Greyhound of the Week – Atascocita Act (01/03/15)
There is a return visitor to the Greyhound of the Week spotlight as Atascocita Act from Libby Racing Kennels continues to dazzle and amaze many of the onlookers with his come from behind ability to earn the weekly honors for the second time in his young career. Competing for owner Atascocita Racing and trainer Troy Tinney, the 76-pound fawn son of Atascocita Bowl – Atascocita Avery has put together another two race winning streak to improve his career record to 15/9-2-1-2.
A mere three weeks ago, Atascocita Act was running red hot with three wins out of four starts to earn the Greyhound of the Week honors for the first time. Unfortunately, the “infamous curse” of the weekly accolades that many speak of proved true once again as Atascocita Act had his win string snapped on December 17 by being knocked out of contention around the first turn resulting in a fourth place finish.
Following that troublesome journey, Atascocita Act still received the support of the crowd for his next outing on Friday evening December 26 tagged as the 6/5 race favorite. Wearing the blue colors of the #2 post position, Atascocita Act began the 550-yard contest in familiar fashion following the pack in last place around the first turn. Swinging to the outer portion of the race track, Atascocita Act accelerated down the backstretch and circled around his competition to move into second place entering the far turn with pacesetting Ruff Tuff Babe of K-Rod Kennel now in his sights. The tremendous momentum carried forward down the stretch and proved to be too much for Ruff Tuff Babe to handle as Atascocita Act reached the finish line one length in front.
A muddy racing surface presented itself to begin the New Year on Friday evening January 2 as Atascocita Act was let go at profitable odds of 5 to 1 drawing the white colors of the #3 post position against a field including Need My Moneynow from D.Q. Williams Kennel. As the starting box opened, Atascocita Act began his quest from the back of the pack once again but started to make his move much sooner than expected. With Kells Casanova from Tri-State Kennel surprisingly setting the pace until the far turn, it appeared that Need My Moneynow was poised and ready to take control of the race by catching the frontrunner. Atascocita Act definitely had something to say about that flying from behind and circled around the leaders as if they were standing still. The incredible effort resulted in a 4½ length runaway victory and the only race time to eclipse the 31 second barrier for the night at 30.86 seconds.
Texas Greyhound Association Christmas Classic
Sun Shinny Day (12/27/14)
Click to view Sun Shinny Day’s Win.
When the finals for the Texas Greyhound Association Christmas Classic arrived on Friday evening December 26, there was a high probability that one of the five entries from the D.Q. Williams Kennel would be standing in the winner’s circle. Possibly to the surprise of some but not to trainer Craig Edwards and owner Sharon Williams, the early speed shown by Sun Shinny Day proved to be more than enough for a front running triumph and the Greyhound of the Week spotlight.
The running style of the 58-pound red daughter of TK Quick Strike – Sassy Gloria born on April 13, 2012 favors the middle to outside portion of the race track and she took full advantage of an outside #8 post-position draw for her maiden debut on October 11, 2013 making an immediate splash with an eight length victory. In fact, there was loads of success in the early going with wins in three out of her first seven starts to climb up the grade ladder into grade B by the middle of November.
Unfortunately, a five month winless drought ensued before Sun Shinny Day visited the winner’s circle again on April 17, 2014. That effort sparked another short string of success with three wins in five starts to reach grade A company but then another freefall arrived and lasted until the middle of July.
Trainer Craig Edwards moved Sun Shinny Day to the 660-yard course and the change in scenery proved to be immediately profitable with eight straight finishes in the money over the next two months including four wins, three thirds and one fourth place effort to propel into top grade AA competition for the first time in her career.
The qualifying round of the TGA Christmas Classic on November 20 found Sun Shinny Day as one of the thirteen entries from the D.Q. Williams Kennel in the field of thirty two Texas-bred athletes. Sun Shinny Day went immediately to the lead only to be passed up by 550-yard superstar Buzz Williams from Libby Racing Kennels. As kennelmate Aunt Belle came flying from behind to run away with the victory, the endurance of Sun Shinny Day proved to be valuable catching a tiring Buzz Williams in the late going to finish in second place and qualify for “the big dance”.
The Championship finals found Sun Shinny Day drawing the white colors of the #3 post position for the third consecutive time and attracted little interest being sent off at longshot odds of 10 to 1. Once again, Sun Shinny Day ran away to the early lead by one length with JJ’s Three Bet from Cityboy Racing in hot pursuit. Feeling the constant pressure for a majority of the contest, Sun Shinny Day proved to be too much on this night refusing to be caught and pulling away to an eventual three length victory and wearing the crown as the Texas Greyhound Association Christmas Classic Champion.
LD Fly Red Tail (12/20/14)
Click to view LD Fly Red Tail’s Win.
There’s a new sheriff in town as LD Fly Red Tail from Sambade Racing, LLC has dominated the 330-yard super sprint course over the last six weeks at Gulf Greyhound Park. With a recent string of three consecutive victories and winner of six out of his last eight races, the 74-pound red son of Kelsos Lorenzo – Fly Two Forks born on October 22, 2011 steps boldly into the spotlight of the Greyhound of the Week honors.
When LD Fly Red Tail first set his paws on the La Marque, Texas racing oval in June of 2013, things were not so bright and cheery with only one win, two seconds and one third place finish out of his initial twelve starts. At that point, trainer Silvia Sambade made the decision to move LD Fly Red Tail to the shorter distance on August 1st and has remained there ever since.
For the next three months, LD Fly Red Tail found his way into some success hitting the paysheet but still no victories. Finally in this 17th attempt over the 330-yard super sprint course (better late than never right?), LD Fly Red Tail carved a path to the winner’s circle in a grade D contest on October 30. This breakthrough appeared to build some confidence as LD Fly Red Tail added three more victories during the remainder of 2013 to climb the grade ladder into grade AA for owner Darrell Jimmerson.
As everyone knows, the first half of 2014 found many of the super sprinters at the Gulf, including LD Fly Red Tail, chasing future Hall of Famer BWG Eat My Dust from Big Water Kennel. In fact, fifteen more starts would pass by before LD Fly Red Tail scored his first victory of 2014 with a grade B triumph on April 19. From that point through the month of October, LD Fly Red Tail remained competing in the higher grades but the wins still came few and far between with only three victories during that six month span.
When LD Fly Red Tail turned the age of three, all of a sudden the proverbial light switch clicked “on” as LD Fly Red Tail began his assault on his super sprinting rivals starting with a box to wire victory on November 2. With two more victories on November 13 and 26, the ball was now rolling bringing many smiles to his connections. Despite a fifth place finish on December 6, the fans hadn’t lost any faith by making him the race favorite in his next attempt on December 11. LD Fly Red Tail responded in resounding fashion with an easy five length victory but as we know, the story continues. Two more front running winning trips would follow on December 17 and 21 to improve his record this year to 54/10-10-7-9 and career totals accumulating to 91/15-14-14-10.
Atascocita Act (12/13/14)
Click to view Atascocita Act’s Win.
Throughout the history of racing on the Texas Gulf Coast, the prefix “Atascocita” has been a common thread when mentioning some of the finest greyhounds to ever compete at Gulf Greyhound Park. Well, owner Atascocita Racing has done it again with another young superstar emerging quickly competing for Libby Racing Kennels and trainer Troy Tinney. On the way to an impressive beginning building a career record of 12/7-2-1-1, Atascocita Act has won back to back top grade AA contests to step into the Greyhound of the Week spotlight.
The running style of the 76-pound fawn son of Atascocita Bowl – Atascocita Avery born on April 10, 2013 provides excitement for every journey around the 550-yard course while trying to catch the early speedsters from the back of the pack. This was evident immediately as Atascocita Act graduated from the maiden class with an eight length runaway victory in his third career start on September 28.
Following that achievement, the wins came rolling in as Atascocita Act quickly climbed the grade ladder building a four race winning streak in grades J, C and a career best time of 30.11 seconds in grade B. After a third place finish in grade A on October 23, a major scare arrived on October 30 as Atascocita Act fell in the first turn of his grade A contest and did not finish the race. Fortunately, everything turned fine with his showing in an official schooling outing on November 9 running away to a fourteen length dominating victory and posting a time of 30.15 seconds.
The positive momentum resumed for his first official start after the fall with a long, powerful drive to a victory in grade A on November 16. The initiation into top grade AA competition was welcomed by one of Gulf Greyhound Park’s hottest sprinters, Need My Moneynow from D.Q. Williams Kennel, but Atascocita Act made a very respectable showing finishing in second place just 3½ lengths in pursuit.
Wednesday afternoon December 3 proved to the crowning milestone of this young journey as Atascocita Act made his familiar strong closing effort from behind to fly past pacesetting My Sunday Girl of Tri-State Kennel and cross the finish line in front by four lengths to score his first top grade AA victory.
The best was yet to come as Atascocita Act ran the best race of his career seven days later on Wednesday December 10. Wearing the blue colors of the #2 racing blanket, Atascocita Act experienced immediate trouble out of the starting box after being squeezed backwards and apparently knocked out of contention. This was far from the truth as Atascocita Act rallied furiously from the back of the pack while avoiding traffic problems to catch Bob’s Trace from Currid Racing in the final strides to win by ½ length and two consecutive grade AA victories.
Sakkara Bowie (11/29/14)
Click to view Sakkara Bowie’s Win.
Over a career spanning the past eighteen months, Sakkara Bowie from Lingle Kennel has put together back to back successful campaigns to establish himself as one of the best greyhounds to ever compete at Gulf Greyhound Park. After winning 19 races in 2013, the 75-pound red fawn son of Bob’s Skeet – WW’s Edith has added 18 more victories this year to build his future Hall of Fame career record to 94/37-20-15-11 while remaining in the elite competition of top grade AA since August of 2013.
During this past summer, the connections of owner Karen Hyde and kennel owner/trainer David Lingle have prospered as Sakkara Bowie provided many victories to climb towards the top of wins list this year in fourth place with a 2014 record of 51/18-10-11-8 behind Atascocita Kosta, BWG Eat My Dust and Need My Moneynow while also managing to cash in a purse check in an amazing 92% of his starts this year.
From the middle of September through the month of October, perhaps “Father Time” was beginning to show on Sakkara Bowie, who was born on October 12, 2011, enduring an eight race winless streak with three second place finishes, three third place finishes and one fourth place finish. Finally on November 5th, the rail running superstar took full advantage of a #1 post position draw to put an end to the streak with a front running one length victory showing he was far from walking off into the sunset.
Following a third and fifth place finish respectively in his next two starts, Sakkara Bowie finally found good fortune with the post-position draw for his contest on Friday evening November 28 with the black/yellow colors of the outside #8 position. In fact, Sakkara Bowie has shined from the outside of the 550-yard starting box with his incredible rush to the first turn winning his last five races dating back to June 5th. So with history in his corner, the fans obviously made Sakkara Bowie the race favorite at odds of 2 to 1. In the early stages, Sakkara Bowie started in typical fashion in the middle of the pack as #7 Also Runaway from K-Rod Kennel sprinted away early and #6 Miss Jakie from D.Q. Williams Kennel provided some extra room with her rail slashing break. To quote track announcer John Paul Faour, Sakkara Bowie “muscled his way out top” around the first turn by cutting in front of Also Runaway and establish a three length advantage. The remainder of the journey proved to be a breeze coasting home to a final winning margin of one length ahead of Miss Jakie and the Greyhound of the Week honors.
Need My Moneynow (11/22/14)
Click to view Need My Moneynow’s Win.
Currently at Gulf Greyhound Park, trainer Craig Edwards and owner Sharon L. Williams are holding a pair of “pocket aces” dominating the action around the 550-yard course. With a recent three race winning streak heading into Sunday’s action and posting 11 victories out his last 14 top grade AA contests, Need My Moneynow from D.Q. Williams Kennel shines alone in the spotlight of this week’s Greyhound of the Week. Despite all of the attention being directed towards his kennelmate Seldom Told, the 68-pound white/black son of No More Loving – Need a Date born on July 1, 2012 has somehow been gliding under the radar while accumulating an impressive record of 32/18-4-5-2 as one of the top greyhounds on the Texas Gulf Coast.
