Commentary: AMF Ex President, WW's Dog Gone deserve All-America consideration
It’s been well-documented that Wheeling Island management made a business decision in 2011 to pocket all simulcast funds in their own coffers. The move left one of the most competitive racetracks in the country without a stakes program.
It’s been well-documented that Wheeling Island management made a business decision in 2011 to pocket all simulcast funds in their own coffers. The move left one of the most competitive racetracks in the country without a stakes program.
While stake victories have been a stepping stone to All-American honors, should greyhounds with extraordinary talents be passed over for post-season awards when track management doesn’t understand the significance of stake races or doesn’t care about the rich tradition surrounding these events?
If Wheeling would have offered a stakes program in 2011, there’s no guarantee two of the track’s top stars AMF Ex President--the win leader with 28 sprint victories--and WW’s Dog Gone--the marathon ace--would have made it to the winner’s circle.
Wheeling features numerous top-notch competitors and it’s a challenge each time greyhounds go to the box. AMF Ex President and WW’s Dog Gone faced those tests day in and day out and still put up numbers very difficult to ignore.
AMF Ex President’s 28 victories came in 54 starts--a 52 percent win mark. In addition to his 28 wins, AMF Ex President had 9 seconds, 4 thirds and 4 fourths--an 83 percent mark on the pay sheet.
The sprint star was so dominant 19 of his victories were by 5 lengths or more and 22 of his 28 wins were against Grade AA company. He had a four-race and a trio of three-race win streaks.
WW’s Dog Gone dominated the marathon distance at Wheeling with 14 wins, 2 seconds, 1 third and 3 fourths in 20 starts. He also had seven and five-race Grade AA win streaks over the 7/16 distance.
Overall, WW’s Dog Gone had 22 wins, 4 seconds, 8 thirds and 6 fourths in 48 starts--an 82 percent mark on the pay sheet.
Is AMF Ex President one of the top eight sprint greyhounds in the country? Without a doubt. Is WW’s Dog Gone one of, if not the best marathoner, in the land? Without a doubt. Are the Wheeling pair strong All-American candidates? Without a doubt.
It’s true, AMF Ex President and WW’s Dog Gone don’t have stakes blankets but should they have to pay the price or be penalized for a track’s lack of stakes races?
Votes will be cast for All-Americans soon. I’m not asking for votes for AMF Ex President and WW’s Dog Gone, but I am asking voters at the respective racetracks to strongly consider their accomplishments when casting their ballots.
Word is Wheeling Island management has decided to provide $50,000 for stakes races in 2012. Plans call for one $25,000 sprint stake (5/16) and one $25,000 middle distance stake (3/8)–a single chance at two distances for a greyhound to wear a stakes blanket.
If the track offered a full slate of stake races in 2012 with multiple 5/16 and 3/8 events as well as a 7/16 stake, it would tremendously help talented greyhounds like AMF Ex President, WW’s Dog Gone and other rising stars capture All-American honors.
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