, C, B) for trainer Jay Falcone. Blanchard Kennel’s Elliot’s Chase has captured three out of his last four trips (M, C, B) for trainer Sarah Blanchard. Previous Next

< Back S64,000 DERBY LANE SPRINT CLASSIC CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS Mar 3, 2020 ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – LK’s Crush N It couldn’t be missed during his historic Leap Day victory at Derby Lane. It was more of a challenge to find him moments later in the post-race celebration, where the Lashmet kennel superstar was surrounded in the track infield by a group of 22 posing for photographs. “Friends, family and kids that I coached in Little League,’’ kennel manager and trainer Ken Deacon said, referring to individuals comprising the entourage. A year after becoming only the second greyhound to win the $64,000 Sprint Classic with five consecutive victories – four in qualifying and one in the title race – LK’s Crush N It separated himself from previous greats that have run at the 95-year-old facility. Never before had a greyhound won Derby Lane’s most prestigious 550-yard stakes race twice. “First time in 95 years to win two Sprint Classics in a row,’’ Deacon said after LK’s Crush N It blew away some of the track’s top sprinters with a seven-length victory. Actually, the Sprint Classic is only 45 years old. But everyone knew what Deacon meant. Since Montague Maze of Moses-Crawford kennel won the first Sprint Classic in 1976, none of the ensuing champions managed to pull off LK’s Crush N It’s feat. “Words can’t describe how I feel about this dog,’’ Deacon said. “Yeah, I’m emotional. “It’s crazy. . . . I’ve seen some nice dogs here. He’s the best dog I’ve ever touched in 50 years.’’ Lashmet kennel also is the first operation in a decade to repeat as the Sprint Classic champion since McAllister kennel in 2009-10. Only five kennels have won at least two titles consecutively. Greymeadow (1998-2000) won the crown three times, while E.J. Alderson (1988-89) and Darby Henry (1983-84) were back-to-back champions. Deacon, 67, a native of Rochester, N.Y., has been with LK’s Crush N It throughout the dog’s racing career that began on Sept. 5, 2018, with a 13-length victory as a maiden. The 39-month-old male from a litter by LK’s Now R Never and LK’s All In has won 73 of 103 starts, and the $25,000 first-place prize elevated his lifetime bankroll to $131,125. LK’s Crush N It, the 2019 national win leader and Derby Lane’s two-time reigning meet win leader, also collected his fifth stakes championship overall - first in 2020. He is the first Derby Lane athlete to win five stakes at the track since Flying Coal City in 2010-11. Flying Coal City, a dual-distance performer for McAllister kennel, went on to claim greyhound racing’s Triple Crown in 2010 for owner Vince Berland of Abilene, Kan. He was the Rural Rube winner (nation’s best sprinter), the Flashy Sir winner (sport’s top distance performer), and the All-America captain. “Crush N It is just a nice greyhound – very consistent,’’ Deacon said. “He reminds me a lot of Joey Ice (Capabal kennel’s All-America captain and Rural Rube winner in 2014). . . . Boom! Out of the box every time. “In stakes races, if you break and go to the front, your chances (of winning) are a lot better than going around last.’’ That’s what LK’s Crush N It did. Bred and owned by Derby Lane kennel operators John and Jill Lashmet of Eaton, Colo., LK’s Crush N It broke first from box 6 and proceeded to increase his margin over the seven rivals at all three race calls, leading by three, six and seven lengths, respectively. The clocking of 30.63 seconds by LK’s Crush N It was the only one under 31 seconds on the evening performance among the 96 dogs that competed on the 550-yard course. “The track was very, very, very slow,’’ Deacon said. Runner-up BD Wells of Everett Racing kennel provided assistance for LK’s Crush N It by staying in front of 3-2 favorite and third-place finisher Shoot The Breeze of Floyd kennel throughout the race. “All the early speed came right down on the rail (at the start) and they just pinched (Shoot The Breeze, box 2),’’ Deacon said. “The 5 dog (BD Wells) kept (Shoot The Breeze) from getting outside. If he gets around second close to (LK’s Crush N It), I don’t know if he’d catch him, but he might have. “It was a tough race. It’s like most of Crush N It’s races. . . . He breaks on top and you have to go get him.’’ LK’s Crush N It was coming off a third-place finish in Wednesday’s final qualifier following three consecutive victories. It was his only loss from 10 Sprint Classic starts over the past two years, but he led all finalists in qualifying points. “He missed his break a little bit (in the final qualifier),’’ Deacon said. Hometown Boy of Floyd & Porter kennel was the first greyhound in 2007 to win the Sprint Classic in unbeaten fashion. LK’s Crush N It was one of three Lashmet kennel sprinters in the finale. LK’s Pick Me Up finished fifth and LK’s Santorini was sixth. Other finalists included Lester Raines’ Super C Casino (fourth), ABC Racing’s Ryeit (seventh) and Lester Raines’ O Ya Hot Rod (eighth). “I love everybody,’’ Deacon said as LK’s Crush N It’s fans began to leave the paddock area. “It all about (LK’s Crush N It), it’s not me. I just come to work and turn him out.’’ Previous Next