After having a two race win string harshly snapped on October 23 by being knocked down entering the stretch, Need My Moneynow shook off the cobwebs with an outstanding effort seven days later on October 30. When the post-position draw comes out with the black colors of the middle #5 blanket, most would grumble and roll their eyes but not the connections of Need My Moneynow. Showing two previous victories from the #5 post on October 9th and 16th, the third time proved to be a lucky once again as Need My Moneynow ran the second fastest time of his career at 29.72 seconds while posting a six length victory.
The next opportunity for Need My Moneynow to improve his resume` arrived on November 9 drawing the white colors of the #3 post position. Tagged as the odds on 3/5 favorite, Need My Moneynow shrugged off an early challenge from speedster TNJ Road Runner of Big Water Kennel and sprinted away with ease to crush his top grade AA rivals by eight lengths in a time of 29.93 seconds.
A muddy racing surface presented itself the following Sunday November 16 for Need My Moneynow drawing the “lucky” middle #5 post position. Sent off as the 2/5 race favorite, Need My Moneynow did not disappoint his followers by jumping out quickly to the lead and never looking back to demolish the competition by an eye opening ten lengths and improve his record over an “off track” to a perfect three for three in his career.
Buzz Williams (11/15/14)
Some of the incredible athletes we are fortunate to watch perform at Gulf Greyhound Park take a little longer than others to find themselves and develop into an emerging superstar. This week’s Greyhound of the Week, Buzz Williams from Libby Racing Kennels, fills that mold perfectly with a recent two race winning streak against top grade AA competition.
The racing career of the 74-pound fawn son of Bob’s Skeet – Biz Episode born on July 23, 2012 is still in its infant stages but has proven to be very successful and profitable for owner Joseph McGoldrick cashing in a purse check 82% of the time while accumulating a record of 28/9-3-2-9.
When first setting his paws on the La Marque, Texas racing oval in May of 2014, Buzz Williams enjoyed immediate success graduating from the maiden class in his debut and won again in grade J for his third start. Unfortunately for his connections, a six race winless drought ensued against grade C rivals which eventually led to a drop into grade D. Trainer Troy Tinney felt a change was in order moving Buzz Williams to the backside and there was instant gratification with a six length victory over his first try around the 660-yard course. Then the smiles disappeared just as quickly as they appeared with only four consecutive fourth place finishes over the next five outings to show for his efforts.
All of a sudden, the “light bulb” clicked on for some reason beginning on August 21 as Buzz Williams literally “caught fire” with three straight victories in grades D, C and B. A narrow third place finish in grade A by one length preceded the highlight of the career of Buzz Williams on September 11 by running the fastest time of his career at the Gulf stopping the timer at 29.89 seconds and a 3½ length victory to move into top grade AA competition.
Once again, the well ran dry over the next six races in grade AA as one troublesome start followed another failing to visit the winner’s circle but still managing to finish in the money with two 2nd place and two 4th place efforts. Finally on November 1, there was a breakthrough as Buzz Williams rushed around an early traffic jam and circled around the leaders to run away with his first top grade AA victory and complete his climb up the grade ladder.
Everyone knows that when you get a taste of success, there is a desire for more. As Buzz Williams entered his next start on November 12 drawing an advantageous outside #8 post position for his mid-track running style, the fans also supported Buzz Williams tagging him as the 8/5 race favorite. Despite a slow start in the back of the pack, Buzz Williams rushed up around traffic at the first turn finding him in third place. Flying down the center of the track, Buzz Williams roared right past the leaders at the top of the stretch and raced away to a convincing five length victory.
Atascocita Kosta (11/01/14)
Click to view Atascocita Kosta’s Win.
After completing a perfect, undefeated run through all four rounds of the Diane Whiteley Sprint Championship in the beginning of the summer, Atascocita Kosta from Libby Racing Kennels has continued to experience a very successful 2014 campaign for owner Atascocita Racing and trainer Troy Tinney. Since first setting his paws on the La Marque, Texas 550-yard course in October of 2013 to begin his career, the 75-pound red son of Kiowa Sweet Trey – Atascocita Edith born on June 12, 2012 has always possessed the ideal quick early speed which has been proven to be very historically successful at Gulf Greyhound Park winning in front running fashion on many occasions. Now, Atascocita Kosta has added a new wrinkle to his resume` by coming from off the pace in his two most recent victories to claim the Greyhound of the Week honors once again.
While glancing at the racing history of Atascocita Kosta which covers a twelve month period, it is easy to notice that the wins come in bunches. In fact, Atascocita Kosta is well on the way to becoming the 2014 Greyhound of the Year at the Gulf after this recent string of victories improving his outstanding record this year to 43/24-4-4-6 and in first place on the wins list.
After a pair of troublesome fourth place finishes while chasing around the other superstar at Gulf Greyhound Park, Seldom Told from D.Q. Williams Kennel, Atascocita Kosta drew the “lucky stripes” of the #7 post position on Wednesday afternoon October 29th for the first time since his triumphant performance in the finals of the Diane Whiteley Sprint Championship over four months ago. In the early stages of the contest, Atascocita Kosta once again found himself in the unfamiliar role of the “pursuer” chasing an upset bid from JSK Jungle from Sambade Racing, LLC and Sakkara Bowie from Lingle Kennel. While spending a majority of the 550-yard journey in third place, Atascocita Kosta swung to the outside and used an all-out stretch run to outduel his rivals to win by one length as the 4/5 race favorite.
The next opportunity for Atascocita Kosta would arrive on Sunday afternoon November 2nd drawing all of the attention from the outside #8 post position as the 1/5 race favorite. Once again, the early lead was taken away as 330-yard specialist CTW Stingin Stud from Cityboy Racing jumped out quickly forcing Atascocita Kosta into another high speed pursuit. Positioned perfectly to the outside while racing stride for stride down the backstretch, Atascocita Kosta finally made his bid for the lead around the far turn to put his nose out front for good and ran away to a four length victory.
Seldom Told (10/25/14)
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It is difficult not to sound like “a broken record” but when a special athlete comes around to display their skills, all we can do is sit back and enjoy the show. The menacing shadow from the 85-pound frame of Seldom Told, the black son of Trent Lee – Need A Date born on January 17, 2013, continues to prove one time after another why he can be currently called the #1 greyhound at Gulf Greyhound Park and is beginning to draw the attention from around the rest of the country. Competing for owner Sharon Williams and handled every day by trainer Craig Edwards, Seldom Told has made a huge impact during his brief three month career accumulating an impressive record of 17/13-0-3-1 with a versatile running style of closing from behind or going immediately to the lead in some cases.
After showing that he indeed was not a “machine” with two consecutive third place finishes on October 1st and 8th, the stage was set for a monumental matchup between Seldom Told and Atascocita Kosta on Wednesday afternoon October 15th. Sent off as the race favorite at odds of 4/5 wearing the black/yellow colors of the #8 post position, Seldom Told spent a majority of the 550-yard contest trapped behind a wall of competitors but when an opening presented itself late in the contest, the young superstar took full advantage and flashed his late speed to reach the finish line first by a nostril over the upset bid from TNJ Road Runner.
The next opportunity for Seldom Told would arrive four days later on Sunday October 19 and some would say that the stars were aligned perfectly on this sunny afternoon by the performance that was given. Drawing the outside #8 post position once more, the middle of the pack break from Seldom Told was an improvement from his previous outing and then all of the fans were in for something special as Seldom Told used a monstrous rush to the first turn to achieve the lead. At this point, it was a given conclusion that Seldom Told was well on his way to yet another victory but then the question was asked, “How fast?” Was this the day that we would witness history? With every pounding stride on the La Marque, Texas racing oval, Seldom Told had run the fastest race of his young life stopping the timer at 29.44 seconds and just missing the existing record by .02 seconds held by Cry Homer set on May 14, 2011 (29.42 seconds).
It’s difficult to follow up a career best effort but Seldom Told made another appearance the following Sunday October 26 drawing the yellow colors of the #6 post position. Tagged as the 4/5 race favorite, Seldom Told broke a step slow which proved to be to his benefit as rail slashing KB’s Thermo King cleared a path from the outside #8 post by squashing half of the field allowing Seldom Told to rush past the traffic into a challenging second place position. After a brief duel for the lead, Seldom Told slowly pulled clear down the backstretch and raced away to a six length triumph in a time of 29.87 seconds and increasing his latest winning streak to three in a row.
Need My Moneynow (10/18/14)
Click to view Need My Moneynow’s Win.
When someone is asked to list the top greyhounds currently at Gulf Greyhound Park, a common name is mentioned as many fingers point in the direction of Need My Moneynow from the D.Q. Williams Kennel. Owned by Sharon Williams and trained by Craig Edwards, the 68-pound white/black son of No More Loving – Need a Date born on July 1, 2012 has been blessed with the gift of tremendous early speed that fits the La Marque, Texas racing oval perfectly. With another pair of front running victories, Need My Moneynow scores the “trifecta” by stepping into the spotlight of the Greyhound of the Week honors for the third time in a career adding up to an impressive record of 28/15-4-5-2.
The last time we spoke about Need My Moneynow six weeks ago in the beginning of September, the alleged “curse” of the weekly honors reared its ugly head putting an abrupt halt to a three race winning streak with a fourth place finish on September 11. Six days later, the good fortune returned as Need My Moneynow began another string of three victories and a total of five top grade AA winning efforts in his last six outings to make him possibly the “hottest” greyhound on the Texas Gulf Coast.
Thursday evening October 9th stands out as “the pinnacle” in the young career of Need My Moneynow. Entering the contest off a troublesome fifth place finish, another unfavorable post-position draw placed the speedy pup in the black colors of the #5 racing blanket. Tagged as the 8/5 race favorite, Need My Moneynow set the racing oval “on fire” with a nine length demolition of his top grade AA rivals while posting a career best time of 29.60 seconds.
Now as good as every athlete is at flashing their skills, a little “luck” always seems to play a part in continuing success. This statement would prove true during the next opportunity for Need My Moneynow a week later on October 16. Once again drawing the middle #5 post position, Need My Moneynow found himself in a heated battle for the early lead and by a matter of inches, had just enough speed to clear in front of a “train wreck” at the first turn and take the lead. With this stroke of “good juju”, Need My Moneynow remained on the lead for the rest of the journey to win by two lengths as the 4/5 post time favorite.
Atascocita Davy (10/11/14)
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This week’s honors can also be classified as a coronation with one of the best athletes to ever compete at Gulf Greyhound Park, Atascocita Davy from Libby Racing Kennels, shining brightly in the Greyhound of the Week spotlight once again. With a fourth birthday quickly approaching on December 28th, the 68-pound black son of Rhythmless – Atascocita Jade is showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon and remains in the heat of the discussion when mentioning the top greyhounds on the Texas Gulf Coast with a pair of recent top grade AA victories to increase his future Hall of Fame career record to 111/45-12-9-10.
After defying the odds and returning from a possible career ending injury that ended a magical year of 2013 in November as the top 550-yard greyhound at Gulf Greyhound Park with 25 wins, Atascocita Davy was enjoying a very successful campaign during the first four months of 2014 with a record of 14/7-2-2-0 including earning the Greyhound of the Week honors in mid-March. Then trouble arrived as there was another moment of anxiety following a troublesome seventh place finish in the May 1st contest which forced Atascocita Davy away from the racing scene and the idea of possible retirement.
Four months would pass by and Atascocita Davy was ready to try again for trainer Troy Tinney and owner Atascocita Racing following two official schooling efforts resulting in a first and fourth place finish respectively. On September 10th, Atascocita Davy beat the odds in triumphant style with a five length victory showing the rest the competition that he was back.
The smiles were short lived as Atascocita Davy experienced collisions around the first turn in his next two trips to the La Marque, Texas racing oval on September 17th & 28th. Turning the page to the month of October also changed the fortune for Atascocita Davy on October 4. As all of the attention was focused on the pair of Need My Moneynow and Sakkara Bowie and their previous duel, Atascocita Davy was an afterthought to the fans sent off at longshot odds of 7 to 1 despite drawing a favorable #6 post position for his wide running style. As the starting box opened, Atascocita Davy took early command of the contest and ran off all alone to a seven length victory in a time of 30 seconds flat rewarding his supporters.
