National Greyhound Association

By Kelly Clark   Mon, Apr 02, 2012

MONDAY EVENING 04/02/2012 

Down to just 3 races here in the semi-finals of the 2012 Jacksonville Sprint Classic on Monday night, and each and every point is going to be important as these elite greyhound vie for a spot in the finals on Saturday evening April 7th at the bestbet at the Orange Park Kennel Club.

Loads of talent is on tap in the 10th, 11th, and 12th races on the card and 12 of the 24 remaining greyhounds are just a win away from possibly taking over the top spot in points for the stakes.

So let's get right to it and start off with the 10th race on the card for Monday evening. Here the selection has to be Offthebrakedrake. Drake is the man right now and won back to back races to start off the stakes. In round 3 he ran into serious trouble and had to settle for a spot out of the money for the first time all year. A better post a bit more outside and a better break and he will be clear early on. Late no one here can match his raw speed, so look for him to take down the win and solidify himself a spot in the finals with this effort. Pat C Jackhammer has to be considered Drakes biggest threat. He draws another great post position to start this race out from and is riding high on back to back stakes victories. He can close late too, but he will need to be ahead of Drake early, if he wants to beat him to the finish line late. Gs Comet and Gs Grace must also get a look in this effort. Both greyhound can close from off the pace to challenge and both like the inside part of the racetrack. Both greyhounds have had a stinker in the one of the rounds and will need every point they can muster in this race. If either of them gets clear early on, they could make it rough on the competition tonight. Picks (6-2-3-1)

Another trip over 550 and another win for the red hot J's Robin. Finally get up for the win last time out, Robin has broken her streak of close 2nd place efforts and is looking to continue her new streak, the winning one! She is as fast as she wants to be and can outclose anyone at the racetrack late. Forget about the 5 box, she can run and overcome any trouble that gets in her way. Last time out she had a middle post and it was no problem for her. She has yet to finish out the money over 550 in her young career. Gs Jock will be a formidable threat for her in this effort. He can run from anywhere and is as hot as any greyhound in this stakes field. With a pair of near wins, to go with his victory in round 1, he has the same record as Robin in the stakes and is looking for more tonight. The 1 box will be a good place for him to start from and if he gets to the front end early, there may be no chance at getting to him before the wire tonight. Get It Birch will most likely be the pacesetter in this effort. He clearly is the best early speed greyhound in this field and should be the one to catch before the finish line. His achilles heel is that he is way short in the stretch and will prove so once again here. If he is going to upset, he needs some help behind him to get it done. Pat C Hold Out get the last look in this race with his hard trying never give up style. He just keeps coming throughout in each and every effort and will make the most of the inside post in this race. A quick start will be needed if he is going to threaten at all in this effort. Picks (5-1-8-3)

Capping off the evening in the 12th race, it's time for the All-American to return to running like he did at the end of the year. Gs Uncle Henry missed his break in round 3 and that saw him finish out of the money for just the second time all year. He is amazing on, or near, the early lead in any race, but he is going to have his hands full once again in this effort. There are some greyhounds that can go with him to the turn and some that can even come from off the pace and run him down late. Here he needs to show again why he was among the best in the country in 2011 and make yet another stakes final. Trying to knock him off the pedestal will be the re-surging Kiowa Adara Art. Art's break has returned and that has been the difference maker in the stakes for him over the last two starts. He has won back to back efforts and don't forget that he was the runner-up in the finals in this race last year. He has the skills to get it done, he just needs to hit the lid one more time in this race. Gs Casey is a closing threat, that can break on occasion, and draws a great one box in this effort. Last time out from this post, Casey went box top wire and dominated a grade A field of greyhounds. Here she should be a closing throughout and be a late threat to the leaders as they approach the finish line. Miss Kate is the greyhound that keeps getting overlooked in her races, but she could just put up another big W in this effort. She too has won 2 of the 3 rounds in the stakes, and even though she has not been in as tough as some of the other greyhounds, she has been getting it done from the lead and from off the pace. This DQ entry must not be overlooked in this effort, especially if she is close to the pace early on. Picks (4-3-1-6)

After this round the points will be totaled and the final field will be set. Post positions will be drawn on Wednesday Matinee and the stakes final will run on Saturday Evening April 7th in the 11th race at the bestbet at the Orange Park Kennel Club. Don't forget the Mad, Mad, Money Machine will be in full action on Saturday Evening as well, so come out for the finals, have some food and fun, and maybe even take home some free cash in the process from the bestbet.

By Steve Sigafoose   Mon, Apr 02, 2012

Chasin The Richs (Bean & Stout Kennel) completed his run to the $60,000 Bracket Challenge Championship with a box-to-wire performance Saturday, March 31, at Bluffs Run.

But the veteran (born Nov. 25, 2008 out of Dodgem By Design-Uss Treasure) was pushed every step of the way by Gable Warbucks (Keeper-Red Rock).

The final margin of a half-length, in a winning time of 30.01 seconds for the 5/16-mile course, nicely describes the battle between the pair in the two-greyhound final.

“He ran a sensational race,” said Chasin The Richs trainer Joe Osborne. “It’s hard to hold off a late-speed greyhound like Warbucks.”

“His greyhound got the lead,” said Gable Warbucks trainer Jason Hess, “but both are really nice. I’m not disappointed.”

Chasin The Richs got the early pop out of the three box with Gable Warbucks, almost exactly a year younger (Nov. 18, 2009 out of Gable Wyatt-Rj’s B Dog), a step behind out of the six box.

The pair measured steps throughout the race, Gable Warbucks on Chasin The Richs’ outside flank. Once, in the backstretch, the lead looked to be a touch more than a length. Then Gable Warbucks closed. The difference got no closer than the final half-length at the wire.

“The boxes were not important,” said Hess. “Chasin has more early speed. Gable tried to catch him. It was a good race.”

“Gable is as strong as anybody,” said Osborne. “Nothing was certain but Chasin is strong on the lead.”

Both greyhounds entered the Bracket Challenge with No. 1 seeds and were glad to get them.

“It helped to have the No. 1 seed,” said Hess, “we got lesser competition in the early rounds.”
“While the early rounds were easier,” said Osborne, “we had a tough test in the Final Four against Boc’s Blast Off (Boeckenstedt).

“With this stakes format, the pendulum swings to the late speed. Winning this is a testament to Chasin’s speed and heart.”

The payout came to $33,000 for Chasin The Richs; $18,000 for Gable Warbucks and $4,500 each for Final Four qualifiers Boc’s Blast Off and L’s Fray (Boeckenstedt).

Osborne also had a couple of other remarks to make.

“I want to congratulate Keeper-Red Rock for an excellent race,” said Osborne.

“We also want to dedicate this win to Bob Rider. We hope he gets well soon.”

By Jeff Prince   Mon, Apr 02, 2012

Race Pages Attached

West Palm Beach, Fl. - Round one qualifying action for Palm Beach Kennel Club’s $20,000 Bob Balfe Puppy Stakes gets underway Wednesday afternoon, April 4.

           A field of 64 of the track’s most promising young up-and-coming youngsters will take to the oval in eight qualifying events. The entire field will return for round two Saturday afternoon, April 7.

           The entries will be narrowed down to 32 for round three Wednesday afernoon, April 11. The field will then be cut to sixteen for the semifinals on Sunday afternoon, April 15.

           The final eight will comprise the $20,000 Bob Balfe Puppy Stakes field and will take to the oval in the championship final Saturday afternoon, April 21.

           Probable round-one wagering favorites include:

           Race 2, #2 Milam Pierce (Team Record* - Sheriff Morton, Steve Gilster Kennel) should garner fan support by virtue of being the only entry in the race who has competed in the top Grade “A”.

           In Race 4, #1 Flying Newton (Kiowa Sweet Trey - Flying Geneva, Steve Gilster) will be going for his sixth-consecutive victory. Possible threats could come from the hard-trying #2 Where’s Bitting (Iruska All Star - Bikini Bar, Marsella Racing) and the early-speedster #8 O Ya Reba (Stan’s Boy Flyer - Xtreme Fashion, Rader Raing Kennel).

           Race 6, only two words...#7 Tempo Spitfire (Rhythmless - HH Honey Bee, Rader Racing).

           Race 8 will feature a battle for backstretch superiority between #1 Crapshooterdance (Grenade - Flying Exquisite, Brindle Kennel) and Rader Racing Kennel’s #6 Minor Stroke (Rhythmless - Maza Mania).    

           Race 10 will be an interesting qualifier, with #1 Doinitforsumdoll (Grenade - Flying Exquisite, Brindle Kennel) and #3 Turbo Dallas (Soprano Drive - Fuzzys Kennedy, Rader Racing) dueling for the early advantage, while #6 Boundfortheshore (Dodgem By Design - Outshineeveryone, James Douglas Kennel) awaits for an opening to use his strong closing ability.

           Race 12 features last month’s $50,000 St. Patrick’s Invitational entry #7 WW All Starodell (Iruska All Star - WW’s Oprah, Steve Gilster). Challenges may be forthcoming from top Grade “A” athletes #1 Turbo Skeet (Bob’s Skeet - Turbo Wind Blown, Rader Racing) and #6 Fuguefortinhorns (Grenade - Flying Exquisite, Brindle Kennel).

           In Race 14, all eyes will be on #3 Lookn Even Finer (Fuzzys Cannon - M’s Princess, James Douglas) who last month turned in a clocking of 29.31 seconds, the third fastest 545-Royal Palm Course time of the season.

           In the afternoon’s finale, Race 15, fan support will be behind #6 Rootin Tootin (Dodgem By Design - Outshineeveryone, James Douglas). But don’t leave out the well-positioned #3 Sourcreamanonion (Gable Sour Cream - Trent Power, Tru Palm Kennel) and #8 Turbo Edwin (Dodgem By Design - Greys Wind Gate, Rader Racing).

           The Puppy Stakes is named in honor of former Palm Beach Post Time sports columnist and great friend to Greyhound racing Bob Balfe.

By Vera Rasnake   Mon, Apr 02, 2012

This month the 2011 All America Team Captain Tiger Boy (Flying Penske x Flying Exquisite) will be recognized at the Greyhound Hall of Fame in Abilene, KS as part of the 2012 NGA Spring Meet ceremonies. The 71-pound male continues to hold national attention giving his fans something to talk about.

His current news is that he is the new point leader in the $80,000 Distance Classic series at Derby Lane. Greyhound Hall of Famer Vince Berland owns the two and a half year-old black male that competes from the McAllister kennel. Tiger Boy roared loudly in round three Saturday night closing out the month of March on top of the leader board. Tiger was the betting favorite in the race and was sensational. D’Arcy kennel’s Brother Buck quickly took control of the race, but was a nose too short when the charging Tiger came from off the pace to pull off the win and take the top points away. Tiger Boy heads into the semifinal round on Wednesday night April 4 as the point leader. The male needs no high scoring race, as his 40 points will get him in the stakes final. And Brother Buck’s winning effort landed him just behind Tiger with 36 points.

Magic Finch (Abernathy), the Distance Classic defender, is currently in fifth place with 32 points. The final heat of the night saw Cal Holland kennel’s Kentucky Fire blaze a winning trail in box to wire fashion clocking 37.67, which was the fastest 660-yard time of the night. The bet favorite paid $6.80 to win. Her victory also halted the undefeated streak of Red Oak Racing’s Flyin Commandant, who was top in points at the start of the night. Commandant’s loss moved the male from first to fourth with 33 points. Kentucky Fire is in third place with 35 points. The greyhounds will compete in one more qualifier and the top eight will move on to the 53^rd annual Distance Classic Saturday night April 7. The draw and posts for Wednesday night’s semifinal will be held Monday night and posted on Vera’s News at the Derby Lane site where all of the current point totals are listed. 

By Vera Rasnake   Wed, Mar 21, 2012

Sprint Classic champion SE’s Chewie continues to steal the show at Derby Lane. The 25-month old son of (TNT Star Wars x Ozsum Flyby) appears to have had his confidence boosted since his stakes upset over two All America stars.

 Last Friday night Chewie scored a hat trick over the 550-yard course in a four- length victory. Wednesday night March 21 the 69-pound male will compete in race six seeking four in a row. Kennel manager Henry Parker and Chris Palmieri posed with their star who will face-off with Nova kennel’s Hi Noon Maestro that is looking for three in a row over the same sprint course. Cal Holland kennel’s Windy Brandi that recently reeled off three in a row is also among the sixth race field.

Other news: Kentucky Fire, who wrapped up 2011 as Derby Lane’s top 660-yard athlete, is competing in her final distance race Wednesday night before entering this year’s Distance Classic. The 60-pound daughter of Dragon Fire x RK’s Tomb Raider was a multi-stakes finalist in 2011 and is owned by Don Godby of CO. Kentucky Fire is seeking her ninth win this year and a fourth in a row over the longer course in race eight. Kentucky Fire’s biggest rival in the race is Patriot kennel’s Art Allen, who is the current season win leader with 10 wins in 19 starts this year. Smith Greyhounds and Vinny Savill own Art Allen (Flying Penske x Sol Venus).

By   Tue, Apr 24, 2012

Spring Meet Round 2 race result sheet can be downloaded here.

Video Replays can be viewed here.

By   Wed, Mar 28, 2012

Big JackPot Betting is in its second year and with it comes the second running ofthe $10,000 World Series of Greyhound Handicapping. The only completely FREEbig money greyhound tournament held at a variety of tracks.

For those of you who are not familiar with the $10,000 World Series of GreyhoundHandicapping here is a rundown.

Last year www.bigjackpotbetting.com launched a handicapping series to promotelive greyhound racing. The series culminates in the $10,000 World Series ofGreyhound Handicapping. Throughout the year Qualifying Events are held and theprize for the winner of the event receives a seat at the table of the World Series.

In 2011 www.bigjackpotbetting.com held 10 qualifying events at 10 differentgreyhound tracks. There were also various tracks that held onsite contests with theprize being a seat at the table.

The Qualifying events were held live @ www.bigjackpotbetting.com – live streaming,interactive chat, live announcer along with realtime odds and leaderboard.

The big money $10,000 World Series pitted 16 handicappers handicapping 12tracks over 2 days. The top eight finishers from round 1 moving into the final moneyround.

This year (2012) we are off to a great start – at the time of this news release 11qualifying events have been scheduled and are being held at 9 different tracks.

We have also made the runner up in each Qualifying Event important this season.We are placing all second place finishers into a Consolation tournament which willbe held in November. This tournament will be the final Qualifying Event for theWorld Series.

Lastly to entice the online crowd even more we have added a sub-series of LadiesOnly contests. The first in this series being held April 1st; where the ladies will beplaying against one of our regular guest commentators – the Prince of Picks –Maryland Bobby. To use an internet term – this contest has gone viral on Facebook.

The Ladies Only series will be comprised of 2 or 3 bragging rights and fine tuning oftheir skills contests followed by the final contest a Ladies Only Qualifying Event forthe World Series.

Our contests are always FREE to enter and are broadcast LIVE. Be sure to enterthe next contest @ www.bigjackpotbetting.com where we can promise a good timewith the added bonus of the chance at $10,000 in prize money.

Bigjackpotbetting.com wants to thank all of its viewers for a successful inauguralyear - for participating in the online nightly show and the $10,000 World Series ofGreyhound Handicapping.

We hope all of you log on and join the excitement @ www.bigjackpotbetting.comwhere it is all about the experience of live greyhound racing.

By   Mon, Mar 19, 2012

Diane Whiteley, Texas Greyhound Association's executive director from 2004 through 2011, passed away after a lengthy battle with cancer at the Hospice of the Valley in Phoenix, AZ, Mar. 16, with her family close by.

"Diane was widely known for her as executive director for TGA and as a staunch supporter of greyhound adoption," writes Gulf Greyhound General Manager Sally Briggs. "She spent many hours to ensure that as many greyhounds as possible were adopted to wonderful homes. Her efforts made a large difference not only in Texas, but across the US."

One of Diane's wishes was to have a memorial set up so that people could give to the care of the greyhounds, one such recipient close to her heart being Greyhound Adoption League of Texas (www.greyhoundadoptiontx.org). The family also encourages donations in her name to the Hospice of the Valley (www.hov.org).

By   Wed, Mar 14, 2012

Winners, the home of horseracing, greyhound and jai alai wagering, along with Palm Beach Kennel Club, North America’s premier greyhound racetrack, today, announced the launch of their new greyhound handicapping tournament series with over $10,000 in prizes to be won on Saturday, Apr. 7. 

With the launch of this contest, greyhound wagering fans at last have a real money tournament to test their handicapping skills.

Residents in Connecticut can enter the big money greyhound handicapping event by visiting any of the 15 Winners venues across the state, including Winners Sports Haven (New Haven), Winners Shoreline (Bridgeport) and Winners Bradley (Windsor Locks).

For greyhound wagering fans that can’t make it out to one of these great venues, simply pick up the phone and call 1.800.468.2260 (toll free) to enter. Customers can take part in these events wherever they happen to be using Winners convenient telephone wagering service.

Customers that live outside of Connecticut can also use this service to enter. Winners accept entries from the following states: Arkansas, Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia & Wyoming.

Unlike many other handicapping events in the wagering industry, Winners and Palm Beach Kennel Club are pleased to offer amazing value to customers. The $10,000 Winners Palm Beach Handicapping Challenge is free to enter and only requires $20 to wager with. This makes it very accessible to everyone.

Phil Balderamos, Vice-President of Marketing for Sportech, Inc. (owners of Winners) comments:

“With so many horse racing handicapping contests, it seemed very strange that greyhound fans didn’t have any options to get involved in contests of their own. That’s why Winners joined forces with Palm Beach Kennel Club to launch the biggest greyhound handicapping contest in North America. With $10,000 in prize money, free entry and only $20 wagering required to enter, this offers a great return”.

Dennis Bicsak, Director of Simulcast Sales, Palm Beach Kennel Club commented:

“As the premier greyhound racetrack in North America, we are pleased to join Winners in offering this great event. It’s about time there were more great handicapping contests and events for greyhound racing, the fans of the sport deserve it”.

For more information on this story please contact Phil Balderamos (Vice-President of Marketing) at 203.361.3429 or phil.balderamos@sportech.net.

About Winners

Winners, part of the Sportech Group, is the home of horseracing, harness, greyhound and jai alai across Connecticut, operating 15 venues in the state and a convenient telephone wagering business.

Since acquiring the Winners facilities in October 2010, Sportech implemented a plan for major upgrades to all of its facilities across the state of Connecticut. Over $3 million has been invested in venue improvements throughout the state, including over $300,000 at its flagship venue Sports Haven alone.

Upgrades include New flat screen TV’s, new seating and furniture, VIP room upgrades, new Jai Alai focused areas, information terminals for handicapping information and dedicated TV’s for other non-racing sports such as football, baseball, basketball and car racing – are part of the improvements made at Sports Haven.

Along with the company’s recent renovation efforts under new ownership, Sportech has moved its North American headquarters to New Haven, Connecticut, creating a closer relationship between the parent company and Winner’s flagship venue. The move helps bring the total number of employees in Connecticut to around 300 people.

For more information please visit www.MyWinners.com.

Sportech PLC is one of the largest suppliers and operators of pari-mutuel betting in the

world, processing over $8 billion in wagers every year, and with a presence in more than 30 countries worldwide.

For more information please visit www.sportechplc.com.

About Palm Beach Kennel Club

Today, Palm Beach Kennel Club is recognized as a premier entertainment complex and Palm Beach County's #1 spectator sport. The Kennel Club features: the thrill of live Greyhound racing; simulcasts from top facilities in the country; a beautiful and newly renovated facility; the 64-table Poker room with tournaments; a wide variety of dining options; millions of dollars in winnings paid out and a busy schedule of stakes events, special promotions and giveaways.

For more information please visit www.pbkennelclub.com

By   Wed, Mar 14, 2012

Former NGA member Alex Kurpes, 80, of Lowell, Ma. (formerly of Naples, Fl.) passed away on Feb. 12.

Born in Swampscott, Ma., in 1931, Mr. Kurpes played semi-professional baseball for four years in his younger years while living in Kentucky. He worked for 20 years with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a recreational manager, maintaining parks, beaches and skating rinks through the North Shore area. He loved sports, especially golf.

Mr. Kurpes was an NGA member for about 11 years, up through 2010, and was active in the greyhound business even prior to that, spending much time at the Naples-Ft. Myers track.

"He was a mentor to me and got me started in the racing business," says NGA member Paul Sabatino of Naples. "He was kind enough to take me under his wing and educate me as to what I needed to know about buying greyhounds.

"I was fortunate enough to go to the NGA Fall Meet in 2008 where we bought our last dog together. It was such a fun and enjoyable event that I will always remember.

"I'll deeply miss my good friend Alex."

Mr. Kurpes is survived by his wife, Pamela; his children: Deborah J. Bevilacqua, Gloucester, Ma.; Alan Kurpes, also of Gloucester; Andrew Kurpes, Milton, Ma.; Charles Blaisdell, Palm Harbor, Fl., and Gayle Smith, Hyannis, Ma.; plus several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Alex, Jr., in 2008.

By   Mon, Mar 12, 2012

When the 2012 Florida Legislative Session started, gambling was poised to be one of the biggest issues.

By the Mar. 9 session end, gambling issues offered barely a whimper. For example, lawmakers did not move forward with proposals to stop live greyhound racing (SB 382 and HB 641), aimed at eliminating requirements that greyhound tracks run live races. A number of Florida tracks and Grey2K supported the idea, which was heard in only one Senate committee during the session. The Florida Greyhound Association (FGA) and NGA opposed those bills.

The FGA send a letter of appreciation last week to all parties, including NGA, that had assisted during this session. FGA has already started preparing for the next regular or special legislative session.

By   Fri, Mar 09, 2012

I am not much of a writer, but I think my story needs told.

            I hear so many things about people that are in the greyhound industry and how it’s all about the money. One bad story and it’s in the news for years. I thought it was time to tell a few of the good things that greyhound folks have done for me the last few months.

            Most know I lost a leg back in 2001, and now the doctors seem to think I’m going to lose the other one. In the last four months I’ve been pretty much confined to a bed. I have had offers from people in the greyhound industry to help me by hauling dogs; seeing if there was anything they could do on our farm; Bill Lockhart, who has about as much trouble walking as I do with two legs, calling to see if there was anything he could do to help me.

            Most know I bring many of my dogs home after they are done racing and keep them until they die of old age. Since my leg troubles, I have had to hire daily farm help for turnouts and to take the best care we can of these old dogs. What a wife I’ve got!—never saying one word about me spending part of our retirement money on these dogs every week for food, lights, kennel help, etc.

            Then there are the people that have been helping me find homes for some of them—what a great bunch of folks. They have found homes for nine older dogs in the last three weeks.

            I know an angel, and her name is Penny Wick. She drove three hours just to meet my daughter to make sure two of our dogs got to GPA Wisconsin. (Tell me how she is in it for the money.) Or Jack Fisher and his family, calling or driving 25 miles each way to see if there is anything they can do to help on the farm. So many people calling from out of state and in-state to just talk and see how I’m doing, and to tell me they are thinking of me.

            Like I said, I’m not much of a writer, but I wanted to thank all of you.

 BOB RIDER
Vinton, IA

By   Thu, Mar 08, 2012

Tucson, AZ — The Race Track Industry Program (RTIP) at the University of Arizona is pleased to announce the transcripts and PowerPoint presentations from the 2011 Symposium on Racing & Gaming are now available online. The materials can be accessed through the program’s web site, ua-rtip.org under Symposium.

Fifty speakers participated in 16 panel discussions during the event, which was held at the Westin La Paloma Resort in Tucson, Arizona, December 5-8. Among the transcripts available are “Racing’s Young Guns,” a popular panel of young executives in leadership positions in racing discussing their vision of the future. Also included is “Takeout: Then, Now and in the Future,” the ever-important issue of takeout and pricing is examined to determine the information necessary for good business decision-making. In addition, an international cast discusses a strategy to create a globally networked tote system giving wagerers more options, larger pools and more diversity in the panel “Touting New Developments in Tote.”

The Symposium also hosted the Harness Tracks of America’s annual conference.

The transcripts and other media are free to access and use for research. Reporters that wish to use them for publication must contact the UA Race Track Industry Program at (520) 621-5660.

___________________________________________________________________________________

The University of Arizona’s Race Track Industry Program has gained worldwide recognition for its annual Symposium on Racing & Gaming held in Tucson since 1974. The event attracts attendees from across the United States and around the globe with cutting-edge topics and trends of importance to the pari-mutuel industry.

ABOUT THE RACE TRACK INDUSTRY PROGRAM:
The Race Track Industry Program offers both a Bachelors and Masters degree program with an emphasis on the pari-mutuel racing industry.

CONTACT:        Doug Reed

                        520 621-5660

                        dreed@ag.arizona.edu

By   Thu, Mar 08, 2012

VictoryLand casino and greyhound park owner Milton McGregor and five other defendants have been found not guilty of all charges in the retrial of a government corruption case in connection with a 2010 Alabama gambling bill.

Read the full story at http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2012/03/alabama_bingo_verdicts_milton.html

By   Fri, Mar 02, 2012

Vince Berland’s Tiger Boy has captured the 41^st Annual Rural Rube Award balloting for 2011 in a squeaker against Derby Lane star Hi Noon Renegade, the NGA announced Friday (Mar. 2). The multi-distance ace Tiger Boy was also runnerup in the vote for the Flashy Sir Award.

            Meanwhile, G. Kirk Harlan’s South Florida route star Slatex Cadillac (Flying Hydrogen-Slatex Station) is an easy winner of the NGA’s Flashy Sir Award.

            The Rural Rube Award goes to the previous year’s best sprinter, as deemed by NGA members and Review subscribers. The Flashy Sir Award honors that year’s best distance greyhound. Both awards will be presented at the awards ceremony program Thursday night (Apr. 26) during the NGA Spring Meet in Abilene.

            Tiger Boy was the most traveled greyhound among the contenders for the NGA’s Rural Rube, competing last year at Mardi Gras, VictoryLand, Naples and Southland. His signature win in 2011 came in the finals of the country’s premier open sprint stake, the World Classic Championship at Mardi Gras. At just 17 months of age, he became the youngest World Classic champion ever. He followed up with a second-place finish a week later in the Joe Ryan Memorial.

            The son of Flying Penske-Flying Exquisite not only demonstrated his sprint prowess against the best speedsters at a number of different tracks, he also showed an ability to dominate at 3/8. This was especially true at Southland where he posted a 12-8-2-2 record in 25 starts. For his conquests at both distances, he was named captain of the 2011 AGTOA All-America team earlier this week.

            Tiger Boy won the NGA Award in a very close voting battle with Hi Noon Renegade (Dodgem By Design-Bryan's Baby), the multi-stake winner for Charles Haliburton III and the Nova Kennel at Derby Lane. Renegade won the $85,000 Sprint Classic and the $20,000 Gold Trophy Juvenile, while running second in the T.L. Weaver. He had two 10-race win skeins last year and finished 2011 as one of the sport’s top winners with a 40-10-5-2 mark in 61 starts.

            Hi Noon Renegade is again among the favorites in an attempt to successfully defend his Sprint Classic title Saturday night at Derby Lane. One of his challengers in the race: Tiger Boy!

            Third in the Rural Rube balloting was Southland sprint star—also a multi-stake winner—Shanett, owned by Marc Randle and raced by the Robert Thorne Kennel.

            Shanett (Rhythmless-Maybix) and Hi Noon Renegade were second and third respectively to Tiger Boy in the All-America captaincy voting. Slatex Cadillac was also named to the All-America team.
            Slatex Cadillac's big win in 2011 came in the $50,000 Hecht Marathon, going through her elimination races undefeated. She also was Flagler track win champ with an 18-2-1 record in 25 starts and won the Naples Inaugural. She also boasted a 12-race win streak at Naples last year.

            Finishing in a tie for third to Cadillac and Tiger Boy in the Flashy Sir balloting were WW’s Dog Gone and Storm Rush. Owned by Julia Ward, Dog Gone (Dodgem By Design-Bank Exploder) was Wheeling’s top distance greyhound in 2011 with 22 wins in 48 starts. Storm Rush (Kiowa Mon Manny-Sizzler Drive), owned by James Hambleton, won the St. Petersburg Derby and finished fourth in the Derby Lane 660-Yd. Challenge.

By   Fri, Mar 02, 2012

Consignments are now being received for the Greyhound Hall Of Fame’s annual fund-raising auction/dinner, to be held Tuesday evening, Apr. 24, at the museum, as part of the NGA Spring meet (Apr. 23-28) in Abilene.

            Virtually any type of contributions is acceptable and will fit into the evening’s program, either as an auction item or raffle drawing. Popular consignments in the past have included stud services, pups, greyhound-related services (such as hauling or training), greyhound books, greyhound art, gift certificates, etc.

            Early consignments include a breeding to Kiowa Sweet Trey, a set of NGA stud books going back to 1914, and a hardbound “Care Of The Racing & Retired Greyhound” textbook.

            Consignments can be made at any time (up to Apr. 20) through the NGA or the Hall Of Fame. E-mail consignments can be sent to nga@ngagreyhounds.com

            Consignments will be listed and updated regularly on the NGA website (www.ngagreyhounds.com)
            All meet attendees are invited to the Auction/Dinner, which starts at  6 p.m. Tuesday evening of the Meet.

By Vera Rasnake   Mon, Feb 27, 2012

The American Greyhound Track Operators Association proudly announced the highly anticipated 2011 All-America Team today in Las Vegas during their Spring Conference. The annual award was introduced in 1963 to honor the sport’s best North American Greyhound athletes from tracks across the nation.

The eight member first team consists of the Team Captain Tiger Boy (MG/NF/VL/SL), Shanett (SL), High Noon Renegade (SP), GS Uncle Henry (OP), Slatex Cadillac (FL/NF), AMF Ex President (WD), Tuff Stuff (PB) and WW's Dog Gone (WD).

During the past decade a consolation second team was added to the format. The 2011 second team members are Rico's Vermilion (TS),  Slatex Emerald (BR), Bella Infrared (SL) Rams Kizzy Kate, (TU), Really Xtreme (OP), RK's Conk Gonk (PB), Turbo Razor (PB) and Paddy Whacker (OP).

There was no doubt that this year’s Captain would be Tiger Boy--the most traveled athlete that sparked the internet chat rooms every time he raced. And for a second year in a row a Vince Berland-owned champion topped the list of candidates. Last year Flying Coal City took the honors for the Abilene, KS resident.

This year Tiger Boy (Flying Penske-Flying Exquisite) tops the list and is also the youngest on the team. Tiger Boy is known to many of his fans as El Tigre. He started and completed the year at Flagler for Everett Racing. Tiger Boy made history in South FL at Mardi Gras in 2011 by becoming the youngest greyhound (17-months) to win a World Classic stakes. Tiger Boy won six of his 12 starts, of which nine were quiniela finishes at Mardi Gras. After the historic win Tiger Boy earned a post in the World Greyhound Futurity at Victoryland adding five more starts and four money finishes to his record.

The youngster continued to make his mark. This time it was in Arkansas with T And T kennel setting the Southland track record for the 660-yard course. Tiger Boy was also a finalist in the Middle Distance race. Tiger Boy closed out the year with a victory at Flagler and a total of 13 wins in 24 starts. Tiger Boy’s complete record for 2011 was 68/32-14-5-4.

Southland sweetheart Shanett (Rhythmless-Maybix) is one of two females on the team. Marc Randle of Morganville, KS owns Shanett, who raced out of the Robert Thorne Kennel. Shanett won three stakes in 2011 and was ranked #2 with 30 wins for the year. She showed the boys around the track collecting the first place prize money in the $105,000 Festival Of Stakes (sprint championship division), $55,000 Southland Derby and the $10,000 Spring Futurity. Shanett was also the runner-up in the Chris Chance Memorial Feature. Shanett boasts an 81% quiniela record with 30 wins in 48 starts. Her record in 2011 was 48/30-9-2-2.

Hans Limmer’s Nova kennel made history at Derby Lane with Hi Noon Renegade. Charles Haliburton, III of Centennial, CO saw his young star develop into the top sprinter and track win leader. Renegade ruled the 550-yard oval. He was one of the youngest ever to win the $64,000 Sprint Classic. And in the 72-year history of the $20,000 Gold Trophy Juvenile stakes Hi Noon Renegade (Dodgem By Design-Bryan’s Baby) was undefeated in every round. Renegade’s Gold Trophy win was also a first time that both Sprint and Juvenile stakes were won in the same meet by the same athlete. Hi Noon Renegade’s staggering stats included two win streaks of ten in a row along with 41 consecutive money finishes. He boasted a 66% win record and 93% in the money. Despite a three-month layoff Hi Noon Renegade’s 2001 record was 61/40-10-5-2.

Another Colorado-owned champion claims a spot on the All American Team. GS Uncle Henry (Kelsos Fusileer-Steffie’s Mandy) raced at Orange Park and is owned by Gary and Sharon Willis of Lupton, CO. Uncle Henry was in the hunt for the national win title for the Willis kennel. He collected 41 wins last year. Uncle Henry won the James J. Patton Silver Cup and was just a half-length from capturing the title in the JGR Puppy Stakes. GS Uncle Henry was the Orange Park Kennel Club Track Champion. GS Uncle Henry reeled off 11 in a row during the season and concluded the year with 15 wins in his final 16 starts. His 2011 record was 70/41-9-6-4

Kirk Harlan of Lubbock, TX owns the multi-distance female Slatex Cadillac (Flying Hydrogen-Slatex Station), who raced with WR Kennel. Cadillac raced at Wheeling, but made her mark at both Flagler and Naples where she competed over four different courses. At Naples-Ft Myers she won the Inaugural and the $50,000 Hecht Marathon. She was driving through the Naples-Ft Myers Derby undefeated in every round, but she was injured and pulled from the stake final. Cadillac won a combined 12 in a row between Flagler and Naples. Slatex Cadillac’s endurance saw the female clock speedy times at Flagler that included a new track record over the 647-yard course and season’s best times over the 550 and 770-yard ovals. At Naples-Ft Myers the female duplicated her speedy style with the fastest 550, 647 and 770-yard times recorded in 2011. Slatex Cadillac’s record was 42/30-4-2-1.

Rader Racing, Ltd. is known to be a tough kennel at Palm Beach, and Tuff Stuff (Lonesome Cry-Night Breeze) proved to be a speedy rival for owner John Yinger of Pompano Beach, FL. Tuff Stuff recorded 23 sub-30 second times of his 39 starts last year. Tuff Stuff was the first place finisher in the $50,000 He’s My Man Classic. He also won the coveted $50,000 Arthur J. Rooney St. Patrick’s Invitational. And from February 7 through March 12, 2011 Tuff Stuff posted seven in a row. His record last year was 39/22-1-3-3.