< Back Wheeling Hot Dogs ( as of June 7, all races 5/16 unless otherwise noted ) Stan Pawloski Jun 7, 2021 Steve Sarras Kennel’s CTW Black Forest has three straight Grade AA wins for trainer Barb Long. Kennel-mate Cross Lanes has won three out of his last four starts (M, D, C). Rangel Kennel’s JS In The Money has three Grade AA victories in a row for trainer Scott Robinette. Jacobs Racing Kennel’s Abbie’s Frontman has catured three out of his last four Grade AA trips for trainer Alisha Nichols. Lester Raines Kennel’s O Ya Trisha has won five out of her last six 3/16 outings (TD, TC, B, TA, TAA) for trainer Joel Roden. Kennel-mate Teasemansqueezem has back-to-back wins (A, AA). Charter Kennel’s Barts Sundayhalo has two straight Grade AA victories for trainer James Campell. Wayne Ward Kennel’s WW Go Chiefs Go has three wins in a row (B, A, AA) for trainer Ron Otto. Kennel-mates ADH Flo Jo (A, TAA 3/8) and Craigie Design (B, A) have back-to-back victories. Brad Boeckenstedt Kennel’s Super Ollie has four straight wins (D, C, B, A) for trainer Frank Pellittere. Blanchard Kennel’s BO’s Owen has four victories and a second in his last five trips (M, D, C, B, A) for trainer Sarah Blanchard. Kennel-mates BO’s Robert has two wins and a second in his last three races (B, A) while TW Ptolemy has won three out of his last four starts (M, D, C). Patriot/Taplin Kennel’s Fly Bullet Train has back-to-back victories (B, A) for trainer Joe Otto. Previous Next

< Back RS PERFECTIONIST WINS WV-BRED SPRINT Stan Pawloski Nov 30, 2020 Lester Raines Kennel’s RS Perfectionist took charge on the far turn and never looked back in capturing the $65,000 West Virginia Greyhound Owners and Breeders Association Panhandle Sprint Stakes Saturday afternoon at Wheeling Island. Breaking from a favorable eight hole, RS Perfectionist got around the first turn fourth before moving up on the backstretch and eventually catching the frontrunning CET Godiva (Steve Sarras Kennel) around the last turn. The champion pulled away for a 4-length victory with CET Dirty Dan (Steve Sarras Kennel) taking runner up honors as the favorite CET Godiva rounded out the trifecta ticket. Completing the final field were CET Pistol Pete (Steve Sarras Kennel), fourth; CG’s Penny Shoe (Abrahamson Kennel), fifth; RS’s Kingofkings (Lester Raines Kennel), sixth; Rico’s Dreamer (A Ray Kennel), seventh; and Go On Horse (Abrahamson Kennel), eighth. RS Perfectionist is owned by Roger and Kelly Jo Salem and trained by Joel Roden. Previous Next