Floating on cloud nine at this point, the next opportunity for Atascocita Davy would arrive seven days later on October 11 drawing a difficult spot in the #2 post position. Despite the poor post draw, the supporters returned to the corner of Atascocita Davy establishing him as the 2 to 1 race favorite and with another quick beginning, Atascocita Davy rose to the occasion and rolled to another front running victory by 3½ lengths over another talented field of top grade competitors.
TNJ Koala (10/04/14)
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We have arrived at another one of those rare occasions to feature the greyhounds that compete over the longer distance at Gulf Greyhound Park. For the longest time, the game of “musical chairs” can best be described as several athletes have taken their turn visiting the winner’s circle from the 660-yard course but over the past month, TNJ Koala from Big Water Kennel has begun to take control of the backside winning three out of his last five starts including his two most recent efforts to earn the Greyhound of the Week honors.
Competing for owners James T. Dietz & William Maierhofer and trainer Sissy Sabell, the 75-pound red brindle son born on September 25, 2011 has enjoyed a very successful career on the Texas Gulf Coast for over a year and a half compiling a record of 81/17-12-12-13 competing over both the 550 and 660-yard distances. Known for his strong closing ability, TNJ Koala has thrived since making his return to the 660-yard course in July of 2014 by finishing in the money and earning a purse check in 12 out of 13 attempts. That being said, the latest two triumphant journeys have “gone against the grain” and raised a few eyebrows as TNJ Koala has uncharacteristically broke out of the 660-yard starting box on top.
This latest winning streak began on September 27 as TNJ Koala entered the contest off a pair of middle of the road trips finishing fourth and fifth respectively but still drew some attention at odds of 4 to 1. With a quick beginning, TNJ Koala opened up a large early lead and showed no signs to slowing down with a dominating victory of nine lengths in the third fastest time of his career at 36.95 seconds.
Moving along to his next opportunity on October 2, TNJ Koala now played the role as favorite going off at odds of 3 to 1 drawing the white colors of the #3 post position. Once again, TNJ Koala went immediately to the lead but this night would provide a “different twist” as Ugo Kashmir from Libby Racing Kennels charged to the front to set the pace ahead of TNJ Koala. The running order for this duo remained the same until the final turn for home when the late running power of TNJ Koala was put on display with a quick finish down the stretch to win by three lengths.
Scarlet Oconner (09/27/14)
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This week’s recipient of the Greyhound of the Week honors, Scarlet Oconner from Currid Racing, tends to cruise under the radar as other “big names” seem to draw most of the attention but the 60-pound white/red daughter of Kelsos Fusileer – O Jays born on March 14, 2012 has proven that she belongs in the upper class of top sprinters at Gulf Greyhound Park adding another top grade AA victory to her resume and step into the weekly spotlight.
Scarlet Oconner arrived on the Texas Gulf Coast in November of 2013 from Tri-State, West Virginia as a grade C competitor bringing along a respectable record of 11/2-6-0-0 with the rail running early speed style that has proven to be very successful historically around the La Marque, Texas racing oval. The change of scenery definitely took a period of time for Scarlet Oconner to adapt to finally visiting the Gulf’s winner circle in her seventh trip around the 550-yard course on December 19.
Turning the page of the calendar to a new year, two more winning trips arrived in grades C and B before Scarlet Oconner was sent to explore the 330-yard super sprint course in March. Unfortunately for her connections of trainer Freddy R. Currid and owner Plum Creek, little success was found during a period of six races but it appeared that a valuable lesson was learned as Scarlet Oconner started to break immediately to the lead when returning to the 550-yard course. The climb up the grade ladder continued upwards setting the stage for perhaps the best string of five races during her career from May 31 through June 29, Scarlet Oconner won four out of five outings including three top grade AA contests.
While examining the nearly one year career of Scarlet Oconner at Gulf Greyhound Park with a record of 48/13-8-6-6, the specific date of September 6, 2014 stands out for two different reasons. First of all, Scarlet Oconner took full advantage of the perfect post-position draw of the red #1 blanket to run a career best time of 29.80 seconds. Secondly, Scarlet Oconner is the answer to the trivia question of “who put an end to the perfect 7 for 7 beginning in the career of young upstart Seldom Told from D.Q. Williams Kennel?”
The performance that “took the cake” and earned the Greyhound of the Week honors arrived on Saturday evening September 27. Despite drawing the disadvantage of the outside #8 post position, Scarlet Oconner showed some versatility from her typical front running style by coming from behind to pass early speedster Miss Jakie of D.Q. Williams Kennel down the backstretch and showed loads of heart and determination by winning the exciting duel in the fastest time of the night at 30.15 seconds.
Seldom Told (09/20/14)
Click to view Seldom Told’s Win.
Three weeks ago, the buzz around the country and especially around Gulf Greyhound Park was centered on Seldom Told from D.Q. Williams Kennel and the perfect start of seven consecutive victories becoming only one of the few greyhounds to climb the ranks of the grade ladder from maiden through grade AA going undefeated. With a spectacular performance in his most recent outing, the 85-pound black son of Trent Lee – Need a Date basks in the glow of the Greyhound of the Week limelight once again.
When we last spoke of this “young phenom”, Seldom Told had just completed his historic run through every obstacle standing in his path and was then faced with the alleged “curse” that seems to follow those who have shouldered the burden as the Greyhound of the Week. On Sunday August 31, a muddy racetrack presented itself as Seldom Told drew the white colors of the #3 post position and the question was raised, “could he do it again?” Sent off as the race favorite at odds of 6/5, the answer was an emphatic “Yes!” as Seldom Told finished quickly down the stretch to catch KB’s Comic Strip from K-Rod Kennel to extend his streak to seven in a row.
Unfortunately for his connections, the number “seven” did not prove to be very lucky in his next outing on September 6. Wearing the blue colors of the #2 post position as the even money favorite, the string of victories for Seldom Told was put to rest in the early going after being squashed by his kennelmate Miss Jakie. At this point, most youngsters would have simply given up but not Seldom Told as he maneuvered his way through traffic and finished a respectable fourth place just four lengths behind the upset winner Scarlet Oconner from Currid Racing.
Things would not be any easier seven days later on September 13 facing a re-match with Scarlet Oconner and Atascocita Kosta from Libby Racing Kennels. Drawing the yellow colors of the #6 post position, a similar troublesome result would occur for Seldom Told as once again his kennelmate Miss Jakie slashed immediately towards the rail from her #8 post position squeezing Seldom Told into the air at the break while Atascocita Kosta sprinted away. Showing the determination of a veteran, Seldom Told closed ground only to be bumped again by Miss Jakie but still continued his strong drive to finish in third place.
Now after being denied from the winner’s circle on two consecutive occasions, Seldom Told showed why he is one of the fastest athletes on the Texas Gulf Coast with his electric performance on Saturday evening September 20. Drawing the #3 post position and tagged as the 6/5 post time favorite, there was no messing around this time as Seldom Told broke immediately to the lead ahead of a field full of early speedsters. After establishing a four length advantage around the first turn, the only questions left were “by how many” and “how fast”? Flying along all alone, the final margin of victory proved to be ten lengths as Seldom Told crossed under the lights of the finish line in one of the fastest times recently at 29.59 seconds improving his record to 10/8-0-1-1 for owner Sharon Williams and trainer Craig Edwards.
KB’s Comic Strip (09/13/14)
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It is no secret that throughout the history of racing at Gulf Greyhound Park since 1992, the winning formula of early speed and saving ground along the rail has proven successful one time after another. Competing for owner Charter Kennel, Inc. and trainer Cam Hawkins, KB’s Comic Strip from K-Rod Kennel fits that blueprint perfectly and put on quite a display with two consecutive lightning quick efforts to step into the limelight as the Greyhound of the Week.
When the 70-pound black son of Dodgem by Design – Rock N Demma born on May 10, 2012 first set his paws on the sands of the 550-yard course in November 2013, there was much anticipation for the first official start after going undefeated in all three of his official schooling efforts. Taking advantage of the ideal #1 post position draw for his rail running style, KB’s Comic Strip made his debut impressively by romping home to an 11½ length victory. Stepping into grade J competition, the road proved a little more difficult before another winning trip would arrive in start number six on December 13th running away from trouble and eclipsing the thirty second barrier for the first time in 29.96 seconds.
The climb up the grade ladder rolled over into 2014 and reached its peak on February 27th with a front running effort in grade A sporting the favorable red colors of the #1 post position again. Following a sixth place finish in his grade AA debut, the post position draw proved fortunate again with the red blanketed #1 post awaiting him on March 12 and KB’s Comic Strip extended his unbeaten streak at that time in his career to a perfect 4 for 4 from the rail and his first top grade AA victory.
After a narrow second place defeat on April 6, KB’s Comic Strip was forced away from the racing scene until the end of June. The return to the La Marque, Texas racing oval was an eye opener to say the least as KB’s Comic Strip won his official schooling race on June 22 by six lengths in a time of 29.89 seconds followed by another official schooling win on June 29 by eleven lengths stopping the timer at 29.98 seconds. Despite both of these impressive efforts, the return to the lights of “the big show” on July 5th found KB’s Comic Strip going off at odds of 5 to 1 and KB’s Comic Strip continued to ride this positive momentum with a six length victory in a time of 29.93 seconds to reward his supporters.
Unfortunately for his connections, the well went “bone dry” as a ten race winless string ensued through the month of August. Following a narrow miss to the still undefeated Seldom Told from D.Q. Williams Kennel on August 31, the “reliable” red colors arrived at an opportune time for his outing on September 5th and KB’s Comic Strip responded by running the fastest time in an official start at 29.92 seconds improving his record from the #1 post to five wins out of six starts. This effort must have proven to be a boost in confidence for the next appearance on Thursday evening September 11 drawing the lucky stripes of the #7 post position. KB’s Comic Strip “lowered the bar” with an outstanding box to wire performance winning by five lengths and running a career best time of 29.78 seconds to improve his record at the Gulf to 33/10-5-6-4.
Need My Moneynow (09/06/14)
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Once again owner Sharon Williams and trainer Craig Edwards provide the Greyhound of the Week at Gulf Greyhound Park with Need My Moneynow from D.Q. Williams Kennel stepping into the spotlight for the second time in his young career. With an impressive string of three consecutive top grade AA victories, the 68-pound white/black son of No More Loving – Need a Date born on July 1, 2012 has regained his status as one of the top greyhounds on the Texas Gulf Coast building an outstanding record of 21/10-4-5-1
After earning the top honors for the first time in late April with a four race winning streak including two top grade AA victories, the purse checks continued to cash in for Need My Moneynow but none of them were in the form of the winner’s share of the purse money as a seven race winless drought appeared with four seconds, two thirds and a fourth place finish from April 27 through June 5. In fact, following the fourth place effort on June 5, Need My Moneynow was forced away from the racing scene.
Two months would pass by before Need My Moneynow set his paws on the La Marque, Texas racing oval and looked ready for his return to top grade competition with two blistering efforts in official schooling running times of 29.85 and 29.92 respectively. It was then time for the lights of the big show on August 15 drawing the red colors of the #1 post position. Tagged as the 7/5 race favorite, all of the anticipation was crushed with a troublesome trip around the 550-yard course finishing in last place and missing the money for the only time in his racing career.
Still smarting from that disappointing result, Need My Moneynow looked to make amends nine days later on August 24. During the earlier races of the day, a lightning quick racing surface presented itself favoring the early speedsters and this was right up the alley for Need My Moneynow as the racing fans recognized this making him the 9/5 race favorite. After an early scuffle for the lead, Need My Moneynow emerged from the traffic and rewarded his supporters with a runaway victory of six lengths in a career best time of 29.78 seconds.
Next in line for Need My Moneynow was a matchup with this year’s Diane Whiteley Sprint Champion, Atascocita Kosta from Libby Racing Kennels, on August 30. The playing field was the direct opposite for this contest with a muddy racetrack in store for the athletes. Despite being sent off as the second choice at odds of 3 to 1, Need My Moneynow passed this test with flying colors leading every step of the journey and running away to a 5½ length triumph.
For his next appearance on Friday night September 5, all eyes were directed towards the outside #8 post position with Need My Moneynow shouldering the burden as the 2/5 post time favorite. Using an early acceleration, Need My Moneynow rushed past his rivals to claim the lead and showed his brilliance by dominating the field crossing the finish line seven lengths in front and stopping the timer at 29.79 seconds, just .01 off his career best time.