AMF Ex President (Kiowa Mon Manny-Bonex) and WW’s Dog Gone (Dodgem By Design-Bank Exploder) both raced at Wheeling, WV. Thomas Ferris of Palestine, OH owns President, who races with A Ray Kennel. Although the track held no stakes races in 2011 Ex President earned his slot as the track win leader with 28. All of his victories in 2011 were clocked under 30 seconds--his fastest was 29.27. He averaged a six-length win margin. President recorded three consecutive wins four times during the year and a four-in-a-row streak. His win record was 51% and he finished in the money 83% last year. AMF Ex President’s 2011 record was 54/28-9-4-4.

Julia Ward of Abilene, KS owns WW’s Dog Gone, who went the distance last year for Wayne R. Ward, Inc. The male won 22 races that earned him a two-way tie as the #2 ranked athlete. His wins included a seven in a row streak over the 761-yard marathon course. WW’s Dog Gone recorded a 100% money record during his 20 marathon starts last year. WW’s Dog Gone clocked every marathon win under 42.75 seconds. He also collected five in a row while bouncing from 678 yards to the 761-yard course. WW’s Dog Gone finished in the money 83% of his races and earned approximately $64,000 despite the absence of stakes monies. 

The eight member All-America Team will be honored at the Greyhound Hall of Fame in Abilene, KS, during the Spring National Meet. The official week-long festivities begin Monday April 23. The All America honors and the NGA Rural Rube and Flashy Sir Award ceremonies will take place Thursday evening, Apr. 26. For more information visit www.ngagreyhounds.com

By Gary Guccione   Thu, Feb 23, 2012

Haven't mailed in your ballot yet for the 2011 voting of the NGA's annual Rural Rube and Flashy Sir Awards?

Now's the time to do that.

Deadline for ballots being received by NGA is next Thursday, Mar. 1. Winners of the award will be announced later that week.

Ballots can be found between pp. 48-49 of the January/February Greyhound Review. Nominations for the two awards are just a few pages before that (on pp. 39-41 of that issue).

The 41st Rural Rube Award will go to the greyhound deemed to have been the best sprinter in 2011. The Flashy Sir Award will go to last year's best distance greyhound as determined by voters.

The awards will be presented on Thursday night (Apr.26) of the NGA Spring Meet at the Greyhound Hall Of Fame.

By   Mon, Feb 20, 2012

Ellen Kulchinsky, 91, widow of well-known greyhound owner Aaron Kulchinsky, passed away Feb. 2 from heart failure.

Mrs. Kulchinsky was born in Salem, Ma, was a longtime resident of Swampscott, Ma., and recently moved to California to be closer to her daughters.

Her husband Aaron, who died in 1997, was well known in international greyhound circles, partly due to the outstanding greyhounds he imported from Ireland and for running a top-notch racing kennel in Florida and Massachusetts. He was also the owner of Hall Of Fame greyhound On The Line.

Mrs. Kulchinsky is survived by her two daughters, June Kulchinsky of San Francisco and Ruth (husband Dan Nealand) and their three children. She is also survived by her sister Evelyn Atkins of Revere, Ma., and brother-in-law Bernard Atkins.

Mrs. Kkulchinsky had a passion for playing the organ. Her many talents included drawing, sewing and cooking.

By   Fri, Feb 17, 2012

The late Dr. Jim Gannon spent most of his professional life conducting research and teaching others, with one over-arching purpose: to improve the quality of life of racing greyhounds.

Now a classic "soundness examination" training video produced by the internationally recognized Australian vet several years ago is available on the American Greyhound Council's website (www.agcouncil.com), which can be linked to from the NGA's website. The video demonstrates proper procedures for checking a greyhound's musculoskeletal health to prevent injuries.

Dr. Gannon, who died in 2010, was widely considered to be the father of modern greyhound veterinary medicine, greyhound rehabilitation and physical therapy. His work in the area of greyhound injury prevention and treatment was the subject of countless research papers and symposium presentations.

The video, about 50 minutes in total lengths, is presented in three segments. One is a general introduction to the topic, the second is aimed at trainers, and the third designed for veterinarians.

Dr. Linda Blythe, a highly respected veterinary doctor and colleague of Dr. Gannon's, paid tribute to him at the 28th Annual International Canine Sports Medicine Symposium in Florida on Jan. 14.

The two vets co-authored the first edition of the internationally acclaimed textbook, "Care of the Racing Greyhound, along with Dr. Morrie Craig. The same trio joined with Dr. Des Fegan of Australia in penning the sequel "Care Of the Racing & Retired Greyhound" a few years ago.

Dr. Blythe, in honoring Dr. Gannon, stated at the symposium: "His wit, his intelligence, his kindness, his generosity in teaching others, and his love for greyhounds will be his legacy for all those who were fortunate enough to have known him."

By Stan Pawloski   Tue, Feb 07, 2012

By   Mon, Feb 06, 2012

By   Mon, Feb 06, 2012

By   Mon, Feb 06, 2012

With the release of the Jan/Feb issue of the Greyhound Review (now viewable online at this website), voting for this year's NGA Rural Rural and Flashy Sir Awards has begun. NGA members and Review subscribers are urged to get their ballots in as soon as possible.

Official ballots appear between pp. 48-49 of the new Review, mailed out earlier this week. Nominations for the two awards are just a few pages before that--on pp. 39-41 of that same issue.

The 41st Annual Rural Rube Award will go to the greyhound deemed to have been the best sprinter in the country in 2011. The Flashy Sir Award will go to best distance greyhound of the year, as determined by voters.

Ballots should be returned to the NGA by Mar. 1. Winners will be announced shortly afterward, and the awards will be presented on Thursday night (Apr. 26) of the NGA Spring Meet at the Hall Of Fame Awards Ceremony.

By Vera Rasnake   Fri, Feb 03, 2012

By   Thu, Feb 02, 2012

Gaming is once again a big issue in Florida this year, with several key bills up for consideration. Meanwhile, voters in two counties in North Florida have become the first in the state to agree to install slot machines outside of the two South Florida counties (Miami-Dade and Broward).  

http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/01/31/2618018/voters-approve-slot-machines-in.html?story_link=email_msg

By   Wed, Feb 01, 2012

Cary Alsobrook, of Spring, Tx., was unanimously selected by the NGA Board as this year’s recipient of the NGA’s Lifetime Achievement Award, based on his tireless (and oftentimes behind-the-scenes) efforts to build up and defend greyhound racing and the NGA throughout his long career in the game.

This will be only the second time the NGA’s Lifetime Achievement Award will have been presented. Herb “Dutch” Koerner was the recipient of the first award, presented at last spring’s meet. The award will be presented at the Greyhound Hall Of Fame on Thursday night, Apr. 26.

 
Cary has performed countless acts for the betterment of the game—whether through communication, breeding, training, raising on quality farms, importing, auction participation (he has purchased millions in stock from the NGA sales), consulting, promotion, producing top stud dogs for the industry, or by recruiting new people as greyhound owners and training them from start to finish. He aided in the training of quality racetrack personnel and helped develop top trainers, while always making sure his racing kennels were continually run in a manner that was a model for other operations in the industry. Moreover, Cary has donated generously to virtually every good cause that’s come along that in any manner might benefit the sport.

 
Health issues will almost certainly and regrettably prevent Cary from attending the Spring Meet to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. But there’s no doubt that he’ll be there in spirit.

“This is a great honor that I am pleased to accept,” Cary wrote shortly after learning about receiving the honor. “(The award) is the icing on my cake to end a career which I am most grateful for.”

The gratitude goes both ways.

By   Wed, Feb 01, 2012

Harry Marshal Rae pleaded guilty to extortion on Jan. 31 in U.S. District Court in Charleston, WV, in a plan to derail the gubernatorial campaign of Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin shortly before a special election last year.

In pleading guilty to the felony, Rae told Judge John T. Copenaver Jr. that he had demanded $50,000 or else would make public an alleged video that would be harmful to the campaign of Tomblin, whose family is involved in the greyhound business. (See p. 93 of November/December 2011 Greyhound Review for more details.)

Tomblin wound up winning the election in a close race against Bill Maloney. Another election for the seat--this one for a four-year term--will be held later this year.

"I sent emails implying that I had a tape and I would share this in an attempt to harm the election," Rae told the court yesterday, according to an AP report.

Rae remains free on bail pending a May 2 sentencing. In a plea agreement with prosecutors, Rae is barred from filming or possessing greyhound-related videos or pictures until after he completes his sentence. Sentencing guidelines suggest a two-year prison term, but prosecutors, citing Rae's age (63) and health issues (alleged posttraumatic stress disorder and high blood pressure), are recommending he serve a year on home confinement.

By Mark Battersby   Fri, Feb 03, 2012

Although the last bill anyone should ignore is a tax bill, that is exactly what many greyhound owners, breeders and trainers are doing. What will happen and what should you do if you cannot pay your taxes on time?

It is well documented that the Internal Revenue Service wants “its” money immediately and has many tools at its disposal for collecting any and all tax debts. Less well-known are the legitimate options that can help avoid the trouble, interest and penalties that accompany unpaid tax bills.

There are procedures for requesting payment extensions as well as installment payment arrangements which will keep the IRS from instituting its collection process (liens, property seizures, etc.) against the greyhound operation – or its owners.

Penalyzing Penalties
The IRS is only too happy calculate the penalties and interest for all unpaid tax bills since few taxpayers are aware that there are, in general, three separate penalties:
– Failure to File Penalty
– Failure to Pay Penalty
– Interest

The “failure to file” penalty accrues at the rate of 5% per month or part of a month (to a maximum of 25%, reached after five months) on the amount of tax the return should show as owed. The “failure to pay” penalty is gentler, accruing at the rate of only 0.5% per month or part of a month (to a maximum of 25% reached after fifty months) on the amount actually shown as due on the return.

If both apply, the failure to file penalty drops to 4.5% per month, so the total combined penalty remains at 5%. Thus, the maximum combined penalty for the first five months is 25%. Thereafter, the failure to pay penalty can continue at 0.5% per month for 45 more months, yielding an additional 22.5%. In total, these combined penalties can reach 47.5% of the unpaid liability in less than five years.

Both of these penalties are in addition to interest charged for all late payments. If estimated tax payments were also missed, an additional penalty is tacked on for missed estimated tax payments. This penalty is computed at 3% above the fluctuating federal short-term interest rate for the period.

When it comes to paying the tax bill, and hopefully avoiding penalties and interest, the options include borrowing or paying by credit card.

Borrowing To Pay Taxes
Given the rate at which the abovementioned penalties and interest grow, many owners, breeders and trainers borrow money to pay their taxes or those of their greyhound operations. In many situations, the rate of interest paid to a family member, or even to a bank, is less overall than that which would have to be paid to the IRS.

Loans from relatives or friends are often the simplest method to pay the bill. When loans from relatives, friends or the operation’s owners/ shareholders are not available, a loan from a bank or other commercial lender might be the answer although such loans are unlikely to be made on favorable terms to any hardpressed taxpayer. Moreover, unless business related, interest on a loan to pay taxes is usually nondeductible personal interest.

Charge It
There are a number of advantages to paying taxes by credit card, including the fact that it is convenient. A greyhound owner or operation can file early and make a payment by credit or debit card later, thus delaying out-of-pocket expenses.

Credit card loans are however, likely to carry high rates of interest, interest that is in most cases, not tax deductible. While the IRS does not receive or charge any fees for card payments, so-called “convenience” fees are charged by the service providers. While the IRS cannot pay or reimburse any convenience fee to taxpayers, service providers “convenience fees” are a deductible business and individual expense.

Keep in mind that federal tax deposits cannot be made through these options. Furthermore, amounts not properly deposited may be subject to a 10% penalty for failure to deposit through an authorized financial institution or the IRS’s Electronic Federal Tax Payment system (EFTPS).

Procrastinate
The IRS is quite clear: it wants all taxes paid when due or sooner, even demanding immediate payment when granting extensions of time in which to file the tax return. Under some circumstances, however, a short-term (120 day) extension may be arranged. A short-term extension gives a greyhound operation, owner, breeder or trainer up to 120 days to pay. No fee is charged, but the late-payment penalty plus interest will apply.

An extension of time to pay is also available to those who can show that payment would cause “undue hardship.” Qualifying for an undue hardship extension means an extra six months in which to pay the tax shown as due on the tax return. The failure to pay penalty will be avoided although interest will still be charged.

Should the IRS determine a “deficiency,” i.e., taxes owed are in excess of the amount shown on the return, the undue hardship extension can be as long as 18 months and, in exceptional cases, another 12 months can be tacked on. However, no extension will be granted if the deficiency was the result of negligence, intentional disregard of the tax rules, or fraud.

Naturally it is not enough to show that it would just be inconvenient to pay your tax when due, payment must be shown to be a real hardship.

Time Trap
The IRS will often accept installment payments for some tax debts. Generally, the IRS allows taxpayers to make installment payments on the taxes owed -– if $25,000 or less. In fact, the IRS is required to enter into a “guaranteed installment agreement,” where the tax liability is $10,000 or less (not counting interest and penalties).

If more than $25,000 is due, payment plan options also exist although the IRS must first determine eligibility.

Unfortunately, while partial-pay installment agreements are relatively easy to obtain, the IRS can re-evaluate the terms every two years. If, for example, the IRS thinks a taxpayer can afford bigger payments, then the partial- pay installment agreement might have to be re-negotiated. The taxpayer can also request re-evaluation at any time should circumstances change to such a degree that the agreed upon payment can no longer be made.

Making The IRS An Offer
Yes, negotiating is an acceptable practice when it comes to tax bills. An offer-in-compromise is an IRS program that many greyhound operations and owners have used to settle their tax debts for a fraction of face value. It cannot, however, be requested beforehand.

Naturally, the taxpayer must be in compliance and must have the ability to pay and to borrow. For example, the taxpayer must be current on estimated tax payments or federal income tax withholding, must be making payroll tax deposits on time, and must have filed all tax returns when making an offer-in-compromise.

Like any creditor, the IRS prefers a partial payment to no payment at all. Thus, the IRS might be willing to settle a tax bill for less than the full amount if: (a) the owner or the greyhound operation/business are unable to pay the full amount, (b) there is doubt as to how much the tax liability is, (c) collection of the liability would create economic hardship, or (d) due to exceptional circumstances such as a medical condition that prevents proper management of financial affairs, or reliance on erroneous advice from the IRS, the IRS’s collection of the full liability would be detrimental to the fair and equitable administration of tax laws.

Reasonable Cause
If the greyhound operation or its owner can demonstrate that a reasonable cause exists to abate or remove tax penalties, they may be surprised to find those penalties forgiven by the IRS. The IRS determines if reasonable cause exists by considering all the facts and circumstances.

Ignorance of the law is generally not an excuse to avoid meeting one’s tax obligations. However, when combined with other factors such as the taxpayer’s level of education, whether the taxpayer was subject to this tax before, if the taxpayer was previously penalized by the IRS, if there were recent changes in the law or forms that the taxpayer could not reasonably have known, or if the complexity of the issue involved was substantial, penalties may be abated.

Serious Consequence Avoidance
No greyhound operation or greyhound owner, breeder or trainer should allow an inability to pay their tax liability in full keep them from filing all tax returns properly and on time. It is also important to remember that an extension of time to file tax returns does not extend the time to pay the tax bill.

Generally, greyhound operations and/or their owners have several alternatives for resolving unpaid taxes: installment agreements, partial- pay installment agreements, or an offer-in-compromise. Two other options, filing for bankruptcy or being declared “not currently collectible” by the IRS are far less desirable strategies.

The complexity of the tax rules and the many options available to every greyhound operation, breeder, trainer and owner unable to pay their tax bills obviously require professional guidance.

By   Fri, Feb 03, 2012

This month’s Photo-at-the-finish puzzle is virtually a photo-finish, with the margin of victory just a length in this dramatic duel at Wonderland Greyhound Park. But this race was no ordinary encounter, as these two campaigners carried out a classic rivalry throughout one of the best years of racing in the 1970s—taking their battle from Florida to New England. Whenever they met, it was a race not to be missed, guaranteed to be a display of championship form. So great were the two combatants that they both would eventually be immortalized as Greyhound Hall Of Famers.

If you’re among the first five respondents who can identify the No. 3 and the No. 5 superstars, your name will be in a Mar. 1, 2012, drawing for a free autographed copy of Paul C. Hartwell’s history of the sport, The Road from Emeryville.

The correct answer to last issue’s photo-at-the-finish on p.63 is Mrs. G.M. Lillie and her sprint charger A. Whiz— the winningest pup from the winningest litter of alltime (a.k.a. the Whiz Kids, the 1969 litter by Westy Whizzer-Flying Slipper, collective winners of an incredible 399 career victories).

Correctly identifying these two personalities in the last issue’s photo, taken at Derby Lane—then winning the book in a drawing—was long-time NGA member Arthur Harris from Clearwater, Fl.

By Cecilia Harris   Fri, Feb 03, 2012

Greyhound Hall of Fame Club members now can register online at www.greyhoundhalloffame. com or, as in the past, simply reply to the recently-mailed renewal letter.

Members of the Greyhound Hall of Fame Club provide notable financial support to the national showplace of the greyhound industry. Hall of Fame Club officers express their appreciation for the continued investment from members to support the Hall of Fame and also welcome potentially new members to join the exclusive club.

The Hall of Fame Club was established over a decade ago to provide a permanent method of supplemental income to the museum. Besides the recognition of outstanding greyhounds and people in the industry, membership monies ensure the Hall continues to educate the public and present a positive image about Greyhound racing through quality exhibits and displays. The financial support also helps maintain the resident Greyhounds whose photos on billboards suggesting “Pet Me” bring tourists into the facility where the Greyhounds show visitors their gentle nature. In addition, historical artifacts related to Greyhounds and the industry are preserved in the archives or displayed in the museum.

All Hall of Fame Club members receive name recognition at the Hall of Fame and in The Greyhound Review magazine, an invitation to the Club’s annual banquet, and a 10 percent discount on merchandise personally purchased from the newly opened online store or the lobby gift shop.

A donation of $500 or more distinguishes a Founder, whose name will be prominently displayed in the Hall of Fame building; the Founder may dedicate the contribution to a special greyhound or individual, if desired. Also as a symbol of the Founder’s commitment, the donor will receive an exclusive commemorative club pin as evidence of the support given the Hall of Fame. Full members, for a $250 donation, also receive a commemorative pin and, along with Founders, are given complimentary dinner for the member and a guest at the banquet. Also offered is an Associate membership for $100, which includes one complimentary dinner at the banquet with a guest ticket offered at a reasonable cost.

By Cecilia Harris   Fri, Feb 03, 2012

A man who created an efficient and dependable lure that impacted the early days of greyhound racing will be inducted into the Greyhound Hall of Fame Pioneer Section on April 26 during a 7 p.m. ceremony preceded by a 6 p.m. reception at the Hall of Fame. Roy H. Alldritt introduced his Wonder Lure design that revolutionized track racing in 1937.

Alldritt, therefore, qualifies for Pioneer honors under both criteria— an individual actively involved in the industry prior to 1940 or one who has made pioneering efforts through significant and innovative contributions to the development, improvement or growth of greyhound racing or the breed.

Growing up on a farm near Morrison, Ill., a young Alldritt was always tinkering with machinery. In 1937 he moved to Miami, opening an electrical shop. In these early days of greyhound racing, Alldritt noticed the lures were quite unreliable – motors overheated due to frequent use and certain weather conditions caused mechanical problems. In addition, the lures often were ineffective at enticing the greyhounds to chase, leading tracks to declare a “no race.” Greyhounds lost interest in the chase because, with very little acceleration, the lures had to be kept well ahead of the racing greyhounds to prevent crowding and possible capture, and some of the smaller lures with short arms disappeared from view around a turn.

Inspired to build a better lure, Alldritt designed one that was reliablewhile effectively keeping greyhounds on the chase, eliminating the declarations of “no race” and thus resulting in more credibility to the sport and increased fan interest and attendance.

Alldritt’s efforts were recognized in the Jan. 30, 1971 issue of The Racing Record: “His name is a household word in the greyhound industry and much of the credit of the successful development of the sport in America goes to Alldritt,” The Record reported. “As greyhound racing grew into big business, it became obvious that an efficient, dependable lure was needed. Mechanical troubles had become a nightmare. There was nothing that frayed the nerves of track operators more than the fear every instant that something was going to happen to the lure. In addition to the fraying of nerves, the actual cost to the track when a race was lost because of mechanical failure was tremendous.”

Biscayne Greyhound Track was the first to install Alldritt’s Wonder Lure in 1937. A report in 1940 revealed not one race had been lost there due to mechanical failure in the lure’s nearly three years of operation. The Wonder Lure remained at Biscayne, with occasional upgrade replacements from Alldritt’s company, until the track closed permanently in 1995. These occasional upgrades included design changes to prevent greyhound injuries, such as lure arms that would break or bend upon impact. Longer arms were implemented to keep the greyhounds spread out around the turns. The track installation was improved to enable the public to better view the race. The fold-away arm at the escape, with animated lures making alluring noises, eliminated the need for curtains at the end of a race.

Alldritt patented the lure in 1940. By 1968, 25 of the 35 tracks in the United States were using the Alldritt Lure, and just three years later all but eight of the tracks used his lures. By the late 1980s, when nearly 60 tracks were in operation, most relied on Alldritt’s invention.

Alldritt continued to improve his lures until his death in October of 1970. With one article referring to Alldritt as “the second Edison – inventor extraordinaire,” he is remembered as an inventive genius with a legacy reaching beyond the greyhound industry to such entities as the Olympic Games.

His descendants continue to operate his company, now known as Greyhound Equipment Company, in Pensacola, Fla.

A close up shot of the Alldritt Lure (photo taken at Palm Beach Kennel Club)

By Gary Guccione   Fri, Feb 03, 2012

The combo of Jimbo Scotty to Gable Dodge stock isn’t exactly one of the more notable bloodline marriages of the day— not eliciting the type of media attention that, say, England’s royal wedding from last year attracted.

Yet, two of the three greyhounds spotlighted this issue have that very blend close up in their pedigrees. So just maybe there’s something to the idea of looking to meld these two in future matings.

Before discussing that pair, however, let’s first look at the winner of the year end’s biggest stake, Vince Berland’s Flying Big Gun in the Derby Lane 660-Yd. Distance Challenge.

What a perfect way to bring the year to a close for Berland, who—in addition to winning several stakes during the year (including the Hollywood World Classic with Tiger Boy)—was inducted into the Greyhound Hall Of Fame in October, right along with one of his legends, Kiowa Sweet Trey. Surely Vince will look back on 2011 as a very good year.

Big Gun, racing for the Red Oak Kennel, is a black April 2010 son of Flying Penske and Flying AC DC. Normally, you’d think that AC DC would be a prime candidate with Kiowa Sweet Trey, as her lines have crossed repeatedly with the new Hall Of Famer. But this time around, the Berlands had their sites set on some distance—and definitely got it when bred to the reliable Penske, whose had countless pups (many of them routers) featured in this column over the years. Credit his top line, through Oshkosh Racey and Unruly (two Hall Of Famers noted for the endurance abilities) for much of that—whereas Penske’s dam contributes both speed (through former Rural Rube Award winner BJ”s Justin and Hall Of Famer Rooster Cogburn, plus the classic bitch Dia’s Stormy Day) and distance (through K’s Flak and daddy Onie Jones— both Hall Of Famers).

Flying AC DC, who ran in the upper grades at Tri-State, is a daughter of still another Hall Of Famer, Molotov, whose females are now indelibly type-cast as excellent producers. AC DC’s dam line is by no means a weak link, with her mother Flying Monaco having crossed with Sweet Trey to produce Flying Hydrogen.

The real anchor here may well be Rikasso Lassie*, who unquestionably has been the most influential dam in the success story behind the Berlands the last 20 years. Not only that—but she’s one of the most successful dam lines at work in America. It was Rikasso Lassie*, who when bred to Kunta Kinte (yes, another Hall Of Famer) that produced Flying Monaco (ancestor to Flying Hydrogen and Big Gun, as we’ve seen). Bred to P’s Raising Cain, Lassie produced Flying Rimes, who was not only the dam of Flying Stanley (by Kiowa Sweet Trey), the sport’s all-time leading money earner, but the dam of Flying Crestline (by Penske), who produced last year’s Triple Crown winner Flying Coal City (by Sweet Trey).

That’s a lot of hardware won by Rikasso Lassie* descendants for Berland over the years.

No surprise that the imported Rikasso Lassie* goes back to Slight Chill (in just two generations, through Westpark Model), one of the several fruitful daughters out of the classic Sand Man-Maythorn Pride combination, arguably the best producing dam line in the world the last quarter-century, authored by Irishman Pat Dalton (uh-huh, another Hall Of Famer).

It may be no coincidence that both Big Gun’s parents are anchored on the bottom by male products of another classic family—that being the Friend Westy-Miss Gorgeous line. Behind Penske, it’s with Rooster Cogburn, and behind AC DC, it’s with Sand Man.

Now, on to the Jimbo Scotty- Gable Dodge niche mentioned at the outset. First of these pups is Ethereal Moment—literally a pup, having just won the Dick Andrews Futurity at Palm Beach in late December. The December 2009 black male was bred and is owned by Fred Schunmann of Ocala, Fl. Representing the Royal Racing team, Moment had a 9-7-3-5 record in 25 starts following his Palm Beach stake win.

Ethereal Moment is by former Wheeling champion Rhythmless, who is the source of the Jimbo Scotty appearance. Rhythmless is a former honoree in this column and has had several pups mentioned here, before now—one of the more recent being Southland star Shanett.

Dam of Ethereal Moment is PTL Lois, a former hotshot at Daytona (having won 10 of 12 there in one stretch, and six of seven in still another). Here’s where the Gable Dodge line comes in, through Lois’ sire Stan’s Boy Flyer.

It’s interesting that the pedigree also evolves around the stud dogs raised and stood by the late Keith Dillon. Understood, Perceive, Keefer and Dillard* are all in this pedigree (Perceive actually appearing twice). In addition, the linebreeding behind Ethereal Moment is, by a wide margin, led by nine appearances of Downing, whom Dillon stood at stud (and the source of the first three of Dillon’s studs just mentioned). Doubled up, besides Perceive, are HB’s Commander and Unruly—who, like Downing, are all Hall Of Famers.

Oshkosh Racey, who was on the top of Flying Big Gun’s pedigree, is in exactly the opposite position behind Ethereal Moment—in the very bottom bracket. The bottom dam line here goes back to Deja, who was by HD’s Eli-Coast To Post. The latter goes back to the Irish import Clon Blackie*, a productive daughter of The Grand Silver.

The Jimbo Scotty-Gable Dodge combo is reversed in the pedigree of Rams Kizzy Kate, who is the North American win champion with 50 victories for 2011. Gable Dodge shows up on top this time, through prepotent son Lonesome Cry, while the Jimbo Scotty appearance is through Kizzy Kate’s dam, Rams Annie Oak.

Bred by Cheryl Pharrams and owned by Cheryl and Johnny Pharrams of Mesa, Az., Rams Kizzy Kate is a September 2008 brindle female veteran racing for the Mary Gray Kennel at Tucson.

Other than the repeat appearance of the Jimbo Scotty-Gable Dodge blend, the most glaring item in Kate’s pedigree is the linebreeding to the great female P’s Skelly. Her chief claim-to-fame was the production of Hall Of Famer P’s Rambling, who appears in this pedigree in the tail line behind Lonesome Cry. You’ll then find two more appearances by P’s Skelly in the dam line of Kate’s mother, Rams Annie Oak, who along with her littermates, raced in the upper grades at Phoenix. Quiet Supreme is linebred to P’s Skelly in the third generation, both times in the very bottom of her parents’ pedigrees.

Interestingly, the three appearances by Skelly are all in tandem with different sires. In the case of her son P’s Rambling, it’s via Profits Andy. P’s Sizzler is the result of Skelly’s mating with Bon Bon Patriot. And Skelly’s other daughter in the pedigree, P’s Double Ott, is by Jock’s Bounty.

A daughter of Onie Jones, P’s Skelly was out of WP Mayonnaise, who in turn was by S.S. Jeno-Kinto Girl (bred virtually the same as superstar P.L. Greer). Unsurprisingly, Kinto Girl was out of one of America’s greatest dam-producing crosses: Westy Colonel-Michigan Vickey, with Bill Woodall as its original architect.

In addition to the trio of P’s Skelly appearances, you’ll find three entries of Downing and two Profits Andys behind Rams Kizzy Kate.

By Gary Guccione   Fri, Feb 03, 2012

Cary Alsobrook, of Spring, Tx., was unanimously selected by the NGA Board as this year’s recipient of the NGA’s Lifetime Achievement Award, based on his tireless (and oftentimes behind-thescenes) efforts to build up and defend greyhound racing and the NGA.

This will be only the second time the NGA’s Lifetime Achievement Award will have been presented. Herb “Dutch” Koerner was the recipient of the first award, presented at last spring’s meet.

Cary’s performed countless acts for the betterment of the game—whether through communication, breeding, training, raising on quality farms, importing, auction participation (he has purchased millions in stock from the NGA sales), consulting, promotion, producing top stud dogs for the industry, or by recruiting new people as greyhound owners and training them from start to finish. He aided in the training of quality racetrack personnel and helped develop top trainers, while always making sure his racing kennels were continually run in a manner that was a model for other operations in the industry. Moreover, Cary has donated generously to virtually every good cause that’s come along that in any manner benefited the sport.

Health issues will almost certainly and regrettably prevent Cary from attending the Spring Meet to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. But there’s no doubt that he’ll be there in spirit.

“This is a great honor that I am pleased to accept,” Cary wrote shortly after learning about receiving the honor. “(The award) is the icing on my cake to end a career which I am most grateful for.”

The gratitude goes both ways.

By Vera Rasnake   Fri, Feb 03, 2012

Derby Lane, the oldest continuously operating greyhound track in the world, will celebrate 87 years of racing. The 2012 meet began Jan. 1 and concludes June 30.

The track presented its first greyhound races Jan. 2, 1925.

Racing Secretary Jerry Miller has finalized the stakes schedule for the 2012 meet. There will be eight stakes and one hotbox feature on the menu. The 87th Inaugural—the oldest stakes race in North America—is the first of the stakes, and was run Saturday night Jan. 7. Sixteen entries competed in qualifying rounds Wednesday night Jan. 4. The top four finishers from each of the two races made up the Jan. 7 final.

The stake schedule for the season is as follows:
*87th Inaugural—Jan. 7
*28th Matinee Idol—Jan. 28
*8th Rotary Governor’s Hot Box—Feb. 18
*Sprint Classic—Mar. 3
*Distance Classic—Apr. 7
*Gold Trophy Juvenile— May 19
*T.L. Weaver Memorial Challenge—June 9
*St. Pete Consolation Derby—June 30
*St. Petersburg Derby— June 30

By Steve Sigafoose   Fri, Feb 03, 2012

The 2012 Bluffs Run season will begin with the $60,000 Bracket Challenge in March. The stake echoes the NCAA Basketball Tournament with greyhounds seeded and paired against each other. The field starts with 64 greyhounds on March 14 and battle down to the championship race of two on March 31.

The $60,000 3/8 Mile Derby will open on April 18 with a field of 80 greyhounds. That championship race is set for May 5.

The 2012 $60,000 Juvenile begins on May 30 for 96 greyhounds. To be eligible, a greyhound must be under 26 months of age on May 22, 2012 and must have won a Grade M race at Bluffs Run or currently be a Grade M at Bluffs Run. The final is set for June 16.

The $60,000 Bluffs Run Open will have a field of 96 greyhounds. It will start July 11 with the final set for July 28.

New to the Bluffs Run schedule is the $60,000 Kennel Medley. Each kennel will race a greyhound in a 3/6-mile race on September 15, in a 5/16-mile race on September 22, in a 3/8- mile race on September 29 and in a 7/16-mile race on October 6. The kennel earning the most points under the track’s tradition scoring system of 15 points for a win and on down will capture the Medley.

The stakes season will be completed with the 27th running of the $500,000 Iowa Breeders Classic. The Classic opens October 17 with a field of 120 greyhounds. The final is set for November 3.

By Gary Guccione   Fri, Feb 03, 2012

Speaking of the Tylers—

Dennis and Claire Tyler, founders and still overseers of the Central Florida GPA Chapter (out of Melbourne, Fl.), have long been leaders in the effort to adopt greyhounds after their racing careers are completed. Last year, the 2008 recipients of the GAPY Award came upon a new way to help the cause.

When all the votes were counted, the Tylers didn’t have quite enough votes to win the People Magazine’s “Heroes Among Us” contest. Still, they received a $10,000 award, courtesy of Jeep, for their extraordinary efforts on behalf of greyhound adoption.

“They told us that we did not have the most votes, but we were very close,” Dennis said. “Then they told us that the editorial staff picked four more groups that didn’t win, but would get grants anyway. We were one of those groups!”

The Nov. 4 edition of People Magazine carries a photograph and blurb about CF-GPA as one of the “Heroes” award recipients.

“Thanks to all those who voted and helped spread the word,” Tyler concluded. “We didn’t win the contest, but we won the money for the greyhounds, and that’s what counts.”

The entire event helped adoption an still another way. Tyler reports that the media coverage has resulted in a large increase in inquiries about greyhound adoption.

By Gary Guccione   Fri, Feb 03, 2012

Florida adoption volunteer Ann Bollens, recently retired president of the Greyhound Pets of America Emerald Coast Chapter (GPAEC), has been named the 2011 Greyhound Adoption Person of the Year by the American Greyhound Council (AGC).

Bollens has been a driving force in greyhound adoption since 1998, when she helped found GPAEC. In 2010 alone, her organization helped move more than 600 greyhounds into adoptive homes. The northwest Florida group focuses primarily on finding adoptive homes for greyhounds retiring from Ebro and Pensacola tracks.

“Those who nominated Ann used words like tireless and amazing—in fact, they described her as a hero,” said AGC Communications Coordinator Gary Guccione. “We couldn’t agree more. We’ve been privileged to work with her over the years.”

In addition to her work with GPAEC, Bollens also was instrumental in establishing the Sunburst Greyhound Adoption Project and Kennel, an unprecedented initiative to expand and coordinate the movement of retired racing greyhounds from several Florida panhandle tracks to adoption groups around the country. Three separate adoption organizations are involved in the effort—the Greyhound Alliance, the Northern Consortium, and GPAEC.

