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Nov/December 2011, Track News

Renegade, Distance stake highlight weekend

By Vera Rasnake   Fri, Dec 16, 2011

The stars will shine at Derby Lane Saturday night December 17.

Renegade, Distance stake highlight weekend

The stars will shine at Derby Lane Saturday night December 17. Along with the four-legged champions the newly crowned Florida State Middle Weight Champion Jose "Chelo Man" Alonzo will be presenting the winning kennel the trophy after the running of the $75,000 Distance Challenge.

"Chelo Man" is a true comeback kid story when he was injured and pulled from the ring for eight years. Jose has come back better then before, much like Nova kennel's Hi Noon Renegade. The Nova superstar hopes to continue his winning ways as he seeks his 39th win this year. Renegade who was laid up for three months and has been undefeated since his comeback. He is also seeking nine in a row in race 12 Saturday night. Before Renegade's run the elite eight will take the spotlight in race 10 in the 5th annual $75,000 660-Yard Challenge stakes.
 
McAllister kennel's Flying Marvelous produced a nearly flawless run in the series winning the first three rounds. McAllister won three of the past four stakes with Flyin Bridgeport, Flying Mancini and last year's national award winner Flying Coal City. Marvelous' streak was halted in semifinals by Red Oak Racing's Flying Big Gun, who blistered the track in 37.13--the second fastest time of the season. Big Gun drew the coveted rail post, which is the same box he won his semifinal from.
 
The field is composed of six females and two males. Along with Big Gun D'Arcy kennel's Brother Buck who was a finalist in the Gold Trophy Juvenile last May could surprise. Brother Buck and Abernathy kennel's Magic Finch were the only two finalists that earned points without a victory during qualifiers. Magic Finch was the Distance Classic champion and the Derby Consolation winner. A victory for the female would make her a favorable candidate for the Flashy Sir. Abernathy's second entry AHK Colormegone is pure speed and will need a sharp break to give the kennel a fourth stakes win this year.
 
Cal Holland kennel's Kentucky Fire is the season's win leader and former season's fastest. The female was reeling off consecutive wins shortly before the series and is another fleet-footed female who is not caught often when she is in front.

The new Hambleton kennel that is wrapping up their first meet in St. Petersburg is also vying for the title as top kennel with McAllister. Currently Hambleton is four in front for trainer Doug Flint. Hambleton's finalist is Storm Rush that won the St. Petersburg Derby in June. She too, hopes for a victory and will be among Derby Lane's candidates for honors.
 
J. E. O'Donnell's Hallo Sangria entered the stakes as the season's fastest 550-yard athlete. Sangria is full of speed and will need to get out against the strong closers in the field.
 
Other news: Patriot kennel's Sing In Church (Flying Penske x Flying Symphony) erased the 550-yard best time Thursday December 15 from 30.27 to a new 30.19.

By Vera Rasnake

Vera Rasnake

Since 1978 I have been tutored by the most respected leaders in the industry at tracks in WV, WI and FL. As Media Relations Director and Company Spokeswoman I have a unique opportunity to share my passion for the sport. I have written hundreds of feature stories and taken just as many greyhound photos. My articles have been published nationally and internationally. I have been a color analyst on Sky Network at the Irish Derby multiple times and on America’s Night of Stars. I am also a former Greyhound trainer.

I am proud to call Derby Lane home, which is the most established Greyhound racetrack in the nation since 1925. I have met iconic kennel operators and watched the greatest greyhounds of the past decade including Dominator, Talentedmrripley and Flying Coal City-all historic award winners. I have written and produced videos used to honor industry people and Greyhound athletes at the Greyhound Hall of Fame and coordinated track shots for the Born to Run and Ensuring the Welfare of the Racing Greyhound videos. I have coordinated major film projects at Derby Lane including Animal Planet’s "Breed All About It", Oceans 11 and baseball’s Carl Crawford’s commercial. I coordinated all of the media for the world’s biggest Greyhound stakes in 2005-2006 when Derby Lane hosted the Million Dollar races. I am also a GPA volunteer. I have two grown daughters, a granddaughter and a racing greyhound. I am blessed with endless energy and share a home in FL with two retired Greyhounds. You can follow me as topgreyhound on twitter and read Vera’s News at www.derbylane.com.

Contact me vera@derbylane.com

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