Seldom Told (08/30/14)
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When the thundering sound of greyhound racing first arrived to the great state of Texas in 1992, there have only been a select few that have “ran the table” going undefeated in all six starts while progressing up the grade ladder from maiden through top grade AA at Gulf Greyhound Park. During the heat of another blistering hot summer on the Texas Gulf Coast, all of us have been blessed with the opportunity to witness “greatness” as Seldom Told from D.Q. Williams Kennel has added his name to this elite list in the history books. Tipping the scales at an intimidating 86 pounds, the black son of Trent Lee – Need a Date born on January 17, 2013 has enjoyed some runaway victories along with a few heart pounding moments during his perfect career for owner Sharon Williams and trainer Craig Edwards.
After winning both of official schooling efforts by five and fifteen lengths respectively in July, the maiden debut for Seldom Told on July 27 provided everyone with an eye opening effort demolishing his rivals by 13 lengths and posting a speedy time of 29.88 seconds on the tote board. Now we have all seen “a flash in the pan” before but the next outing on August 6 against grade J competition showed what Seldom Told was made of. Introduced to a wet racing surface for the first time, Seldom Told did not break as well on this occasion and was faced with the challenge of coming from behind after some bumping around the first turn. With a strong closing effort, Seldom Told overcame a nearly four length gap to run down frontrunning Bob’s Rapid from Currid Racing to score his second consecutive victory.
For the grade C outing on Sunday August 10, heavy rain earlier in the day presented another muddy racing surface but showing the savvy of a veteran, the yellow #6 blanket worn by Seldom Told shined brightly and streaked away to a crushing eleven length victory in the fastest time of the day at 30.07 seconds. Moving along six days later on August 16 to the grade B contest sporting the black/yellow colors of the #8 post position, Seldom Told “caught the eye” of Gulf Greyhound Park announcer John Paul Faour by immediately taking command and the only question left on this night was the final margin of victory. The answer turned out to be eleven lengths and a career best time of 29.87 seconds for “a superstar in the making.”
The most exciting seconds in the young career of Seldom Told occurred in the grade A thirteenth race on Thursday night August 21 featuring a match-up with another fine looking pup, CTW Kupcake from Cityboy Racing. Starting from the inside #2 post position, Seldom Told found himself in the role of a closer pursuing the early speed of #4 Diamond Baby of Meteorite Kennel and #1 CTW Kupcake. Things heated up around the far turn as the duo of CTW Kupcake and Seldom Told narrowed the gap on the leader and then it was “decision time” on which path to take for the final stretch run. CTW Kupcake jumped to the outside and Seldom Told chose the rail route creating a thrilling finish as both of the young studs battled stride for stride with Seldom Told reaching the wire first by a nostril to keep the dream alive.
Finally, the stage for potential greatness arrived on Wednesday afternoon August 27 with Seldom Told once again drawing the yellow blanket of the #6 post position from which he had run the two fastest times of his unblemished career. As the lid of the 550-yard starting box opened, things couldn’t have worked out any better as Seldom Told had plenty of room to maneuver and rushed up just to the outside of early race leader Texan Mercilus from Tri-State Kennel around the first turn. As the leaders entered the far turn, the “Racing Gods” were smiling down on Seldom Told as the young phenom barely cleared in front of Texan Mercilus to achieve the lead. The remainder of the journey served as a coronation with Seldom Told running into the history books with a 6½ length victory and eclipsing the thirty second barrier again with a time of 29.94 seconds.
JSK Shannon Lea (08/23/14)
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One common dream or journey for many of us is to find that proverbial “fountain of youth” and re-live some of those pleasant experiences from the past. The same can be said for this week’s recipient of the Greyhound of the Week honors as JSK Shannon Lea from Sambade Racing, LLC has rejuvenated her career at the ripe old age of four and resembling those days as a sprouting young pup. Born on May 30, 2010, the 56-pound brindle daughter of Lonesome Cry – BOW Dreamer has taken the month of August by storm going a perfect 4 for 4 and taken her seat on the throne becoming the “Queen” of the 330-yard super sprint course.
It’s difficult to imagine that JSK Shannon Lea first set her paws on the La Marque, Texas racing oval way back in November 2011 but has accumulated future Hall of Fame numbers of 156/37-19-14-18 during her stay on the Texas Gulf Coast competing for owner J.S. Kramer, LLC and trainer Fidel Sambade. During the time frame from June 2012 through January 2013, JSK Shannon Lea was one of the finest 550-yard greyhounds at the Gulf competing against top grade AA competition.
From that point through the first half of 2013, things turned in the opposite direction as JSK Shannon Lea did in fact earn five more victories from February thru the end of June but they were in the lower grades of A and B and then the end of her career appeared to arrive on July 2 being forced away from the racing action. Four months would pass by and the new scenery of the 330-yard starting box was introduced to JSK Shannon Lea in mid-November.
The learning curve covering the next two months was indeed difficult as it took JSK Shannon Lea ten starts and a downward fall through the grade ladder before visiting the winner’s circle again in grade C on January 15, 2014. The roller coaster ride continued upwards with two more wins in her next five starts to reach top grade AA once again in March. Then as quickly as the good times arrived, the bad times would follow as JSK Shannon Lea experienced a 14 race winless drought dropping all the way down to grade D by the end of June. Could this be the end of her long storied career?
The response was an emphatic “No!” as JSK Shannon Lea still had plenty of fight left starting an incredible run of six victories in nine starts including four consecutive victories and two top grade AA wins over the reigning “King” of the super sprint course, BWG Eat My Dust from Big Water Kennel. Heading into her first encounter on August 15, JSK Shannon Lea pulled off the upset with a front running victory holding a safe two length margin ahead of BWG Eat My Dust announcing her presence.
The official “coming out party” was held on August 21 and despite her previous winning efforts, JSK Shannon Lea had not won the favor of the entire crowd yet going off at odds of 9/2 against 3/5 race favorite BWG Eat My Dust. To the delight of her supporters, JSK Shannon Lea silenced her doubters with an even better performance going box to wire and crossing the finish line five lengths in front of her competition.
Power Player (08/16/14)
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As another blistering hot summer bakes the Texas Gulf Coast, there has been an increasing amount in the number of longer 660-yard contests being offered for everyone to enjoy and now there is a rare opportunity to feature one of those athletes. With two very impressive efforts, Power Player from Currid Racing has earned his place to shine brightly as the Greyhound of the Week at Gulf Greyhound Park. Competing for owner Mary Robinette and trainer Freddy R. Currid, the 68-pound white/red three year old son of Rhythmless – Fired Up N Gone ran the two fastest times of his career to improve his record this year to 29/8-2-2-2.
When first arriving in the great state of Texas in October of 2013, Power Player was a relative unknown after grading off from Dubuque Greyhound Park in Iowa and honestly did not fare too well for the remainder of the year going winless after giving our 550-yard course a try. With the turning of the page to 2014, a change was made to try out the longer 660-yard course and success arrived quickly with a second place finish narrowly missing a trip to the winner’s circle by a nose. The sweet taste of victory arrived in Power Player’s third start around the 660-yard course fitting quite comfortably to his running style.
The next two months resulted in a steady climb up the grade ladder with wins in grades C and B but then another roadblock presented itself. Unfortunately at that time, there was a lack of high grade 660-yard distance greyhounds to create races and Power Player was forced to compete over the 550-yard distance against grade A competition. Over the next seven trips, there was only one bright spot with a winning trip on March 30 as the other six races resulted in finishes in the back of the pack.
Fortunately for the connections of Power Player, the playing field has taken a turn in the positive direction with more greyhounds competing over the 660-yard course creating the opportunity for Power Player to run over the same distance over and over again since the end of June. During an adjustment period in the month of July, Power Player appeared to have found his best stride with a narrow second place defeat getting caught at the wire on July 17 but quickly found his winning ways in the next start on July 20.
The highlight of Power Player’s career occurred on Thursday evening August 7 as the yellow colors of the #6 blanket worn by Power Player flashed around the 660-yard course in spectacular fashion crushing his competition by nine lengths in his fastest time ever of 36.82 seconds. An encore was in store for his next opportunity on Wednesday afternoon August 13 but there was apparently still some doubt in the minds of the crowd allowing Power Player to go off at decent odds of 5 to 1. As the lid of the starting box opened, the feeling of “de-ja-vu” arrived with Power Player going immediately to the lead once again and romping home to a six length victory with another blazing time of 36.93 seconds rewarding all of his supporters
Becky Quick (08/09/14)
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Just a mere three weeks ago, early speed demon Becky Quick from Libby Racing Kennels shined brightly in the Greyhound of the Week spotlight. Following a narrow second place defeat by a nostril, the 61-pound black daughter of Rhythmless – My Mama Beth has resumed her winning ways with three consecutive victories to improve her record this year to 29/9-7-2-3 and the weekly honors once more.
Competing for owners Douglas Demers, Jr. and Joseph Fusaro, Jr., Becky Quick began this trio of triumphant trips around the 550-yard course on Sunday July 27. Drawing the advantageous red blanket of the #1 post position, Becky Quick used the rail to her benefit by outdueling two other rivals to claim the lead around the first turn. The remainder of the journey proved to be a breeze ultimately winning by five lengths and returning a profitable win ticket price of $13.00.
The next opportunity would arrive on Wednesday August 6 and trainer Troy Tinney had Becky Quick “primed and ready” beginning from the middle #5 post position. Tagged as the 2 to 1 race favorite, Becky Quick went immediately to the lead and simply refused to be caught on this day with a solid two length advantage over Bob’s Eureka from Currid Racing for the entire trip stopping the timer at 30.22 seconds.
The “icing on the cake” occurred on Sunday afternoon August 10 with a little twist thrown in for good measure. The cloudy skies opened up just in time for race #5 creating a muddy racing surface for the athletes. Plainly, it just didn’t matter as Becky Quick jumped out quickly from the outside #8 post position and won the race to the first turn ahead of Bepo N Geto from Big Water Kennel and Hashtag Hioctane from Tri-State Kennel to claim a three length lead. Cruising along with the same lead at the top of the stretch, things became a little interesting late in the contest as Bepo N Geto began to close the gap but Becky Quick held on comfortably to win by one length in a very good time of 30.44 seconds in the slop.
Sakkara Bowie (08/02/14)
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One of the best greyhounds to ever set their paws upon the sands of the racing oval at Gulf Greyhound Park is shining in the Greyhound of the Week spotlight once again. Competing for owner Karen Hyde and trainer/kennel owner David Lingle, Sakkara Bowie put together back to back winning trips around the 550-yard course to improve his record this year to 33/13-5-6-7, an impressive 93% record of earning a purse check.
Before this recent streak of success, it was proven that the rail running 75-pound red fawn son of Bob’s Skeet – WW’s Edith does not care for a muddy or sloppy racing surface. With the common denominator as the betting favorite in both races on July 16 and 20, Sakkara Bowie did not achieve the lead in either contest and was outbid down the stretch resulting in a fifth place and third place finish respectively.
Fortunately for his race on Friday evening July 25, the skies cleared and a fast track presented itself for competition. Notoriously known for his incredible rush to the first turn and good fortune from the outside post positions, Sakkara Bowie surprisingly went to the immediate lead wearing the lucky stripes of the #7 post. Sprinting away to a four length advantage around the first turn, Sakkara Bowie cruised along with only Marquey in his sights passing around the far turn with a three length cushion. All of a sudden it appeared that Sakkara Bowie began to run out of gas and the thundering sound of Juliette Barnes from Currid Racing could be heard as the daylight diminished between the two with each stride. The finish line arrived at the perfect moment as Sakkara Bowie managed to hold on by a neck while stopping the timer in the fastest time of the evening at 30.05 seconds.
Six days would pass by before Sakkara Bowie had the opportunity to show off his skills on Thursday evening July 31 as the post position draw proved kind with the black/yellow colors of the outside #8 post. Tagged as the 7/5 favorite from the confident fans, Sakkara Bowie did not break as well as his previous outing but still managed to find the way down to his preferred rail running position cutting off the field of top grade competitors. With a three length lead around the first turn, Sakkara Bowie put “the pedal to the metal” increasing the advantage to an insurmountable five lengths entering the stretch. The final winning margin proved to be two lengths ahead of Juliette Barnes once again while passing under the lights of the finish line in a speedy time of 29.95 seconds and improving his career totals to 76/32-15-10-10 to establish himself as a mortal lock for the Gulf Greyhound Park Hall of Fame.