Bollens said she was “stunned and delighted” to hear that she had been honored. She and a companion will be guests of the AGC at the organization’s meeting in Las Vegas, where she will receive the award and a $500 check for the greyhound adoption organization of her choice.

The GAPY Award was initiated by the American Greyhound Track Operators Association (AGTOA) in 2007, and became an AGC effort in 2010. Previous recipients of the GAPY Award are Cheryl King, Dennis and Claire Tyler, Teddy Palmer, and the late Linda Jensen.

By   Fri, Feb 17, 2012

NGA member Bob Terlip, 81, of Frontenac, Ks., died Feb. 15 at the Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, Ks.

Mr. Terlip grew up in Frontenac and attended local schools. Her worked with his parents at Terlip Grocery Story in Frontenac in his early years. He began raising mink in 1948, which led him into the pet food and food business. Companies he was associated with over the years included TTT Foods, Springdale ice Cold Star Co. Springdale, Ar.; Rogers Ice Cold Storage Co., Springdale, Ar.; Strongheart Pet Food, Kansas City, Ks., Momence in Illinois; Rush Springs in Oklahoma; Triple T Foods Dixieland, Rogers, Ar.; Natural Life Pet Products, Frontenac; Four R Poultry, Wheaton, Mo.; Feather Fiber Corp, Frontenac; TTT Pipeline, Altamont, Ks., and Camptown Race Track.

He loved to fish and hunt and to race greyhounds. He owned a number of greyhounds in recent years, usually in partnership with his friend, Wayne Strong of Abilene. His greatest love was his family and being active in the lives of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife Patricia of the home; two sons Chris Terlip and wife Kristy, Kurt Terlip and wife Kim, all of Frontenac; four grandsons, and three great grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial was held Friday morning, Feb. 17, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Frontenac.

By   Fri, Feb 03, 2012

James Alvin Kusel, longtime NGA member and breeder from North-central Kansas, passed away Nov. 24 at his home in Smith Center, Ks. He was 80.

Mr. Kusel raised, trained and raced greyhounds--many of which had the “K.C.’s” prefix--on his Cedar, Ks., farm. Many years ago he served as the slipper at national coursing meets in Abilene, Ks.

Much of Mr. Kusel’s better stock came from a top-notch Sky Jet* female from the late 1960s, named Lulapalooza--who clicked especially well with brothers Sought After and My Friend Lou.

He is survived by his wife, Jan, of the home in Smith Center; daughters Janeen (Bryan) Befort, of Lebanon, Ks., and Julie (Rob) Reitz, of Smith Center; grandchildren, Dustin Befort, and Cheyenne, Hannah and Logan Reitz; and niece, Janet (Don) Hoverson.

Inurnment was on Dec. 3 at Cedar Cemetery in Cedar.

By   Fri, Feb 03, 2012

John David Clark, former member of the NGA Board of Directors, of Jacksonville, Fl., lost his battle with cancer on Nov. 19. He was 69.

Mr. Clark was born in Jacksonville where he spent most of his life. He was a US Air Force veteran, retired from the Florida Highway Patrol. He served on the NGA Board of Directors from the fall of 1991 to 2000, representing the North Florida district.

John was a commercial fisherman and owner of a fleet of boats. His hobbies were fishing, flying his airplane and riding his motorcycle. He was predeceased by his wife Mary Ellen Clark of 33 years.

He is survived by his sister Frances Varnadoe; brother J.D. Clark (Christine); 3 children Catherine Blume (Stacy); John David Clark, Jr. (Belinda); Eileen Alexander (Bruce); 12 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren and countless friends whom he treasured like family.

Memorial service was held Nov. 22 at Town and Country Funeral Home in Jacksonville, officiated by Rev. Delton Kilpatrick. Burial followed at Riverside Memorial Park in Jacksonville.

By Vera Rasnake   Fri, Apr 06, 2012

D'Arcy kennel is looking for a first Distance Classic win, but a victory in the stakes would not be a first for kennel owner Mick D'Arcy that won the stakes multiple times while managing the former Greymeadow Kennel. D'Arcy has an advantage over their peers with two entries in the stakes. Brother Buck scored the win in semifinals, which put him in the top spot with 52 points. His kennelmate Sovereign Gift ranks 7th with 32 points. A win by the kennel would be glorious, but a win with Sovereign Gift would be extra special for owner Mick D'Arcy, who owns the female. Gift's mother Greys Calibrator is the 2006 Derby Lane Million Dollar champion that D'Arcy purchased after she earned the highest winning purse in Greyhound history for a female greyhound. Calibrator's win was worth $500,000. A Distance Classic championship by Calibrator's offspring would be priceless for trainer Catherine D'Arcy.

Red Oak Racing's Flyin Commandant won the most races in the series to score 49 points, which ranks him 2nd tonight. The kennel closed out 2011 with a win in the $75,000 Distance Challenge and seeks a consecutive 660-yard stakes win. Commandant is the youngest in the race and the most inexperienced. Commandant's box-breaking speed is nearly impossible to beat if he gets loose early for trainer Mark Dunnuck. Commandant’s owner Vince Berland also owns the #2 Tiger Boy.

Cal Holland kennel's Kentucky Fire finished in 3rd place with 45 points. With a history of being the bridesmaid the fleet-footed female could take full advantage of the coveted rail post. Fire was the top 660-yard winner during the July - December meet last year. She was the runner-up in the Gold Trophy Juvenile (550), Derby Consolation and 660-Yard Challenge-both over the longer course in 2011. Justin Holland, who is the grandson of the kennel owner, trains the lightest athlete in the field with a set weight of 60-lbs.

Tiger Boy is one of the nation's most revered greyhounds. Last year he made history at Mardi Gras by becoming the first 17-month athlete to ever win the prestigious title. Tiger Boy impressed the nation and was named Rural Rube winner for top 550-yard athlete and was also named the 2011 Captain of the All America Team depicting the nation's best Greyhound athlete. Tiger Boy will be recognized at the Greyhound Hall of Fame on April 26 in Abilene, KS. Last year McAllister kennel's Flying Coal City was the Triple Crown champion of the sport taking home all three national awards. Saturday night the 72-pound Tiger is poised to capture a second stakes title this year. He opened the meet with a victory in the 87th annual Inaugural over the 550-yard course. Tiger Boy ranks 4th tonight after posting 43 points for trainer Barbara McAllister.

Hambleton kennel's Jewelz Fire has been a big surprise in the race. The 65-pound female entered the stakes in grade C. Jewelz Fire blazed the track in a season's best 37.13 on February 24, which moved her to grade A. It wasn't until round two of the Distance series on March 28th that Fire saw another win. The beautiful white and brindle female ranks fifth with 35 points. She will be a longshot, but one should not underestimate her raw speed if she gets out quickly for trainer Doug Flint.

The top Patriot kennel filled the final slot with Kiowa Wildbraves, who just missed a semifinal win by a nose. She collected 31 points by posting two seconds, a third and a fifth place in the qualifying rounds. Wildbraves previously raced at Flagler. Saturday night is the first stake final for the 65-pound female, trained by Cal Holland, Jr.

By Stan Pawloski   Thu, Apr 05, 2012

All-American AMF Ex-President is heading South.

            Word is the Wheeling-based sprint star will head to Southland Greyhound Park later this month and is expected to participate in the $60,000 Southland Derby. The stake begins June 9 and the final is scheduled for Saturday, June 30.

            Ex-President won’t be traveling alone.

            According to Tom Ferris, A Ray Kennel operator and owner of Ex President, sprinters Uhaul Woody, AMF Baroness and possibly Budz Shrek also will be entries in the Southland Derby.

            The decision to travel the greyhounds takes two of Wheeling’s top sprinters out of the mix for the $25,000 George Kellas Memorial stake which begins in June and has a July 4 final. The Kellas Memorial is Wheeling’s lone sprint stake in 2012.

            Through April 4 races, Ex President tops the Wheeling win leaderboard this year with 10 victories in 14 starts while Uhaul Woody has won seven out of his first 13 trips, including four in a row in Grade AA. Baroness is a consistent top grade finisher and Shrek has reached Grade A.

            While Ferris has high hopes for Ex President and Uhaul Woody in the Southland Derby, the possibility of a $250,000 “World Series of Poker” style stakes race at Southland after the Derby also has peaked Ferris’ interest.

            “The plan would be to enter AMF Ex President and/or Uhaul Woody in the $250,000 event if either or both perform well in the preliminary stakes race there (Southland),” Ferris said. “The Southland Derby will provide a good barometer for both of them.”

            Details of the $250,000 have yet to be ironed out, but reportedly there will be a $10,000 entry fee per greyhound.

            “I do not want to put up $10,000 for either of them ‘in the blind,’” Ferris noted. “I want to create a racing history there for both of them before I decide where to go afterwards.”

            AMF Ex President was named to the 2011 All-American team earlier this year.

By Vera Rasnake   Thu, Apr 05, 2012

D’Arcy kennel’s Brother Buck (Kiowa Mon Manny x Bow Okie Barb) sailed into the top spot in Distance Classic semifinals and earned the top 52 points. Wednesday night’s semifinals produced one of the nation’s finest fields of 660-yard athletes that will vie for the winning purse in the 53^rd annual Distance Classic Saturday night April 7.

The drama will unfold beginning Thursday night when the post positions are assigned in the Racing office. D’Arcy kennel has a slight advantage by stacking the deck with two entries. Brother Buck leads the field with 52 points. He earned a second win in the series. Sovereign Gift (Lonesome Cry x Greys Calibrator) ranked seventh with 32 points. Gift’s entry is special for kennel owner Mick D’Arcy, who also owns Gift (an offspring of 2006 Derby Lane Million champion Greys Calibrator--also owned by D’Arcy)

The high profile field features Abernathy kennel’s Magic Finch (Lonesome Cry x Bird A Flyin), who won last year’s race. She will be defending her title on Saturday. Finch wrapped up the series in sixth place with 33 points. In second place is Red Oak Racing’s Flyin Commandant (Dragon Fire x Flying Cleburne), who won a third qualifier in the series to total 49 points. Red Oak Racing closed out 2011 by capturing the $75,000 Distance Challenge. Cal Holland’s Kentucky Fire (Dragon Fire x RK’s Tomb Raider) finds herself in another stakes final. Kentucky Fire placed third high in points with 45. Kentucky Fire is the leading 660-yard athlete this year in wins. McAllister kennel’s Tiger Boy (Flying Penske x Flying Exquisite), who will be honored at the Greyhound Hall of Fame as 2011 All America Team Captain, finished in fourth place with 43 points. Tiger Boy kicked off Derby Lane’s 2012 meet with a win in the Inaugural (550) in January and hopes to add a second stake win in this race.

Hambleton kennel’s Jewelz Fire (Silver Jones x Fire Storm Drive), who holds the season’s fastest 660-yard time, is fifth high with 35 points. Jewelz is a surprise finalist, as the female entered the series from Grade C. The top Patriot kennel’s Kiowa Wildbraves (Kiowa Sweet Trey x Kiowa Wild Girl) filled the final slot with 31 points for the top Patriot kennel.

The draw for posts will be at 6:30 pm, EST Thursday night April 5.

By Stan Pawloski   Thu, Apr 05, 2012

A Ray Kennel’s Uhaul Woody has four straight Grade AA wins for trainer Joe Palmer. Kennelmate AMF Ex President has back-to-back Grade AA victories.

Bussmann Balakas Kennel’s Texas Ranger has three Grade AA wins in a row for trainer David O’Keefe. Kennelmate NB’s Diamonds has back-to-back victories (B, A).

Charter Kennel’s Black Magic Bonz has won three out of his last four Grade AA starts for trainer Raymond LeBlanc.

Darren Henry Kennel’s Braska Mabeline has two wins and two seconds in her last four Grade AA races for trainer Terry Green.

Wayne Strong Kennel’s Shot At Stardom has won three out of his last four 3/8 trips (A, AA) for trainer Melinda McCardle.

Vince Berland Kennel’s Flying Troon has three straight victories (B, A, AA) for trainer Tim Hartley.

By Kelly Clark   Wed, Apr 04, 2012

This is the race breakdown for the 2012 Jacksonville Sprint Classic to be run on Saturday evening April 7 in the 11^thrace on the card, in conjunction with our Mad, Mad, Money Machine promotion.

Post positions for the final are:

1 – System Of A Down (Dodgem By Design – Star Olga) was a consistent threat in qualifying that was one of only two greyhounds to finish in the cash in all 4 efforts. The one box will help his chances, but he will have to have a huge break to contend.

2 – Easi Mitchie (Kiowa Mon Manny – Uss Race By) stepped up big when she had too and secured herself a spot in the finals with a thrilling semi-final victory. This closer can be a threat late, but she will need to break if the wants a chance to upset tonight.

3 – Miss Kate (Fuzzys Cannon – Miss Kissable) is the veteran of the field that is firing on all cylinders right now. Drawing a great post near the rail, if she outbreaks the others to her inside, she might just prove to be a tough out on the front end.

4 – GS Jock (Domingo Dodge – Barts Heavensent) has proven a force on the lead before and can even come from just off the pace and get things done at the wire. No worries about the post as he will need to break to contend. The extra room early could come in handy.

5 – J’s Robin (Lonesome Cry – Boy Trouble) might be in the middle box, but she normally breaks slow anyway so the post doesn’t matter all the much to her. The best closer in the field, Robin could pick up almost everyone in this race from behind if the mood suits her. If she breaks, the might not get a chance to outdo her before the wire.

6 – Offthebrakedrake (Coldwater Konow – Ruby Is The Best) is clearly the one to beat in this effort. He won 3 of 4 rounds and he was just off the track record by .01 twice in his last 5 races. This race is his to lose and if he wants to run, no one here can hang with his pure raw speed.

7 – Penrose Jovial (Dk’s Prime Time – Penrose Trendy) has more stake experience than anyone else in this race and that might just come into play in this effort. This good outside post might help his effort too, but like the rest of this field, a big break will be needed in order to have a chance at a win.

8 – Pat C Jackhammer (Flying Hydrogen – Pat C Tesla) was the point leader for this event and never missed the quiniela in qualifying. He has a solid rush and plenty left to contend at the end of the race. He likes the edges and the 8 box is not a bad place to start from. If he keeps on keeping on, he will be a major player at the finish line tonight.

Now for how I see the race running:

At the break no real greyhound is going to steal 20 on this field, so it comes down to who wants it more from the get-go. I know it might be the easy pick, but I was told once and if you go with the best greyhound in the field, you will be right more than you are wrong. So, let’s take Offthebrakedrake to get the early lead in this race, and if you have been following him, you know what that means, a big time winning effort and possibly a track record in a stakes final. I didn’t just pick him because, I have reason to. LOL! Last time out from this post, well he won by 10 and ran 30.09, and Saturday he will get some help from the others around him. The 7 dog, Penrose Jovial likes to race wide, so that gives him a little room at the break. He gets more as his next door neighbor, and kennelmate, J’s Robin is a slow breaker who likes to go to the rail early on. Next to her is Gs Jock and Miss Kate in the 4 and 3 boxes and they too like to move to the inside part of the racetrack. So early on, he gets the parting of the red sea and even if he doesn’t break on top, he will have clean air in front of him to rush up and take control as they head down the backside. I expect it to get ugly from that point on as the rest of the field will be vying for next best in this one. Pat C Jackhammer has the best chance to get there as he has a good box on the outside, will get room to run early, has been breaking well and closing, and finished next best to Drake in their last effort. Another greyhound to watch out for is the other posted greyhound in this field, Miss Kate. She loves the rail and gets close enough here in the 3 box to make some noise. She has a good enough early break, when she wants to come out of the starting box, to get ahead of the two greyhounds to her inside in this effort. If she clears in front, she could prove to be a big challenge for the rest of this field. I don’t see her holding off Drake if he gets loose, but if there is trouble, she could be the bud longshot of this field. Last in the super but not least is the closer, J’s Robin. Robin may finish above this level, but she is going to have to do some fancy footwork early to get it done. She loves the rail and will have to get there from the 5 box Saturday night. She has enough late to run down almost anyone late here, but she needs to be out close enough early so that her late run is for naught. If she can somehow hit the lid, she is the only greyhound in this field that might stand a chance against Drake in the open.

So to recap, I like the 6 – Offthebrakedrake, 8 – Pat C Jackhammer, 3 – Miss Kate, 5 – J’s Robin. Picks (6-8-3-5)

By Kelly Clark   Wed, Apr 04, 2012

Pat C Jackhammer – (56 Points)
OP Career Totals (18/7-4-1-2)
R BD – M May 2009 Flying Hydrogen – Pat C Tesla
Owned By – Patrick Collins
Runs for the Pat Collins Kennel
Trained by Scott Jarvis

Pat C Jackhammer is a recent ship in from Dubuque that has taken well to his new surroundings under the close eye of trainer Scott Jarvis, and that was never more apparent than in the 2012 Jacksonville Sprint Classic. This hard trying greyhound is running his best at the right time as he finished in the quiniela in all four rounds, including a pair of wins and a pair of second place efforts. His good rush and his determined running style found him to be a threat in each and every start. This only entry for the Pat Collins Kennel ran his best race in round 2 as he chased early, drove hard late, and held off a big time closing threat, and fellow finalist, J’s Robin at the wire for the victory. Jackhammer is competing in his first stakes event and he make it not only to the finals, he is the leader in points for the whole race. Jackhammer was on a tear even before the stakes round started and that includes his current run of seven straight trips in the money. Post doesn’t matter all the much to him as long as he is not in the middle boxes. He has flourished from the edges and took all four snaps from the inside posts in the qualifying rounds. If he wants to keep up the good work and have a solid shot at winning this race, he needs to just do one thing, break. We know he can rush, we know he can close, but if he breaks he will have an opportunity to make the field come and get him if they want to win. A favorable post from the edges might go a long way in helping him out early on. He proved to be the most consistent in qualifying, time to step up to the plate one more time on Saturday evening.

Offthebrakedrake – (52 Points)
Career Totals (44/20-4-6-2)
R – M Feb 2010 Coldwater Konow – Ruby Is The Best
Owned By – Lorenzo Anguiano
Runs for DQ Williams Kennel
Trained by Louis Amaral

No greyhound has been hotter at the Orange Park Kennel Club than Offthebrakedrake. Drake has not just been winning races, he won 3 of the 4 qualifying rounds, he has been destroying fields. He is as fast as he wants to be and he has finished just a .01 of a second off the track record twice in his last 5 races. He is competing in his second stakes race, and makes his second stakes final for the DQ Williams. The first of three entries for DQ, Drake is clearly the greyhound to beat in this effort and all you have to do is look at his last race to see what I mean. Breaking from the 6 box, Drake cleared early, rushed up untouched to the turn, and left a stakes field way, way, way behind him at the finish line. Drake won his semi-final race by 10 lengths and stopped the clock just a tick off the track record again with a run of 30.09 seconds. What is more impressive about this run, the point leader, Pat C Jackhammer, was second. Post could play a role in the outcome of this final round race for him though, as he much prefers the rail to inside post position. From there he just breaks better and him close to the lead is bad news for this field. Time to put the pedal to the metal one more time and prove just who the best, and fastest, greyhound is at the racetrack once and for all.

Penrose Jovial – (44 Points)
Career Totals (100/23-15-16-10)
BK BD – M July 2009 Dk’s Prime Time – Penrose Trendy
Owned By – Nick S. De Salvo
Runs for the James E O’Donnell Kennel
Trained by Wallace Wilson

Penrose Jovial is a mainstay at the Orange Park Kennel Club and has more stakes experience than any other greyhound in this field. This race was his third stakes event and he is competing in his first stakes final for the James E O’Donnell kennel. His good mix of break and close and done him well throughout the years, and it showed up once again in the 2012 Jacksonville Sprint Classic. Starting out as hot as anyone, Jovial took quick command in rounds one and two and put up back to back winning efforts. He parlayed that with a 3rd and a 5th place finish to secure him a spot in this final round race. His best effort came in round two as he didn’t see the lead right away, but rushed up close, and took over late for a determined easy win. Jovial has loads of experience at his disposable and that will come in handy against this talented field. He has competed in 100 races at Orange Park and won nearly a quarter of his efforts, and the majority of them have come in grade A. This midtrack runner likes to break from the edges and is at his best when he can get close to the lead in the early stages of the race. From the rail he comes out faster and he is going to need a quick start if he wants a chance to take home the title. Stakes experience is a plus, but he has to put it to good use one more time in this effort.

Miss Kate – (44 Points)
Career Totals (179/34-33-27-20)
BK – F May 2008 Fuzzys Cannon – Miss Kissable
Owned By – Sharon L. Williams
Runs for the DQ Williams Kennel
Trained by Louis Amaral

Miss Kate might just be running the best of her entire long career at the Orange Park Kennel Club right now. Up until the semi-finals, where she found trouble, Miss Kate was kicking butt and taking names over the ovals. She had been in the money in 10 straight efforts, and that included 6 wins, two of which came in the first and third rounds of the stakes. This race is her second attempt, in 179 career starts, at a stakes race and finally she makes it to the finals for the DQ Williams Kennel. Miss Kate is a true DQ Williams greyhound that can break or come from off the pace and beat you before the finish line. Her most impressive race came in round number three as she stalked early lead, Kiowa Jill Vik throughout and drove by her before the finish line to steal away the slim win. This is no little feat as Kiowa Jill Vik has good late speed and has never been caught from behind in any of her 119 career races. It was a huge effort and one she is going to have to repeat if she wants to stand in the winner’s circle on Saturday evening. Like most of the greyhounds in this field, Miss Kate, is right at home from any post on the edges of the racetrack. The 1,2 or 7,8 would be a good place to start from, but if she could pick, I think she would like the rail. She break better from in here and a good start would help her out greatly in this final round race. As the oldest and wisest of the field, Miss Kate, might have a few new tricks for these dogs in the finals.

Gs Jock – (44 Points)
Career Totals (49/11-9-5-7)
W R – M April 2010 Domingo Dodge – Barts Heavensent
Owned By – Gary or Sharon Willis
Runs for the Willis Kennel
Trained by Brandy Willis

And the Willis Kennel does it again! Another stakes race, and another stakes finalist and this time around his game is JOCK! Gs Jock to be exact and another greyhound sired by former JGR Racing star Domingo Dodge. Dodge offspring have had great success at the Orange Park Kennel Club and usually can run both 550 and 660 yards. Jock falls right into that category and his solid break and determined drive is what got him into this final round field. Jock put up a win, a pair of places and a 5th place effort to make the finals and it is easy to say that his best effort, was his first effort in the rounds. Breaking from the rail post, he exploded to the front end and took instant command of the race. He coasted all the way around the racetrack and was never really challenged at any point in that effort. His 30.69 second clocking was just off the best of the night that was recorded by the ultra fast Offthebrakedrake who put up a 30.66 second run later on the card. Jock is a rail runner that can get it done from almost any post on the races, well that is if he can get out of the starting box well, but we all know they have favorite spots and his has to be the rail. He normally comes out quicker from the redder posts, and that could be just the edge he needs to take home the title tonight. He has the chops to get it done, it’s up to him to hold the Kennel name high again in yet another sprint stakes final.

Easi Mitchie – (42 Points)
OP Career Totals (31/8-8-2-2)
R F – F November 2009 Kiowa Mon Manny – Uss Race By
Owned By – Allyn L. Shaw
Runs for the PTL Kennel
Trained by Jim Rae

Easi Mitchie is a hot and cold running greyhound that can be a major threat in any effort that she gets room early on. She has proven this time and again at the Orange Park Kennel Club since arriving from Southland, and the stakes rounds showed off just what she can do when she wants to run. Heading into the semi-finals with a pair of second place effort and a sixth place finish, things looked bleak for her to make the finals, but where there is a will, there is a way. Saving her best race for when she needed it, Mitchie bombed from the starting box and took the lead heading to the turn, she held it to the backside, but was rushed by and was forced to stalk in third. Just when he looked like her chance had passed her by, Mitchie dug deep, found that little something more, and powered by the leaders on the outside to steal away not only a win, but a spot in the finals on Saturday evening. Mitchie is competing in her first stakes race and makes the finals in her first ever try. This PTL runner needs to find a spot away from the crowd in this effort so that she can get things all revved up by the finish line. She would love to start somewhere on the edged, like most of this field, but would prefer the inside a bit more than the outside. Just look back 6 races as she broke form the 2 box she won by 12 and posted up a personal best of 30.57 seconds. Time to see which way the faucet is turned on tonight! Will it be HOT or COLD?

System Of A Down – (42 Points)
Career Totals (28/9-5-2-4)
R – M December 2009 Dodgem By Design – Star Olga
Owned By – Andrew Owen of Stacy E Junk
Runs for Crowe Kennel
Trained by Garnet Crowe

System Of A Down seized the opportunity of his very first stake racing competition and found a way to will himself into this final round field. What is more impressive is how he did it. He did it with consistency. In each and every start in the stakes, he finished in the money and I guess he was trying to dismiss the DOUBLE Down theory. Winning in round one, he followed that up with a second, third, and fourth place finished in the other races and that was just enough to find a spot amongst the best at the racetrack on Saturday evening. Clearly his best race came in round 1 where he was out close, drove hard throughout and ended up outlasting the rest at the finish line. Down is no one trick pony and has enough left at the end of the race to come from just off the pace and get up for the late win. He has proven in the past that when he is clear with the lead he can run with the best of them and if he is going to cross in time for the checkered flag in this effort, the break is what is going to have to return to him. Inside is where he wants to be and a good post will help him get into the early groove that he needs to find in order to contend in this effort. Winning against this talented field might be a bit above this youngsters pay grade FOR NOW, but if he comes to run, you never know.

J’s Robin – (41 Points)
Career Totals (25/11-8-2-0)
BK – F February 2010 Lonesome Cry – Boy Trouble
Owned By – Jerry Simons
Runs for the DQ Williams Kennel
Trained by Louis Amaral

The phenom puppy is back and she makes her second stakes final in a row, as the third member of the DQ clan, here in the elite 8 for the 2012 Jacksonville Sprint Classic. Robin is the only greyhound in this field that has an in the money finish in a final and that came with a 3rd place effort in this year’s Orange Park Derby. Hard to believe that she has only finished out of the quiniela once in her career over 550 yards and that came in her semi-final race. Before that effort she was on a run of 11 straight in the quiniela, including a win and a pair of close second place finishes in rounds one, two, and three. Late speed is her calling card and she can make up ground on almost anyone at any time or place on the racetrack. With near track record speed, she can be a dominate force with the lead too and if she breaks, this field might be hard pressed to catch her before the finish line. Don’t overlook her talents just because she squeaked into this final round field as she has all she needs to post up a win in this effort. As far as post positions go, Robin wants something on the far inside or outside part of the racetrack. Give her the 1,2 or 7,8 and this field could be in for a bunch of trouble. Looking to get back to her quiniela roots, Robin will give her all in this race and might just find a way to outrock this field at the finish line.

By Steve Sigafoose   Mon, Apr 02, 2012

The Boeckenstedt Kennel had a March at Bluffs Run about as hot as the month’s record-setting temperatures.

The kennel’s greyhounds averaged over a win and a half a day, finishing the month with 49, 13 more than any rival.

If the Boeckenstedt greyhounds weren’t winning, they were still picking up the cash. In addition to the 18.4 percent winning, 46 percent of the time, the kennel enjoyed a top three finish in a race and a whopping 59.6 percent of the time cashed with a top four finish in their 267 starts.

The effort put Boeckenstedt second in the standings for wins (107) for the year and the kennel is the top earner at the quarter pole for the year ($275,103.60).

Leading Boeckenstedt in March was Boc’s Coleena with a 5-3-1-0 record and Boc’s Blast Off at 6-3-1-2.

The Harlan Brothers stayed on top of the kennel chase for the year with a 36-win month of March. Harlan has 112 wins for the year.

Keeper-Red Rock, 33, Mickim, 32 and Plum Creek, 31, rounded out the top five in victories.

A victory by Chasing The Richs (Bean & Stout) in the $60,000 Bracket Challenge on the final day of the month gave the veteran a trifecta. He leads in three categories.

Chasin The Richs was the greyhound of the month with an 8-4-2-0 record. That vaulted him to the top of the victory board for the year with a 16-9-3-1 record. The stakes triumph puts him on top of the earnings board with $46,260.

Other top greyhounds in March were Copy Cat (Plum Creek), 3-3-0-0; Kl’s Mattie (Legg), 4-3-0-0; Ctw Duty Free (Keeper-Red Rock), 5-3-0-1; KC First Of All (Bean & Stout), 6-3-2-0 and Manny Walker (Hardison) 6-3-1-0.

April brings the second stakes of the year to Bluffs Run, the $60,000 3/8-Mile Derby.

The Derby will begin Wednesday, April 18, with a field of 80 greyhounds. Entries are due by the 13^th race on Wednesday, April 11. The field will be pared down by the four traditional rounds of qualifying with the final set for Saturday, May 5.

By Kelly Clark   Mon, Apr 02, 2012

The third round of the 2012 Jacksonville Sprint Classic was pretty exciting to watch as all of the races were pretty much closely contested. Only one favorite won though, and as in recent rounds, the DQ Williams Kennel was a dominate force once again.

Most impressive on this evening was the phenom, J’s Robin in race 10. Once again she is proving that she is going to be a force no matter the distance, no matter the post position, and no matter the field that she is running against. Breaking slowly, Robin rushed to the first turn in the middle of the pack. There she avoided trouble and found room to run up the backside. By the far turn she was stalking the pace in second, and down the stretch it was all over. She drew away easily from kennelmate Get It Birch, the early leader who finished third, and was 3 lengths clear of the closing Easi Mitchie at the wire for the quickest trip of the night in 30.57 seconds.

DQ’s other winner came in the 12th race where Miss Kate ran a doozy from an outside post position. From the box, veteran Kiowa Jill Vik took early command and that sent Miss Kate into chase mode from the get go. By the first turn Vik was in full command and continued the torrid pace up the backside. By the far turn Vik’s lead had shrunk and Miss Kate was right on her heels as they turned for home. Down the stretch Kate kept on coming and that caused Vik to surrender just before the finish line.

The two other winners put up back to back victories as they won their round 2 and round 3 races. Pat C Jackhammer and Kiowa Adara Art made cases tonight that they too belong in the conversation for begin a finalist.

In race 7 Pat C Jackhammer gave a huge determined effort to steal away a win at the finish line. Breaking really quickly was Bb’s Alonzo. Clearly the best at the turn Alonzo was free on the front end, but the problem was that the closers had cleared way too close behind him. Gs Jock and Pat C Jackhammer both were within striking distance in the far turn and as they turned on the jets, it was going to be a 2 way battle for the win. Jackhammer outclosed Jock in the end and proved best by a slim margin at the finish line. Gs Comet streaked up late and took third as early leader Bb’s Alonzo finished 4th.

Kiowa Adara Art was the biggest longshot winner on the card as he was in against the heavyweights and just went to the lead, ran his race, and held on at the wire for the win. Okay, he did get some help behind him, but even without it, it was going to be really tough to get to him before the finish line. No real surprise as he has been a stakes finalist a couple of times before and finished second in this race last year. The surprise came as red hot Offthebrakedrake sat in the box, was blocked in every step he took, and finished back in 5th. All-American Gs Uncle Henry was also in this race and he too missed it from the start. This early speed machine broke 7th and that is not going to get it done against a stake caliber field of greyhounds. Props to Secret Papers and Snj Ginger as both chased gamely in this effort and deserved their time in the spotlight again.

The semi-finals will run on Monday Evening April 2nd at the bestbet at the Orange Park Kennel Club. The field will be reduced again down to 3 great races and the outcome of these events will determine the final field for Saturday evening. Remember we will have the Mad, Mad, Money Machine on hand for Saturday evening too, so come out for the stakes, have some food and fun, and maybe even take home some free cash from the bestbet at the Orange Park Kennel Club.

By   Mon, Apr 02, 2012

Kelsos Guardian made it a clean sweep in the American Derby Friday night at Mardi Gras, winning all four of his elimination races then Heat 1 of the finals, going box to wire from the one box.

Owned by John Kelly and raced by the J.E. O'Donnell Jr. Kennel, Kelsos Guardian outpaced a fast-closing Goodlucksterling in the home stretch. Caspians Place was third. Both Goodlucksterling and Caspians Place run for the D.Q. Williams Kennel.

Kelsos Guardian (Kelsos Fusileer-Kelsos Hifalutin), who raced impressively at the NGA Fall Meet, ran his record to 10-2-2-1 in 18 starts at Mardi Gras in the 3/8-mile race.

The second Heat of the Derby goes this week, with all eight finalists in a re-match, only with a new post position draw. If Guardian wins again, the stake is over. If another entry wins, that winner and Guardian will meet in a winner-decides-all match race. 

By Vera Rasnake   Fri, Mar 30, 2012

Next month Nova kennel’s Hi Noon Renegade (Dodgem By Design x Bryan’s Baby) will be among the eight greyhounds recognized as a 2011 All America Team Member. The impressive 70-pound male who made history last year still has fans talking.

Renegade’s recent romp is newsworthy, as he continues to impress at Derby Lane. Renegade was poised for a Sprint repeat after clocking the season’s best 30.28 in round three. His troubled semifinal race and stakes final that saw him finish seventh. Despite his loss Renegade has managed to pull it together and appears to be on another streak. Last weekend Renegade was pitted against several streaking foes that included Manicotti Manny and Jim Mercedes who was seeking five in a row. Renegade’s rival SE’s Chewie, who won the Sprint Classic, was also in the race. Manny was the betting favorite, but Renegade stole the show and his handy win gained attention.

Thursday night (Mar. 29) Renegade repeated his impressive style when he was pitted against his worthy opponents again. Renegade broke on top from the five box with stakes champ SE’s Chewie in hot pursuit. Renegade remained on top crossing four lengths in front of his rivals. Chewie (Capabal) and Kiow Aloe Randy (McAllister) dueled for second place that finished in a dead heat. Renegade’s win also halted Floyd & Porter’s M’s Free Agent’s attempt at a hat trick.

Other news: Cal Holland kennel’s Kentucky Gal won the draw by lot from the four-way tie created in Distance Classic rounds. The next two semifinal rounds will be held Saturday March 31 and Wednesday night April 4. The stakes final is April 7. The entries and post positions for the third round are available at the Derby Lane website.

By   Thu, Mar 29, 2012

After a four-year hiatus, the American Derby--the granddaddy of big-dollar American stake racing, founded by Hall Of Famer Joe Linsey in 1949--is back!

