Friday - 1/20/2012

Starting off the new year right, the Orange Park Kennel Club is excited to jump right into the fray with some live stakes racing action in the 2012 Orange Park Derby. Seven full races of 660 yard power will be headed to post on Friday Evening January 20th. The featured stakes events on the card will be the 4th, 5th, 7th, 9th, 11th, 14th, and 15th races. Let's start out in the 4th with a wide open race that could be won by almost anyone. Only two grade A's here and both have not looked good over the 660 yard distance. Advantage still goes to Dutch Hustle. Even though is lone trip was a rough one, he still looks the part and should come up big when he needs to. Veteran router Gs Dex could provide some early challenge, and "Life's been good to me so far's" Joe Walsh will be making up ground on anyone late. The other A, Pat C Red Dawn, can't be forgotten about either if she can get out of the box. (4-2-8-7)

In race 5 the battle turns to the rail post and the kennelmates Lk's Merrel and Lk's Exceptional. Even though they are from different litters, both greyhounds have the skill to take home a victory tonight. Exceptional has looked that way when she has gotten out of the box well, but Merrell has improved in each and every start over the distance. Riding high off a big win, he will be tough to beat here. Others to consider, the outside of the racetrack. Rc Mini Power has the best early speed, if she wants to break, and might be the one to catch on the lead, and Big Drama has been here before and knows what to do, but the 8 box might be too much of a hindrance in this one. (1-2-7-8)

Race 7 could be easy pickins in everything goes according to plan. With 4 grade A's in against mainly C's, this one sets up as a spot play extravaganza. Diamond Tears has been on a tear as of late and this DQ monster is just getting better with age. With 2 wins in 4 starts, and 6 trifectas in a row, this closer is the one to beat. Trying to take her down will be red hot running Pat C Hostage from a good rail post. If he clears close, he too will challenge for the win. Kiowa Jill Boom has the best early foot, but will need to steal a ton to hold on for the win, and let's not overlook Ms. Queen To U. She has really taken off as of late with 3 w2ins in 5 starts and each from well off the pace. Look for a big drive in the stretch, but it may be too little, too late, to have a shot at the victory. (4-2-5-6)

In race 9 post and class play big roles in who is going to come out on top at the finish line. Rochelle's Vine is a streaky runner that is on the hot side of things as of late. This DQ closer was bred to run this far, and from the rail posts, she normally takes it to another level. Last 2 times in red, a big win, and a hard driving 2nd. Time to squash some grapes and make some wine tonight! Clever Is Crazy is loving the new distance and has shown a great ability to make up ground in the late stages of the race. She just needs to come out a bit closer early and should will have a better chance to win. In her 4th official race at 660, she could figure it out. Gs Nike finally is over the right distance and has thrived at 660 yards. Although she has not posted up a win, she has been a threat throughout in each start. From a strong rail post, expect more of the same. Pat C Manuel is better than his lines show, and if he finds his break tonight, the field might be hard pressed to catch him before the wire. (1-6-2-8)

The further we get into the card, the harder the races get, and in the 11th we are in for a special treat. Recent 2011 Jacksonville Juvenile winner Snj Black Porter is making even a bigger name for himself over 660 yards. He has taken to it like a fish to water, and has shown he can win with or without the early lead over the distance. He is coming off a huge win, but this race is not going to be a cakewalk. Really Gonnarock is right next door and for the 2011 season she might have been the most consistent greyhound in grade A over this distance. She has loads of talent and is coming off an extended rest. On fresh legs, and with a couple of warm up races under her belt, she is poised to make some noise in this stakes. Like all of her littermates, Lk's Tiara seems to have no trouble with the added distance and looked strong in her first trip around the 660 course, but she will need to steer clear of trouble from the 5 box if she wants a chance tonight. Late everyone better be wary of Wannadobadthings. This 770 monster can come flying home over 660 like no one else in the stakes, and if he decides to break, the race is already over. He has won twice in his last 5 starts, but I won't be able to beat the big boys to the lead here. Look for a bold late move as he finds a spot in the money at the wire. (2-3-5-6)

More Lk's greyhounds, more favorites over the 660 yard course in the Derby. Lk's Gran Slam was 2nd in the 2011 Puppy Stakes, but really prefers the added distance that 660 yards allows him to run. He is a closing machine and will be picking up everyone before the wire again tonight. Lk's Mystifier needs some better posts and a clean trip to really show what she can do around the oval. To me she is the best of the bunch in this race, that is if she can break and get around close to the leaders. She has all the skills in the world, she just needs to find a way to get to use them in this effort. Gs Tee Up might be a converted sprinter, but don't let that fool you. He can run the route just find and let's all remember that he finished 2nd in the finals of the Orange Park Derby in 2011. He might be a tough shot late though, so a big break will be needed in this effort. Flying Glenda is the other breaker here that might have a chance to see the early lead in this race. She is running well too, which always helps, so look for the cash streak to stretch to 5 straight tonight. (4-2-6-5)

Now for the knock down drag out battle royal, which is the 15th and final stakes event on the card for Friday evening. Loads of talent adore the boxes in this race, and if they all come to run tonight, this is going to be a race not to miss! Upstart J's Robin, from DQ, has to be the one to beat in this effort. This might only be her 6th official start, but she already has the talent to beat anyone in her way. She coasted easily home for her 1st 660 win last time out from this very same box, but stakes greyhounds, aren't grade B greyhounds. She needs to kick it up a notch if she wants to win against this talented field. The favorite might just be Lk's Energizing. With 3 wins in a row, 4 in 6 starts, and 6 straight quinielas, Energizing is on roll and has the talent to back up the trash talking. She is outside for the 1st time in a long time, but if she breaks it really won't matter at all. She has been short late though, she if Robin gets around close, it is going to be interesting. Back to 660 for the stakes for Vanessa Rousso and she couldn't be any happier with her post position. She is an absolute monster from the rail and the 2 box is close enough for her to do some damage from. She is a closer by nature and will be coming on late to challenge everyone for the win again tonight. Now for the big question mark in the field, Ww's Gucci. Gucci had won 9 straight in grade A in 2011 over 660, and when she gets her nose in front she is almost impossible to beat. If she decides to break, from a good post position, she too has a shot to win in this effort. (8-7-2-1)

Second round action takes place on Monday January 23rd at the Orange Park Kennel Club. Remember all greyhounds will return for another shot at the points. See you at the windows!