BWG Eat My Dust (07/26/14)
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With several competitors throwing their name in the hat for the Greyhound of the Week honors, there remains one constant as BWG Eat My Dust from Big Water Kennel continues to sit as the “King of the Hill” on top of the 2014 wins list as one of the best superstars racing over the 330-yard super sprint course building a record of 30/19-4-3-2.
Covering the time frame of January 19 through April 26, BWG Eat My Dust proved to be simply “unbeatable” winning 12 out of 13 starts including a streak of eight victories in a row. The month of May revealed a “chink in the armor” though as BWG Eat My Dust could not keep up that incredible pace and despite still cashing a purse check in all seven starts, only one trip to the winner’s circle would arrive on May 17th.
For nearly two months during the heat of another ridiculously hot summer in the state of Texas, the 72-pound black son of Super Lee – Dobbs Fairy has re-established himself as the dominating force on the backside resuming his winning ways with five victories in his last seven starts including three out of the last four.
After a fortunate winning trip on July 3rd by seven lengths ahead of a demolition derby, BWG Eat My Dust scored back to back victories with another front running performance on July 11th. Wearing the yellow colors of the #6 post, BWG Eat My Dust led every step of the way and left his rivals “in the dust” to win by three lengths.
A slight bump in the road occurred on Thursday evening July 17 as BWG Eat My Dust was denied a third straight trip to the winner’s circle with a strong second place effort as the 1/5 race favorite behind KB’s Radiate from Meteorite Kennel.
The triumphant trip that earned the weekly honors arrived seven days later on Thursday July 24 with a re-match against KB’s Radiate. Wearing the black colors of the #5 post position, BWG Eat My Dust broke quickly to the lead and turned away the challenge from Trey Chic of Libby Racing Kennels to extend his winning margin to two lengths playing the “revenge card” to perfection and improving his future Hall of Fame career totals to 88/48-5-8-5 for owner David Dickson and trainer Sissy Sabell.
Becky Quick (07/19/14)
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We turn our attention towards Gulf Greyhound Park’s current top kennel, Libby Racing Kennels, as trainer Troy Tinney leads Becky Quick to the Greyhound of the Week spotlight. Competing for longtime owner Douglas Demers, Jr. and newly arrived owner Joseph Fusaro, Jr., the 61-pound black daughter of Rhythmless – My Mama Beth possesses the ideal running style of early box speed which has proven to be successful over and over again historically around the La Marque, Texas racing oval.
When setting her paws on the sands of the 550-yard course for the first time in October 2013, Becky Quick appeared destined for greatness by winning both of her official schooling efforts. The lights of the big show proved to be more challenging though as it took Becky Quick to graduate from the maiden class in her fourth attempt after narrowly missing by a nostril in two of her first three outings. Instantly earning the respect of the fans as the race favorite in the first eight starts of her career, the speedster quickly climbed up the grade ladder adding three more front running victories in a row in grades J, C and B. A troublesome bump in the road in grade A put a temporary halt to her win streak but winning ways resumed in her next start to reach the elite competition of the Gulf’s top grade AA in just nine starts.
Unfortunately, this initial visit was a brief stay consisting of only three starts before being dispatched back to grade A competition to round out the year. As the page on the calendar turned to 2014, the next highlight arrived on January 11 as Becky Quick ran the fastest time of her current career at 30.01 seconds in a grade A victory. Riding the wave of this emotional high, Becky Quick added her first top grade AA win to her résumé on January 17 and completed the three race winning streak with a rare come from behind effort on January 26.
Over the next four months from February through May, the well ran dry for Becky Quick bouncing back and forth in the top two grades with only one grade A victory to show for her efforts heading into the Diane Whiteley Sprint Championship. Tagged as a longshot in the field as a grade A competitor, Becky Quick came out with guns blazing earning two second place finishes and a fourth place effort to reach the championship field. Competing against kennelmate and eventual winner Atascocita Kosta in the stakes final on June 15, Becky Quick provided some excitement for her connections racing stride for stride with Atascocita Kosta but was cutoff by the narrowest of margins at the first turn sending her backwards but showed loads of heart and determination to finish a very respectable fourth.
The winning effort that locked up the weekly honors occurred on Thursday evening July 17 as Becky Quick clinched her first top grade AA effort since January 26 with a gritty front running performance. Requiring every ounce of her early box speed, Becky Quick outdueled KB’s Comic Strip and Scarlet Oconner to grab the lead around the first turn and managed to hold off the shadowing presence of her rivals to win by one length and improve her yearly record to 25/6-6-2-3 and career numbers totaling 39/11-8-3-6.
MW’s Morrigan (07/12/14)
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This week’s spotlight turns towards one of the best athletes in the history of Gulf Greyhound Park to ever compete around the La Marque, Texas racing oval. Throughout a storied and successful two year career, MW’s Morrigan from D.Q. Williams Kennel has punched her ticket into the Hall of Fame by accumulating an impressive record of 123/43-26-13-10 but a recent run of success over the last three weeks earns the 70-pound brindle daughter of Coldwater Torres – MW’s Star Towind the Greyhound of the Week honors.
When MW’s Morrigan arrived from Naples-Fort Myers, Florida as their sprint champion in May of 2012, she literally took the Texas Gulf Coast by storm establishing herself as one of the top 550-yard sprinters with 22 wins over an eight month period. Possessing the winning formula of tremendous early box speed and saving ground along the rail, MW’s Morrigan also enjoyed a successful 2013 campaign adding 13 more victories to her career total. As the pages of the calendar turned over into the first six months of 2014, Father Time appeared to be catching up as MW’s Morrigan could only muster one grade AA and three grade A wins.
Treading water over an eleven race winless streak but still remaining in the Gulf’s elite competition of top grade AA, the latter part of June has seen a rejuvenated MW’s Morrigan find the dominating form from two years ago by winning three out of her last four races including a back and forth battle with another top sprinter at Gulf Greyhound Park, TNJ Pettee from Big Water Kennel.
Round one of this duel resembling a title fight began on Friday evening June 20 as MW’s Morrigan used a rare come from behind effort to score the victory and put an end to a two race win streak of TNJ Pettee with a troublesome sixth place finish. Six days later on Thursday evening June 26, MW’s Morrigan lost a stretch duel over a muddy racing surface to TNJ Pettee to even the score at one race apiece.
MW’s Morrigan re-took command of this duel in their third meeting on Thursday evening July 3. Flashing her usual box speed, MW’s Morrigan established an early two length advantage with TNJ Pettee hot on her tail and managed to hold off the thundering pressure to win by a head. The paths of these two superstars would cross again on Wednesday afternoon July 9 but this entire thirty second experience provided a feeling of “de-ja-vu” practically mirroring their previous engagement on July 3. Once again wearing the colors of the #5 post position, MW’s Morrigan went to the front end with a three length lead this time and TNJ Pettee in pursuit. The daylight between the two rivals narrowed to one length and another exciting finish presented itself for the fans as MW’s Morrigan proved to be too difficult to catch again winning by ½ length in the fastest time of the day at 30.05 seconds and the bragging rights of a three to one decision.
Korn (07/05/14)
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With the performance given on a special 4th of July matinee honoring Independence Day, Korn from Currid Racing solidified his position as one of the top greyhounds on the Texas Gulf Coast by defeating a field full of superstars to earn the Greyhound of the Week honors once again. The wide running 78-pound black son of Rhythmless – Soft Machine continues to enjoy a very successful 2014 campaign for owner Plum Creek and trainer Heather Currid accumulating a record of 26/13-2-3-3.
Since relishing in the spotlight of the Greyhound of the Week accolades at the end of May, Korn did not really enjoy the four starts during the month of June with one win, one third and one fourth place finish to show for his efforts. Despite this little rough patch, the journey for Korn still leads towards a spot in the Hall of Fame at Gulf Greyhound Park with current career numbers totaling 57/26-5-5-6.
A blockbuster field was assembled for the thirteenth race finale on July 4 with Korn drawing an advantageous #7 post position for his wide running style facing Diane Whiteley Sprint Champion #6 Atascocita Kosta from Libby Racing Kennels, rail running #1 Miss Jakie from D.Q. Williams Kennel, #2 Cam Jackpot from Meteorite Kennel and #8 Gable Lisa from Bone Man Racing Kennel. As a result of his latest hit or miss performances, the fans appeared to forget about Korn letting him go off at very profitable odds of 6 to 1 as all of the attention was given to Atascocita Kosta at odds of 4/5. As the 550-yard starting box opened, Korn and Miss Jakie jumped out quickly racing stride for stride down the frontstretch with Korn cutting in front of Miss Jakie at the first turn to establish a one length lead as Atascocita Kosta and Gable Lisa “scraped paint” losing valuable ground. The battle on this day would come down to Korn, running down the center of the track and Miss Jakie hugging the rail in hot pursuit. As the daylight between the two superstars increased to two lengths around the far turn, there was a moment at the top of the stretch when Korn drifted wide and it appeared that Miss Jakie had closed the gap but in all reality, the lead held by Korn was never in danger ultimately winning by 1½ lengths ahead of Miss Jakie, Cam Jackpot and Atascocita Kosta.
Sakkara Travis (06/28/14)
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When describing the one year career of this week’s Greyhound of the Week, Sakkara Travis from Lingle Kennel, the saying of “getting better with age” would fit suitably as the 76-pound black son of Bob’s Skeet – WW’s Edith has entered the class of the best 550-yard athletes at Gulf Greyhound Park. Emerging from the shadow of littermate and superstar Sakkara Bowie, Sakkara Travis continues to enjoy a very successful 2014 campaign with a record of 25/5-8-5-2 for owner Karen Hyde and trainer/kennel owner David Lingle.
The journey for Sakkara Travis began with promise graduating from the maiden class in his second career start and was immediately followed by another win in grade J. Unfortunately six races around the La Marque, Texas oval would pass by before Sakkara Travis would taste victory once again with back to back wins in grade D and C in July. From then until the middle of October, Sakkara Travis remained stuck competing against rivals in grade B and C before adding a couple of winning trips to advance into top grade AA for the first time in November. The stay was short lived as Sakkara Travis was quickly dispatched back to grade A in three starts only to bounce back after two outings into grade AA for the second time in his career. This visit covered a period of six weeks and nine races but his first top grade victory still remained elusive.
In similar fashion, the drop into grade A only lasted two starts and the third appearance into grade AA on February 7 proved to be the charm as Sakkara Travis has flourished against “the best of the best” and finally achieved his first grade AA win on March 19. During the recent $25,000 Diane Whiteley Sprint Championship, Sakkara Travis fared very well with second place finishes in all three rounds to make his way into the finals and appeared to poised and ready for a title bid only to have his hopes and dreams squashed with a very troublesome eighth place finish.
Still smarting from being knocked around in the Championship finals, Sakkara Travis rebounded in his next outing on Sunday afternoon June 22 in resounding style. Drawing the candy stripes of the #7 post position, Sakkara Travis gave a stellar performance by running around the 550-yard course in the fastest time of his 69 start career stopping the timer at 29.92 seconds and putting an end to the three race winning streak held by even money race favorite Scarlet Oconner from Currid Racing.
TNJ Pettee (06/14/14)
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There are a couple of phrases which come to mind when looking at this week’s Greyhound of the Week at Gulf Greyhound Park, TNJ Pettee from Big Water Kennel. First of all, let’s try “the third time is a charm” as the 67-pound red son of Gable Sour Cream – Gable Flutter made the most of his third visit to the elite competition of the Gulf’s grade AA by winning his first top grade contest. Secondly, how about the saying “better late than never” as this monumental achievement arrived in his 76th journey around the 550-yard course in a career spanning sixteen months while accumulating a record of 76/17-6-6-14.