The latest edition of the Derby, called the First Series Championship, will be staged Friday night, Mar. 30, at Mardi Gras in South Florida.

This will be the fourth venue to host the American Derby in its long and storied history. Initially Linsey ran his prized stake every fall at his own Taunton Track in Massachusetts--from 1949 through 1981. When that track closed, it was moved to Raynham for the next four years (through 1985). Lincoln Greyhound Park in Rhode Island hosted the event from 1986 through 2008, until that track closed its gates.

This year's revived edition of the Derby offers a little of everything--the Good, the Bad, and even...the Guardian.

The "Good" is a pup named Goodlucksterling, a D.Q. Williams Kennel router who's won his last two races by 10 1/2 and 8 lengths, respectively. The son of RA Blazer-Good Luck Leslie, owned by Sharon Williams, posted two eye-popping times with those wins (37.28 and 37.31); no times in the entire stake have been faster. He's 8-6-1-2 in 17 Mardi Gras starts this year.

The "Bad" is another D.Q. charger, Wannadobadthings (Dragon Fire-Leafs Flying), owned by Tina Williams. He has two wins and two seconds in his four outings. Running from the 8 post Friday night, Wannadobadthings came from Orange Park, where he charted a 14-11-5-8 mark in 72 starts last year.

The "Guardian" is John Kelly's Kelsos Guardian, racing from the J.E. O'Donnell Jr. Kennel. Guardian (Kelsos Fusileer-Kelsos Hifalutin), a star at the NGA Fall Meet last October, is the only undefeated entry in the finals, and has drawn the No. 1 box for the race. Guardian tacked up a 37.31 time in his second win during the eliminations and has a 9-2-2-1 record in 17 starts at Mardi Gras.

The Good, the Bad and the Guardian are all considered to be serious threats to capture Friday night's race.

Others in the final are Jax Wanda Rinn (Flying Penske-Thrill A Minute), owned by Michael Jackson and Shannon Henry, racing for Valor Racing; Caspians Place (Fuzzys Cannon-Genisis Place), a second Tina Williams-owned entry, running for D.Q. Williams; BM Murphy (Flying Penske-RC's Jamie), owned by Richard Carbone, from the Brindle Kennel; Show You Want (RA Blazer-Show N Tell), a second Sharon Williams-owned entry, and D.Q.'s fourth runner in the final; and Kelsos Fabulous (Trent Lee-Kelsos Spotswood), John Kelly's second entry in the race, also from the O'Donnell Kennel.

The race is dubbed a $50,000 event and will be run in the eighth race Friday night.

By Steve Sigafoose   Thu, Mar 29, 2012

The No. 1 seeds in the Final Four round of the $60,000 Bracket Challenge at Bluffs Run on Wednesday, March 28, took the big step forward.

Chasin The Richs (Bean & Stout), out of the Horseshoe Assistant General Manager Dan Walsh Region, won the four-greyhound race, going box-to-wire from the one box, winning by a half-length in a day’s best time of 30.44 for the 5/16-mile course.

That eliminated Boc’s Blast Off (Boeckenstedt), who had won the Racing Coordinator Mark Pendgraft Region as a three seed.

Making up ground in the homestretch to take second was one-seed Gable Warbucks (Keeper-Red Rock), out of the Racing Director Rory DeSantiago Region.

L’s Fray (Boeckenstedt), the No. 2 seed out of the Horseshoe General Manager Bo Guidry Region, briefly grabbed the second spot before Gable Warbucks took charge again in the far turn. L’s Fray then faded late and was eliminated.

Chasin The Richs enters the championship showdown with three wins and a second in the five survive-and-advance rounds. A veteran, Chasin The Richs turned three years old last November. He’s a 79-pounder out of Dodgem By-Design-Uss Treasure and is 15-8-3-1 this year.

Gable Warbucks is 5-2-2-1 in the Bracket Challenge. A year younger than his rival, Gable Warbucks is a 72-pounder out of Gable Wyatt-Rj’s B Dog and is 15-8-4-1 this year.

The championship final is set for Saturday, March 31.

By Vera Rasnake   Thu, Mar 29, 2012

The second round of the $80,000 Distance Classic at Derby Lane eliminated all but the sweet 16 that will compete in round three Saturday night.

Red Oak Racing’s Flyin Commandant (Dragon Fire x Flying Cleburne) is the only undefeated athlete moving to round three. Commandant’s undefeated run was a third box to wire win in a row for the son of Dragon Fire and Flying Cleburne and his second in the series. Red Oak won the $75,000 660-yard stakes last December under trainer Gary Buckmaster. Commandant’s undefeated efforts are under new trainer Mark Dunnuck.

Cal Holland kennel’s Kentucky Fire made the cut and also clocked the series fastest 37.34. Hambleton kennel’s Jewelz Fire was highly underestimated. The 65-pound female that holds the season’s best 660-yard time of 37.13 kicked off the seven-dog race with a win that also returned $33.80 for the win. Jewelz Fire was a longshot at 15-1 in the box to wire victory. The final heat of the night saw O’Donnell’s TMC’s High Five beat the box and nearly hold off the charging Tiger Boy that snatched the win at the wire for McAllister kennel. Tiger Boy’s 16 points moved him into the top five. High Five’s loss at the wire entered him into a four-way tie for the final slot.

Fifteen greyhounds with twelve or more points filled the slots for the two semifinal rounds. The four-way tie will be decided in a draw by lot in the Racing Secretary’s office Thursday night March 29 at 6:30 PM, EST. The races, posts and who made the cut will be posted immediately following the draw. Below are the greyhounds and their kennel listed in point order:

Flyin Commandant, Red Oak Racing-32 points
Brother Buck, D’Arcy-26 points
Magic Finch, Abernathy-24 points
Jewelz Fire, Hambleton Racing-24 points
Tiger Boy, McAllister- 24 points
Kentucky Fire, Cal Holland-19 points
Kiowa Powell, Patriot-19 points
Sovereign Gift, D’Arcy-18 points
Corsair, D’Arcy-16 points
Ambriel, D’Arcy-13 points
Kiowa Wildbraves, Patriot-13 points
Art Alex, Patriot-13 points
Budz Crosby, Alderson-12 points
Donkey Kong, O’Donnell-12 points
Angus Mcloud, Nova-12 points
Kentucky Blue, Cal Holland-10 points
Kentucky Gal, Cal Holland-10 points
Magic Bagels, Abernathy-10 points
TMC’s High Five, O’Donnell-10 points

By Stan Pawloski   Thu, Mar 29, 2012

Abrahamson Kennel’s Serene AZ Laken has four straight Grade AA victories for trainer Tom Engle.

Wayne Ward Kennel’s WW’s Kay Quarter has three Grade AA wins in a row for trainer Ron Otto.

A Ray Kennel’s Uhaul Woody has three straight Grade AA victories for trainer Joe Palmer.

Vince Berland Kennel’s HS Bolt has won three out of his last four Grade AA races for trainer Terry Hartley. Kennelmate Flying Troon has back-to-back wins (B, A).

Charter Kennel’s Ponda’s Trey has two victories and a second in his last three Grade AA starts for trainer Raymond LeBlanc.

Bussmann-Balakas Kennel’s Texas Ranger has back-to-back Grade AA wins for trainer David O’Keefe. Kennelmate Kiowa Mix Fast has three straight victories (C, B, A).

Wayne Strong Kennel’s Shot At Stardom has two wins and a second in his last three 3/8 outings for trainer Melinda McCardle.

Fast Track Racing Kennel’s KB’s Ruckus has back-to-back victories (A, AA) for trainer Louise Strong.

Darren Henry Kennel’s Braska Presto has two straight wins (B, A) for trainer Terry Green.

By Kelly Clark   Wed, Mar 28, 2012

The Willis Kennel was at it again as they took home wins in 3 of the 8 stakes events on the card Monday night, but all of their winners were out shadowed by a lone DQ Williams greyhound, Offthebrakedrake.

Drake has been tearing up the racetrack at the bestbet at the Orange Park Kennel Club and the second round result was the same as the first. Breaking from the 3 box in race 9, Drake rushed out close, stalked the pace early, took over near the far turn, and left the field late for another blistering trip around the oval. Stopping the clock at 30.34 seconds, he was 4 lengths better than any other winner on the card. Drake has proven he is the one to beat in this stakes.

Willis’s winners came from a pair of new names and an All-American. Gs Uncle Henry got back in the winner’s circle in the 10 race on the car with a determined effort. He might not have been in the lead at the break, but he kept on coming and took command are the far turn. In the stretch he proved tough on top and posted another stakes win to his career totals.

Gs Casey got in done in the 3rd race with a superior break from the starting box. She exploded to the lead and never looked back. Even though her 5 length margin shrunk to 3 in the stretch, she was never really challenged in this effort.

Gs Comet got his win in the 4th race on the card, but did it in a different way than his kennelmates did. He came from off the pace to get up at the wire for the victory. This was a barnburner of a race and there were 4 greyhounds within a couple of lengths at the finish line. Finding the drive to get it done, Comet might be a new shining star for the Willis Kennel.

The James O’Donnell Kennel also did well in round number two as they saw a pair of their greyhounds take home the first place prize at the wire. Winning for the second straight round, and joining Offthebrakedrake as the only undefeated greyhounds, Penrose Jovial make the most of the outside post position in race number 5. Breaking close early, he was within striking distance early on and he just kept on coming at the leader. At the far turn, he turned on the jets and blew on by to take over command of the race. Coasting to the wire, Jovial was an easy winner.

Former stakes finalist Kiowa Adara Art pulled off the upset in the 7th race on the card with a little help from his friends. Posted up well on the outside part of the racetrack, Art found his break and rushed to the front of the pack heading to the turn. There he got a little break as the crowd gathered together behind him and he stole a few more lengths headed down the backside. In the stretch the closers were all coming in a hurry, but it was too little too late for them as Art held on in the photo by a neck for the win.

Pat Collins got a big win in race number 11 on the card as Pat C Jackhammer outlasted super pup J’s Robin by a neck at the finish line. Leading to the stretch was Lk’s Mandrianna, but all the way to the finish line it was a battle of the closers. These too went at hard, but Jackhammer had the lead on Robin turning for home and was able to maintain it at the finish line for the slim win. A nice chasing, closing effort, for a well deserved win by Pat C Jackhammer in this race.
Last but not least, Hs Butane picked up a win for the Lester Raines Kennel in the 12th race on the card. He too took advantage of the post position and stayed wide and clear of crowding in this race. Snj Ginger was the pacesetter and ran a game third as she gave her everything she had all the way to the wire. Second best was Kiowa Jill Vik who still almost won after running into the leader right before the finish line. Butane held gamely after taking over in the far turn and maintained for the slim win.

The third round of the 2012 Jacksonville Sprint Classic will run on Friday evening March 30th at the bestbet at the Orange Park Kennel Club. The field is cut down to 4 races and as they get smaller the action heats up. Join us for the quarterfinals and watch some of the best greyhounds in the world lock up in stakes racing competition.

By Kelly Clark   Wed, Mar 28, 2012

Friday March 30th, 2012

Just 32 greyhounds remain in the 2012 Jacksonville Sprint Classic and each of them will be vying for all the points they can muster up here in the 4 races in the quarterfinals, on Friday evening March 30th, over the bestbet at Orange Park oval.

Two remain undefeated so far by posting up back to back wins. Penrose Jovial and Offthebrakedrake, but it really is Drake that has separated himself as the front runner for the title.

He has posted up the best overall efforts in both rounds, along with, the fastest clocked times on the card. Let’s not forget he has won 9 of his last 10 efforts and has almost set the track record in 3 of those trips. Clearly he is as fast as he wants to be and if he keeps breaking like he has been, he is the one to beat in this stakes.

Now for a closer look at the remaining races, the 7th, 10th, 11th, and 12th races on the card for Friday evening at the bestbet at the Orange Park Kennel Club.

Like all the remaining races, Race 7 on the card is going to be a barnburner. Loads of talent are ready to go to post, but you have to pick someone, so I go with the 1, Gs Jock. Jock gets the rail and that is going to help his cause immensely. He loves to break from in here and has enough late to hand with just about anyone at the racetrack. This will be a tough win though as undefeated greyhound Penrose Jovial is in his wheelhouse too in the 8 box. He loves it wide and will make a case for the early lead as well. If these two lock up headed for home, we will have a real treat to watch at the wire. Both better be wary of a pair of second round winners here too. Pat C Jackhammer has been a force throughout in the stakes and draws another good inside box to break from. He too has close and could be upset minded again in this effort. Gs Comet is no longshot either. He has won easily in grade A before and can come from way downtown to get things done at the finish line. If he breaks he might just be in the mood for another dominate performance, just like the one he had 4 races back from a similar post position. This race comes down to who wants it more. Picks (1-8-2-6)

Race 10 proves to be an interesting match-up between the sole breaker and the herd of closers coming late to try and take him down before the finish line. No doubt in my mind who is going to be 3 in front at the start of this race, Get It Birch, but holding on will become a major problem with the caliber of greyhounds chasing after him in the stretch. In comes J’s Robin! A puppy no more, Robin is a super closer that already has a stakes final 3rd on her resume. At 550 she has never missed the money and has been just short of getting up for the win in 2 straight trips. Tonight look for her to get over the hump and take home the win. Gs Grace is another greyhound to consider in this effort. She won in round 1 and was a closing threat in place in round 2. She is as fast as she wants to be, when she wants to run, and is the only other greyhound in this field that might be able to keep up with Robin in the open. Her drawback tonight is the post position. She loves the rail and is stuck outside, so a good break would go a long way in helping her out in this effort. Lk’s Merrel might not be as fast as Grace, but he does get the rail bonus in the 1 box in this effort. He loves wearing red and is looking to rebound after a disappointing 5th in round 2 after winning in round 1. He too is a big time closer and will be coming from off the pace to challenge again in this effort. If Birch can steal a big lead, and get some help behind, he might have a shot at the upset here, but more than likely the closers will have a field day late at his expense. Picks (4-7-1-6)

Now for the match-up that everyone has been waiting for. All-American Gs Uncle Henry vs. Raw Speed Monster Offthebrakedrake. Both greyhounds something to prove, but I think that the younger of the statesmen is going to prove best in this effort. Sure Henry might have the early speed edge on Drake. Sure he might have a better post position, but what he can’t match is Drakes all out speed. Drake almost set a track record in 3 of his last 5 starts and missed it by just .01 in one of those efforts. He is on a tear with 9 wins in 10 starts and has dominated in both rounds with superior wins. He will overcome all, including Henry on the lead, to take away the victory and stay perfect in the stakes tonight. Henry will do what he always does, give everything he has to win, but on this occasion, someone will give just a bit more. Gs Casey must also be looked at in this effort. Closing is the name of her game, but she found some breaking skills in round two and posted up a strong victory on the front end. She is no chump and has to be considered as a threat to win again tonight. Snj Ginger is a former stakes finalist that has really been running well since her return to live racing action recently. She has been breaking in a hurry, and even though she is short late, has been holding on in the mix gamely in her efforts. She has not missed the money in 6 straight and I expect nothing less of her in this effort, especially from a strong rail post position. Picks (5-3-6-2)

Capping off the stakes round in the 12 race on the card, Miss Kate looks to get back on track with another win. She extended her win streak to 3 straight with a win in round 1, but saw in come to an abrupt end in round 2 with a trouble ridden effort from the outside. Outside again in this effort, she need to find that stellar break that she has been flashing over the last couple of starts. If she can see daylight at the break, she could just wire another field on the front end here. Trying to ruin her day again will be the scrappy Kiowa Jill Vik. Vik has closed well in both rounds of the stakes and has been a late threat to the leaders at the finish line, but she has not shown that early speed that wins her races. Here is away from the rail again in the 4 box, and needs to have a quick start if she wants a chance to take home those 16 valuable points at the wire. She has all the skills to win this race, now she just needs to show up and get it done. Pat C Hold Out has been a closing machine as of late and has threaten in both of his starts in the stakes. Liking the rail, the 3 box will be another advantageous post position to start from, and the sky’s the limit if he can come out with the early leaders tonight. Another greyhound not to overlook is System Of A Down. A winner in round 1, Down has really parlayed his recent success into something special so far in the stakes. He was third in round 2 to the big dog, Offthebrakedrake, and look for another solid performance here. The only thing that might be holding him back is the post position, but with the extra room, if he breaks he might just put up a performance just like the one in round one. Picks (8-4-3-5)

Round 4, the semi-finals, will run on Monday April 2nd at the bestbet at the Orange Park Kennel Club. The field will be trimmed down again and only the best of the best will survive the cut down. The posts for the finals will be drawn on Wednesday matinee and the finals will run on Saturday evening April 7th in conjunction with our Mad Mad Money Machine promotion.

By   Tue, Mar 27, 2012

Well almost - the contest will actually be ALL LADY HANDICAPPERS taking on one of Big JackPot Betting's regular guest handicappers and commentator the Prince of Picks - Maryland Bobby!

So grab your wives, mothers, grandmothers, daughters etc. - have themlog on and sign up! Don't let them miss out on all the fun!

It is FREE to enter.

Contest Info

Date of Contest: April 1st

Tracks to Handicap: Hollywood & Tri State

Sign ups close: March 31st @ 12pm et

By Kelly Clark   Mon, Mar 26, 2012

By Kelly Clark   Mon, Mar 26, 2012

The first round of the Jacksonville Sprint Classic did not disappoint, at the bestbet at the Orange Park Kennel Club, on Friday evening and even though not all the favorites won, the races were all very exciting.

The big winner’s were the DQ Williams Kennel and the Willis Kennel. They both won two of the rounds and had the two most impressive runs from start to finish.

Showing that he is best of all, Offthebrakedrake took instant command of the 15th race and left the rest of the field in his dust. As expected, he won by 8 full lengths and crossed in a pretty quick 30.66 seconds.

DQ’s other winner was another favorite on the card, Miss Kate. She was all about the one box in the 12th race as she bombed to the early lead, and survived at the wire over a persistent Pat C Jackhammer for the win.

The Willis’s big effort came early on, in race 4, from Gs Jock. This closer got out early on and left the field in his lurch. He cruised around the racetrack in control and was never really challenged as he bested his kennelmate, Gs Casey, by 4 and a half length in 30.69 seconds.

The Willis Kennel won again in the 14th race with the all out raw speeder Gs Grace. Grace also broke and that is bad news for any field that she runs against. She increased her lead throughout and crossed the finish line 4 and a half lengths clear of the competition.

Longshots ruled in the other races left in the stakes as some big names just couldn’t get it done on this occasion.

The biggest shocker might have come in the 11th race on the card as the Lester Raines Puppy, Secret Papers, took the lead from the box and outdueled All-American Gs Uncle Henry for the win. This was a heated battle and Secret Papers proved best.

Another upset came in race 10 as System Of A Down, from the Crowe Kennel, cleared close behind the early leader and outlasted the rest of the field for the slim win. Favorite J’s Robin was flying again in the stretch, but she finished just a half a length off in second.

Lk’s Merrel won the 5th race, and even though this not a big time upset, he still paid 14.40 to win. He chased the leaders early and just kept on coming all the way to the stretch. There he turned on the jets and outfinished everyone for the almost 3 length win at the finish line.

Penrose Jovial was the final winner and really was almost the favorite. The one box was his friend from the box and he took full advantage of the red blanket. Breaking to the lead, he was never in question in this race as he increased his lead with each and every stride. Crossing almost 5 lengths better than the rest, his 30.76 second clocking was in the hunt with the best of the day. Overlooked at times, we better pay attention to him if he stays hot in the stakes.

Round two takes place on Monday Evening March 26th at the bestbet at the Orange Park Kennel Club. All the greyhounds return and will be vying for those valuable points so that they can move on further in the stakes. Get ready; it’s going to be another great round of action!

By Vera Rasnake   Mon, Mar 26, 2012

By Steve Sigafoose   Mon, Mar 26, 2012

Form held in the region finals of the $60,000 Bracket Challenge at Bluffs Run on Saturday, March 24.

All four of the higher seeds defeated their rivals to advance. In fact, the four finished one through four in the 15^th race on the card.

Leading the charge was Gable Warbucks (Keeper-Red Rock), the top seed in the Racing Director Rory DeSantiago Region. He rallied from third in the homestretch to win the race by one and a half lengths. That eliminated sixth-seeded Jet Force (Hardison).

Boc’s Blast Off (Boeckenstedt), the third seed in the Racing Coordinator Mark Pendgraft Region, rallied from sixth in the homestretch to take second. That eliminated fifth-seeded Kosugi (Hardison).

L’s Fray (Boeckenstedt), the second seed in the Horseshoe General Manager Bo Guidry Region, led early then held enough to take third, two lengths off the pace. That eliminated eighth-seeded LK’s Contender (Legg).

Chasin The Richs (Bean & Stout), the top seed in the Horseshoe Assistant General Manager Dan Walsh Region, ran a steady fourth, just missing third by .01 of a second. That eliminated Boc’s One Rocket (Boeckenstedt).

The Final Four is set for Wednesday, March 28. Gable Warbucks goes up against L’s Fray and Boc’s Blast Off battles Chasin The Richs.

The championship two-greyhound final is Saturday, March 31.

By Stan Pawloski   Thu, Mar 22, 2012

Vince Berland Kennel’s Flying Hawk Boy has won five out of his last six Grade AA starts for trainer Tim Hartley.

Charter Kennel’s Black Magic Bonz has three straight Grade AA wins for trainer Raymond LeBlanc. Kennel-mate Grumpy Lumpy has back-to-back Grade AA victories.

Steubenville Kennel’s Hallo Sugardaddy has three 3/8 victories in a row (A, AA) for trainer Donna Wilcox.

Wayne Ward Kennel’s WWK Win Day has two wins and two seconds in his last four Grade AA outings for trainer Ron Otto. Kennel-mate WW’s Kay Quarter has back-to-back Grade AA victories.

A Ray Kennel’s Uhaul Woody has two straight Grade AA wins for trainer Joe Palmer.

Abrahamson Kennel’s Serene AZ Laken has back-to-back Grade AA victories for trainer Tom Engle.

Campbell Racing Kennel’s End Of Story has three straight wins (C, B, A) for trainer Joe Otto.

Sarras Kennel’s Tomco Yudaman has back-to-back victories (B, A) for trainer Steve Sarras.

Clear The Way Kennel’s CTW Born Free has two wins in a row (B, A) for trainer Patrick Bever.

By Steve Sigafoose   Thu, Mar 22, 2012

Chalk basically held in the $60,000 Bracket Challenge region semifinals at Bluffs Run on Wednesday, March 21.

The higher seed in all eight races advanced with the exception of one twist and one upset

In the Horseshoe General Manager Bo Guidry semifinals, 13^th-seeded Barts My Man Max (Bartley Corporation) was ordered to school due to a muzzle violation. That negated his win over eighth-seeded LK’s Contender (Legg). The decision sent LKs Contender into the region final against second-seeded L’s Fray (Boeckenstedt), who advanced with a four-length victory. That eliminated sixth seeded Flying Adamonis (Keeper-Red Rock).

The Racing Director Rory DeSantiago Region had top-seeded Gable Warbucks (Keeper-Red Rock) knock off fifth-seeded Programable (Plum Creek) and sixth-seeded Jet Force (Hardison) outlast seventh-seeded Boc’s Doublestuf (Boeckenstedt).

The other remaining top seed, Chasin The Richs (Bean & Stout), advanced in the Horseshoe Assistant General Manager Dan Walsh Region, beating fourth-seed JK Pencil (Woodall). He will meet Boc’s One Rocket (Boeckenstedt), an 11^th seed, who bumped seventh seed Barts Leothelion (Bartley Corporation).

In the Racing Coordinator Mark Pendgraft Region, fifth-seeded Kosugi (Hardison) eliminated ninth-seeded KC First Shot (Bean & Stout) while third-seeded Boc’s Blast Off (Boeckenstedt) won the race by two lengths to eliminate 10^th-seeded Roc A By It’s E (Wilhite).

The region finals are set for Saturday, March 24.

By Vera Rasnake   Mon, Mar 19, 2012

Other news: The luck of the Irish didn’t favor Call Me Ishmael whose perfect money record this year was blemished when he encountered trouble and finished sixth during the St. Paddy’s Day matinee. It was Ishmael’s first out of the money finish in 14 starts this year for the D’Arcy athlete that is expected to rebound in his next start.

The top Patriot kennel’s Art Allen was the distance upset St. Paddy’s night when he rocketed out of the box to win over favorites Tiger Boy (McAllister) and Ambriel (D’Arcy). Art was also a semifinalist in the Sprint Classic and might get a shot at revenge in the upcoming Distance Classic if he is among the entries. The trainers must select their greyhounds for the first round of the $80,000 Distance Classic this week, which will begin Saturday night March 24. The stakes final is Saturday night April 6.

Thursday March 15 the state of Florida granted racing dates to the tracks offering live racing. Among the tracks were Derby Lane and Tampa Greyhound. Each was granted six-month meets. Tampa Greyhound has held the live racing segment of their meet at Derby Lane since 2007. A slight change in the 2013 Derby Lane schedule is January through March will see live action racing during Monday matinee only. Evening racing will continue Tuesday through Saturday nights. Wednesday and Saturday matinees remain the same. The offering of the Monday matinee during the first three months accommodates special holidays and the many tourists that visit the track each winter. Full story

By Shane Bolender   Mon, Mar 19, 2012

Sixty-four greyhounds started in the tournament in early March.  After three rounds of action, we are now down to the elite eight greyhounds remaining.

Click here to see the bracket.

     And much like the current NCAA basketball tournament, the brackets have had their share of upsets and favorites moving on with the next elimination round slated for Monday, March 19^th.

     In the West Region, chalk remains the word as both the #1 and #2 seeds (Bella Infrared and Slatex Plutonium respectively) will square off and see who will earn a spot in the Furry Four.  Bella Infrared (David Blair Kennel) is looking impressive to start out 2012 after earning the Southland Win Championship in 2011 with 34 victories.

     The Midwest Region is a mirror image of the West, with both the top two seeds reaching the regional finals.  #1 seeded Raider’s Blaze will square off against #2 seed Bella Hercules on Monday to see who earns the right to face the West Region winner.

     Everything went out the window as far as top seeds go in the East Region with #12 seed Eureka Episode posting consecutive wins and a 2^nd place effort in the three rounds so far to make it to the round of eight.  She will face off against #6 seed KL’s Fancy, who hasn’t won a race in the tournament yet, but her two second place finishes and a third place effort has been good enough to advance.

     Mayhem continues in the South Region as #9 seed Omar Dodger has put together two consecutive victories in upsetting #1 seed Bella Laugh Itup and #4 seed Dusty Road to earn a place in Monday’s elimination round.  He will face the highest remaining seed in the South Region as #3 seeded KL’s Jaegar will look to set the brackets and needing a win on Monday to move on after failing to win any of the three rounds thus far.

     Follow the “madness” as we eliminate half the field each round until we get down to a final “one on one” match race set to take place on Friday, March 30^th.  Fans on-track can participate in our Hound Madness promotion where you select the greyhounds you think will advance for your chance at winning prizes like free programs, betting vouchers and ultimately their shot for $1,000 in cold hard cash.

     Other qualifying rounds include:

• 4^th Round – Monday, March 19
• 5^th Round (Furry Four) – Saturday, March 24
• Championship – Friday, March 30

By Steve Sigafoose   Mon, Mar 19, 2012

The second round of the $60,000 Bracket Challenge at Bluffs Run on Saturday, March 17, proved an upset special.

Seven of the 16 match-ups saw the lower seed advance. Two of the favorites ousted were number one seeds.

Out is the top seed in the Horseshoe General Manager Bo Guidry Region, Mamas Gary Lam (Bean & Stout), who was eliminated by eighth-seeded LK’s Contender (Legg). LK’s Contender faded badly in finishing sixth but that was enough as Mamas Gary Lam had nothing in finishing eighth.

In the Racing Coordinator Mark Pendgraft Region, top seeded Angel Tree (Black) could not finish due to severe trouble. That eliminated her and advanced ninth-seeded KC First Shot (Bean & Stout).

The upset bug hit the Racing Director Rory DeSantiago Region with lower seeds winning two of the four match-ups. Going down the bracket, fifth-seeded Programable (Plum Creek) bumped fourth-seeded PJ’s Help Me (Petzold) with a sixth-place finish to PJ’s eighth and sixth-seeded Jet Force (Hardison) finished fourth to top third-seeded JK Pizza (Woodall).

The other upsets were 13^th-seeded Barts My Man Max (Bartley Corporation) over fifth-seeded Got It Hoppen (Plum Creek) in the Guidry Region; 10^th-seeded Roc A By It’s E (Wilhite) over second-seeded P’s Gibbs (Petzold) in the Pendgraft Region and 11^th-seeded Boc’s One Rocket (Boeckenstedt) over third-seeded KJ’s Rebel (Mickim) in the Horseshoe assistant General Manager Dan Walsh Region.

That sets up the region semifinals at Wednesday, March 21.

In the DeSantiago Region, it is top-seeded Gable Warbucks (Keeper-Red Rock) vs. fifth-seed Programable and sixth-seeded Jet Force vs. seventh-seeded Boc’s Doublestuf (Boeckenstedt).

In the Guidry Region, it is eight-seeded LK’s Contender vs. 13^th-seeded Barts My Man Max and sixth-seeded Flying Adamonis (Keeper-Red Rock) vs. second-seeded L’s Fray (Boeckenstedt).

In the Walsh Region, it is top-seeded Chasin The Richs (Bean & Stout) vs. fourth-seeded JK Pencil (Woodall) and 11^th-seeded Boc’s One Rocket vs. seventh-seeded Barts Leothelion (Bartley Corporation).

In the Pendgraft Region, it is ninth-seeded KC First Shot vs. fifth-seeded Kosugi (Hardison) and third-seeded Boc’s Blast Off (Boeckenstedt) vs. 10^th-seeded Roc A By It’s E.

By Jeff Prince   Mon, Mar 19, 2012

West Palm Beach, Fl. - Irish Eyes Were Smiling on Marsella Racing Kennel as No Inflation handily defeated a top-notch field of Greyhounds in the 36^th running of Palm Beach Kennel Club’s $50,000 Arthur J. Rooney, Sr. St. Patrick’s Invitational Saturday afternoon, March 17.

           Breaking from the seven post position, No Inflation took advantage of an early jam with the fan-favored inside entries at the start of the race, had a trouble-free run to the first turn, took a commanding lead on the backstretch and never looked backed, winning by more than four lengths in a very swift 545-yard Royal Palm Course timing of 29.55 seconds.

           Going off at odds of 17-1, supporters of No Inflation felt like they had found their own “Pot ‘O Gold” as they happily cashed in their two dollar win tickets in exchange for a payoff of $36.60.

           M Cee Drive, Riverview Stevie and Hilco Burner finished second, third and fourth, respectively.

           Co-Kennel operator Heather Marsella was watching the race at track side and was visibly exhibiting a combination of euphoria and the realization of what had just happened.         

           “There are no words to describe it. My body is still shaking.”, said Marsella. “I knew 'Lucas' would win as soon as he broke first. I wasn’t worried about anyone catching him.”

           “ I would like to thank everyone who played a role in his win. My trainer, Mabel (Martinez), my sons Joe and Michael, his owner Larry Arnsberg of Portland, Ore., for letting No Inflation race in our kennel and everyone at Palm Beach Kennel Club for this wonderful experience.”

           “Lucas” collected a lot of the “Green” for himself and his connections, a cool $25,000 for a 29-and-a-half-second jaunt around the Palm Beach oval.

           The complete St. Pat’s order of finish:

 1^st - #7. No Inflation (EA’s Itzaboy - JJ Johnson, Marsella Racing Kennel)

2^nd - #6. M Cee Drive (Rhythmless - Malice Drive, Tru Palm Kennel)

3^rd - #4. Riverview Stevie (Kiowa Sweet Trey - CV’s Mama Mia, Rader Racing)

4^th - #5. Hilco Burner (Kiowa Sweet Trey - Larks Bronx, B & B Racing Kennel)

5^th - #8. M Press Drive (Rhythmless - Malice Drive, Tru Palm Kennel)

6^th - #3. JS Kerry Oki (Dodgem By Design - Soft Melody, Collins / Neola Joe)

7^th - #2. WW All Starodell (Iruska All Star - WW’s Oprah, Steve Gilster Kennel)

8^th - #1. RK’s Conk Gonk (Dragon Fire - Tomb Raider, Rader Racing Kennel)

By Jeff Prince   Thu, Mar 15, 2012

Race Page Link

West Palm Beach, Fl. - Post positions have been drawn and it’s time for the greyhounds to do all the talking, as Palm Beach Kennel Club’s prepares for its biggest, most fun and exciting afternoon of the year, the running of the $50,000 Arthur J. Rooney, Sr. St. Patrick’s Invitational Saturday afternoon, March 17.

        The “Luck of the Irish” will be smiling on one of these elite eight illustrious and deserving athletes:

1. RK’s Conk Gonk (Dragon Fire - Tomb Raider, Rader Racing Kennel)

2. WW All Starodell (Iruska All Star - WW’s Oprah, Steve Gilster Kennel)

3. JS Kerry Oki (Dodgem By Design - Soft Melody, Pat Collins / Neola Joe)

4. Riverview Stevie (Kiowa Sweet Trey - CV’s Mama Mia, Rader Racing)

5. Hilco Burner (Kiowa Sweet Trey - Larks Bronx, B & B Racing Kennel)

6. M Cee Drive (Rhythmless - Malice Drive, Tru Palm Kennel)

7. No Inflation (EA’s Itzaboy - JJ Johnson, Marsella Racing Kennel)

8. M Press Drive (Rhythmless - Malice Drive, Tru Palm Kennel)

         This year’s field consists of outstanding early speedsters in the sleek forms of WW All Starodell, Riverview Stevie and No Inflation.

         In the category of super-fantastic first-turn rushers, they come no better than the probable race favorite and multi-stake champion RK’s Conk Gonk and the winner of last month’s $50,000 3/8ths Mile Derby JS Kerry Oki.

         And let’s not forget the terrific threesome that will be closing fast and furious near race ends, Hilco Burner, M Cee Drive and his sister M Press Drive.

         The 36^th running of the $50,000 Arthur J. Rooney, Sr. St. Patrick’s Invitational will be held in Saturday afternoon’s 12th race with an approximate post time of 4 p.m.

         Special activities for this exceptional afternoon of championship Greyhound racing include:

 * Join Jason from WILD 95.5FM for fun and prizes! (First Floor, 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.)

