Bluffs Iowa Breeders Classic:a quarter century of champions
Boc’s Big League won the 2005 Iowa Breeders Classic–the first of three in a five-year span for Brad Boeckenstedt and his contingent.
The Iowa Breeders Classic at Bluffs Run celebrated its 26th birthday this November. The track’s premier stakes series has a history as rich as its purse – $500,000 – presently the richest greyhound race in the United States. The 26 races have produced a total purse of $7,125,000.
The Iowa Breeders Classic was born when the Iowa State Legislature passed the bill for greyhound racing in 1984.
Bluffs Run is a focal point for 59 licensed farms in Iowa. There had been as many as 68 farms, but the constant fight over the life of the tracks saw some of the farms go idle. Hopefully, they will start up again and renew their license.
There are 181 licensed owners racing at Bluffs Run.
The first Iowa Breeders Classic came in 1986. There were only two qualifying races, each sending the top four finishers to the championship race. All eyes were on the All-American Kercer, but trouble in the first turn opened the door for Flamboyant Flo, a Grade C entry who cruised home by one and a half lengths for owner Janice Kolander. Kolander was thrilled, the timing could not have been better. Her farm had come out second-best in a tangle with a tornado in the spring and the winning purse was most welcomed.
I can remember walking up the track after the award ceremony, asking questions of trainer Bill Henry. That was a scene, me, just three months moving into town and knowing nothing about the sport and Bill, gracious as he would always prove to be, with this “who the dickens are you?” look on his face.
Two years later, 1988, may still stand as the best finish in the Iowa Breeders Classic. Down Two, fighting a cold, repeated as champion. He remains the only greyhound to win twice in the IBC. But it wasn’t easy for Down Two. Four greyhounds made the charge down the homestretch, side-by-side. Down Two nipped Rm’s Rocket Ride by a head with Gimme Nicky edging Bahama Playgirl for third, both greyhounds barely a half-length behind.
The “highlight” of the 1991 IBC came at the post position luncheon. A chorus of groans filled the air when Ron Mullen, drawing for heavy favorite Bogus Buddy, picked the greyhound’s favorite one box. As expected, Bogus Buddy went to the boxes the big favorite. But when Lucky spun around the rail and the boxes opened to start the Classic, Buddy never broke. He finished a disappointing fifth to Full Circuit.
For the 1992 Iowa Breeders Classic preview show I, as the show’s invited “expert” suggested there were two greyhounds that were longshots. One was Moto Anna. That Saturday, we watched as, much to trainer Mark Arno’s delight, Moto Anna ran away with the title. So much for experts.
The most impressive Iowa Breeders Classic show belongs to Con Man Mike for his 1996 performance. He won all four qualifying races and the title race and he won all of his races by 11 lengths! Still, the greyhound kept his owner, Micky Canapp, nervous.
“I was always afraid he was going to trip,” Canapp explained.
The performance also left Nice Guy Mike with maybe the dubious award as the best greyhound not to win the Iowa Breeders Classic. Nice Guy Mike followed his second place finish in 1996 with a second in 1997 to Noble Titan.
The Wilhite Kennel will remember the 1999 Iowa Breeders Classic when Cals Prime Time led a win-placeshow sweep for the kennel. Be My Bubba, forecasting his win in 2000, was second and Fast Pace Petie, with a rally from seventh, was third.
Heartbreak in the trainer’s room described the 2002 race. The Bob Rider Kennel thought it had a winner in System Mb Mo Try only to see Cravin A Win take the win away in the last stride. The win by a nose is the closest margin of victory in the Classic in 26 years.
The first decade of the new century belonged to the Boeckenstedt greyhounds as Boc’s Big League (2005), Boc’s Bullseye (2008) and Boc’s Skippy Lou (2009) came home with titles. Boc’s Skippy Lou was the biggest longshot to win (37.80 on the dollar) and posted the fastest time (30.03) for the 5/16-mile course for the race.
In the 26 years, only 15 greyhounds have made two appearances in the finals. Of the 15, two did it in non-consecutive years, Tough Outlaw in 1988 and 1990 and Bluffs Run All-Time earnings leader NMS Sweet Thing in 2008 and 2010.
The best news for the Iowa Breeders Classic is still coming. The recent arbitration for the 2012 racing season kept the Iowa Breeders Classic intact with its rich $500,000 purse. The 27th edition will return to Bluffs Run next November.
Past Champions
2011 – Angel Tree
2010 – RJ’s Al
2009 – Boc’s Skippy Lou
2008 – Boc’s Bullseye
2007 – KJ’s Yukon Gold
2006 - Flame’s Nash
2005 – Boc’s Big League
2004 – RA Blazer
2003 – RR Salty Dawg
2002 – Cravin A Win
2001 – RJ’s Meteorite
2000 – Be My Bubba
1999 – Cal’s Prime Time
1998 – Ay’s Whippem
1997 – Noble Titan
1996 – Con Man Mike
1995 – Sally Uhl
1994 – Highplains Sarah
1993 – Racy Miss
1992 – Moto Anna
1991 – Full Circuit
1990 – Jim Driver
1989 – AC Gallent Nathe
1988 – Down Two
1987 – Down Two
1986 - Flamboyant Flo
I'm a native of the Washington, D.C., area and a graduate of the University of Maryland. I'm now retired after a two-decade plus stint as the sports editor of the Council Bluffs, Iowa, Daily Nonpareil. Contact me at slsig1@cox.net
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