Competing for trainer Sissy Sabell and owners James T. Dietz and William Maierhofer, TNJ Pettee has experienced a roller coaster ride of ups and downs throughout the grading ranks with peaks in grade AA and valleys in grade C. After graduating from the maiden class in his fifth start on April 26, 2013, TNJ Pettee managed to work his way up the ladder to eventually reach top grade AA competition for the first time on July 28. Included in this journey was the one and only time TNJ Pettee eclipsed the thirty second barrier throughout his stay on the Texas Gulf Coast with a 29.98 second effort in a grade C victory on June 20. Unfortunately, this initial visit to grade AA was short lived with a fifth place and a pair of fourth place finishes starting a freefall of nine consecutive winless trips that finally ended with a grade B victory on September 19.
The remainder of 2013 found TNJ Pettee struggling and floundering around with little success against grade A rivals but still found the winner’s circle on three separate occasions with grade B victories. As the page of the calendar turned to 2014, TNJ Pettee worked his way up to grade AA for the second time in the middle of January and fared slightly better. This visit lasted for four starts with one third place finish and one fourth place finish to show for his efforts but another turn in the downward direction arrived. In fact, the bottom literally dropped out as TNJ Pettee fell all the way down to grade C in May for the first time since June of 2013.
When things were most frustrating, a “rejuvenation” has occurred as TNJ Pettee has “caught fire” winning four out of his last five starts including his third visit to grade AA on Friday the 13th of June. Starting from the middle #5 post position, TNJ Pettee showed the experience of a veteran by saving ground in the first turn and avoiding a demolition derby to position himself in second place behind early speedball Rio Lone Ranger from K-Rod Kennel. With a strong run down the backstretch, TNJ Pettee put his nose out front for good around the far turn and left his rivals in the dust to win by four lengths.
Kells Believer (06/07/14)
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We turn our attention to the 330-yard super sprint course at Gulf Greyhound Park to find this week’s recipient of the Greyhound of the Week honors as “a changing of the guard” has occurred finding Kells Believer sitting on top as “the Queen of the Hill.” Competing for owner John Dalton and trainer David Lingle of the Lingle Kennel, the 61-pound red daughter of Kiowa Sweet Trey – Too Late has won three out of her last four starts including two consecutive journeys to quickly climb up the win list while building an impressive 2014 record of 20/10-1-2-2.
When Kells Believer first set her paws on the sands of the La Marque, Texas racing oval in April of 2013, early speed was the name of her game but only managed to reach grade B competition on the grade ladder. A change in scenery was made on November 27 and Kells Believer responded immediately with a grade C victory over the 330 yard course. Unfortunately, the remainder of the year was spent floundering and winless for her final six starts of 2013.
Turning the page on the calendar to 2014 also changed the fortune of Kells Believer in a positive fashion winning three out of her five starts in January including her top grade AA debut on January 31st. The roller coaster of streaks resumed with a downward turn of three finishes out of the money in February but quickly accelerated upwards once again with three consecutive victories during the month of March.
The month of April found all of the athletes competing on the super sprint course playing “second fiddle” as BWG Eat My Dust from Big Water Kennel proved to be unbeatable but the tide has turned during the month of May as Kells Believer said “enough is enough” and has assumed the role of “top dog” defeating BWG Eat My Dust in three out of her last four starts.
After flip flopping winning trips with BWG Eat My Dust, Kells Believer found herself in another battle on Sunday afternoon May 25. Wearing the green colors of the #4 post position, Kells Believer led a stampede into the first turn and after bouncing BWG Eat My Dust out of her way, found herself on the lead for the remainder of the contest winning by one length at longshot odds of 9 to 1.
Despite winning her previous race, Kells Believer did not receive much support from the crowd going off at odds of 5 to 1 in her next duel on Wednesday afternoon June 4. Drawing the outside #8 post position, Kells Believer was included in the discussion of an anticipated three way battle including #7 Atascocita Trek of Libby Racing Kennels and #6 BWG Eat My Dust. As the starting box opened, Kells Believer and BWG Eat My Dust raced stride for stride into the first turn with Atascocita Trek poised and ready to strike from the outside. Kells Believer cut in front of BWG Eat My Dust to seize the one length advantage and continued her strong run down the stretch to hold off the late charge from Atascocita Trek and constant pressure from BWG Eat My Dust to win by ½ length.
Korn (05/31/14)
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Returning to the Greyhound of the Week spotlight for the second time in less than two months is the hottest greyhound at Gulf Greyhound Park, Korn from Currid Racing. Since earning the honors recently in early April with a three race winning streak, trainer Heather Currid has continued to have the 78-pound black son of Rhythmless – Soft Machine in peak form winning a total of nine out of his last eleven journeys around the 550-yard course to build an impressive record in 2014 of 21/11-2-2-2 to put a smile on the faces of owner Plum Creek.
During the midst of this recent string of success, Korn went through a period of four straight battles with one of the best youngsters at the Gulf in Need My Moneynow from D.Q. Williams Kennel. The first round went to Need My Moneynow but Korn quickly turned the tide by winning the next three duels, all in front running fashion.
Following those three victorious trips around the La Marque, Texas racing oval, the streak came to an end at the paws of Gable Demigod from Bone Man Racing Kennel with a distant third place effort on May 17. Next in line was another match-up with Need My Moneynow on May 23 as the two superstars prepared to go to war for the fifth time and would start side by side with wide running Korn in the #1 post position and Need My Moneynow wearing the blue colors of the #2 post position. The anticipation was nerve racking with Korn drawing the bullseye as the slight race favorite at odds of 8/5. A benefit presented itself with a late scratch from rail slashing #5 KB’s Thermo King of K-Rod Kennel and Korn took full advantage by exploding from the starting box and moving to his desired outside portion of the racetrack with a 1½ length advantage. As TNJ Buck Fever from Big Water Kennel and Sakkara Travis from Lingle Kennel tried to keep up their pursuit, there was no stopping Korn on this night ultimately winning in commanding style by four lengths ahead of Sakkara Travis and a third place troublesome trip from Need My Moneynow.
A muddy racing surface was in store for the next outing from Korn on Friday evening May 30 while drawing a bit of a break with the first round of the $25,000 Diane Whiteley Sprint Championship for Texas-bred greyhounds arriving on the following night. All of the attention was focused on the #6 post position and the yellow colors worn by Korn as the even money race favorite. As the 550-yard starting box opened, out popped Korn once again and established a 2½ lead while turning away an early challenge from CTW Quantos from K-Rod Kennel. While cruising along on the lead, kennelmate Juliette Barnes made her presence felt with her winning bid at the top of the stretch. As Korn drifted to his usual outside portion of the racetrack, Juliette Barnes saved ground along the rail and briefly put her nose out front only to have Korn reclaim the lead just in time at the finish line to win by a head.
Sakkara Bowie (05/24/14)
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As the first round of the richest stakes race in the state of Texas is approaching quickly on Saturday May 31, the $25,000 Diane Whiteley Sprint Championship, one of the finest greyhounds that have ever graced the sands of the Gulf Greyhound Park racing oval is peaking at absolutely the right time. Competing for owner Karen Hyde and trainer/kennel owner David Lingle, Sakkara Bowie is enjoying a very successful and profitable current string of 25 consecutive starts earning a purse check dating back to last December. In fact during the month of May, the rail running 75-pound red fawn son of Bob’s Skeet – WW’s Edith has won four out of his last five top grade AA races including his last two outings to earn the Greyhound of the Week honors and improve his record in 2014 to 21/7-4-4-6.
After having a two race winning streak stopped on May 16 with some crowding around the first turn and failing to achieve the lead, Sakkara Bowie looked to make amends in his next start on Thursday evening May 22. Drawing the “lucky stripes” of the #7 post position, Sakkara Bowie attracted all of the attention as the race favorite at odds of 6/5 against a field of early speedballs including Gable Lisa of Bone Man Racing Kennel, who was a winner in her previous outing, BWG Burninground of Big Water Kennel and Kells Casanova of Tri-State Kennel. In the early going, Sakkara Bowie found himself in pursuit of Kells Casanova heading into the first turn but slipped into the lead with a slick ground saving maneuver. With his nose in front by ½ length, Sakkara Bowie did not waste any time to pull away down the backstretch extending his lead and ultimately won by a convincing six length margin and eclipsed the thirty second barrier for the first time since October 25, 2013 with a lightning quick effort of 29.90 seconds.
The deck was stacked against Sakkara Bowie for his next journey around the 550-yard course facing a top grade AA field including the last two Greyhound of the Week recipients, #3 KB’s Show N Tell from K-Rod Kennel and #5 Atascocita Kosta from Libby Racing Kennels, in the tenth race of a special Memorial Day matinee performance. The post draw resulted in Sakkara Bowie starting from the outside #7 post position once again and was sent off as the second choice at odds of 5/2 on the tote board. Even money race favorite Atascocita Kosta went immediately to the lead but Sakkara Bowie managed to clear traffic around the first turn in second place after cutting off #1 Gable Lisa of Bone Man Racing Kennel. As the two superstars entered the far turn, Sakkara Bowie battled through along the rail to achieve a ½ length advantage. Now on the lead and with only Marquey in his sights, Sakkara Bowie used his rail running style to perfection by slamming the door shut on a hard charging bid from KB’s Show N Tell to win by one length in a time of 30.18 seconds.
KB’s Show N Tell (05/17/14)
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For the second time in his career spanning the period of one year at Gulf Greyhound Park, KB’s Show N Tell from K-Rod Kennel has earned the Greyhound of the Week honors. Competing for recently arrived trainer Cam Hawkins and owner Charter Kennel, Inc., the rail running 68-pound black son of Rhythmless – Bolo Whisper has built a 2014 record of 16/6-2-1-1 and career numbers totaling 62/14-9-10-8.
When earning the weekly spotlight for the first time in March of 2014, KB’s Show N Tell had won three consecutive top grade AA races including a career best effort on March 21 with the fastest race time of his career at that point of 29.94 seconds. Unfortunately for his connections, the well went dry immediately failing to find the path to the winner’s circle for six straight outings with only one second and one third place finish to show for his work.
Entering the contest on Thursday evening May 15, the task did not appear to be any easier facing one of the hottest greyhounds on the Texas Gulf Coast, Atascocita Kosta from Libby Racing Kennels, and his six race winning streak. As the lid of the 550-yard starting box opened, KB’s Show N Tell managed to maneuver down to his preferred rail running position ahead of MW’s Morrigan from D.Q. Williams Kennel but more importantly was in front of Atascocita Kosta as they pursued the quick early speed of Texan Mercilus from Tri-State Kennel into the first turn. Using a strong run down the backstretch, KB’s Show N Tell managed to slide by Texan Mercilus around the far turn to achieve the lead and the rest was history. In fact, the remainder of the journey could be called “magical” as KB’s Show N Tell came flying home to win the contest by 4½ lengths but more importantly was the winning time posted on the tote board at a career best 29.87 seconds.
With the start of the $25,000 Diane Whiteley Sprint Championship featuring the finest Texas-Bred greyhounds in the country arriving in less than two weeks, KB’s Show N Tell appears to peaking at the right time after this crowning achievement.
Atascocita Kosta (05/10/14)
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It is a very rare occasion when a long winning streak develops due to the intense competition here at Gulf Greyhound Park in La Marque, Texas and there is a saying which states “one must respect a streak”. Three weeks ago, Atascocita Kosta from Libby Racing Kennels attracted all of the attention with a run of three consecutive top grade AA victories to capture the Greyhound of the Week honors for the first time in his young career. Since then, the “good times” have continued for owner George Ulmer of Atascocita Racing and trainer Troy Tinney as the 74-pound red son of Kiowa Sweet Trey – Atascocita Edith has added three more front running efforts to extend his current winning streak to six in a row and earning the spotlight as the Greyhound of the Week again while improving his impressive record in 2014 to 15/11-1-1-1.
Now established as one of the top 550-yard athletes on the Texas Gulf Coast, Atascocita Kosta looked to turn away “the curse” of the Greyhound of the Week honors in his outing on April 26 after two hard fought narrow victories by a nose. Tagged as the 8/5 race favorite in the #6 post position, Atascocita Kosta benefited early in the contest as #5 MW’s Morrigan from D.Q. Williams Kennel broke quickly and slashed down to her preferred rail running spot creating a clear opening for Atascocita Kosta to rush up and claim a narrow lead around the first turn. From that point forward, Atascocita Kosta pulled away from his rivals down the backstretch and eventually crossed the finish line five lengths in front stopping the timer at 30.00 seconds.