 * Enjoy Live Irish Dancing performed by Tir na Greine! (Outside Stage, 12:15 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.)

 * Our National Anthem performed live by Patty Shukla! (12:45 p.m.)

 * Irish Music by DJ Mike O’James! (1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.)

 * For the kids, Karl Koppertop will be here with his amazing Balloon Magic!

 * Mascot “Ace The Poker Bear” Will Be Here!

* Greyhound Pet Representatives will be on hand to answer any questions you may have about adopting one of these loving dogs!

* Irish Food Specials in the Paddock and Terrace Restaurant!

 * Prize Drawings! Enter for your chance to win Florida Panther Tickets! Plus, all drawing coupons from the He’s My Man Classic, Derby & St. Pat’s will be eligible to win a five-day / six-night stay in Las Vegas! Includes Travel, Hotel and More!

 * The 36th running of the $50,000 Arthur J. Rooney, Sr. St. Patrick’s Invitational! (Race 12)

 * Rooney’s Old Irish Ale will be making its debut featuring the Rooney’s Girls, Samples and Giveaways!

 Contact: Jeff Prince (561) 683-2222, Ext. 126 / jprince@pbkennelclub.com

By Stan Pawloski   Thu, Mar 15, 2012

Vince Berland Kennel’s Flying Hawk Boy has won four out of his last five Grade AA starts for trainer Tim Hartley.

Wayne Ward Kennel’s Kiowa WW Devera has two wins and a second in his last three Grade AA trips for trainer Ron Otto. Kennel-mates WW’s Mintor (AA) and WS Kentuckyderby (AA) have back-to-back victories.

Charter Kennel’s Black Magic Bonz has two straight Grade AA wins for trainer Raymond LeBlanc.

Campbell Racing Kennel’s Backwood Cheetah has two wins and a second in his last three outings for trainer Joe Otto.

Lester Raines Kennel’s Scott So Bright has back-to-back victories (A, AA) for trainer Joel Roden.

Steubenville Kennel’s Hallo Sugardaddy has two 3/8 wins in a row (A, AA) for trainer Donna Wilcox.

By Steve Sigafoose   Thu, Mar 15, 2012

What’s a tournament without upsets?
While the four top seeds, Gable Warbucks (Keeper-Red Rock); Mamas Gary Lam (Bean
& Stout); Chasin The Richs (Bean & Stout) and Angel Tree (Black) cruised into the
Round of 32 in the $60,000 Bracket Challenge at Bluffs Run on Wednesday, March 14,
seven of the other dozen high seeds had one and done performances.
The Racing Director Rory DeSantiago Region proved a minefield as the second, third and
fourth seeds were eliminated.
LK’s Renegade (Legg), the 15th seed, broke last then put on a show to finish second in
the 13th race. That did in second-seeded Slatex Vincent (Harlan Brothers), who broke
seventh, was bumped in the first turn and never recovered, finishing seventh.
JK Pizza (Woodall), the 14th seed, led early in the 13th race and settled for third to
eliminate third seeded KB’s Tatanka (Bartley Corporation). Tatanka settled into sixth and
did not challenge.
PJ’s Help Me (Petzold), the 13th seed, broke last and rallied to take fourth. That
eliminated fourth seeded KC First Of All (Bean & Stout), who faded to sixth.
The Horseshoe General Manager Bo Guidry Region saw two upsets.
JD Imperium (Mickim), the 14th seed, rallied in the homestretch to win the 11th race. That
eliminated third-seeded P’s Redglare (Petzold).
A third by 13th Barts My Man Max (Bartley Corporation) did in fourth seeded Superior
Clinch (Harlan Brothers), who finished fifth.
In a mild upset, 10th seeded RC Sudden Impact (Hardison) advanced thanks to a fourth-
place finish.
In the Horseshoe Assistant General Manager Dan Walsh Region, 15th seeded
Astarsuddenmagic (River Bluffs) hung onto a third place finish to eliminate second-
seeded Slatex Emerald (Harlan Brothers), the 2011 Bluffs Run Greyhound of the Year.
Emerald finished a lackluster seventh.
The other surprise came as 11th-seeded Boc’s One Rocket (Boeckenstedt) rallied from
breaking sixth to win the 10th race and advance.
In the Racing Coordinator Mark Pendgraft Region, 13th-seeded WWK Time Record
(Woodall) finished 15 lengths off the pace in seventh place. But that was enough. Fourth-
seeded Barts Major Pain (Bartley Corporation) had first-turn trouble and finished last.
Earning mild upsets to advance were ninth-seeded KC First Shot (Bean & Stout) and
10th-seeded Roc A By It’s E (Wilhite).
The Round of 32 is set for Saturday, March 17, which will cut the $60,000 Bracket
Challenge to the region semifinals.

By Vera Rasnake   Mon, Mar 12, 2012

Live action Greyhound racing returns to the City of Dubuque, IA, Saturday April 28. This year marks the 28th season and opens with a doubleheader featuring the $2,000 Inaugural Saturday matinee.

First post 1 p.m. Saturday night’s card will feature promising pups in the $2,000 Maiden debut. Post time Saturday night is 7:00PM. The new season runs April 28 through October 28. Greyhounds are featured during the matinee Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday beginning at 1 p.m. with a 15-race card. Thursday, Friday and Saturday night racing begins at 7 p.m. and features a 14-race format. Special Monday matinees will include Memorial Day and Labor Day. Dubuque also hosts feature Thoroughbred simulcasts including Kentucky Derby, Preakness and The Belmont.

It will be hard for Director of Racing Brian Carpenter to top the superior season finale presented last October. Fans witnessed stakes history when Oxbow-Trow kennel became the first in track history to win the Iowa Breeders' Cup and the Iowa Bred Consolation the same day. Trow’s victories were historic, but it was not a first Iowa Breeders’ Cup collected by kennel owner Edward Trow. In fact, it was Trow’s third Iowa Breeders' Cup victory. Trow’s 1989 champion Teach Pressure was the kennel's first. Ten years later Hilco Vision won the 2009 stakes and last year Superior Crown collected the prize. Brian Smith of Newton, IA and Alan Hill of Radcliffe, IA were there for the historic presentations. The two also own Superior Hailey that won the $20,000 Iowa Bred Consolation.

The season finale was festive offering a total of four stakes on the card that included the $2,000 Racing Secretary’s Choice selected by Tom Rogers who is the track’s Racing Secretary. Stidham & Stout’s Singittothemax won the Secretary’s choice. Sweetcorn kennel’s Mama’s Special Ed was the runner up for owner Stephen Lockwood. And Mama’s Special Ed was named Greyhound of the Year and was recognized along with his trainer Bob Rider, who received a plaque naming him Dubuque's Trainer of the Year.

Dubuque Greyhound Park (now known as Mystique Casino) opened June 1, 1985 and became the nation’s first non-profit greyhound track. The facility is owned by the City of Dubuque and is run under the guidance of the Dubuque Racing Association-a volunteer board comprised of 21 directors. Profits from the racetrack go to the City and area charitable organizations. Pari-mutuel wagering and gaming taxes provide revenue for the City, County and State.

According to Jesus Aviles, President and CEO of the DRA & Mystic Casino, over $621M has been contributed to the state from the Dubuque operation. And monies wagered in the casino and on Greyhound Racing has contributed to hundreds of City projects including Riverfront Development, City Operations and Maintenance, Industrial Center and Park Improvements to name a few. Last year 235 charities received monies funded by the DRA. Some of the projects included help with school security systems, books and education materials, and fire safety equipment.

Other news: Dubuque's 2011 $45,000 King & Queen stakes winner Riverview Stevie (Hardison & Rader) is currently eyeing the stakes prize in Florida. Riverview Stevie (Kiowa Sweet Trey x CV’s Mama Mia) is a finalist in the $50,00 Arthur J. Rooney, Sr., St. Patrick’s Day Invitational stakes at Palm Beach. The stakes will be featured Saturday matinee March 17. Stevie races from the Rader Kennel that has a second entry RK’s Conk Gonk in the stakes

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By Steve Sigafoose   Mon, Mar 12, 2012

The $60,000 Bracket Challenge begins Wednesday, March 14, at Bluffs Run.

Like the NCAA Basketball Tournament that it is patterned after, 64 greyhounds will battle in head-to-head competition down to a final showdown on Saturday, March 31.

The field is divided into four 16-greyhound regions. Let’s break down the field, working counter-clockwise from the upper left on the bracket sheet.

The top seed in the Racing Director Rory DeSantiago Region is Gable Warbucks (Keeper-Red Rock), 10-5-3-0. He drew the one box in the fifth race and has to beat JD Pandemonium (Mickim), 8-0-2-0, who drew the six box in the fifth.

The second seed is Slatex Vincent (Harlan Brothers), 10-5-1-0. He has the three box in the 13^th race and must beat LK’s Renegade (Legg), 6-0-0-3, who has the two box.

The third seed is KB’s Tatanka (Bartley Corporation), 11-5-2-0. He has the eight box in the 13^th and must beat JK Pizza (Woodall), 8-2-1-1, who drew the four box.

The fourth seed is KC First Of All (Bean & Stout), 12-4-5-1. He has the seven box in the fifth race and must beat PJ’s Help Me (Petzold), 9-1-1-3, who has the two box.

A greyhound of note in the region is All-Bluffs Run team selection Jet Force (Hardison). She was a 21-race winner in 2011 and is off to a 12-2-3-2 start this year. Jet Force is a sixth seed.

The top seed in the Horseshoe Casino General Manager Bo Guidry Region is Mamas Gary Lam (Bean & Stout), 11-4-3-1. He drew the one box in the fourth race and must beat Bashful’s Lust (River Bluffs), 11-2-4-0, who has the three box.

The second seed is All-Bluffs Run team selection L’s Fray (Boeckenstedt), 10-5-1-1. She drew the four box in the 11^th race and must beat El Pelotero (Black), 9-1-4-1, who is in the one box.

The third seed is P’s Redglare (Petzold), 11-3-3-0, who is in the seven box in the 11^th race. He must beat JD Imperium (Mickim), 11-1-3-3, who will come out of the five box.

The fourth seed is Superior Cinch (Harlan Brothers), 10-4-2-1. She has the four box in the fourth race and must beat Barts My Man Max (Bartley Corporation), 10-0-4-4, who has the seven box.

The top seed in the Horseshoe Assistant General Manager Dan Walsh Region is Chasin The Richs (Bean & Stout), 10-5-2-0. He drew the eight box in the third race and must beat Flying Toulon (Wilhite), 10-1-2-3, who drew the five box.

The second seed is All Bluffs Run team selection Slatex Emerald (Harlan Brothers), 9-6-0-1. The 2011 Bluffs Run Greyhound of the Year drew the two box in the 10^th race and must beat Astarsuddenmagic (River Bluffs), 8-1-0-2, who drew the seven box.

The third seed is KJ’s Rebel (Mickim), 12-4-1-2. He drew the five box in the 10^th race and must beat From Me To You (Legg), 9-0-1-4, who drew the three box.

The fourth seed is JK Pencil (Woodall), 12-3-3-1. He drew the one box in the third race and must beat What You Need (Plum Creek), 8-1-3-1, who drew the four box.

The top seed of the Racing Coordinator Mark Pendgraft Region is All Bluffs Run team selection Angel Tree (Black), 11-7-0-3. The Iowa Breeders Classic champion drew the three box in the sixth race and must beat Gable Powerbait (Keeper-Red Rock), 8-1-0-3, who drew the four box.

The second seed is All-Bluffs Run team selection P’s Gibbs (Petzold), 11-5-1-2. He drew the six box in the 15^th race and must beat Maggie Marie (Plum Creek), 8-1-0-3, who drew the one box.

The third seed is Boc’s Blast Off (Boeckenstedt), 11-5-2-0. He drew the two box in the 15^th face and must beat Into The Blue (Legg), 9-2-2-1, who drew the three box.

The fourth seed is Barts Major Pain (Bartley Corporation), 10-3-2-1. He drew the eight box in the sixth race and must beat WWK Time Record (Woodall), 9-2-2-1, who drew the two box.

The region has two other greyhounds worth watching and they drew each other in the first round. Shelley (Mickim), 11-4-1-2, an 11-race winner in 2011, is a seven seed and faces off against Roc A By It’s E (Wilhite), 10-2-3-0, a 16-race winner in 2011.

The winners advance to the second round-of-32 on Saturday, March 17.

By Jeff Prince   Mon, Mar 12, 2012

Past Race Lines & St. Pat’s Fun Attached!

West Palm Beach, Fl. - Palm Beach Kennel Club has named the eight Greyhounds that will be competing Saturday afternoon, March 17, in the 36^th running of the $50,000 Arthur J. Rooney, Sr. St. Patrick’s Invitational.

This year’s running will feature Greyhounds who have won the proverbial “Pot of Gold” in past championship finals including last month’s winner of the $50,000 3/8ths Mile Derby JS Kerry Oki, the victor in January’s $50,000 He’s My Man Royal Palm Classic and 2011 $20,000 Bob Balfe Puppy Stakes RK’s Conk Gonk and the winner of last year’s $45,000 Dubuque King and Queen Stake Riverview Stevie.

Also looking for the prize at the end of the rainbow are stake race finalists Hilco Burner and M Cee Drive.

 Planning to lay their paws on the “Green” will be one of the favorites in next month’s $20,000 Bob Balfe Puppy Stakes WW All Starodell, the fearless young lad No Inflation and the powerhouse-closing young lassie M Press Drive.

Irish eyes will be smiling on one these elite eight athletes Saturday afternoon, listed in alphabetical order:

Hilco Burner (Kiowa Sweet Trey - Larks Bronx, B & B Racing Kennel)

JS Kerry Oki (Dodgem By Design - Soft Melody, Pat Collins / Neola Joe)

M Cee Drive (Rhythmless - Malice Drive, Tru Palm Kennel)

M Press Drive (Rhythmless - Malice Drive, Tru Palm Kennel)

No Inflation (EA’s Itzaboy - JJ Johnson, Marsella Racing Kennel)

Riverview Stevie (Kiowa Sweet Trey - CV’s Mama Mia, Rader Racing)

RK’s Conk Gonk (Dragon Fire - Tomb Raider, Rader Racing Kennel)

WW All Starodell (Iruska All Star - WW’s Oprah, Steve Gilster Kennel)

Post positions will be drawn at a press conference in the track’s Terrace Restaurant Thursday afternoon, March 15. The press conference will begin at 11:45 a.m.

The 36^th running of the $50,000 St. Patrick’s Invitational will be held in Saturday afternoon’s twelfth race with an approximate post time of 4:00 p.m.

Special activities for this exceptional afternoon of championship Greyhound racing include:

* Join Jason from WILD 95.5FM for fun and prizes! (First Floor,

12:30 - 2:30 p.m.)

* Enjoy Live Irish Dancing performed by Tir na Greine! (Outside Stage,

12:15 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.)

* Our National Anthem performed live by Patty Shukla! (12:45 p.m.)

* Irish Music by DJ Mike O’James! (1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.)

* For the kids, Karl Koppertop will be here with his amazing Balloon Magic!

* Mascot “Ace The Poker Bear” Will Be Here!

* Greyhound Pet Representatives will be on hand to answer any questions you may have about adopting one of these loving dogs!

* Irish Food Specials in the Paddock and Terrace Restaurant!

* Prize Drawings! Enter for your chance to win Florida Panther Tickets! Plus, all drawing coupons from the He’s My Man Classic, Derby & St. Pat’s will be eligible to win a five-day / six-night stay in Las Vegas! Includes Travel, Hotel and More!

* The 36th running of the $50,000 Arthur J. Rooney, Sr. St. Patrick’s Invitational! (Race 12)

* Rooney’s Old Irish Ale will be making its debut featuring the Rooney’s Girls, Samples and Giveaways!

Contact: Jeff Prince (561) 683-2222, Ext. 126 / jprince@pbkennelclub.com

By Vera Rasnake   Mon, Mar 12, 2012

Last year Abernathy kennel’s Magic Finch was the upset victor in the $80,000 Distance Classic over the betting favorite Mohican Mink Mae. Finch also won the Derby Consolation and was a finalist in the 660-yard challenge. She was among the list of names eligible for the national Flashy Sir award for 2011 distance athletes. The 60-pound brindle female competes at both 550 and 660-yards. This year while competing over the 550 Finch clocked a season’s best time of 30.41 on February 9^th. And Finch made it all the way to semfinals of the Sprint Classic. Afterwards Magic Finch returned to the 660-yard course and clocked the second fastest time as she tunes up for a Distance repeat.

Friday night March 9 Magic Finch scorched the track in a 37.31 leaving her rivals in an eight-length romp. Her speedy time was the second fastest this year behind Hambleton Racing’s Jewelz Fire that set the time of 37.13 on February 24. Before last year’s Distance Classic win by Abernathy kennel it had been 15 years since they stood in the winner's circle with1996 champion Husker Gazette.

Abernathy is also eyeing Finch’s kennelmate Magic Bagels (Lonesome Cry x Midnight Jackie) that is also a dual distance contender. Magic Bagels, also owned by Haber, just missed the winning purse in the March 3 Sprint Classic by a neck over the 550-yard course. Bagels has been moved to the longer course. She put forth a winning effort March 10 against Cal Holland’s Kentucky Fire (Dragon Fire x RK’s Tomb Raider) that was the top distance racer last year.

Other news: D’Arcy kennel’s Call Me Ishmael (Flying Penske x Ultimate Gift) kept his 100% money record in tact to win his sixth race of the meet. Ishmael was the Rotary Governor’s Feature race winner last month and scored his most recent win Saturday matinee against JW Titleist, who recently returned to Capabal’s active list. Ishmael is owned by Ryan Farms kennel and boasts 12/6-3-1-2 this year.

By Kelly Clark   Fri, Mar 09, 2012

By Vera Rasnake   Fri, Mar 09, 2012

Last week fans saw last year’s Sprint Classic champion Hi Noon Renegade defend his title in the 37^th annual Derby Lane Sprint Classic. Renegade encountered early trouble and watched last year’s Spring National purchase SE’s Chewie (Capabal) steal the show. With the biggest 550-yard stakes out of the way the trainers are focusing on the upcoming $80,000 Distance Classic. Last year’s winner Magic Finch is eyeing the prize for a second consecutive year. The Abernathy kennel female was listed among the eligible All-American and Flashy Sir candidates for 2011. Magic Finch won the April Distance Classic and the Derby Consolation last June. She closed out the year as a finalist in the 660-yard Challenge in December.

The distance star also competes over the shorter 550-yard where Magic Finch set a season’s best last month leaving her rivals in a ten-length wake. Magic Finch also made it all the way to the semifinals of last week’s Sprint Classic. Friday night March 9 Finch moves back to the longer 660-yard course to prepare to defend her title in the upcoming Distance Classic. The qualifying rounds begin Saturday night March 24.

Other greyhounds prepping for the event is the recent Rural Rube and All America Team Captain winner Tiger Boy. The McAllister star won the Inaugural over the 550-yard course in January and finished fourth, respectively in last week’s Sprint. Tiger Boy is featured in Saturday night’s eighth race. He will face-off with last week’s Sprint Classic runner-up Magic Bagels (Abernathy) and Ambriel (D’Arcy). Hambleton kennel’s Jewelz Fire that holds the season’s fastest 37.13 is featured in race 12 Saturday night.

Other news: The fully loaded Patriot kennel continues to pull away from the pack. The Cal Holland, Jr. trained kennel boasts 132 wins through March 7 out of 898 starts. D’Arcy is in second place with 98 winners of 577 starts. Hambleton’s 685 starts have produced 94 winners putting them in third place followed by Lester Raines with 89 winners of 624 starts. Completing the top five just one behind Raines is J. E. O’Donnell with 88 wins of 715 starts.

Saturday matinee the tenth race features Rotary Governor champ Call Me Ishmael (D’Arcy) and the former "top dog" JW Titleist who recently returned from a three month lay-off.

Saturday night Matinee Idol Champion and recent Sprint Classic semifinalist Meacham Field (Red Oak) is seeking his 14^th money finish of 17 starts in race ten.

By Shane Bolender   Fri, Mar 09, 2012

     Sixty-four greyhounds kicked off action this past Saturday in the running of the $10,000 “Hound Madness” stakes at Southland Park Gaming & Racing.  This rather unique, single elimination bracket tournament showcases the best talent currently running over the sprint course and will continue with 2^nd round action on Thursday, March 08^th.

     Unlike past years in the first round, this year’s opening round went off almost as expected with all four top seeds advancing (Bella Infrared, Raiders Blaze, Bella Laugh Itup and Slatex Titanium).  In the only true upset of the round, #2 seed Qarzan (South Region) was defeated by #15 seed CU Puddlejumper.

     Follow the “madness” as we eliminate half the field each round until we get down to a final “one on one” match race set to take place on Friday, March 30^th.  Fans on-track can participate in our Hound Madness promotion where you select the greyhounds you think will advance for your chance at winning prizes like free programs, betting vouchers and ultimately their shot for $1,000 in cold hard cash.

     Other qualifying rounds include:

• 2^nd Round – Thursday, March 8
• 3^rd Round – Wednesday, March 14
• 4^th Round – Monday, March 19
• 5^th Round (Furry Four) – Saturday, March 24
• Championship – Friday, March 30

Click here for Bracket and additional race info.

By Vera Rasnake   Thu, Mar 08, 2012

The 2011 All America Team Captain and Rural Rube winner Tiger Boy (Flying Penske-Flying Exquisite) is wasting no time preparing for the next stakes at Derby Lane.

The McAllister kennel star has been moved to the 660-yard course Wednesday night March 7. Tiger Boy is no stranger to the longer course and holds the 660-yard track record at Southland.

Tiger Boy marked his territory during the season opener by winning the Inaugural. He has been a finalist in every stakes this year at Derby Lane and holds the second fastest 550-yard time of 30.30 this year. Tiger Boy is a leading favorite in the upcoming $82,000 Distance Classic that begins March 24.

Several greyhounds are testing their distance skills including D’Arcy kennel’s Ambriel, who was the high point getter in last week’s Sprint Classic final. She will face off with Tiger Boy in race six along with the season’s fastest Jewelz Fire (Hambleton kennel). On Tuesday night March 6 Patriot kennel’s Kiowa Powell came close to Jewelz’s 37.13 time when he recorded a 37.24 in his seven-length victory. Powell’s time is the second fastest to date since the season began in January. 

By   Thu, Mar 08, 2012

MR. HOT PEPPER

Flying Hydrogen- Magic Tearemup
Owner: Norm Rader or Ed Gardner Trainer: Joe Trudden
TRI STATE - DUBUQUE - HOLLYWOOD
Lifetime 660 yard record (47 Starts - 14 Wins)

Mr Hot Pepper is the classic Wide And Driving closer . He always starts slow andthen puts it into another gear down the backstretch and to the wire . If he gets closeenough he will circle the field and leave them in the dust.

By   Wed, Mar 07, 2012

CRY EXXON

Gable Diego-Keeper Closer
Owned by Terry Scott Trained by Jennifer Arno
50 Starts 19 Wins at Wheeling Downs in the 660 yard course
Broke the Track Record at Wheeling (660 yards) on June 5,2011 (37.13 time)

Ever since trying the 3/8ths course at Wheeling back in April of 2011, Cry Exxonhas dominated . His style of breaking with the leaders and grinding them in thestretch has been his forte. Winner of 19 of 50 starts in the 660 yard distance atWheeling, Exxon loves breaking from the inside.

By Kelly Clark   Wed, Mar 07, 2012

By Stan Pawloski   Tue, Mar 06, 2012

By   Tue, Mar 06, 2012

Barney O'Donnell's and Bryan Dalton's Kiowa Lazy Jack was the game winner Saturday night (Mar. 3) of the $40,000 Naples Derby at the Naples-Ft. Myers track.
Lazy Jack (Kiowa Sweet Trey-Lazy K Jill), racing from the 2 hole, raced box to wire, winning by a half-length in a 38.73 time. He was the 2.50-to-1 favorite in the race.
Finishing second was Joe Frenette's Chris Berman out of the Frenette Kennel, with Vince Berland's Flying Sushi (Everett Racing Kennel) in third.
Rest of the field, in order of finish, were Beverly Hillsboy, Lonesome Lance, Jax Garnet, Casper Van Dien and Mo's Soul Surfer.
The win was the ninth in 27 Naples starts for the 79-lb. black veteran, whelped September 2008.

Race Chart link

By Vera Rasnake   Mon, Mar 05, 2012

By Steve Sigafoose   Mon, Mar 05, 2012

In the short month of February, the Keeper-Red Rock Kennel did a lot of work, racking up 41 victories to pace the action at Bluffs Run.

Keeper-Red Rock pounded out the month with a balanced attack. Flying Adamonis led the kennel with a 5-3-2-0 record. Flying Adamonis is a 22-month-old, 73 pounder. He is out of Bd’s Grayson-Flying Beem.

Harlan Brothers and Bean & Stout tied for second in February with 35 wins apiece.

Superior Cool led Harlan with a 4-for-4 month. Superior Cool, 74 pounds, turned two years old in December. He is out of Lonesome Cry-Uss Ceremony. Slatex Emerald, Bluffs Run’s Greyhound of the Year in 2011, was 5-3-0-1-1 in February. Af Nala had a 4-3-0-0-1 record for Harlan.

Chasin The Richs led Bean & Stout with a 4-3-0-1 record.

Hardison was fourth in victories with 31.

Three more members of the 2011 All-Bluffs Run team rounded out the leaderboard for February.

Angel Tree (Black), the 2011 $500,000 Iowa Breeders Classic champion, was 5-4-0-1. Jump N Jive (Plum Creek) was 4-3-1-0 and L’s Fray (Boeckenstedt) was 5-3-1-1.

March heats up the action with the start of the Bluffs Run stakes season. The $60,000 Bracket Challenge begins Wednesday, March 14 with entries due by Tuesday, March 6.

The stakes mirrors the NCAA Basketball Tournament as 64 greyhounds are paired in head-to-head elimination competition down to the championship race on Saturday, March 31.

The stakes is over the 5/16-mile course. The greyhounds will be seeded in the four regions, one through 16.

By Vera Rasnake   Fri, Mar 02, 2012

Since 1925 Historic Derby Lane has presented some of North America's finest Greyhound athletes. Fans attending the races on March 3 could witness history if Nova kennel’s Hi Noon Renegade wins the stakes a second consecutive year.

The ClubHouse dining room is booked to capacity and a cash giveaway of $500 each of the even races through the tenth will entice fans. Last year Renegade made history by becoming the first greyhound to win both the Sprint and Juvenile stakes in the same meet. Earlier this week Hi Noon Renegade was named to the 2011 All America Team. Renegade ‘s father Dodgem By Design won the same stakes in 2002. A win by the Nova star whelped from Bryan’s Baby would make history, as no previous champion has repeated in the Sprint Classic. Charles Haliburton of CO owns Renegade.

The star studded Sprint Classic also presents Tiger Boy, who raced into the hearts of everyone last year. Tiger Boy was the most popular greyhound in 2011 and was named Captain of the 2011 All America Team.

This is a second consecutive year that the All America Team Captain was racing at Derby Lane at the time of the announcement. Last year Derby Lane’s Flying Coal City won every award for Hall of Famer Vince Berland of KS. Tiger Boy races out of the McAllister kennel that captured the stakes race in 2009 and 2010. The kennel stacked the deck as they have a second entry in Gable Eddie. And to top it Eddie drew a favorable eight post in the final for owner Green Smith of TX. Eddie began his career at Gulf Greyhound and raced a stint in WV before his FL debut.

D’Arcy kennel is also eyeing a significant mark if their entry Ambriel scores the win. She is the only female in the stakes race and could bring back the title to the females. A female has not won the title since the inception of the stakes in 1976 when Montague Maze beat the boys for the win. D’Arcy kennel owner Mick D’Arcy holds the trainer record for most consecutive wins from 1998-2000 when he headed the Greymeadow kennel. In 2008 D’Arcy won the stakes with Kinloch Brae for his own D’Arcy kennel. Saturday night D’Arcy’s daughter Catherine hopes her female will make a historic mark for Ambriels owner Kenny Ryan of KS.

J. E. O’Donnell kennel’s TMC’s Pistol was a third place finisher in the 2011 stakes and hopes to get a clean second shot at the title. Pistol also competed at multiple tracks in dual distances in FL and WV. Last year Pistol's money finishes were 93%. Pistol has competed in nine previous stakes races over sprint and distance courses for owner Eddie McDonald of TX.

SE's Chewie was a paw away from victory last November when he just missed capturing the Fall Juvenile title that was taken away at the wire by his kennelmate. The Capable kennel is the youngest athlete in the stakes final. Although he will have his work cut out for him SE's Chewie is a box-breaker. His owner is Christopher Palmieri, Jr., of VA.

Last year Patriot kennel had two entries in the final. It was almost a kennel repeat, but a draw by lot eliminated their second finalist. Sing In The Rain will be an underdog. He has drawn the outside nearly every race since the beginning of the year. Rain is a slow breaker and will need a big break from the inside three post that he drew. The 69-pound male entered three previous stakes races where he collected a third place in the January Matinee Idol. Smith Greyhounds of OK owns the October 2009 male.

It could be considered magical that Abernathy kennel's Magic Bagels won the draw by lot to fill the final slot. Bagels won’t be a betting favorite but as the saying goes, "you have to be in it to win it." Bagels must win in round four put him in the draw by lot that opened his opportunity. Bagels is a slow starter and will need lots of racing luck to pull off a victory against the national headliners.

By Stan Pawloski   Thu, Mar 01, 2012

A Ray Kennel’s AMF Ex President has six straight Grade AA victories for trainer Joe Palmer.

Ryan Farms Kennel’s Delightful Dame has three marathon wins in a row (A, AA) for trainer Mick D’Arcy.

Vince Berland Kennel’s Flying Hawk Boy has back-to-back Grade AA victories for trainer Tim Hartley.

Wayne Strong Kennel’s Bella Coletti has two straight Grade AA wins for trainer Melinda McCardle.

Clear The Way Kennel’s CTW Rocket Fuel has back-to-back 3/8 victories (A, AA) for trainer Patrick Bever.

Wayne Ward Kennel’s Flesk Flyer has two wins in a row (A, AA) for trainer Ron Otto.

Lester Raines Kennel’s MRL Just As Well has won three out of his last four starts (C, B, A) for trainer Joel Roden. Kennel-mate RC Boondoc has two wins and a second in his last three outings.

Charter Kennel’s Grand Isle has won three out of his last four trips (C, B, A) for trainer Robert Cooley.

By Vera Rasnake   Thu, Mar 01, 2012

Upsets were seen in the semifinals of the Sprint Classic Wednesday night. The first heat kicked off in race six where the defending champion and bet favorite Hi Noon Renegade encountered trouble and finished seventh. Magic Bagels came flying home and paid $61.40 for his upset victory. SE’s Chewie broke on top and gave a winning effort scoring second place points. Third through eighth was Art Allen, Gable Eddie, Gottcha Gold, Helena Hambone, Hi Noon Renegade and TMC’s Pistol.

D’Arcy kennel’s Ambriel scored a second series win and tops the list of finalists with 50 points. Ambriel was in full control of the race. Meacham Field poured his heart into the race, but his low scores in rounds two and three kept him from advancing to the final. Tiger Boy will vie for a third career stakes win as the newly named All America Team Captain for 2011. His third place guaranteed his entry into the stakes. Sing In the Rain, Raine Of Gold, Magic Finch, HS Thunder and Kentucky Grace completed the field.

The first seven slots were filled, but a two-way tie for the last slot between Abernathy kennel’s Magic Bagels and Patriot kennel’s Art Allen will be decided in a draw by lot Thursday night at 6:30. Once the field is set the posts will be drawn for the 37^th annual stakes to be held Saturday night March 3. D’Arcys Ambriel is the only female in the stakes final, which is no problem for the D’Arcy’s that dominated previous stakes with phenomenal females.

The top seven that advanced are Ambriel (D’Arcy) 50 points, Gable Eddie (McAllister) 40 points, Hi Noon Renegade (Nova) 37 points, SE’s Chewie (Capabal) 36 points, Tiger Boy (McAllister), TMC’s Pistol (J. E. O’Donnell) 34 points, Sing In The Rain (Patriot) 34 points. The two way tie with 33 points each is Magic Bagels (Abernathy) and Art Allen (Patriot). 

By Vera Rasnake   Mon, Feb 27, 2012

Nova kennel’s history making hound Hi Noon Renegade added another accomplishment to his impressive career portfolio. Saturday night February 25 the nearly three year-old brindle male took the top points. Doubters made the national headliner Tiger Boy the betting favorite in the tenth race qualifier that truly put Renegade to the test among the highly talented field. When the box opened Renegade quickly took control wearing the six blanket-the same color he wore when he scored the historic Gold Trophy Juvenile victory last year. There is no doubt Renegade racked up a stellar 550-yard record in 2011 and is arguably deserving of the 2011 Rural Rube award. His 66% win record and 93% money finishes over the 550-yards can’t be ignored. Renegade’s round three victory was one for the books over the weekend, as the male clocked a new season’s best time of 30.28 over the 550-yard course.

Renegade (Dodgem By Design x Bryan’s Baby) hung tough against his top rival Tiger Boy that was closing the gap fast in the homestretch. Renegade’s half-length victory at the wire paid $12.00, $9.60 and $6.80. Tiger Boy’s winning effort helped keep him among the top eight after getting off to a rough start and only scoring one point in the first round. Tiger Boy is also deserving of a national title with his dual distance accomplishments at multiple tracks in 2011. TMC’s Pistol finished third and HS Thunder completed the superfecta. Art Allen, Meacham Field, Magic Bagels and SE’s Chewie ran fifth through eighth.

Four races before Renegade’s season’s best was clocked Patriot kennel’s Sing In The Rain (Flying Penske x Flying Symphony) was an upset winner in his heat. Sing In The Rain also recorded a speedy 30.34. Round two winner Ambriel (D’Arcy) gave a winning effort for second. Finishing third through eighth was Gable Eddie, Kentucky Grace, Raine Of Gold, Helena Hambone, Gottcha Gold and Magic Finch.

Renegade made history in 2011 and could do it again in the Sprint Classic. No greyhound has ever won the stakes two consecutive years. If Hi Noon Renegade’s performance matches his round three endurance fans will watch history in the making on March 3.

Other news: Hambleton kennel’s Jewelz Fire (Silver Jones x Fire Storm Drive) recorded an impressive win over the 660-yard course. The 65-pound female broke close to the front and in no time took full control of race 12 Friday night (Feb. 24). She not only won the race Jewelz Fire smoked in a new season’s best time of 37.30 erasing D’Arcy kennel’s Brother Buck’s 37.36. She (Jewelz Fire) could be preparing for the next stakes, which is the Distance Classic that will be held April 7.