Moving along to his next journey around the 550-yard course on May 2, a similar scenario materialized for Atascocita Kosta drawing the lucky stripes of the #7 post position and the bullseye of race favorite at odds of 3/5. This time around as the lid of the starting box opened, another speedster from D.Q. Williams Kennel #6 Miss Jakie would also slash down to her rail running comfort zone in the same fashion as her kennelmate MW’s Morrigan. With this added breathing room at the break, Atascocita Kosta won the race to the first turn over the duo of Miss Jakie and MW’s Morrigan to take a three length advantage. Cruising along on the lead, Atascocita Kosta remained in front for the rest of the contest holding on to a safe one length margin at the finish line ahead of a hard charging Kells Diablo from Lingle Kennel.
The “crème de la crème” of the young career of Atascocita Kosta occurred on May 8 as the blossoming superstar flew around the Gulf Greyhound Park racing oval in his fastest time ever. Wearing the blue colors of the #2 post position, Atascocita Kosta broke immediately to a lead that would never be relinquished and the only question left to be answered was “by how much”? As the daylight increased to a final winning margin of five lengths for win number six in a row, the timer stopped at a career best electrifying time of 29.91 seconds.
Winning Javis (05/03/14)
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For the second time this year, Winning Javis from the D.Q. Williams Kennel enters the Greyhound of the Week spotlight putting together a two race winning streak to help improve his record this year to 16/7-2-2-2 and resume the journey up the list of the top greyhounds on the Texas Gulf Coast for owner Sharon L. Williams and trainer Craig Edwards.
Since earning the honors earlier this year in January while riding the wave of a four race win string, the 73-pound black son of Fuzzys Cannon – Winning Olga has experienced some difficulty finding his way back to the Gulf Greyhound Park winner’s circle with only one grade A win in nine starts during the months of March and April.
After a narrow defeat by the paws of Korn from Currid Racing on April 16, Winning Javis made his way to the La Marque, Texas racing oval for his next opportunity on April 24 drawing the black colors of the middle #5 post position. A bit of racing luck presented itself as Winning Javis had the opportunity to have some breathing room at the break due to the scratch of #6 Fina With Flash from Tri-State Kennel and attracted the bullseye as the post time favorite at odds of 9/5. As the 550-yard starting box opened, Winning Javis muscled the rivals to his inside out of the way to achieve his preferred rail running position in pursuit of the early box speed and race leader Gable Lisa from Bone Man Racing Kennel. As the leaders made their way into the far turn, Winning Javis used a slippery move to sneak ahead of Gable Lisa to put his nose in front for good and pulled away to a final winning margin of four lengths.
The road would not be any easier in the next start for Winning Javis facing some of the finest sprinters that the Gulf has to offer in the thirteenth race finale on Thursday evening May 1. The post position draw proved fortunate with the blue colors of the #2 post and Winning Javis took full advantage with a good start from the 550-yard starting box and moving into an ideal stalking second place position behind Sakkara Travis from Lingle Kennel. For a majority of this journey, Winning Javis just could not make up any ground on the 1½ length advantage maintained by Sakkara Travis but as hope began to fade for his connections, Winning Javis kicked his motor into another gear and accelerated down the stretch to win by ½ length over a game Sakkara Travis and strong closing Gable Demigod from Bone Man Racing Kennel.
Need My Moneynow (04/26/14)
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D.Q. Williams Kennel and owner Sharon L. Williams have provided another gem for everyone on the Texas Gulf Coast to enjoy as Need My Moneynow has taken Gulf Greyhound Park by storm to earn the Greyhound of the Week honors. In a mere three months, the 67-pound white/black son of No More Loving – Need A Date has completed the climb up the grade ladder while building an impressive record of 10/7-0-3-0.
When first setting his paws upon the sands of the La Marque, Texas racing oval, success arrived immediately with wins in both official schooling efforts by seven lengths each and then a graduation from the maiden class with an impressive debut of an eight length demolition on February 9. Three weeks would pass by before his next opportunity to compete with a shutdown of racing at the Gulf due to kennel sickness but there no was hangover as trainer Craig Edwards had Need My Moneynow as sharp as a whistle rolling to a five length victory in grade J on March 2.
The road against tougher competition became a little more difficult finding trouble in the first attempt versus a grade C field tasting defeat for the first time with a third place finish but quickly rebounded with a front running effort to continue into grade B. After two additional third place finishes, Need My Moneynow conquered his grade B rivals on April 3 to begin a winning streak consisting of four wins in a row including his first two efforts against “the best of the best” in grade AA.
The top grade AA debut for Need My Moneynow was greeted by a meeting with one of Gulf Greyhound Park’s top 550-yard athletes, Atascocita Davy from Libby Racing Kennels, on April 13. Need My Moneynow used the advantage of the #1 post position draw to establish an early one length advantage over a well-positioned Atascocita Davy wearing the yellow colors of the #6 post position and his wide running style. The intense duel would continue as the two superstars made their run down the backstretch and pulled even nose to nose for the final stretch run. As Atascocita Davy drifted to his preferred outside portion of the racetrack, a glimmer of daylight presented itself and Need My Moneynow grasped the opportunity to reach the finish line in front by a whisker while posting a career best time of 29.99 seconds.
The journey would not become any easier as Need My Moneynow drew into an awesome top grade AA field including a rematch with Atascocita Davy, along with Korn from Currid Racing and his four race winning streak, last year’s Diane Whiteley Memorial Sprint Champion Slatex Slaton from Bone Man Racing Kennel and Sakkara Bowie from Lingle Kennel on April 23. Wearing the green colors of the #4 post position, Need My Moneynow found himself in pursuit of the blue colors worn by #2 Sakkara Bowie for most of the 550-yard journey. Already known for his early box speed and winning on the front end, Need My Moneynow showed the ability to come from behind by finding another gear down the stretch to pass Sakkara Bowie and cross the finish line in front by 1½ lengths.
Atascocita Kosta (04/19/14)
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Throughout the history of racing at Gulf Greyhound Park, you may have noticed many successful greyhounds with a name that began with “Atascocita”. Owner George Ulmer of Atascocita Racing has provided Libby Racing Kennels and trainer Troy Tinney another young superstar in Atascocita Kosta who has captured the Greyhound of the Week spotlight with a three race winning streak and a record of 18/9-2-1-2.
The career of the 74-pound red son of Kiowa Sweet Trey – Atascocita Edith can be divided into two completely different portions. The first part began with Atascocita Kosta first setting his paws on the La Marque, Texas racing in October of 2013 and overcame a troublesome debut to graduate from the maiden class in his second career start on October 30. The month of November provided four winless trips around the 550-yard course in grade J and an abrupt end to racing for the year after failing to finish his race on November 19 to depart the racing scene.
Two months would pass by and Atascocita Kosta returned with a “bang!” running away to victories in both of his official schooling efforts but was he truly ready for the lights of the big show? The answer provided was an emphatic “Yes!” as Atascocita Kosta won by 8½ lengths in grade J on January 23 and followed that winning effort with a 9 length demolition of a grade C field seven days later. After a second place finish versus grade B competition, Atascocita Kosta found his way back to the winner’s circle in his next outing three weeks later on February 27 after the Gulf was forced to shut down racing due to kennel sickness.
For the time in his young career, Atascocita Kosta was presented with a muddy racetrack facing grade A rivals on March 5 and clearly showed it was not to his liking with an even fifth place finish. Things turned around quickly a week later as Atascocita Kosta resumed his winning ways with a dead heat victory reaching the finish line at the same moment as CTW Quantos from K-Rod Kennel. This momentum carried forward into the top grade AA debut on March 16 and completed the climb through the grade ladder with a front running victory by three lengths.
The month of April has found Atascocita Kosta going a perfect three for three against top grade AA competition. After a strong come from behind four length victory on April 4, an exciting duel presented itself as Mr Caleb from D.Q. Williams Kennel and his four race winning streak came calling against Atascocita Kosta on April 11. With a career best effort of 29.99 seconds, Atascocita Kosta led every step of the journey and held off the late challenge from Mr Caleb to win a nostril. A similar scenario would occur in his next attempt on April 18 as Atascocita Kosta once again sprinted away to a large early lead and managed to hold off the strong closing bid from Slatex Albany of Bone Man Racing Kennel by the exact same winning margin of a nose.
Korn (04/12/14)
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A recent run of three successful trips around the 550-yard course at Gulf Greyhound Park has landed Korn from Currid Racing into this week’s Greyhound of the Week spotlight. Competing for trainer Heather Currid and owner Plum Creek, the 78-pound black son of Rhythmless – Soft Machine appears to be rejuvenated and found the impressive form that established himself as one of the top sprinters on the Texas Gulf Coast while accumulating a record of 31/13-3-2-3 last year.
In July of 2013. Korn arrived from Southland Greyhound Park in West Memphis, Arkansas as a grade D competitor and made an immediate splash at the Gulf winning his first three races in grades D, C & B. A short four race winless streak ensued before Korn went on a magical run winning 9 out of his next 13 contests including seven top grade AA races from August 28 through October 23.
Unfortunately for Korn and his connections, the final two months of 2013 were a struggle with only one more trip to the winner’s circle against grade A competition on December 22. The turning of the page to a new year proved to be profitable as Korn “righted the ship” and earned a paycheck in seven consecutive outings including two more grade AA winning journeys.
Beginning this latest winning streak with a five length romp in grade A on March 28, Korn managed to mirror that front running effort in his next opportunity on April 3. Drawing the black colors of the middle #5 post position once again, Korn jumped out of the 550-yard starting box immediately on top and led every step of the way to win by 2½ lengths ahead of Winning Javis from D.Q. Williams Kennel.
The proverbial icing on the cake arrived on Thursday evening April 10 with the thrill of a heart pounding stretch duel. Wearing the lucky stripes of the #7 post position, Korn used his patented outside running style to his advantage circling traffic around the first turn to remain in contention pursuing race leader Gable Lisa from Bone Man Racing Kennel. Entering the mix along the rail was KB’s Show N Tell from K-Rod Kennel as Korn now found himself in third place at the top of the stretch. Swinging to the outer portion of the racetrack, Korn accelerated with every stride to nose out KB’s Show N Tell at the finish line to score win number three in a row and improve his 2014 record to 13/5-2-1-2.
BWG Eat My Dust (04/05/14)
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There are a few moments in life that we are fortunate enough to have the opportunity to witness something very special. This also includes the business of greyhound racing and having one of those incredible athletes that will make you just sit back in your rocking chair one day and say, “oh yeah, I remember that greyhound was one of the best to ever race at Gulf Greyhound Park.” That statement applies to this week’s Greyhound of the Week, BWG Eat My Dust from Big Water Kennel, who has earned the title as “King of the Super Sprint Course” by simply dominating the 330-yard distance races.
When trainer Sissy Sabell and owner David Dickson made the decision to move the 72-pound black son of Super Lee – Dobbs Fairy to the super sprint course on August 27, even they have to be a little surprised by the number of successful journeys while earning the Greyhound of the Year honors and leading the way with a total of 29 wins in 2013 over the 330 and 550-yard distances. The winning trend has continued into this year as BWG Eat My Dust is currently on one of those streaks that can almost be classified as “a fantasy” winning nine out of his last ten races and accumulating a record of 13/10-1-0-1 in 2014. In fact, taking a closer look at the numbers, BWG Eat My Dust has competed over the 330-yard course on 34 occasions and won an eye opening 25 times, wow!
Currently in the midst of a five race winning streak that began on Wednesday afternoon March 5, the rail running superstar has obviously drawn all of the attention from the fans as the betting favorite in each one of these races and has not disappointed them by winning comfortably in all of those contests except for one. On that particular occasion on March 19, BWG Eat My Dust found himself in a heated battle with LD Fly Red Tail from Sambade Racing, LLC. In fact, LD Fly Red Tail had his nose out front around the first turn and as the two combatants raced stride for stride down the stretch, BWG Eat My Dust proved victorious with a nail biting victory by a nostril at odds of 3/5.