By Jeff Prince   Mon, Feb 27, 2012

JS KERRY OKI SINGS A SONG OF VICTORY IN PALM BEACH KENNEL CLUB’S $50,000 JAMES W. PAUL 3/8THS MILE DERBY!

             West Palm Beach, Fl. - Pat Collins / Neola Joe Kennel’s JS Kerry Oki handily defeated a top-notch field to win Saturday afternoon’s running of the $50,000 James W. Paul 3/8ths Mile Derby.

          Wearing her favorite color of red and starting from the number one post position, Kerry Oki broke well, and then rushed her way to the early lead and to the $25,000 first-place prize.

          Going off as the race favorite, JS Kerry Oki won by two lengths in a 660-yard Pat C Rendezvous Course clocking of 37.99 seconds and returning $5.40 to her many happy supporters.

          Atasocita Tana, BM Murphy and ADZ finished second, third and fourth, respectively.

          This was the first time in recent - and perhaps all-time -  Derby history that all the finalists were females.

          The complete $50,000 James W. Paul 3/8ths Mile Derby order of finish:

1^st - 1. JS Kerry Oki (Dodgem By Design - Soft Melody, Collins / Joe)

2^nd - 6. Atascocita Tana (Atascocita Leroy - Atascocita Flame, Suncoast)

3^rd - 4. BM Murphy (Flying Penske - RC’s Jamie, Brindle Kennel)

4^th - 7. ADZ (Lonesome Cry - Goldie Donna, James Douglas)

5^th - 8. Atascocita Venus (Atascocita Leroy - Atascocita Trish, Suncoast)

6^th - 3. Go Bon Nice Lee (Trent Lee - Go Bon Pure Evil, Royal Racing Team)

7^th - 5. Blazin Spitfire (Dragon Fire - Tin Nee Ann, Marsella Racing Kennel)

8^th - 2. AMF Sultana (Kiowa Mon Manny - AMF Gentle Breez, B & B Kennel)

          This was the 81^st running of the Derby, one of the nations longest running stake events, and is named in honor of humanitarian, greyhound owner and dedicated supporter of greyhound adoption, James W. Paul.   

Contact: Jeff Prince (561) 683-2222, Ext. 126 / jprince@pbkennelclub.com

By   Mon, Feb 27, 2012

It is time to grab a seat at the 2012 $10,000 World Series of Greyhound Handicapping. Big Jack Pot Betting will be holding their 2nd Qualifying Event on Friday March 2nd. It is free to enter and the contest is held online. This Qualifying Event will feature Sarasota as the feature track to handicap. The grand prize is a seat at the table for the 2012 $10,000 World Series of Greyhound Handicapping. The second place finisher earns a seat in the Consolation Tournament which will determine the remaining contestants in the World Series if there are any available seats at the end of qualifying.

If you haven't experienced Big JackPot Betting they are live and online Thurs - Monday.
Hollywood - Thu at 1, Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon at 5. Tri-state - Thu thru Mon at 7. All times ET.

By Vera Rasnake   Fri, Feb 24, 2012

By   Fri, Feb 24, 2012

Fifth (and final) elimination round of the $40,000 Naples Derby goes to post on Saturday night at the Naples-Ft. Myers track, with Lonesome Lance of the Sarras Abrahamson kennel the top point-getter.

Lonesome Lance (Lonesome Cry-Little Gem) has three wins and a third in his four races this far, notching wins in in both of his last two outings.

Also boasting three wins in the competition and sure to be in the finals is Barney O'Donnell Kennel's Kiowa Lazy Jack (Kiowa Sweet Trey-Lazy K Jill). He's also won his last two races, and has a fourth to go with his trio of wins.

Another serious contender promises to be D.Q. Williams' Casper Van Dien (Hallo West Acre-Granpa's Princess), who has two wins, a second and a third in his four outings.

Other leading point-earners are Flying Sushi (42), Mo's Soul Surfer and Beverly Hillsboy (38 each), Jax Garnet (37), and Flying Berea (36).

Saturday's round will decide the eight finalists, who'll go to post for the championship on Saturday, Mar. 3.

By Vera Rasnake   Thu, Feb 23, 2012

The second round of the Sprint Classic is in the books and it was just as exciting as the first. McAllister kennel scored half of the winning points in the second round.

Tiger Boy kicked off the night with an impressive rebound after a seventh place finish in round one. J. E. O’Donnell Kennel’s round one winner TMC's Pistol jumped to the lead, but the Tiger got loose and pulled away clocking a new season's best (30.30) over the 550-yard course. Two races later Capabal Kennel's SE's Chewie gave a winning effort before Gable Eddie stole the lead near the wire for a back to back McAllister win. Patriot kennel's Art Allen won his heat in race eight upsetting the favorite Meacham Field (Red Oak). The defending champion Hi Noon Renegade (Nova) broke sharp and lost stubbornly to D'Arcy kennel's Ambriel who paid $29.00 for her victory.

There is a three-way tie in the top spot with 26 points each. TMC's Pistol (Dodgem By Design x TMC's Contessa), Gable Eddie (Jimbo Scotty x Gable Calliope) and SE's Chewie (TNT Star Wars x Ozsum Flyby) There was a clean cut with 11 points and above advancing the top 16. All point totals at Vera’s News. Round three is Saturday night.

By Stan Pawloski   Thu, Feb 23, 2012

A Ray Kennel’s AMF Ex President has five straight Grade AA victories for trainer Joe Palmer. Kennel-mates AMF Baroness has two wins and two seconds in her last four Grade AA trips while Uhaul Woody (AA) and U Too Colie (B, A 3/8) have back-to-back victories.

Abrahamson Kennel’s Serene AZ Laken has two wins and two seconds in her last four Grade AA outings for trainer Tom Engle.

Darren Henry Kennel’s Thera Of Ruckus has back-to-back Grade AA 3/8 victories for trainer Terry Green.

Wayne Ward Kennel’s WWK Cold March has two straight wins (B, A) for trainer Ron Otto.

By Kelly Clark   Wed, Feb 22, 2012

The DQ Williams Kennel has had loads of superstars at the Orange Park Kennel Club, but none might have been as fast as the pair of puppies that took to the racetrack this past week.

Both of these monsters in the making have already been in a stakes final and both just turned two this past month, but the real surprise is the all out breakneck speed that they have at their disposable whenever they want to use it.

Phenom J's Robin moved back to 550 yards after a 3rd place finish in the 2012 Orange Park Derby and to say it was a fantastic return to the shorter course would not do it justice. You see in her young career she has never missed the money over 550 and in her race on February 18, she made sure that they streak stayed intact.

Starting out near the inside in the 4 box, Robin decides to break and that is really bad news for the field. This closing monster was in the lead at the start, and from that moment on, it just got plain U-G-L-Y. She coasted around the 1st turn with a 3 length margin and with every step she took, she got further and further away from this field. By the far turn the lead was by 7 lengths, but she was not done just yet. She kept on keeping on all the way to the wire and blazed the trail by 10 lengths over the competition. Stopping the clock at a career best 30.24 seconds, Robin proved that she is going to be a force for a mighty long time here a the Orange Park Kennel Club.

11th Grade: A Distance:  550 Condition: Fast

J's Robin          68.5  4  1  1  3.5   1  7     1  10    30.24   2.10  Awesome Rail          

Atascocita Dora    57    3  5  2        2        2  10    30.93   2.20  Best Of The Rest Ins  

Lk's Intrigue      62    2  2  3        3        3  10.5  30.96  11.90  Wntd Outsd, No Room   

Spicybloodymary    57    5  6  4        4        4  11.5  31.06  20.00  Crowded, Fnd Rl 1st   

Hallo Free Power   54    1  8  6        5        5  12.5  31.12   7.00  Slight Gain On Rail   

Pat C Lil Tipsy    73    7  7  5        6        6  14    31.22   5.00  No Mishaps Outside    

Cdc Sagittarius    62.5  8  4  8        8        7  16.5  31.38  11.70  Shutoff, Knocked Bck  

Kb Home Soon       62.5  6  3  7        7        8  16.5  31.41  14.90  Squeezed Back, Bmpd   

D Q Williams Kennel, Bk, F, 02/12/10, LONESOME CRY - BOY TROUBLE 

4    J's Robin           6.20   3.00   3.60

3    Atascocita Dora            2.80   2.40

2    Lk's Intrigue                     3.00

QU(3-4)                  9.20

PF(4-3)                 46.20

TR(4-3-2)              127.80

SU(4-3-2-5)            299.60

Watch the replay HERE

Offthebrakedrake took a month off after the finals of the 2011 Jacksonville Juvenile and he has come back with a vengeance. He has not missed the money in all 7 starts and he has posted up wins in 4 of those efforts, but none were as impressive, or flat out fast, than his last.

Breaking from an ideal rail post, Drake made the most of the 2 box in his effort of February 20th and dominated from the get go. He hit the lid, rushed to early control, and left the field in his lurch. He increased his margin with every step he took and crossed the finish line 13 full lengths ahead of a grade A field of greyhounds. What might be even more impressive was the time! How about 30.25 seconds? That's ultra fast now a days and ranks right up there with some of the best trips I have ever seen around this oval. This personal best time was a half a second faster than he has ever run, and that could be the start of something really special at the Orange Park Kennel Club.

11th Grade: A Distance:  550 Condition: Fast

Offthebrakedrake   68    2  1  1  3     1  7     1  13    30.25   1.40  Showing Off Rail      

System Of A Down   60.5  8  7  5        4        2  13    31.17   2.10  Making Up Grnd On Rl  

Bb's Alonzo        72.5  7  3  2        2        3  13.5  31.18   5.20  Early Challenger Rl   

Gs Jock            71.5  5  5  4        5        4  14    31.24   7.00  Steady Run Midtrack   

Vital Signs        56    4  8  6        6        5  14.5  31.25  25.90  Bad Break, Improved   

Wkl Marly Carly    64    3  4  3        3        6  15    31.29  23.90  Prominent Till Str    

Lk's Maximus       68    1  6  7        7        7  24    31.92   7.50  Hit From Behind Bkst  

Easi Mitchie       57.5  6  2  8        8        8        .      25.90  Hit, Almst Fell Bkst  

D Q Williams Kennel, R, M, 02/19/10, Coldwater Konow - Ruby Is The Best 

2    Offthebrakedrake    4.80   3.40   2.80

8    System Of A Down           4.00   3.20

7    Bb's Alonzo                       3.40

QU(2-8)                  9.20

PF(2-8)                 24.00

TR(2-8-7)               59.00

SU(2-8-7-5)             49.00

Watch the replay HERE

So it looks like DQ has once again come up with a couple of greyhounds that are growing up fast before our eyes and could be the next superstars of the racetrack. Fast as they want to be, this dynamic duo will be surely setting their sights on the upcoming Jacksonville Sprint Classic which starts in March.

Congrats to DQ and Sharon Williams, Trainer, Louis Amaral, and everyone else connected with these fantastic four legged track stars. Good luck in the future and get used to hearing their names, as they are probably going to be mentioned over and over again for a long time here at the Orange Park Kennel Club.

By Vera Rasnake   Tue, Feb 21, 2012

The eighth annual Rotary Goes to the Dogs for S4TL was held during the February 18 matinee performance. Over 2,800 fans including Rotarians and their guests were among the matinee attendees that enjoyed the 15-race format.

 Local Rotarians along with many others from the West Coast of Florida helped raise additional funds for the S4TL program. The week long leadership program is held every June at the Florida Southern College in Lakeland FL. Approximately 150 high school Juniors are chosen from nearly every school from Crystal River to Marco Island. The chosen students are immersed in leadership training that will prepare them for their senior year and beyond graduation.

Celebrating in the winner’s circle (photo L to R) was Gene Stern-Coordinator of "Rotary Goes To The Dogs", Carl Treleaven-District Governor of Pinellas County, Jeff Fee-Director of Students For Tomorrows Leaders (S4TL) presented the plaque to D’Arcy kennel trainer Catherine D’Arcy. The leadout is Sean Smith. District Governor of Hillsboro County Alan Feldman and Doug Meyer-Chairman of Students For Tomorrows Leaders (S4TL) also celebrated the victory. (Photo by Vera Rasnake.)

The Rotarians sold flats of strawberries as part of their afternoon fundraising. To honor the Rotarians Derby Lane’s sixth race was the Rotary Governor’s Feature that offered more than just a winner to the fans. Call Me Ishmael a.k.a. Felix was the bet favorite that put on a stellar performance. Ishmael overcame early blocking and powered his way around the leaders leaving them in a 7-length wake that produced a new season’s best time of 30.33 over the 550-yard course.

In a statement posted by trainer Catherine D’Arcy she said "he (Ishmael) ran like a star." Call Me Ishmael (Flying Penske x Ultimate Gift) did not let his fans down. Ryan Farms kennel owns the 23 month-old Ishmael that paid $5.00, $4.20 and $2.80. BV’s Backwoods broke on top and put forth a winning effort to finish second for the Patriot kennel that took a fourth place in the 2011 race. Backwoods paid $11 for place and $4.00 for show. Cal Holland kennel’s Kentucky Yonder paid $3.40 to show . And completing the superfecta (1-8-3-4) was Floyd & Porter kennel’s Wink For Pink. The race was a seven-dog feature, as Capabal kennel’s Tailteann Storm (5) was scratched. Santa Anna-a second D’Arcy entry, James Melton (McAllister) and Art Alex (Patriot) completed the race in that order.

Other news: J. E. O’Donnell kennel that won the Mardi Gras world classic with Derby Lane’s Maria Mandalena on Friday in Hallendale Beach kicked off the first heat in Saturday’s Classic with a victory. TMC’s Pistol took early control and stayed strong to the finish to rack up the first winning points in the series over McAllister’s bet favorite Gable Eddie. Capabal kennel’s SE’s Chewie that was the runner-up in last year’s Fall Juvenile held off Matinee Idol champion Meacham Field by a head to score top points in race six. Cal Holland kennel’s Kentucky Grace was the clear winner in race eight. A photo finish for place produced Reign Of Gold (O’Donnell). Just .01 seconds behind Gold was Magic Finch (Abernathy) and Flying Arden (McAllister) was just .01 second behind Finch. The much awaited 10^th race featuring the Renegade vs Tiger Boy saw Raines Kennel’s Gottcha Gold power his way to the front to pay $18.60 for the upset. Gold recorded his sixth win in 9 starts this year and clocked the fastest first round time of 30.60. Hi Noon Renegade was in hot pursuit making the feature a two-dog race the entire time. Tiger Boy was shutoff and shuffled early.

The next round of the Sprint Classic will be Wednesday night February 22. Only 16 will advance and be closer to earning a slot in the March 3 final. The greyhounds in point order are listed on Vera’s News at the Derby Lane site.

By Gary Guccione   Mon, Feb 20, 2012

Pauline O'Donnell's Maria Mandalena came home with a rush to capture the 2012 World Classic Championship at Mardi Gras Friday night, Feb. 17.

The February 2010 daughter of Kiowa Myth-CDN Crazy To Go, racing from the 7 box, paid $12.60, $5.40 and $4.80 across the board.

Finishing second was Joe Trudden Kennel's M Cee Drive, owned by Trudden and Michael Frino. In third was the early-foot speed demon Who Says I Can't, owned and raced by D.Q. Williams.

Completing the Superfecta in fourth was Ed Gardner's Turbo Lennie, also racing from the Trudden Kennel.

Maria Mandalena had two wins and a second in her last three preliminary rounds going into the finals. She had the fastest time in the elimination races, with a 30.05 performance on Feb. 3. She's a littermate to Money Maid, who was one of two leading sales at the NGA Fall Meet, winning her main stake impressively and selling in the auction for $30,000.

The litter was raised by Doug and Lisa Riches of Canada and finished out in Kansas by Steve Sheaffer.

Maria Mandalena, besides being the only "foreign born" pup in the race, was also the only female in the Classic final.

More details on the stake will be carried next week and in the next Greyhound Review.

By   Fri, Feb 17, 2012

D.Q. Williams' Casper Van Dien is the only undefeated entry remaining after two rounds of the $40,000 Naples Derby, which resumes Saturday, Feb. 18.

The son of Hallo West Acre-Granpas Princess had the fastest winning time of the six preliminary races on Wednesday, posting a 38.30 victory. He also tied for the fastest winning time in the first round of the state on Feb. 11.

After a comeback win following time off from an injury, last year's superstar Slatex Cadillac is back in the hunt for this year's Derby. The daughter of Flying Hydrogen-Slatex Station won by 8 1/2 lengths on Wednesday in a 38.38 clocking. She'd run fifth in the opening round of the stake.

Other winners on Wednesday were Beverly Hillsboy (Lonesome Cry-Boy Trouble), Mo's Soul Surfer (Fuzzys Cannon-Mo's Classie Ann), TMC's Mr. Slick (Lonesome Cry-Hallo Mary O) and Jax Garnet (Craigie Whistler-Jax Almond Joy).

Three more elimination rounds await the entrants. The stake final will be on Mar. 3.

By Jeff Prince   Fri, Feb 17, 2012

Race Pages, Scorecard and Derby Activities Attached!

SEMIFINALS FOR PALM BEACH KENNEL CLUB’S $50,000 JAMES W. PAUL 3/8THS MILE DERBY SUNDAY AFTERNOON, FEBRUARY 19!

            West Palm Beach, Fl. - The fourth and final round of qualifying for Palm Beach Kennel Club’s $50,000 James W. Paul 3/8ths Mile Derby takes place Sunday afternoon February 19.

        Starting with an original field of 39 hopefuls, there are now 16 Greyhounds who have a shot at making the final eight and an opportunity of winning the $25,000 first-place purse.

        Heading into the semifinals, two Greyhounds are tied for the top spot in point earnings, Royal Racing Team’s stake veteran Go Bon Nice Lee and B & B Racing Kennel’s super-early speedster AMF Sultana, who each scored two wins and a second in qualifying.

        The lineup for Sunday afternoon’s semifinals:

RACE 12

1. Starz Stomper (Lonesome Cry - Starz Joann, B & B Racing Kennel)

2. Glagow (Kiowa Mon Manny - Goldie Donna, James Douglas Kennel)

3. WP’s Madonna (Fuzzys Cannon - Fuzzys Arizona, Arthur Agannis Kennel)

4. Go Bon Nice Lee (Trent Lee - Go Bon Pure Evil, Royal Racing Team Kennel)

5. Blazin Spitfire (Dragon Fire - Tin Nee Ann, Marsella Racing Kennel)

6. Atascocita Venus (Atascocita Leroy - Atascocita Trish, Suncoast Kennel)

7. RK’s Chi Chi (Fuzzys Cannon - RK’s Proformance, Rader Racing Kennel)

8. Jazzy Ole Babe (Flying Penske - USS Untouched, Brindle Kennel)

RACE 14

1. JS Kerry Oki (Dodgem By Design - Soft Melody, Collins / Neola Joe Kennel)

2. AMF Sultana (Kiowa Mon Manny - AMF Gentle Breez, B & B Racing)

3. Turbo Sara (Bob’s Skeet - Turbo Wind Blown, Rader Racing)

4. Atascocita Tana (Atascocita Leroy - Atascocita Flame, Suncoast)

5. BM Murphy (Flying Penske - RC’s Jamie, Brindle Kennel)

6. Hilco Burner (Kiowa Sweet Trey - Larks Bronx, B & B Racing)

7. SE’s Rage N Ice (Iceman Brutus* - Flying Zaharias, Steve Gilster Kennel)

8. ADZ (Lonesome Cry - Goldie Donna, James Douglas)

        The top eight  point earners following Sunday afternoon’s semifinals will comprise the $50,000 Derby championship field.

        The 81^st running of the Three-Eighths Mile championship final will be contested in the twelfth race Saturday afternoon, February 25, and is one of the nation’s longest running stake events.             

        The Derby is named in honor of humanitarian, greyhound owner and dedicated supporter of  greyhound adoption James W. Paul.

Contact: Jeff Prince (561) 683-2222, Ext. 126 / jprince@pbkennelclub.com 

By Vera Rasnake   Fri, Feb 17, 2012

McAllister Kennel’s Tiger Boy also boasts an impressive 2011 record that he collected in Florida, Alabama and Arkansas. Tiger Boy won the Mardi Gras World Classic last year for owner Vince Berland. Tiger Boy was also a stakes finalist at Victoryland and Southland. Tiger Boy is also a dual distance athlete and set the track record over the 660-yard course at Southland. Tiger Boy stormed the New Year at Derby Lane to win the 87^th Inaugural and finished a respectable third in the Matinee Idol. The two athletes top the list of entries for the first round that will be held in races 4,6,8 and 10 Saturday night.

Renegade and Tiger Boy are not the only stakes winners among the opening lineup. Abernathy kennel’s Magic Finch clocked a season’s best time of 30.41 last week in a ten-length romp. Although Finch’s time was impressive her 2011 accomplishments were over the longer 660-yards and landed her on the list of national distance runners vying for the NGA’s Flashy Sir award for Haber Kennels that own Finch. The 60-pound Finch won the Distance Classic and the Consolation Derby and was a finalist in the 660-yard stakes last December. She has her sights set on the sprint title and will move back to the longer run to defend her title next month.

Last month’s Matinee Idol champion Meacham Field is hoping to capture a third stakes for the Red Oak Racing Kennel. The kennel closed out the year with a first stakes win over the 660-yard course and a month later they marked their first 550-yard victory.

Other news: Derby Lane will hold a special President’s Day Matinee only Monday February 20. A 15-race card, cash giveaway and concession specials will highlight the afternoon. At night simulcast wagering and Poker will be available in the Derby Club. The regular racing schedule resumes Tuesday night.

By Kelly Clark   Fri, Feb 17, 2012

By Vera Rasnake   Thu, Feb 16, 2012

"I knew she was special when she broke in here," said Derby Lane trainer John Graham of Maria Mandalena, who is Derby Lane’s entry for the February 17 stakes.

Maria Mandalena had 15 starts at Derby Lane for the J. E. O’Donnell Kennel before shipping to Mardi Gras where the 61-pound powerhouse has made her presence known. Maria Mandalena is the daughter of the well-documented Kiowa Myth, who made headlines as an American entry into the Irish Derby two consecutive years. Myth made a nice showing in Ireland and since retirement is producing promising pups. Maria Mandalena (Kiowa Myth x CDN Crazy To Go) is the program favorite to win the prestigious stakes.

At Mardi Gras, Maria clocked the fastest time in the series: 30.05. Maria is the program favorite for the Dennis Smith-trained O’Donnell Kennel at Mardi Gras. At Derby Lane Maria Mandalena’s litter brother Raine Of Gold will be Graham’s entry in the $85,000 Sprint Classic that begins February 18.

The Mardi Gras World Classic stakes will be the seventh race on the eight-race card Friday night February 17^th. For more information visit:

By Stan Pawloski   Thu, Feb 16, 2012

A Ray Kennel’s AMF Ex President has four straight Grade AA wins for trainer Joe Palmer. Kennelmate UCME Chickaboom has back-to-back victories (B, A).

Wayne Strong Kennel’s Hero Kal has five straight wins (C, B, A, AA) for trainer Melinda McCardle.

Wayne Ward Kennel’s WW’s Mintor has three wins and a second in his last four Grade AA trips for trainer Ron Otto. Kennel-mate WW’s McCoy has two wins and a second in his last three outings.

Sarras Kennel’s Tomco Meteor has three straight victories (C, B, A) for trainer Steve Sarras.

Darren Henry Kennel’s Braska Brave (A, AA) and Atascocita Rex (B, A) have back-to-back wins for trainer Terry Green.

Ryan Farms Kennel’s Delightful Dame has two straight marathon victories (A, AA) for trainer Mick D’Arcy.

Clear The Way Kennel’s Mighty Trent has won three out of his last four starts (M, C, B) for trainer Patrick Bever.

By   Wed, Feb 15, 2012

Final of the 2012 World Classic Championship (A.K.A. the Hollywood World Classic)  is set for Friday night (Feb. 17) at Mardi Gras.

Three finalists boast three wins each in their four preliminary rounds--early-speed demon Who Says I Can't (who's won three straight and has the 1 hole for Friday's race), Palm Beach invader M Cee Drive (who's also won three straight and has the 3 box) and Mardi Gras Futurity winner Flying Oberon (NGA auction phenom, in the 4 hole).

Not to be overlooked is a trio with two elim wins each: much-traveled Turbo Lennie (track record smasher at Southland), Maria Mandalena (who posted the fastest winning time in all preliminary rounds, situated in the 7 box) and veteran later-closer LS Lafave (in the far outside box).

Rounding out the field are Shakes the Clown and Mo's Real McCoy, in the 5 and 6 boxes, respectively.

The complete field, in post position order, are:

1. Who Says I Can't (Chevita-Kiss Me) DQ Williams Kennel, Alvie J. Simons owner
2. Turbo Lennie (Turbo Penske-Turbo Wind Burn) Trudden Kennel, Ed Gardner Jr. owner
3. M Cee Drive (Rhythmless-Malice Drive) Trudden Kennel, Michael Frino/Joe Trudden owners
4. Flying Oberon (BD's Grayson-Flying Crescent) On Line Racing, Terry Scott owner
5. Shakes The Clown (Burt Road-Bit Of Bee) Brindle Kennel, Eugene Otton owner
6. Mo's Real McCoy (Fuzzys Cannon-Mo's Classic Ann) Gulf & Bay, Howard Mosier owner
7. Maria Mandalena (Kiowa Myth-CDN Crazy To Go) O'Donnell Kennel, Pauline O'Donnell owner
8. LS Lafave (Dodgem By Design-Sport Rivera) Trudden Kennel, Ronald Butkus owner

By   Mon, Feb 13, 2012

First round of the $40,000 Naples Derby took place Saturday night (Feb. 11), with all indications that the stake promises to be a wide-open affair.

Fastest time of Round One, 38.76, was registered by both the initial elimination race winner and the last elimination event winner of the night: Saras Abrahamson's Lonesome Lance (Lonesome Cry-Little Gem) and D.Q. Williams' Casper Van Dien (Hallo West Acre-Granpas Princess).

Everett Racing won first-round races with a pair of "Flying" routers--Flying Berea (Kiowa Sweet Trey-Flying Crestline--thus a younger sister to award-winning Flying Coal City) and Flying Sushi (Kiowa Sweet Trey-Flying Senna). Berea won in a 39.01, and Sushi's time was 39.10.

Other first-round winners were J.E. O'Donnell's Kiowa Lazy Jack (Kiowa Sweet Trey-Lazy K Jill) in 38.88 and Blanchard Kennel's WW Crystal Wayne (Flying Penske-WW Crystal Farms) in a 39.02.

Second round of the Derby is slated for Wednesday night, Feb. 15.

By Jeff Prince   Mon, Feb 13, 2012

Birthday Flyer Link

Friday Afternoon, February 17!
Join in on all the fun to celebrate PBKC’s 80^th birthday!

 - Free admission for everyone all day!

- National Anthem sung by Lauren Zapko at 12:30pm. 

- Live music by the Old Hippies 12-2pm and 6-8pm (First Floor)

- For the kids, Free balloon creations by Karl Koppertop (1:00 p.m. -3:00 p.m.)

- Meet Ace the Poker Bear!

- Free Birthday Cake from 11:30am – 1^st & 2^nd Floors / Poker Room (While it Lasts)

- Greyhound Pets of America adoption representatives will be on hand with dogs to pet and to answer questions about adoption!

- Join ESPN 760’s John Martin from 12:30 to 2:30pm -1st floor (near Poker Room) for prizes and giveaways.  Win sports tickets and possibly $580 in cash!

-Great Birthday Cash Giveaway – Eight participants will choose their mystery birthday present to win $100 to $1000 in cash.  (Enter by 8^th race, drawing after 10^th, prizes selected after 12^th)

- WSOP Circuit Events will also be happening!  The events take place February 16 to February 27, 2012.  And “new” this year is the $1 Million Guaranteed Event!

Contact: Jeff Prince (561) 683-2222, Ext. 126 / jprince@pbkennelclub.com

By Jeff Prince   Mon, Feb 13, 2012

Race Page Link

West Palm Beach, Fl. - Round three qualifying action for the 81^st running of Palm Beach Kennel Club’s $50,000 James W. Paul 3/8 Mile Derby takes place Wednesday afternoon, February 15.

Five qualifying races will be held, with the top 16 point earners advancing to the semifinals Sunday afternoon, February 19.

Highlights from round three will include:

In Race 8, round-two winners #6 Glagow (Kiowa Mon Manny - Goldie Donna, James Douglas Kennel) and #7 Atascocita Venus (Atascocita Leroy - Atascocita Trish, Suncoast Kennel) will match wits with early speedsters #1 RK’s Chi Chi (Fuzzys Cannon - RK’s Proformance, Rader Racing Kennel) and #5 Chase Thecowboys, (Pat C Game Face - Gil’s Pandora, Steve Gilster Kennel).

Race 10 features second-round victor #5 Go Bon Nice Lee (Trent Lee - Go Bon Pure Evil, Royal Racing Team) facing off against the fleet-footed and well-positioned #1 Starz Stomper (Lonesome Cry - Starz Joann, B & B Racing Kennel).

In Race 12, the undefeated Derby entry #2 BM Murphy (Flying Penske - RC’s Jamie, Brindle Kennel) will be going for her fourth consecutive victory. Looking to end the streak will be strong-finisher #1 AHK Jaimes Girl (Ardkill Jamie* - Mesa Cyndi, Marsella Racing Kennel) and the always reliable #3 JS Kerry Oki (Dodgem By Design - Soft Melody, Pat Collins / Neola Joe Kennel).

Race 14 matches up first-round winners #1 Blazin Spitfire (Dragon Fire - Tin Nee Ann, Marsella Racing) and #8 AMF Sultana (Kiowa Mon Manny - AMF Gentle Breez, B & B Racing). This is a tough one to handicap and could produce some high payoffs.

In the finale of the afternoon, Race 15, the Greyhound to beat is the impressive and undefeated in qualifying #7 Atascocita Tana (Atascocita Leroy - Atascocita Flame, Suncoast). Without a doubt, her round-two win was a thing of beauty to watch. The best race of any so far in Derby qualifying. There is little doubt that the early speedster and round-one winner #6 ADZ (Lonesome Cry - Goldie Donna, James Douglas) will be the one to catch. This will be a very interesting qualifier to watch as there are some other entries with late speed that could shake loose early ahead of Tana.

The $50,000 James W. Paul 3/8ths Three-Eighths Mile Championship final will be contested Saturday afternoon, February 25, and is one of the nation’s longest-running stake events.

The Derby is named in honor of humanitarian, greyhound owner and dedicated supporter of greyhound adoption James W. Paul.

Contact: Jeff Prince (561) 683-2222, Ext. 126 / jprince@pbkennelclub.com

By Jeff Prince   Thu, Feb 09, 2012

Race Page Link

West Palm Beach, Fl. - Second-round qualifying action for Palm Beach Kennel Club’s $50,000 James W. Paul 3/8ths Mile Derby takes place Saturday afternoon, February 11.

The same 39 greyhounds from round one will compete Saturday afternoon in five qualifying events.

Highlights from round two include:

 In Race 8, two round-one winners will match up as #2 BM Murphy (Flying Penske - RC’s Jamie, Brindle Kennel) faces off against box-to-wire victor #4 ADZ (Lonesome Cry - Goldie Donna, James Douglas Kennel). Chances are this will be the Quiniela combo for many racing fans.

No first-round winners in Race 10, but several entries are set up very nicely. Two B & B Racing Kennel entries have excellent post positions, #1 Hilco Burner (Kiowa Sweet Trey - Larks Bronx) and  #8 Five Sullivans (Dearfield Mover* - Winnepeg Drive). #3 KB’s Decordova (Lonesome Cry - Tempo Jitterstik, Tru Palm Kennel) and #5 WP’s Madonna (Fuzzys Cannon - Fuzzys Arizona, Arthur Agganis Kennel) should have the room to shake loose early, while  #2 Turbo Sara (Bob’s Skeet - Turbo Wind Blown, Rader Racing Kennel) will be the wild card in this event having come off a strong round-one effort.

Race 14 will be a battle of the early speedsters as round-one winner #6 AMF Sultana (Kiowa Mon Manny - AMF Genle Breez) matches wits against #2 Catys Robin Egg (Kiowa Sweet Trey - PA’s Krazy Train, Brindle Kennel) and #8 Chase Thecowboys (Pat C Game Face - Gil’s Pandora, Steve Gilster Kennel).

Race 15 features two round-one victors as the big finisher #1 Atascocita Tana (Atascocita Leroy - Atascocita Flame, Suncoast Kennel) goes head-to-head with the early speedster #4 Blazin Spitfire (Dragon Fire - Tin Nee Ann, Marsella Racing Kennel).

A qualifying event will also be contested in race 12.

All competing greyhounds will return for round three Wednesday afternoon, February 15.

The top 16 point earners following the third round will advance to the semifinals Sunday afternoon, February 19.

The $50,000 James Paul Derby Championship Final will be contested Saturday afternoon, February 25.

Post time for Saturday afternoon’s first race is 1:00 p.m.

This will be the 81^st running of the Derby, one of the nation’s longest running stake events, and is named in honor of humanitarian, greyhound owner and dedicated supporter of Greyhound adoption James W. Paul.

Contact: Jeff Prince (561) 683-2222, Ext. 126 / jprince@pbkennelclub.com

By Vera Rasnake   Thu, Feb 09, 2012

Derby Lane’s February 8 night card saw impressive performances from three of the headliners that did not disappoint their fans.

The top Patriot kennel’s Art Allen (Flying Penske x Sol Venus) continued his winning spree racking up four in a row over the 550-yard course. Allen is one of the top grade athletes expected to be among the roster for the upcoming Sprint Classic.

Two races later the course was longer and the critics were quieted when McAllister kennel’s Tiger Boy (Flying Penske x Flying Exquisite) roared over the 660-yard oval. Tiger broke last and powered his way to the front to snatch the win away at the wire from D’Arcy kennel’s Brother Buck. Buck jumped out on top and put forth a winning effort against Tiger’s mighty strides. The dual distance Tiger will also be an entry in the upcoming Sprint Classic.

And speaking of the Sprint Classic, the defending champion Hi Noon Renegade (Dodgem By Design x Bryan’s Baby) was spectacular in his box-to-wire victory. The Nova kennel star who was pulled for a minor injury earlier last month appears to be more than ready to defend his title in the upcoming stakes. Round one is February 18. 

By Vera Rasnake   Tue, Feb 07, 2012

Last year’s Sprint Classic champion Hi Noon Renegade (Nova kennel) is also featured Wednesday night in race 10. The son of Dodgem By Design and Bryan’s Baby went box to wire in last year’s feature. Renegade was in the hunt for the National Wins title with 40 wins for 2011despite a three-month lay-off. Renegade also boasted a 93% money record for the year.

The 37^th annual stakes will begin Saturday night February 18. The stakes race final will be held Saturday night March 3.

By Kelly Clark   Tue, Feb 07, 2012

In the past 16 years since I have been here I cannot recall a greyhound winning back to back stakes titles over two different distance, well that is until now! SNJ Black Porter made his dream a reality on Saturday evening February 4 in the finals of the 2012 Orange Park Derby.

Starting from the 4 box he is poised to make some noise, but as the box came open, it was obvious that he was going to have to work if he wanted to take home another victory. Pat C Manuel hit the lid at the start of the Orange Park Derby and seized early control. He was stalked by fellow early speeder Miss Trent. Both had cleared the early trouble behind them, but the bad news was so did SNJ Black Porter.

The STOUT one chased the ankle burners around the escape turn and down the backside and it was apparent by backstretch that they were both in trouble. In the far turn Porter had already picked up Miss Trent and was driving by Manuel to take the lead. Also coming was J's Robin, who found the early trouble and was running a huge race to just get back into contention. As they turned for home Porter was clear on the lead and he was not even thinking about stopping. He dominated throughout the stretch run and left the nearest competitor a full 4 lengths behind him at the wire. Early leader, Pat C Manuel held on for place, as J's Robin just missed him at the wire on the rail. Miss Trent held her own late for the final spot in the superfecta.

Completing the race was the rest of the pack that found trouble early on. Pat C Hostage in 5th, Big Drama in 6th, Rc Mini Power in 7th, and Lk's Energizing was scratched.

11th Grade: S Distance:  660 Condition: Fast

Snj Black Porter   78    4  3  3        1  3     1  4     37.90   3.20  2012 Derby Champ      

Pat C Manuel       65    8  1  1  2     2        2  4     38.18   7.10  Forced Pace, Plcd Mt  

J's Robin          68    3  7  6        3        3  5     38.24   2.80  Crowded Brk, Drove    

Miss Trent         62    2  2  2        4        4  7     38.40  12.80  Early Threat, Outbid  

Pat C Hostage      76    1  4  5        5        5  9.5   38.55   2.50  Jammed At Break       

Big Drama          61.5  5  5  7        6        6  13    38.80   5.70  Could Not Find Room   

Rc Mini Power      62    6  6  4        7        7  13.5  38.85   9.10  Caught In Traffic     

Lk's Energizing          7                       S        .                                   

Crowe Kennel, Bk, M, 11/12/09, Jt's Goesaround - Ultimate Cupcake 

4    Snj Black Porter    8.40   4.80   3.60

8    Pat C Manuel               6.20   5.20

3    J's Robin                         3.00

QU(4-8)                 46.80

PF(4-8)                 69.00

TR(4-8-3)              196.40

SU(4-8-3-2)            829.80

Scratches: Lk's Energizing.

Watch the replay HERE

Congratulation head out to the Crowe Kennel, Trainer Mike Crowe, the owners, SNJ D DOGS, and everyone else connected with this fantastic greyhound. What a showing as he made history at the Orange Park Kennel Club. Loads of races still lie ahead for this puppy, and with this win, he has shown that he can win a final over either distance. Plenty of more chances this year at the Orange Park Kennel Club, and abroad, to make even a bigger statement. Good luck to him in the future and congrats again on making history, with wins in the 2011 Jacksonville Juvenile and the 2012 Orange Park Derby.

By Jeff Prince   Mon, Feb 06, 2012

Race Page Link

West Palm Beach, Fl. - Round one qualifying action for Palm Beach Kennel Club’s $50,000 James W. Paul 3/8ths Mile Derby gets underway Wednesday afternoon, February 8.

        Forty Greyhounds will go to post in five qualifying races which will be contested on the 660-yard Pat C Rendezvous 3/8 Mile Course.

        All 40 Greyhounds will return for rounds two and three Saturday and Wednesday afternoons, February 11 and February 15. The top 16 point earners following the third round will advance to the semifinals Sunday afternoon, February 19.

        The $50,000 James Paul Derby Championship Final will be contested Saturday afternoon, February 25.

        Probable fan favorites include:

        In Race 10, the duo of #1 AHK Jaimes Girl (Ardkill Jamie* - Mesa Cyndi, Marsella Racing Kennel) and #4 Go Bon Nice Lee (Trent Lee - Go Bon Pure Evil, Royal Racing Team) should garner much fan support.

        The sentimental favorite in Race 12 will be the impressive four-year old #7 Blazin Spitfire (Dragon Fire - Tin Nee Ann, Marsella Racing) who will be breaking from a good spot.

        In Race 15, #3 Tree Shaker (Handball Victory - Magic Powersurge, B & B Racing Kennel) looks to be able to shake loose from her competitors.

        Qualifying events will also be held in races eight and fourteen.

        Post time for Wednesday afternoon’s first race is 1:00 p.m.

        This will be the 81^st running of the Derby, one of the nations longest running stake events, and is named in honor of humanitarian, greyhound owner and dedicated supporter of Greyhound adoption James W. Paul.

Contact: Jeff Prince (561) 683-2222, Ext. 126 / jprince@pbkennelclub.com 

By Jeff Prince   Mon, Feb 06, 2012

West Palm Beach, Fl. - According to the Palm Beach Kennel Club Greyhounds, NFC champs New York Giants will be victorious against AFC victors New England Patriots in Sunday afternoon’s Super Bowl.

In the track’s annual Super Bowl Pooch Predictor Race, the Greyhounds predict the Giants will take a giant early lead. But late in the fourth quarter, the Patriots will attempt to stage a comeback, but too little--too late.

The New York Giants Greyhound (NB’s Falcon) won by two touchdowns (lengths) over the New England Patriot’s four-legged athlete (NB’s Ascari).

The Greyhounds have correctly predicted the outcome of 11 of the last 15 Super Bowls.

Palm Beach Kennel Club will celebrate Super Bowl Sunday, February 5, with a 15-race performance, featuring Superfectas on every race plus a forced payout on the Twin-Trifecta.

Post time for the first race Super Bowl Sunday afternoon will be 1:00 p.m.

All racing fans wearing NFL apparel will be admitted free.

Simulcasting will end at approximately 6:00 p.m.

The Poker Room will remain open.

Contact: Jeff Prince (561) 683-2222, Ext. 126 / jprince@pbkennelclub.com jprince@pbkennelclub.com

By Kelly Clark   Mon, Feb 06, 2012

By Stan Pawloski   Thu, Feb 02, 2012

Douglas Kennel’s Got A Plan has four wins and a second in his last five Grade AA starts for trainer Joe Douglas.

Darren Henry Kennel’s Thera Of Ruckus has four wins and a second in her last five Grade AA 3/8 trips for trainer Terry Green. Kennel-mate Braska Audi has two straight Grade AA victories.

A Ray Kennel’s AMF Ex President has two victories and a second in his last three Grade AA races for trainer Joe Palmer. Kennel-mate UCME Hollywood has back-to-back 7/16 wins (A, AA).

Clear The Way Kennel’s CTW Sea Queen has three straight victories (A, AA) for trainer Patrick Bever. Kennel-mates CTW Carpool Mom (AA) and CTW Banner Flier (A, AA 3/8) have back-to-back wins.

Fast Track Racing Kennel’s KB’s Ruckus has two straight Grade AA victories for trainer Louise Strong.

Ryan Farms Kennel’s Dancing Forest has three wins in a row (D, C, B) for trainer Mick D’Arcy.

By Steve Sigafoose   Thu, Feb 02, 2012

The Harlan Brothers kennel exploded out of the box in January at Bluffs Run, posting 42 victories, 10 more wins than any of its 14 rivals at the track.

Depth told the tale for the Harlan greyhounds; Hilltex Huey, a 21-month-old 70-pounder out of B’s O’Grady-Fuzzys Kittyhawk, led the kennel with a 2-for-2 performance during the month.

Keeper-Red Rock LLC was second with 32 wins. Money Maid, a two-year-old pup out of Kiowa Myth-Cdn Crazy To Go, led the kennel with three wins in four starts.

Plum Creek also had 32 victories and the kennel ran out the most in earnings ($72,813). Jump N Jive, a member of the 2011 All Bluffs Run team, was 2-2-0-0 to help pace the kennel. Programable, 2-2-0-0 and I Can 3-2-1-0 also highlighted the kennel.

Another member of the 2011 All Bluffs Run team is off to a good start in 2012. P’s Gibbs (Petzold) was 4-3-0-0 in January.

Also beginning January 2-for-2 are Go Bon Rainyday (Hardison) and Fanni Mae (Black). 

By Kelly Clark   Wed, Feb 01, 2012

By Jeff Prince   Wed, Feb 01, 2012

West Palm Beach, Fl. - Palm Beach Kennel Club will hold its annual Super Bowl Pooch Predictor Race Friday afternoon, February 3.

        In the Super Bowl Pooch Predictor Race, one Greyhound will sport the blanket of the AFC champion New England Patriots while the other will represent NFC victors New York Giants.

        The two Greyhounds from Royal Racing Team Kennel will compete on the 545-yard Royal Palm Course in an official schooling race.

        Breaking from the one box and representing the New England Patriots will be NB’s Ascari (Lonesome Cry - Angel N The Snow) and starting from the eight post position and racing for the New York Giants will be his brother NB’s Falcon.

        The fan-favored and media-covered event will take place after Friday afternoon’s sixth official race at approximately 2:10 p.m.

        There will be free admission for all in NFL attire.

        The Palm Beach Kennel Club canines have correctly predicted 11 of the last 15 Super Bowl champions.

        Palm Beach Kennel Club will celebrate Super Bowl Sunday, February 5, with free admission for all in NFL attire along with 15 all-Superfecta races.

        Palm Beach Kennel Club will end simulcasting on Super Sunday at approximately 6 p.m.

        The Poker Room will remain open.

Contact: Jeff Prince (561) 683-2222, Ext. 126 / jprince@pbkennelclub.com

By Kelly Clark   Tue, Jan 31, 2012

By Gary Guccione   Fri, Feb 03, 2012

If you’re an NGA member or regular Review subscriber, you’ll find a ballot elsewhere in this issue. The plea from here is to weigh the evidence as to which greyhounds are most worthy, then vote for your choice for the winners of the Rural Rube Award and Flashy Sir Award for 2011.

This is the 41st year that Review readers will be selecting the best sprinter (Rural Rube Award winner) and best route greyhound (Flashy Sir Award winner) from the previous year. Results will be announced on our website shortly after the Mar. 1 deadline and, of course, will be carried in the next Review (Mar/April issue). Awards will be presented at the NGA Spring Meet in late April. Nominees for each award, along with their qualifying accomplishments, are listed next to the ballot to assist you in the selection process.

So, please—exercise your privilege as an NGA member and/or Review subscriber. Vote! Do it soon….

* * * *

Loosely paraphrasing the poet Shelley: If winter comes (and it has), can the Spring Meet be far behind? Gladly, the answer is no.

What can be expected at the Spring Meet gathering in Abilene—now just 70 or 80 days away, depending on when you’re reading this?

Dates for the meet are Apr. 23-28—but there’ll be activity on the NGA grounds with pre-stake schooling well before that. Schooling gets under way on Apr. 15 (a Sunday), running through Friday, Apr. 20….In last year’s meets, it was uncertain until Meettime whether also-rans would be given a second round until the meets had started. This time around, there’s no question: all pups remaining eligible will positively be seeing action in the finals at the end of the week.

The usual age-division stakes will be offered, as well as the creative Slack’s Best-of-4 Stake (i.e., top six fourth-place finishers, going by times)….Almost needless to say, the popular Borchers Stake— rewarding those who run closest to 31.90—will again be on tap. Long a tradition at NGA Meets, the Borchers carryover purse of nearly $7,000 will go to any Borchers Stake finalist that runs an exact 31.90 on Friday, Apr. 27.

Both auctions last year surpassed many folks’ expectations, giving reason for optimism for the upcoming Apr. 27-28 sale. If the quality of pups this spring is anything like last spring’s—even though that was an extremely small Meet by all means of measuring—there will be plenty of excellent deals made in the upcoming sale.

The social agenda for the week will feature the usual highlights, starting on Tuesday night (Apr. 24) with the fund-raising auction and dinner at the Hall Of Fame. It’s not too early to get your commodities listed for the sale (whether stud fees, pups or other ingenious items of value). This is the Hall’s big, annual fund-raiser, with all proceeds going to the museum (now in its 49th year). This annual event always offers an informal, pleasant atmosphere, good food and a fun time for all, so be sure to get in town early enough to attend this happening….On Wednesday night (Apr. 25), veteran Colorado members Daryl and Peggy Brumage will be honored at the NGA Spring Meet Banquet at the local Elks Club. This event will be emceed by Bill Lee, formerly of the Denver/Mile High racing circuit, still active on the American Greyhound Council and AGTOA. The Brumages have a lot of friends in the business, many of whom will be there to toast them that evening….

Thursday night’s social highlight (Apr. 26) will be the bestowal of awards at the Greyhound Hall Of Fame (following its traditional cocktail party). Honorees will include recipients of All-American honors, the NGA’s Rural Rube and Flashy Sir Awards, the Hall Of Fame’s Jason Dean Hunt Memorial Scholarship, as well as the induction of R.H. Alldritt, inventor of the most widely used mechanical lure in the history of the sport in North America (see Cecilia Harris’ feature this issue)….Joining the list of honors on that evening during the April gathering will be the presentation of the NGA’s Lifetime Achievement Award— this time around being presented to veteran greyhound owner, breeder and promoter Cary Alsobrook (see Track Talk this issue for more details).

* * * * *

Applications for the annual $1,000 Hall Of Fame Scholarship (found elsewhere in these pages) should be completed and returned to the Greyhound Hall Of Fame by Mar. 1. The scholarship—renamed the Jason Dean Hunt Memorial Scholarship in 2011—honors the memory of Army Spc. Jason Hunt (Gale Hunt’s son and Hall Of Famer Kay Smith’s grandson), who was killed in the Ft. Hood shooting of 2009….The scholarship will be presented during the Spring Meet awards ceremony at the Hall Of Fame on Thursday night, Apr. 26.

A group of business and racing industry interests is trying to bring racing back to Wichita. The effort comes four years after Wichita Greyhound Park (WGP) ran its last official pari-mutuel race….WGP owner Phil Ruffin closed the track soon after voters in that county barely defeated a proposal to allow slot machines at the track. A new group, called Wichita Wins, is trying to build support for putting the slot machine issue back on a ballot.

In the initial vote, the question failed by a mere 244 votes, with many believing that a poorly worded question was misinterpreted by voters. The question could have been interpreted as allowing slots in many other businesses—such as convenience stores and restaurants— in addition to the racetrack….A meeting of backers in December drew about 50 people. Tracy Wildey, vice president of the Kansas Greyhound Association, and Wichita Wins hopes to gather 5,000 signatures on a petition to show state lawmakers that support exists for a new county vote, according to an AP article….Wildey pointed out that reopening WGP (which first opened in September 1989) would create 500 jobs and lead to $100 million in new investments to renovate and expand the facility—not to mention giving the greyhound breeding industry in Kansas (home of the Greyhound Hall Of Fame, the National Greyhound Association and hundreds of breeders) an economic boost.

Federal trial date for Harry Marshall Rae, originally scheduled for Dec. 19, was moved to Jan. 23, 2012, in U.S. District Court, Southern District of West Virginia, in Charleston….The trial for Rae, who is accused of hatching an extortion plot targeting West Virginia Governor Earl Tomblin, was continued by the court until the January date following a request by Rae’s attorney for more time to conduct further investigation…. More details of the case were carried in an AP article on p. 93 of the November/December Review, or under “features” on the NGA’s website….

Elsewhere this issue: final Sire and Dam Standings for 2011….North American win race results are also carried in this Review. It’s not uncommon that the top racers from Tucson and Caliente are in the hunt (having collectively won this honor 13 times over the years). This year was no exception, as Tucson-Caliente ran 1-2, with Rams Kizzy Kate (50 wins) and Barts Ladyinred (45 wins)….Congrats to Cheryl and Johnny Pharrams (who use the “Rams” prefix—the last four letters of their name—on their pooches) of Mesa, Az…. “It’s been so exciting,” Cheryl Pharram told us a week into the new year. “So much fun, with people calling, keeping us updated on the race, going back to last summer”….The Pharrams run a small hauling business and have been raising greyhounds 6 or 7 years now. They get down to Tucson to see their greyhounds—especially Kizzy Kate—race once in awhile. Most of their greyhounds start out at Tucson. “We keep hoping for slots down there, but not sure how that’s going to end up,” she said….

Have the Pharrams ever thought of sending Kizzy Kate to a larger track? “Funny you should ask that,” Cheryl said. “She’s from a really nice litter, and two of her sisters ran first and third in a stake race at Tucson the year before, so we sent them on to Southland. Kizzy Kate suffered what should have been a careerending injury. But Mary Gray (kennel owner and trainer) was patient, sat on her for months, spent so much time rehabbing her, that I told Mary that we’d never take her from her. That’s why we left her at Tucson. We wouldn’t have had her without Mary”…. How did capturing the North American win championship make the Pharrams feel? “It’s been a thrill of a lifetime. But give Mary Gray all the credit. She’s been fantastic.”

By Stan Pawloski   Fri, Feb 03, 2012

For the first time since 2000, a kennel has surpassed the 600-victory plateau at Wheeling Island.

Wayne Ward has been a contender for the kennel championship year after year, but never has the Ron Otto-trained kennel clicked on all cylinders like it did during the 2011 racing season. Wayne Ward dominated the competition with 621 victories while runnerup C And C Kennel posted 480 wins.

The last kennel to post 600 victories was ZEZ with 659 in 2000.

“Winning 600 races is quite an accomplishment. A lot of hands played a part in reaching 600,” Otto said. “I never really thought about it until we hit 550. We also had about 500 seconds.”

Wayne Ward, which tied Gable for the kennel crown in 2003, came out firing in 2011 and never let up as it dethroned three-time champion Charter Kennel.

“We shared the title one year and we’ve been close other times, but this is the first time we’ve won a kennel championship outright since I became trainer. It feels pretty good,” Otto noted. “Our goal is always to be competitive and consistent and everything else will fall into place. About halfway through the 2011 season, I knew we had a pretty strong kennel.”

Next in line behind Wayne Ward (621) and C And C (480) were Charter (436), A Ray (414), Vince Berland (389), Ryan Farms (370) Steve Sarras (367), Bussmann Balakas (348), Lester Raines (336), Douglas (330), Darren Henry (310), Abrahamson (286), Plum Creek (279), Cardinal (273), Wayne Strong (273) , Steubenville (242), Gable (241) and Fast Track Racing (237). The Valor Racing Kennel (5) only raced in December.

Pacing the Wayne Ward attack in 2011 were WW’s Dog Gone (22), WW’s Patriots (18), WW’s Cowboys (17) and WW Kay Quarter and Windy Chet (15 each). There were 10 kennel-mates also with double digits in wins – Flesk Flyer, WW Kay Sun and Kiowa WW Devera (13 each), WW Crystal Zach (12), WW Kay Candy and Kiowa WW Romero (11 each) and WW’s Power Puff, WW’s Fast Willie, WW Gale Thirty and WW Lonesome Dove (10 each).

“We had a nice combination of veterans and a lot of young pups who stepped up. We always had talented pups coming in from the farm,” Otto said. “In the past we had a roster of 72, but last year we were up to 84. That made a huge difference.”

Otto was quick to credit kennel operator Julia Ward and her husband, Mitch.

“They are the best owners you could work for,” Otto said. “They run a smooth operation from top to bottom.”

The trainer also lauded the farm crew in Kansas, headed by Richie Clemente and Ana Nava, and his Wheeling staff, including assistant trainer Chuck DiGiovanni, Kelly Nichols, Sue Baker, Woody Turkaly and Chris Statler.

“I am very happy and excited about the year we had at Wheeling. Hopefully we will continue to do well in 2012,” Julia Ward said. “I am very proud of Ronnie (Otto), his helpers and the farm crew. They all did a great job.”

The Wayne Ward Kennel not only garnered the most wins in 2011, but also had the most seconds (499), thirds (443) and fourths (459).

Wayne Ward was tops in win percentage with an impressive 17 percent. C And C, Charter and A Ray were next in line with 14 percent followed by Vince Berland and Ryan Farms at 13 percent.

Wayne Ward led all kennels with a 43 percent trifecta mark. Ryan Farms was next at 41 percent while C And C, Charter and A Ray were all at 40 percent.

Topping the charts in starts was Wayne Ward (3,603) followed by C And C (3,299), Charter (2,996), Steve Sarras (2,974) and Vince Berland (2,971).

By Leslie Wootten   Fri, Feb 03, 2012

Janet Allen: Dedicated to quality

Janet Allen’s first dance with her future husband, Kenny Allen, occurred early in 1975 at a Western-style bar in Tempe, Arizona. It was a rare night out with a girlfriend for the divorced mother of two. Between her full-time job and caring for her young son and daughter, Janet had little time for socializing. In fact, if her friend hadn’t insisted, Janet would have been at home for the evening, as usual.

By coincidence, Kenny was at the bar, too. Although Janet had never met him, she was familiar with his very large family. Actually, both hailed from sprawling extended families, and both were born and raised in Arizona. At the time, Janet was in her late 20’s and had been divorced just over a year. Kenny had been on the loose for about six years after he and his wife split. His youngest child and Janet’s oldest were boys, both in fourth grade and days apart in age. His daughter would soon graduate from high school and Janet’s daughter was in first grade. But, that evening, the children were not with them; they were adults out on the town, drawn into the loud and inviting beat of twanging country music.

“Kenny sent a friend over to ask me to dance,” Janet said over lunch during a recent National Greyhound Association meet in Abilene. With a wry smile, she added, “I guess he wanted to make sure I could dance before he asked me himself.”

Anyone who has seen Kenny in action will agree he is a smoothgliding two-stepper, usually the best on the floor. Undaunted, Janet proved she could match him step for step. It would soon become obvious that these two were meant to dance with each other. About that particular night, Janet remarked, “We just clicked.”

Up to that point, Janet had never been to a greyhound racetrack, but that was soon to change, as was the course of her life. For their first date, Kenny took her to the races at Phoenix Greyhound Park. “I was mesmerized. I loved it,” Janet said. Both wanted more of the exhilarating sport, and more of each other.

In June of 1976, Janet and Kenny were married. To get a fresh start, they moved to Yuma. Kenny continued his long-term employment with the railroad, and Janet got a job managing a medical clinic. Her two children lived with them full-time and his two visited as often as they could. Life was good.

The couple soon discovered that Yuma was a jewel of a place for greyhound racing, luring a stellar cast of kennel operators during its winter season. It was a good place to start pups with ample, though not daunting, competition. The list was long of notables from Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Oregon, New England, and elsewhere, featuring such iconic names as Alston, Causey, Cowart, Firestone, Haselwander, Long, Moran, Paulk, Seastrom, Sherck, and Wegert.

Initially, the closest the Allens got to actual greyhounds was to cheer them on as they raced around the track. Getting closer to people involved with greyhounds turned out to be easier because Sugar’s Tavern was a favorite gathering place where people migrated after the races. In fact, it was at Sugar’s that Kenny first got acquainted with some of the greyhound folks. One thing led to another, and Jack Haselwander borrowed money from Kenny, which he later paid back in the form of a greyhound named Steady Mist. As one might expect in a story like this, the little gal didn’t make much of a racer. In fact, according to Janet, she didn’t get any further than schooling before coming off on three legs. The Allens kept her and bred her once before placing her in an adoptive home. Even then, they knew greyhounds would make wonderful pets, a philosophy and practice the two would promote from day one of their involvement.

As competitors, Steady Mist’s pups were so-so, but the Allens’ enthusiasm was on a snow-ball roll. In addition to buying a few more greyhounds, they joined the National Greyhound Association (NGA). Not only did Janet read the NGA’s magazine, The Greyhound Review, from cover to cover, she studied the NGA Bylaws like she was studying for a college class. She did the same with Arizona’s racing rules. “I thought everyone was supposed to do that,” Janet said.

Studying the Review paid off because it was through a classified ad in it that the Allens acquired a litter of Pecos Cannon pups, all of which would become Grade A racers. Janet recalled that the pups were being sold by an individual in the Phoenix area who had to sell them for personal reasons. His loss was their gain. “We picked them up and raced them at Yuma where they were sensational,” Janet said with the excitement she must have exhibited while watching them compete.

Starting out, the Allens leased their dogs to others such as the Cowarts to race for them. In time, after watching, listening, and learning, Janet and Kenny decided to “do it themselves,” and they began racing as an Arizona Bred Contract (ABC) Kennel, which was relatively common in Arizona at the time. Janet explained, “You had a right to run your own dogs in your own name, and you could run just a few if you wanted.”

Part of Janet’s study regimen included close examination of bloodlines. She figured the more information she had, the better decisions she could make. One way she approached this in the early years was to study kennels that were outrunning them. Basically, it boiled down to finding out what the top competitors were breeding and then getting some of the same bloodlines going. That task was not easy because it was pre-frozen semen days and you had to take the best bloodline you could get your female to during her heat cycle. Janet remembers Kenny driving all night to get a female bred to Pecos Cannon in Texas.

Janet paid close attention to what was racing in the kennels of Ron Dorsey and Allene Alston, and she also very much admired the quality bloodlines of Dick Moran and Wally Keeter’s stock, as well. Keeter became a good friend, and they raced a number of his outstanding greyhounds for him through the years. In fact, Keeter owned Wigwam Wag, which the Allens raced in their kennel during his athletic career in the early 1990s. Wag would go on to be a top stud.

When Janet and Kenny thought they were experienced enough and ready to expand beyond a limited ABC kennel, they sought a regular contract at Tucson Greyhound Park in the 1980s. Racing Secretary, Bill Drozd didn’t have much faith in ABC kennels turning into viable stayers, so he turned them down. Although Phoenix typically had more competitive racing than Tucson, the Allens decided to see if they could get a booking there. Barry Baldwin, who was racing secretary at the time, decided to give them a chance, offering the opportunity of running for a year as an ABC Kennel, and, if successful, shifting into a regular contract.

That first year, they proved they were committed by finishing at the top of kennel standings. From then on, the Allens had no trouble getting regular contracts to compete at Phoenix and other tracks such as Multnomah in Portland, Oregon, and Southland in West Memphis, Arkansas. Through the years, they also had bookings at Colorado’s Mile High, Pueblo, Cloverleaf, and Rocky Mountain. They also raced at Gulf and Corpus in Texas; Wichita and the Woodlands in Kansas; Birmingham and Victoryland in Alabama.

During their inaugural booking at Phoenix Greyhound Park, Janet and Kenny initially continued working at their full-time jobs in Yuma. Rather quickly, they realized something had to give. Although they had a kennel manager, too many problems cropped up that required Kenny to make fast trips between Yuma and Phoenix. Luckily, he was able to take advantage of a buy-out opportunity from the railroad where he’d built up many years of seniority. The buy-out freed them to sell their Yuma home and move to the Phoenix area where they could more closely monitor their greyhound operation.

Before long, the Allens were hands-on managers of their greyhounds, living in a house that was just steps from their kennels on newly purchased property in the outer limits of Chandler. An opportunity arose that allowed them to acquire a five acre parcel. True, it was about 40 miles from the track, but other than temporary paddock kennels, Phoenix Greyhound Park never had kennel accommodations, which meant most operators had long-distance commutes. The Chandler property, which was equipped with a house and sound-proofed kennel buildings, had originally been built by Chuck Lambert who had raced at Phoenix, but moved on. The property had gone through an owner or two when the Allens purchased it for a very reasonable price. As years passed and urban sprawl approached, the value of the land increased substantially, but land-use permits for a greyhound farm were headed towards expiration. Eventually, the couple would sell at the peak of the Arizona market and buy a greyhound farm in Keota, Oklahoma. That action, though, was years in the future.

Meanwhile, the Allens continued establishing—and distinguishing— themselves in the greyhound racing world. It got to the point where they didn’t need to race many greyhounds owned by other people because they had cultivated a productive breeding program that provided them with excellent racers of their own. Always aware of the importance of sire bloodlines, Janet indicated she and Kenny paid very close attention to dam lines, as well. “Why would anyone think dam lines aren’t just as important as sire lines?” she asked rhetorically because there was no question about the value of dams in her mind.

Beginning in the 1990s, their “San Tan” prefix became well-known for consistently running in the money at a variety of tracks. Janet and Kenny often found themselves smiling at the camera in the winner’s circle with one of their San Tan champs. According to Greyhound-Data.com, San Tan Smash, for example, had 22 top-grade wins at Phoenix, Mile High, and Cloverleaf in 1997. He also broke the 5/16th track record that year with a 29.91 time at Phoenix. Another example was littermate San Tan Rampage with 23 top-grade wins at Phoenix in 1997, including triumph in the Phoenix Western Ghost Memorial as well as being a finalist for two consecutive years (1997 and 1998) in the Phoenix Derby.

Quality rather than quantity has always been key for the Allens. Janet indicated they have never gone over their self-imposed limit of having 100 greyhounds on their farm at a time. “More is not better,” she said. “Our motto is breed carefully and don’t overbreed.” She also indicated they have never put a dog down for not being competitive enough for track racing. She clarified that they have allowed humane euthanasia if a veterinarian has determined a dog is going to die anyway from a painful, incurable, disease or catastrophic injury on or off the track. The genesis of such reasoning comes from their belief that with no more than a hundred greyhounds, they can assure that each dog has all it needs to thrive and achieve personal best. Janet quoted Kenny when she said, “If it’s easy for you to get rid of a dog, you don’t need to be in this business.” She feels the same way.

Regarding adoption, she reaffirmed they have always promoted greyhounds as pets and began petting theirs out long before adoption groups were feasible options. With or without such groups, she pointed out that some pet situations are more successful than others. “We have tried hard since the beginning to do what we think should be done,” she said.

Their dedication to quality has extended far beyond their own greyhound endeavors. In fact, their strong personal commitment fueled a desire to help make a difference in the greyhound racing world at large. For example, Janet ran for and was elected to a seat on the board of the National Greyhound Association’s Board of Directors in 1985. For over a decade, she was re-elected every few years to represent NGA members of Arizona, a state that had a very large membership at the time. As might be anticipated given her personal drive, Janet embraced NGA duty with her trademark ethos of learning as much as possible so she could do the best job possible.

Something she knew going in was that the NGA—and actually, greyhound racing itself—has traditionally been a good old boys club— that is, women might have been working every bit as hard, or harder, than men on greyhound farms and at racetracks, but that didn’t mean they were welcome in the decision-making realm. Janet didn’t let good old boy demographics stop her. When she won a seat over the well-known incumbent, Victor Dad, she was as surprised as anyone. She admitted that while walking on the sidewalk to attend her first NGA board meeting in Abilene, she felt like she was walking the gauntlet. She recalled that first meeting as being extremely uncomfortable, with no one speaking directly to her. She remembered, as well, that Dutch Koerner plus a couple of other board members seemed friendly enough. Staying focused on her purpose for being on the board, she embraced the idea that it is best to absorb as much information as possible, understanding that there is inevitably something to be gleaned from everyone, friendly or not.

“It’s been a man’s business and probably always will be in a way, but that doesn’t mean we [women] don’t have a place in it,” she remarked. “The way I’ve always approached it is to learn from the good old boys,” she added, noting that that her particular heroes in greyhound racing— Bob Thomas and Keith Dillon, for example—were always very respectful. About Dutch, she said, “He and I have certainly had our arguments because we’re both very opinionated. We’ve called each other a lot of names, but we’ve never called one another lazy or stupid.”

In time, Janet became friends with the men and the only other woman on the board, Gloria Sanders. Several years into her tenure, Janet was named Vice President. She was the first woman elected to an NGA officer’s position. “Everyone [on the board] worked hard,” she remarked about that decade, which was a period of growth in the greyhound industry. “I guess I’ve been treated pretty well,” she stated, then laughed as she added, “But, you have to have good dogs or nobody is going to listen to you. That’s it in a nutshell.”

Her service to the industry extended to being an active member of the American Greyhound Council for a number of years. Currently, she serves on the Greyhound Hall of Fame Board of Directors, where her efforts have been as focused and astute as ever.

Since moving to Abilene about six years ago, she and Kenny have been able to devote even more time and effort to serving the industry that has been their life-blood for 35 years. To be sure, the two take their service very seriously, consistently seeking and proposing solutions to issues rather than sitting back and waiting for others to come up with answers. “I would never say to someone why don’t you fix what’s wrong with the NGA or Hall of Fame? Instead, I would turn it around and ask myself what can I do to correct the problem?” Inevitably, Janet has dived into each board position with the scrupulous tenacity she showed when she was a greyhound racing novice. With a sharp eye, she scrutinizes reports and financials. When she finds irregularities, she investigates and followsthrough. If what she discovers rocks the boat, so be it. She is a force to be reckoned with—a force working for the good of a sport she loves.

When asked the secret to her and Kenny’s 36-year marriage, Janet didn’t hesitate before responding, “I am a workaholic married to a workaholic.” To the question, has it been a challenge to work in the same business together, she promptly replied, “No.” About then, though, her wry sense of humor kicked in, and she said, “My theory on working with my husband is that he packs the wheel bearings on the trailer, and I do the rest of it.” After a good laugh, she added, “That may not be altogether true since he was just elected president of the NGA after serving many years on the Board of Directors representing Oklahoma and most recently Kansas.”

Continuing in a serious vein, she remarked, “Have you ever noticed that the best [greyhound] organizations such as the Butlers, Stricklands, and certainly others, are those where the husband and wife are both involved? The greyhound business can suck the life-blood out of you if you let it. When only one spouse is involved, the other may not understand or tolerate the long hours. I think a husband and wife working together makes for a good relationship as well as good business.”

Being supportive of each other is part of any successful relationship, of course, but sharing a sense of humor about each other helps, too. To illustrate the humor they share, Janet remarked, “Kenny said that when I was on the NGA Board of Directors, he was very supportive of me. Now that he is on the board, he says I’m very supportive—and opinionated.”

Humor aside, it appears clear that Janet and Kenny Allen are going to glide through the rest of their years together, dancing in some form or another. When Victoryland closed in May of 2011, they were without a kennel booking for the first time in decades. In a way, the timing was good because they’ve reached the age when retirement has some appeal.

Make no mistake, though, these two will not disappear in a crowd on the dance floor anytime soon. Janet remarked, “We may be getting out of the booking end, but that doesn’t mean we won’t have a few dogs here and there and be involved in whatever way we can to help. That’s how Kenny and I do things. It’s worked for us all these years.” Rest assured, if Janet Allen says it, she means every word.

Contact author Leslie A. Wootten at lawootten@gmail.com

By   Fri, Feb 03, 2012

Royal Racing Team Kennel’s Ethereal Moment proved to all in attendance that he is of this world, as the youngster handily won the 14th running of Palm Beach Kennel Club’s $20,000 Dick Andrews Futurity Monday afternoon, Dec. 26.

Ethereal Moment took advantage of his post position and a crowded break, to enter the backstretch all but unchallenged.

Once he assumed command of the situation, it was all she wrote.

The Ethereal One drew off to win by more than six lengths in a 545- yard Royal Palm Classic clocking of 29.81 seconds and returned a healthy $7.60 to his many happy supporters.

The victory brings Ethereal Moment’s career stats to 25-9-7-3-5, having finished out of the top four only once.

The newly-crowned champ collected a cool $10,000 for his impressive victory.

Flying Antioch, Par Sandy and Night Utah finished second, third and fourth, respectively. The second and third-place finishers were longshots (at 11-to-1 and 21-to-1 respectively), contributing to a hefty $382 Trifecta and a $1,235.80 Superfecta. Several entrants--including ultimate 2-to-1 race favorite Turbo Porsha and leading stake point-getter SE’s Star Leia- -were victims of early crowding and were never able to contend.

The complete order of finish:
1st - 8. Ethereal Moment (Rhythmless - PTL Lois, Royal Racing)
2nd - 7. Flying Antioch (Trojan Cruze - Flying Crestline, Steve Gilster)
3rd - 1. Par Sandy (BD’s Flip - Husker Grace, Tru Palm Kennel)
4th - 2. Night Utah (Dragon Fire - TDM Sadie, Marsella Racing)
5th - 6. Kells Audacious (Team Record* - Too Late, Rader Racing)
6th - 4. SE’s Star Leia (TNT Star Wars - Ozsum Flyby, Arthur Agganis)
7th - 3. Turbo Porsha (Turbo Penske - Turbo Wind Burn, Rader Racing)
8th - 5. KB’s Decordova (Lonesome Cry - Tempo Jitterstik, Tru Palm)

The Futurity is named in honor of former PBKC kennel operator, humanitarian and 2004 inductee to the Greyhound Hall of Fame Dick Andrews.

In other Futurity day news, Rader Racing Kennel’s Turbo Razor (Kiowa Sweet Trey - Turbo Wind Blown) cruised to his 12th consecutive victory, winning by 6 lengths in a time of 29.72 seconds, and returning an expected $2.80 to all who knew better than to wager against one of the hottest greyhounds in the country. The victory was Turbo Razor’s 36th win of the year.

By Stan Pawloski   Fri, Feb 03, 2012

In 2010, Cry Case and WP’s Cameo ruled the 3/8 distance at Wheeling Island.

In 2011, Bella Cubanaro, Cry Exxon and Switzler Mustard were making the headlines on the backside.

While all were deserving of the recognition, a veteran 3/8 campaigner in the Darren Henry Kennel – Braska Hottie – also has shined without much fanfare. In late December, how many racing fans realized Hottie was fifth in wins for the year at Wheeling and had a shot at 20 victories?

“When you think of the top dogs at Wheeling, you don’t think of Hottie but she’s been the backbone of our kennel,” Darren Henry trainer Terry Green said. “She loves to race and gives 100 percent each time she goes to the box. Quietly she does her job.”

An April 2008 greyhound out of Flying Penske-Braska Tawny, Hottie was the hottest middle distance runner the last two months of the 2011 racing season. In 11 starts in November- December, Hottie had 7 wins, 1 second, 2 thirds and 1 fourth.

“It helped that Hottie had some inside posts. In the one and two holes, she’s deadly,” Green noted. “When you get a good dog in an inside post in 3/8 and they get out, they are usually hard to beat.”

While five of Hottie’s recent wins came from inside boxes – by a combined 31 lengths – Green was most impressed by her come-from-behind victory from a seven hole. In that race, Hottie was third at the escape and closed to win by 1 ½ lengths.

“She’s not an off the pace dog, and I really thought she’d run third when she was third. I would have been happy with a third from the outside post,” Green said. “I didn’t expect her to close. She ran a solid race and wouldn’t give up.”

Green said Hottie’s three straight victories from the one hole in November may have given her a boost of confidence.

“She feels like she can’t lose,” Green related.

Green would have loved for Hottie to reach the 20-victory plateau. She fell one victory short.

“She’s a classy dog, polite as can be and loves attention,” Green said. “You couldn’t ask for a nicer dog. She does everything right.”

In 59 starts in 2011, Hottie had 19 wins, 10 seconds, 7 thirds and 5 fourths. In 99 career races at Wheeling (84 in Grade AA), she had 27 wins, 21 seconds, 14 thirds and 8 fourths – a 70 percent mark on the pay sheet.

Hottie, owned by Bill Elliott, opened her career at Southland in November 2009 before shipping to Wheeling in February 2010.

By Stan Pawloski   Fri, Feb 03, 2012

Wheeling Island win champion AMF Ex President has been selected captain of the 2011 All-Wheeling team.

The A Ray Kennel sprint star had an outstanding season with 28 victories despite missing 6 weeks of the racing season. He was an easy choice to head the 12-greyhound unit.

Kennel champion Wayne Ward placed four greyhounds on the 2011 team – WW’s Dog Gone (the lone repeat honoree from 2010), WW’s Patriots and youngsters WW’s Kay Quarter and Flesk Flyer. The A Ray Kennel also had multiple selections as Dakotas Alene was named to the team.

Rounding out the selections are Bella Cubanaro (Wayne Strong Kennel), Cry Exxon (Gable Kennel), Red Rooster Bonz (Charter Kennel), Braska Hottie (Darren Henry Kennel), Scott So Bright (Lester Raines Kennel) and HS Bolt (Vince Berland Kennel).

The All-Wheeling team was selected by Pawloski and Robin Reed, a local greyhound historian and avid fan. The task of naming the 2011 team proved more challenging due to the lack of stakes races.

The criteria used to determine the selections included wins, winning percentage, win streaks and overall records.

AMF Ex President and Scott So Bright have been nominated for the Rural Rube Award as the nation’s top sprinter while WW’s Dog Gone and Cry Exxon have been nominated for the Flashy Sir Award as the country’s top distance runner.

Following are the accomplishments of the All-Wheeling members.

AMF EX PRESIDENT (54-28-9-4- 4) was the track win champion with 28 victories, 22 of those victories against Grade AA company; won 52 percent of his races and had an 83 percent in the money finish; had a four-race and four three-race win streaks; 19 of his victories were by 5 lengths or more including Grade AA wins by 13, 10 ½, 9 ½, 9 and 8 lengths.

WW’S DOG GONE (48-22-4-8-6) was tied for second in wins with 22; won 45 percent of his races and had an 82 percent in the money finish; ruled the marathon distance with 14 wins, 2 seconds, 1 third and 3 fourths in 20 starts in 7/16; had seven and five-race Grade AA win streaks in marathon races.

BELLA CUBANARO (57-22-10- 4-6) was tied for second in wins with 22 and had the most victories for any 3/8 greyhound; won 38 percent of his starts and hit the pay sheet in 73 percent of his races; had a four-race and a three-race win streak.

CRY EXXON (58-16-12-13-10) set the 3/8 track record of 37.13 (since broken) in June; hit the pay sheet in 87 percent of his starts, only missed the ticket in seven starts; had a three-race win streak.

RED ROOSTER BONZ (55-21-11- 7-5) was second in wins for a sprinter behind AMF Ex President; won 38 percent of his races and hit the pay sheet in 80 percent of his trips; had a three-race win streak.

DAKOTAS ALENE (31-17-6-1-1) was one of two greyhounds with an eight-race win streak, all in Grade AA; also had a three-race win streak; won 54 percent of his races and hit the pay sheet in 80 percent of his outings.

BRASKA HOTTIE (59-19-10-7- 5) was second in wins for a 3/8 greyhound behind Bella Cubanaro; hit the pay sheet in 70 percent of her races; had a three-race win streak.

WW’S PATRIOTS (47-18-3-6-4) was third in wins for a 3/8 greyhound; won 38 percent of her races.

WW’S KAY QUARTER (34-15-4- 4-4) had 11 Grade AA victories among his 15 wins; won 44 percent of his races and hit the pay sheet in 79 percent of his starts; had a three-race win streak.

FLESK FLYER (21-13-2-1-0) was one of two greyhounds with an eightrace win streak, all in Grade AA; won 61 percent of his races and hit the pay sheet in 76 percent of his starts.

HS BOLT (25-14-4-2-1) had 10 Grade AA wins among his 14 victories; won 54 percent of his races and hit the pay sheet in 84 percent of his races; had four-race and three-race win streaks.

SCOTT SO BRIGHT (15-11-2- 0-0) won the $35,000 West Virginia Greyhound Owners and Breeders Association Juvenile; had a seven-race win streak; won 73 percent of his races and hit the pay sheet in 86 percent of his starts.

By Steve Sigafoose   Fri, Feb 03, 2012

See a picture of a 10-year-old boy looking through a fence at the greyhounds running at the race track and slowly growing fascinated by the scene.

Fast forward 50 years to Bluffs Run and Chuck Shelton is on the inside of the fence and still fascinated. “I love the greyhounds,” said Shelton, “just as much now as I did then.”

Shelton, the trainer for the Boeckenstedt Kennel, is the 2011 Bluffs Run Trainer of the Year. Like a good race, it was a close decision. Darren Flahive (Hardison), John Fillipelli (Blake & Black), Lori Fortune (Harlan Brothers) and Monte Hoopes (Plum Creek) received consideration.

But Shelton stood out.

It has been quite a 2011 for the Boeckenstedt Kennel. In its back pocket is the $60,000 Kennel Championship, a marathon crown taking 12 rounds over the course of the year. The kennel also celebrated Boc’s Mc Dandy win in the $60,000 Bluffs Run Open. Boeckenstedt put three finalists (L’s Fray, Boc’s Now U Don’t and L’s Zakarack) in the $500,000 Iowa Breeders Classic. Boc’s Mc Dandy and L’s Fray made the 2011 All- Bluffs Run team.

“L’s Fray,” said Shelton, “is as good a pup as I’ve had in a long time and she just turned two years old.”

Winning the honor was a team effort, said Shelton, giving a lot of the credit to his wife, Maria, and helpers Jeff Hathaway and Jim Dirocco, who has worked with Shelton for three decades.

Taking care of the greyhounds is a matter of “working hard,” said Shelton. “We work the greyhounds, we do the same routine, we don’t change.

“I feel I was taught by the best and I was smart enough to listen.”

Shelton has been in the business for 50 years, 40 as a trainer. He’s worked at 33 tracks. That’s mostly because “the racing used to be seasonal and now it’s year round. Bluffs Run is my 33rd stop and I figure it will be my last. I like Bluffs Run, the money is good. It’s a great track.”

Shelton still remembers the little 10-year-old boy standing outside the fence at Phoenix, watching the greyhounds.

“A guy saw me. He invited me to come in and cool off the greyhounds for 25 cents a dog. I had to wash off the feet and muzzle and put them up before the next race. Twenty-five cents was something 50 years ago!

“I loved it and I still love it.”

Trainers Of The Year
2011 – Chuck Sheldon
2010 – Monte Hoopes
2009 – Ray Brownlee
2008 – Ray Brownlee
2007 – Ray Brownlee
2006 – Ray Brownlee
2005 – Lori Fortune
2004 – Linda Willey
2003 – Don Conaster
2002 – Don Conaster
2001 – Joe Osborne
2000 – Jim Lovely
1999 – Jay Rangel and Jim Prescott
1998 – Tracy Nelson and Darlene White
1997 – Louise Strong
1996 – Andy Baker
1995 – Randy Montgomery
1994 – Jeff Grubbels
1993 – Mark Arno
1992 – Jeff Wilhite
1991 – Rich Tomlinson
1990 – Ron Mullen
1989 – Bill Henry
1988 – Marv Anderson

By Stan Pawloski   Tue, Jan 31, 2012

Third time’s the charm.

Twice in the qualifying rounds of the $65,000 West Virginia Greyhound Owners and Breeders Association Sprint Championship held at Wheeling Island, Mac’s Minnette jumped out to 3-length leads only to have Gabe Jean Grey deny her the victories with closing rushes in the homestretch.

In the championship final, Minnette rocketed out to an early 5-length cushion and it proved enough as the Tristate Greyhound Park invader held off a fast-charging Gabe Jean Grey to win the sprint stake by a half length. Reno Surino rounded out the trifecta ticket.

“We are so happy and proud of Minnette. Anytime you win a stake it’s special,” owner Patrick McMillon said after the final. “We knew the two dog (Reno Surino) had early speed, but Minnette beat the box. You got to get lucky once in awhile.”

Completing the final finish were Mac’s Delilah, fourth; Jax Dallas, fifth; WJS Dark Rhythm, sixth; UMR Hydro, seventh; and Kelly Kicker, eighth.

At the break in the final, Minnette took quick control with Jax Dallas, Mac’s Delilah and Reno Surino a few lengths behind. Next in line was Gabe Jean Grey on the rail.

When the contenders behind Minnette moved out around the first turn, Gabe Jean Grey hugged the inside and moved up to second heading down the backstretch. The race was on – would Minnette have a big enough lead or would Jean Grey post another come-from-behind victory?

“I thought Minnette had a 50/50 chance of beating (Reno) Surino to the turn but only a 25/75 chance of winning when (Gabe) Jean Grey cleared second down the backside,” McMillon noted. “Jean Grey ran a big race, but Minnette ran a bigger one.”

In the stretch, Mac’s Minnette had enough left in her tank to hold off Gabe Jean Grey at the wire. The champ stopped the clock in 29.84.

McMillon praised the Plum Creek Kennel for handling Minnette during the stake event.

“Jerry Cole and Joe Otto did a great job with her,” McMillon said. “I thank them for their efforts.”

By Vera Rasnake   Tue, Jan 31, 2012

Red Oak Racing’s Flying Big Gun fired the fastest in the homestretch in a thrilling finish to snatch the win at the wire in the Derby Lane 660-Yd. Distance Challenge on Dec. 17.

“After drawing the five box for the first three rounds I was excited to get the rail in semifinals,” said trainer Gary Buckmaster. Flying Big Gun took full advantage of the rail post and was the only greyhound to halt the undefeated streak of McAllister kennel’s Flying Marvelous during semifinals in a blistering 37.13- -the second fastest time of the meet.

“There were several nice dogs in the final including the stakes winners Storm Rush and Magic Finch,” said Robert Lambert, owner of Red Oak Racing. “Not many have caught Kentucky Fire when she has had such a big lead nor have they held off Storm Rush and Marvelous. Big Gun’s win was very impressive.”

Flying Big Gun was one of the two males in the stakes final and he wore the coveted red blanket. He won over the female Storm Rush, who was the betting favorite. Kentucky Fire, the current win leader with 17, shot out of the box and was four lengths in front in the backstretch. The field began closing the gap and Big Gun extended to win by a neck capturing the title.

“This is the first stakes race we have won since we came here last summer,” said Lambert. “This was a tough race, which makes it extra special for us.”

According to the Racing Office trainer Gary Buckmaster’s athletes might hold the record for most consecutive weeks for collecting over 100 points. “We’re just 12 wins from first place,” said Lambert. “I’ve got a new group coming from the Plum Creek connections for the New Year that I think will do well.” Shelly Rangel, Kenny Allen and Janelle Jackson are a few of Lambert’s long time friends that have supplied him with competitive hounds this year. Flying Big Gun (Flying Penske x Flying Ac Dc) is owned by Vince Berland, who was inducted into the Greyhound Hall of Fame in October.

Kentucky Fire put forth a winning effort and her stubborn loss was the third time this year she finished second in a major stake final. She was the runner up in the Gold Trophy Juvenile (550-yard), St. Pete Derby Consolation and now the 660- Yard Challenge. McAllister’s Flying Marvelous was third followed by Storm Rush (Hambleton), Brother Buck (D’Arcy), AHK Colormegone, Magic Finch (both Abernathy) and Hallo Sangria (O’Donnell).

The next stakes race at Derby Lane will be the 87th annual St. Petersburg Inaugural on Saturday, night Jan. 7.

By Kelly Clark   Tue, Jan 31, 2012

What more could be said about GS Uncle Henry (Kelsos Fusileer-Steffie’s Mandy) this year than that he is deserving of any awards that might come his way. This puppy broke in back in March and no one, not even myself, saw this one coming. Sure, he looked promising in his first couple of efforts, but we didn’t expect the rest of his year to turn out as good as it did. Check out the magic and keep tuned in to the Orange Park Kennel Club, as 2012 might just be a repeat of 2011.

This hit-the-lid machine climbed the ranks quickly and was seated amongst the best at the racetrack in just his sixth official start. He factored well at the top grade, but it took him another eight races to post up his first win in Grade A. Quickly repeating that effort in his next start, he was poised and ready to go for the start of the 2011 JGR Puppy Stakes. In just his 17th official race, GS Uncle Henry would be a stakes performer.

Taking nothing for granted, he wanted to get off on the right foot and did just that in his first ever stakes effort. Breaking to the lead, this early speed merchant cashed in all of his coins early and coasted home for the easy victory. The second and fourth rounds were not as kind to him as he found trouble, but with another impressive win in round three, he found himself in his first ever stakes final.

Drawing a post away from the crowd, Henry bolted to the lead from the eight box and secured the front end all the way to the deep stretch. Unluckily, his brother, GS Uncle Harry was pressing him in second, and at the wire, he was edged out by a half a length and settled for place at the wire.

Like all good lessons in life, he learned from this race and took it to task on the racetrack. No more would he be run down late, and that would turn into some fantastic races here at the Orange Park Kennel Club. In his next 15 starts he became a much more consistent breaker, rusher, and holder of the lead, as he posted wins in nine of those efforts and finished in the money and impressive 13 times.

Henry was ready then for his next stakes challenge and this time it was not against the puppies, but the best the racetrack had to offer up in the 2011 James J Patton Silver Cup. Still breaking well, he had to find his feet again as he started off the first three rounds with a pair of shows and a second place effort. Showing up when it counted, Henry posted up a decisive win in the semi-finals and secured himself a spot in the elite eight in his second straight event.

This time he got an even better post position in the one box, and he was not going to let this opportunity slip away like it had done in the finals of the JGR Puppy Stakes. Exploding from the box, he was in instant control of this race, and even though the closers were coming, no one was going to get to him before the finish line. Winning by a half length, GS Uncle Henry was now a stakes champion.

With extreme confidence he joined back with the other Grade A races and completely took his game to a different level. From September on, he was almost unbeatable at the racetrack as he tallied up win, after win, after win. The more races he runs the better he gets and no one in the country finished off the 2011 campaign hotter than GS Uncle Henry.

Just look at his lines. In 28 races he won a phenomenal 22 times, finished second twice, and fourth twice. Capping off the year in fine style, GS Uncle Henry has won 11 straight starts and 15 of his last 16 races.

So let’s recap his accomplishments for 2011. Two stakes finals, a second by a head in the 2011 JGR Puppy Stakes, and win in the finals of the 2011 James J. Patton Silver Cup. In the top five in wins on the year for the entire country with 41 victories in 70 starts, and an impressive in the money total of 86 percent (70/41-9-6-4).

Clearly not only the best greyhound, and track win champ, at Orange Park, GS Uncle Henry is one of the best greyhounds in the country!

Congratulations head out to the Willis Kennel, Gary and Sharon Willis, and everyone else connected with this fantastic greyhound. Thanks for letting us enjoy his dominance throughout 2011 and here to many more wins around the Orange Park oval.

Can you say 2011 All-American? I think you can!

OP 12/28/2011E-11 550 30.80 F 65.5 7 5 2 1 2 1 2.5 30.80 *0.40 A Victorious Again Rl
OP 12/23/2011E-11 550 30.71 F 66 6 2 1 5 1 5 1 3 30.71 *0.20 A Crowd Pleaser
OP 12/18/2011A-11 550 30.69 F 65.5 7 1 1 7 1 7 1 7 30.69 *0.30 A Blasted Field Inside
OP 12/14/2011E-11 550 30.86 F 65.5 4 5 1 2 1 2 1 1.5 30.86 *0.20 A Continues The Streak
OP 12/09/2011E-11 550 30.63 F 66 6 1 1 2 1 3 1 2.5 30.63 *0.40 A Running Machine Insd
OP 12/04/2011A-11 550 30.53 F 66 7 1 1 4 1 7 1 5 30.53 *0.70 A Six Wins In A Row
OP 12/01/2011E-11 550 30.62 F 66 6 1 1 2 1 3 1 1.5 30.62 *0.70 A Chalk Up Another Win
OP 11/26/2011E-11 550 31.01 F 66 5 2 1 2 1 2 1 1.5 31.01 *0.30 A Awesome Sprint Insd
OP 11/21/2011E-10 550 30.76 F 65 1 1 1 5 1 8 1 5 30.76 *0.50 A Full Of Energy Rail
OP 11/18/2011E-10 550 30.53 F 65 1 1 1 3 1 3 1 3 30.53 *0.40 A Showed The Way Rail
OP 11/14/2011E-10 550 30.66 F 65 1 2 1 3 1 6 1 3.5 30.66 *0.90 A In Sharp Form Rail

By Stan Pawloski   Tue, Jan 31, 2012

Tom Ferris has handled a number of outstanding greyhounds during his career, including All-Americans Greys Royalcrown and Greys Calibrator.

Royalcrown won a pair of stake races and was the Wheeling track win leader in 2004 with 23 victories. Calibrator broke in at Wheeling in 2005 before heading to Florida where she captured the first Derby Lane Million.

Two tough competitors indeed, but Ferris rates current A Ray Kennel sprint star AMF Ex President ahead of the two All- Americans. Ex President’s 28 victories in 2011 earned him Top Dog honors at Wheeling Island.

“Royalcrown and Calibrator were great dogs, but I’d take Ex President over both of them and not just because I own him,” Ferris said. “I always thought he was a special greyhound. He shined on the farm and now at Wheeling. I think he’s one of the best dogs in the country.” Next in line behind Ex President’s 28 victories were WW’s Dog Gone and Bella Cubanaro with 22 wins apiece.

Ex President, an April 2009 greyhound out of Kiowa Mon Manny- Bonex, broke in with a bang at Wheeling in January 2011 by winning five of his first seven starts. He won Maiden by 9 ½ lengths, Grade D by 5 ½ lengths, Grade C by 8 lengths, Grade B by 6 ½ lengths and Grade A by 3 lengths.

It was just a prelude of what was to come throughout the 2011 racing season.

Ex President was a dominating force in 5/16, as 19 of his 28 victories were by 5 lengths or more – including Grade AA wins by 13, 10 ½, 9 ½, 9 and 8 lengths. Of his 28 victories, 22 were in Grade AA.

“I was not surprised at all by his performance, even in Grade AA. He is one fast greyhound,” Ferris said. “Not too many greyhounds have the gear down the backstretch like him and he’s strong coming home. When he gets the lead, he takes the lure away from the other dogs.”

In one stretch from mid-April through mid-July, Ex President had 13 wins and 3 thirds in 17 starts. He was off for 6 weeks in September-October, but came back strong with 7 wins, 3 seconds and 2 fourths in his last 13 trips to end the year.

Ex President broke the 30-second mark in 30 of his races last year. His fastest time was 29.27.

“I thought Ex President had a shot at a track record, but the surface generally wasn’t as fast this past summer,” Ferris noted. “That was a good thing, because the surface was much safer.”

Overall, Ex President had 28 wins, 9 seconds, 4 thirds and 4 fourths in 54 starts – an 82 percent mark on the pay sheet.

Despite the track’s lack of stake races in 2011, Ferris feels Ex President stacks up with any sprint greyhound in the country.

“In my heart, I believe he’s an All- American,” Ferris said. “I would match race him against any greyhound.”

While AMF Ex President topped the leaderboard with 28 victories, a total of 15 greyhounds won at least 15 races in 2011 at Wheeling.

Win leaderboard and kennel:
28 - AMF Ex President (A Ray).
22 - WW’s Dog Gone (Wayne Ward) and Bella Cubanaro (Wayne Strong).
21 - Red Rooster Bonz (Charter).
19 - Braska Hottie (Darren Henry).
18 - WW’s Patriots (Wayne Ward), Kiowa Lazy Jay (Steubenville) and Flying
Favreau (Vince Berland).
17 - Dakotas Alene (A Ray) and WW’s Cowboys (Wayne Ward).
16 - Gable Eddie (Gable), Skate Ladd (Abrahamson), Cry Exxon (Gable).
15 - WW’s Kay Quarter (Wayne Ward) and Flying Dorsey (Vince Berland).

By   Tue, Jan 31, 2012

The big-name stars from the big-name tracks battled amongst each other, hovering around and just over the 40-win mark in the closing days of the year in the North American Win Championship race. As it turned out, they were battling for third place.

Meanwhile, two female sprinters out west, at the smaller venues of Tucson and Caliente (as it so often happens in this particular competition), wound up in the ultimate clash for the win crown. In the end, Tucson’s ace, Rams Kizzy Kate, took the title fairly comfortably with 50 wins for 2011.

It’s no shock that the “Old Pueblo” track in Southern Arizona would produce still another win champ; TGP has had six other North American win champions since 1968.

Finishing second with 45 wins was Caliente sprinter Barts Ladyinred. Nor was this the first time that a Caliente racer was a serious challenger for the win title. The Mexican track, just south of the border below San Diego, has nabbed six North American win championships over the years, going back to Indy Ann’s capturing of two titles in 1955 and 1956.

The race for the crown wasn’t quite as dramatic as the previous year’s when it came down to the final night of the 2010, with a pair of Florida racers in a photo-finish. Where’s Big Cash’s win on New Years Eve at Palm Beach (giving him 49 for the year) nosed out Flying Coal City (at Derby Lane) by one.

Rams Kizzy Kate is a September 2008 brindle female veteran by Lonesome Cry (who also produced last year’s win champ, Where’s Big Cash) and Rams Annie Oak, owned by Johnny and Cheryl Pharrams of Mesa, Az. Racing for the Gray Kennel, Kate tallied a 50-13-2-2 record in 73 starts (just six times off the paysheet) and had win streaks of 8, 7, 6 and 5 at various times during the year. Her 2010 record at Tucson was 7-8-3-2 in 30 starts.

Barts Ladyinred is also a September 2008 whelp, bred by Rick Bartley and raced by the Newport Kennel. The daughter of Deerfield Mover*-B’s Optimistic charted a 45-16-6-6 record in 79 Caliente starts. Her 2010 record was 23-7- 3-4 in 51 outings, giving her 68 career wins through year’s end.

Three 2011 champions from larger venues, in Florida, vied for third place, along with Birmingham’s track champ. Representing the Florida tracks were GS Uncle Henry at Orange Park, Hi Noon Renegade at Derby Lane, and Turbo Razor at Palm Beach. Also in the logjam was Birmingham’s Coach Princess, a 3/16 campaigner. Uncle Henry and Coach Princess tied for third with 41 each, followed by Renegade with 40 wins and Turbo Razor (who finished the year with a 12- race win streak) with 39.

GS Uncle Henry, owned by Gary and Sharon Willis, ran second to his brother (GS Uncle Harry) in the Jacksonville Puppy Stake, then captured the Jacksonville Silver Cup. He finished the year in strong fashion, sporting an 11-race win streak while posting a record of 41-9-6-4 in 70 starts. Uncle Henry is by Kelsos Fusileer-Steffie’s Mandy and races for the Willis Kennel.

Coach Princess, owned by Greg Geter, had a 41-23-10-10 mark. The Double G Racing Kennel ace was an iron-dog in 2011, with exactly 99 starts. Her 84 paychecks cashed in the course of the year might be some sort of record.

Hi Noon Renegade, owned by Charles Haliburton III and racing for the Nova Kennel, won two stakes at Derby Lane (the Sprint Classic and the Gold Trophy Juvenile) and finished second in another (the T.L. Weaver Memorial) en route to a 40- 10-5-2 record in 61 starts in 2011. That impressive record was tallied despite Renegade being on the inactive list for a lengthy period due to an injury. The son of Dodgem By Design-Bryan’s Baby had a 10- race win streak early in the year, then, following his comeback this fall, scored another 10-race skein.

Turbo Razor, owned by Ed Gardner Jr. and Norm Rader, was running off and hiding from the competition the last couple of months of the year at Palm Beach, winning by an average of 7 lengths in that 12-race win streak that ran from Oct. 12 to year’s end. The son of Kiowa Sweet Trey- Turbo Wind Blown racked up a 39- 4-1-2 record in 55 starts for the year. He had additional win streaks of 9 and 5 earlier in the year.

Another Birmingham racer finished in the upper division of the win race, as FM Sapphire, owned by Torri Morris, tallied 37 wins for the year—many of them over the 3/8 distance. Sapphire is a daughter of Trent Lee-FM Justasinaway, and posted a 37-12-5-9 mark in 86 starts (62 paychecks for the year) for the Southern New England Kennel.

Also vying in the North American win race were sprint stars from Bluffs Run and Derby Lane—Slatex Emerald and Flyin Carnoustie, respectively, both with 36 wins.

Slatex Emerald, owned and raced by G. Kirk Harlan, is queen of a super litter out of Kiowa Sweet Trey-Slatex Station (example: littermate Slatex Topaz had a 29-8- 10 record in 56 starts at Bluffs last year), which led their dam to the national Brood Matron Championship in 2011. (Slatex Station is also the mother of distance stake winner Slatex Cadillac, who contributed 29 wins for the year.) Emerald’s record in 2011 was 36-13-2-4 in 57 starts.

Flyin Carnoustie was track champ at the earlier Derby Lane meet this season (25 wins in 40 starts). The son of Dragon Fire- Flying Snap On, owned by Vince Berland and racing for McAllester Kennel, posted a 36-16-11-3 record in 82 starts in 2011.

Next on the win list for 2011 is Palm Beach’s RK’s Conk Gonk, winner of the $20,00 Bob Balfe Puppy Stake. Owned and raced by Norm Rader, Conk Gonk had a 35- 5-1-4 record in 53 Palm Beach starts, including an 8-race win streak.

At 34 wins for the year (with his final win on New Year’s Eve) was David Blair’s Bella Infrared, Southland’s track champion in 2011. The son of Kiowa Mon Manny-Bella Ionic posted a 34-5-5-2 mark in just 52 starts at the competitive Arkansas oval. Also finishing the year with 34 wins was Barts Bearcat, another Caliente campaigner—who just happens to be a littermate to 2011 runnerup Barts Ladyinred.

By Stan Pawloski   Tue, Jan 31, 2012

The last couple months of the 2011 racing season at Wheeling Island brought some excitement to the Charter Kennel.

Veteran trainer Rodney Cooley broke in his second litter sired by 2008 Flashy Sir winner TK Quick Strike. The dam is Closing Belle.

In nearly 70 combined starts through December, the eight youngsters – born in March 2010 – were hitting the pay sheet at a nearly 60 percent mark. One littermate, PK’s Predator, had climbed the ladder to Grade AA in seven starts.

“Quick Strike’s one of my alltime favorites and Closing Belle also was Grade AA at Wheeling so it’s exciting to have a litter out of those two. This is fun to watch,” Cooley said. “Some still have a lot to learn, but with 10 or 15 more starts I think they’ll come into their own. So far, I am happy and pleased.”

In addition to PK’s Predator, the littermates include PK’s Keystone, PK’s Chopper, PK’s Dazzler, PK’s Party Girl, PK’s Abbey, PK’s Morgan and PK’s Killer Kev.

Cooley feels Predator, Keystone, Chopper Abbey and Party Girl all have the potential to be Grade AA racers.

PK’s Predator posted several impressive sprint outings as he swiftly moved up to Grade AA, winning Maiden by 7 lengths, Grade C by 3 lengths, Grade B by 9 ½ lengths and Grade A by 6 ½ lengths. He also had a third in his first 11 races.

“Predator was one of the best in the morning – I think he can be special,” Cooley said. “When he gets loose, he’s hard to touch.”

PK’s Keystone has been a steady in the money finisher. She had 4 wins, 4 seconds and 1 fourth in her first 11 trips as she moved up to Grade A.

“She has the best box speed of the litter and probably is the best sprinter,” Cooley said.

Keystone romped to victories in Maiden by 5 ½ lengths, Grade D by 9 ½ lengths, Grade C by 8 ½ lengths and Grade B by 2 ½ lengths.

PK’s Chopper posted three straight victories – Maiden by 5 ½ lengths, Grade D by 6 lengths and Grade C by 4 ½ lengths – after running second in his Maiden debut. After two fourths and a fifth in Grade B, Chopper dropped back to Grade C where he won again by 5 ½ lengths.

“He’s still learning, but can run a bunch,” Cooley said. “He also moved up in class quickly.”

In his first 11 starts, Chopper had 4 wins, 3 seconds, 1 third and 2 fourths.

PK’s Dazzler was moved to 3/8 after seven sprint starts and had a second in her first two races on the backside. Overall, she had 1 win, 1 second, 2 thirds and 2 fourths in her first 10 outings.

“I think Dazzler will be a nice steady greyhound,” Cooley related.

PK’s Abbey runs similar to Quick Strike, Cooley said, but is dead rail. She has a Grade D 3/8 win by 6 ½ lengths on her resume, as well as two thirds in backside trips.

“Abbey has shown late speed and drive in both her sprint and 3/8 races,” Cooley said. “She has been a consistent in the money finisher too.”

Overall, Abbey had 2 wins, 2 seconds, 3 thirds and 2 fourths in 11 races.

PK’s Party Girl’s career was delayed a few weeks, but Cooley has “high hopes” for her. She looked good in a pair of schooling victories before rolling to an 11-length Maiden win in a swift 29.61.

PK’s Morgan and PK’s Killer Kev were in Grade D in late December.

“They both have good speed, but are still pretty green (racing),” Cooley said. “I think they’ll come around.”

The litter, owned by Patti Cooley and Scott Guzik, was raised and trained by James and Helen Hambleton.