On paper, the latest effort on Thursday evening April 3 shaped up to be a difficult challenge for BWG Eat My Dust facing Kells Believer from Lingle Kennel and her three race win string entering the contest. As the starting box opened, BWG Eat My Dust got down to business quickly by popping out on top and establishing a two length advantage around the first turn ahead of Gable Cathead from Bone Man Racing Kennel and LD Fly Red Tail with Kells Believer being knocked out of contention with a collision. Flying along in his preferred rail running position, there was no stopping BWG Eat My Dust ultimately crossing the finish line four lengths in front while running his fastest time since December 15 stopping the timer at 17.18 seconds as the even money favorite.
Mr Caleb (03/29/14)
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If you are one to play and dabble a little in the stock market, then do not overlook this week’s recipient of the Greyhound of the Week honors, Mr Caleb from D.Q. Williams Kennel, as his stock is on the rise developing into one of the top sprinters at Gulf Greyhound Park. With the benefit of two impressive front running victories, the 71-pound white/brindle son of Fuzzys Cannon – Loveless has improved his career record to 27/7-4-6-2 for owner Sharon Williams and trainer Craig Edwards.
The first time that Mr Caleb made his appearance on the La Marque, Texas racing oval in February of 2013 was very brief has Mr Caleb did not finish his journey around the 550-yard course in his second official schooling effort on February 10th. Seven months would pass by before making his return on September 20th with a second place effort in another official schooling contest and showed promise by winning his next official schooling outing on September 24th.
Now, it was time for the bright lights of the big show and Mr Caleb responded in excellent fashion winning his maiden debut on September 27th as the race favorite. The journey through the grading ranks was now off and running and a peculiar pattern developed as Mr Caleb competed in three races in every grade along the way (J, C, B and A) then found his way back to the winner’s circle in his fourth attempt. During this strange pattern of climbing up the grade ladder, the career of Mr Caleb was very profitable earning a purse check for his connections in 13 out of 14 races from October 13th through December 26th including taking the final step with a grade A victory.
Next on his plate was the elite grade AA competition that the Gulf has to offer and after two out of the money finishes while getting his paws wet, Mr Caleb scored his first top grade AA victory in attempt number three on January 15. Unfortunately, a period of six starts covering the next two months would follow without another victory while earning two second place and one third place finish for his efforts.
Thursday evening March 20th proved to be a magical night on the calendar as Mr Caleb raced around the 550-yard course in the fastest time of his career at 29.79 seconds on the way to victory. Wearing the red colors of the #1 post position, Mr Caleb popped out on top and turned away a challenge for the lead from CV’s Cinderosa of K-Rod Kennel. Flying along on the front end, there was no hope for the rest of the top grade field catching Mr Caleb on this night crossing the finish line four lengths in front.
The next opportunity for Mr Caleb would arrive on the cloudy, drizzly afternoon of Wednesday March 26 sporting the blue racing blanket of the #2 post position. After the career best performance in his previous start, there was no hangover as Mr Caleb flashed his skills once again going box to wire with the bullseye as the race favorite at odds of 7/5. With another quick start, Mr Caleb established a three length advantage early in the contest and managed to keep the same comfortable margin ahead of strong closer Rio Rambo from K-Rod Kennel stopping the timer at 30.10 seconds.
KB’s Show N Tell (03/22/14)
Click to view KB’s Show N Tell’s Win.
Gulf Greyhound Park’s top kennel K-Rod Kennel continues to bring some of the fastest greyhounds to ever grace the sands of the La Marque, Texas racing oval and KB’s Show N Tell adds his name to the list as this week’s Greyhound of the Week. Over the course of a period of nearly ten months, the rail running 67-pound black son of Rhythmless – Bolo Whisper owned by Charter Kennel, Inc. has compiled a record of 55/13-8-9-7 but only recently has become one of the hottest 550-yard athletes at the track.
When KB’s Show N Tell first set his paws on the racing surface here at the Gulf in May 2013 for trainer Cindy Unrein, good fortune arrived immediately after winning both of his official schooling efforts with victories in three out of his first four races to quickly climb the ladder into grade B. Then the learning curve arrived as competition toughened bringing a ten race drought before visiting the winner’s circle again on July 21st.
After a couple more victories, KB’s Show N Tell progressed into top grade AA for the first of three times in his career on August 17th but the well went completely dry. Despite hitting the board in just over half of his starts covering a period of 23 starts while riding a roller coaster of dropping into grade A and visiting grade AA for the second time through December 4th, KB’s Show N Tell only mustered one grade A victory on October 8th and found himself dropping further into grade B. Since that point, an awakening has arrived in the career of KB’s Show N Tell as the stay in grade B was very brief winning immediately on December 10th igniting a hot streak of 10 out of 13 in the money finishes with six wins, two seconds and two third place finishes including a current run of three straight AA victories and four out of his last five top grade efforts.
With the crowning achievement of winning his first top grade AA contest on January 30th, a sixth place would follow four weeks later on February 27th after Gulf Greyhound Park was shut down due to kennel sickness. Things changed around quickly in KB’s Show N Tell’s next opportunity on March 7th lighting up the tote board at longshot odds of 18 to 1 with a come from behind victory by three lengths to begin this win streak.
One week later on March 14th, KB’s Show N Tell and kennelmate CV’s Cinderosa put on quite a show with a heart pounding duel that covered the entire 550-yard journey. Wide running CV’s Cinderosa got the early jump taking a one length lead around the first turn with rail KB’s Show N Tell in pursuit. The lead changed paws down the backstretch as KB’s Show N Tell slipped by along the rail establishing a 1½ lead entering the final stretch run. CV’s Cinderosa drifted to the outside portion of the racetrack and made one final bid for the lead but KB’s Show N Tell proved too tough crossing the wire one length in front.
The proverbial “icing on the cake” arrived on March 21 as KB’s Show N Tell earned his third consecutive victory in resounding fashion running the fastest time of his career at 29.94 seconds. With an excellent ground saving maneuver around the first turn to take the lead away from frontrunners River Wader and Bob’s Trace, KB’s Show N Tell proved to be too difficult to catch racing away by three lengths.
Atascocita Davy (03/15/14)
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After a very successful campaign of finishing in second place on the wins list and the top 550-yard athlete at Gulf Greyhound Park in 2013, Atascocita Davy from Libby Racing Kennels continues to perform at the highest level as one of the top sprinters on the Texas Gulf Coast. With the benefit of a current two race winning streak increasing his record this year to 7/4-1-1-0, the black 66-pound wide running son of Rhythmless – Atascocita Jade staked his claim to the Greyhound of the Week honors.
While battling for the Greyhound of the Year title with eventual win leader, BWG Eat My Dust from Big Water Kennel who did most of his damage over the 330-yard super sprint course, Atascocita Davy built an impressive 2013 record of 60/25-7-4-5 before shutting things down in the middle of November. Returning from a two month departure on January 16, Atascocita Davy began 2014 with a fifth place finish but then started a pattern of winning every other race with victories on January 23 and February 8.
A period of three weeks passed by before Atascocita Davy would get another attempt around the 550-yard racing oval as Gulf Greyhound Park was shut down for the majority of the month of February due to kennel sickness but continued the on again, off again winning pattern with a respectable third place finish on March 1.
The next opportunity for Atascocita Davy arrived on Saturday evening March 8 drawing the red colors of the #1 post position. Despite his running style of favoring the outside portion of the racetrack, Atascocita Davy has still managed some successful journeys from the rail with five wins out of seventeen previous attempts in his career before entering this contest. Sent off as the second choice on the odds board at 2 to 1, Atascocita Davy broke alertly from the starting box and managed to maneuver to his preferred wide position in pursuit of early speedster Texan Mercilus from Tri-State Kennel. After chasing and unable to catch Texan Mercilus in his previous outing, Atascocita Davy turned the tables on his rival and used a determined stretch run to win by two lengths in a very fast time of 30.02 seconds.
The post position draw proved to be more kind for Atascocita Davy’s next outing on Saturday evening March 15 sporting the lucky stripes of the #7 post and the bullseye as the 3/5 race favorite. Splashing along over a wet racing surface, Atascocita Davy rushed past early race leaders Ruff Flame from K-Rod Kennel and Bob’s Eureka from Currid Racing to achieve a three length advantage around the first turn. From that point forward, Atascocita Davy literally “sprouted wings” by pulling away from his competition on the way to a 10½ length demolition while running the fastest time of the evening by far at 30.50 seconds.
Congratulations are in order for owner Atascocita Racing, trainer Troy Tinney and of course to this week’s recipient of the Greyhound of the Week honors, Atascocita Davy, for this latest accomplishment in his future Hall of Fame career.
Sakkara Bowie (03/08/14)
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For the second time in his career at Gulf Greyhound Park, Sakkara Bowie from Lingle Kennel has earned the Greyhound of the Week honors with back to back gritty efforts. On the first occasion back in October, the 75-pound red fawn son of Bob’s Skeet – WW’s Edith owned by Karen Hyde and trained by David Lingle was in the midst of a seven race winning streak. Of course, all good things must come to an end as the streak was snapped but good fortune returned in the month of December with three more victories on the way to a very successful 2013 campaign of 43/19-10-4-3.
After his last triumphant effort on December 19, the journey around the La Marque, Texas racing oval developed into a bumpy one going winless over a period of seven starts. Despite being shut out from the winner’s circle, Sakkara Bowie was a factor in every one of his outings cashing in a purse check with three seconds, one third and three fourth place finishes.
Finally on Valentine’s Day, February 14, Sakkara Bowie resumed his winning ways with a determined stretch run. Wearing the white colors of the #3 post position, Sakkara Bowie positioned himself in his familiar rail running spot in hot pursuit of race leader Kells Casanova from Tri-State Kennel. Throughout his career, a majority of the winning efforts from Sakkara Bowie were on the lead with a rare occasion of coming from behind to claim the victory. This night would prove to be one of those moments as Sakkara Bowie made his move down the stretch and reached the finish line in the final strides to win by the narrow margin of a neck.
A rematch was in order as Sakkara Bowie and Kells Casanova went to war once again on Sunday afternoon March 2 and the ending result provided a feeling of “de-ja-vu”. Rail running Sakkara Bowie drew a more difficult post position starting from the outside #8 while Kells Casanova had the inside advantage from the #2 post position. In similar fashion, Sakkara Bowie found himself in hot pursuit of the one length lead held by Kells Casanova. The running order remained the same until Sakkara Bowie pulled even with Kells Casanova at the top of the stretch and then it was time for round two. Matching stride for stride, the two combatants battled to the wire with Sakkara Bowie winning the stretch duel for the second straight occasion.
Rambo For Dawn (03/01/14)
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With only a short three day period of racing, there were many contenders for this week’s Greyhound of the Week honors. A final decision was made as Rambo For Dawn from D.Q. Williams Kennel accomplished the milestone of earning her first top grade victory in her grade AA debut while accumulating a career record of 35/9-4-7-4 owner Sharon Williams and trainer Craig Edwards.
Once setting her paws on the La Marque, Texas racing oval for the first time in August of 2013, the career of the 63-pound red daughter of RA Blazer – Rambo For Linda can best be described with three separate streaks of success. It did not take long for Rambo For Dawn to find her way to the winner’s circle graduating from the maiden class in her second official start on August 27. In fact, the first four weeks of competition during the months of August/September resulted in many successful trips cashing a check in 8 out of 9 races ultimately earning her second career victory on September 24 in grade J.
Things took a turn for the worse during the months of October and early November as Rambo For Dawn remained stuck in grades C and D with only one victory to her credit in ten starts. All of a sudden for a two week period from November 12th to the 26th, Rambo For Dawn “caught fire” winning three out of her next four races and climbed the grade ladder into grade A. The roller coaster ride took another downward spiral during December and January as Rambo For Dawn experienced much difficulty with another period of ten starts in grades A & B earning only one second, one third but one victory on January 9th was a highlight running her fastest time ever at 30.27 seconds.
As the page on the calendar turned to the month of February, so did the results as good fortune returned to Rambo For Dawn. After a determined winning effort in grade A on February 6th, Rambo For Dawn made the most of her top grade AA debut three weeks later on February 27th with a spectacular stretch drive. Starting from the #3 post position, Rambo For Dawn moved to her familiar mid-track path behind early race leader BWG Sizzlin of Big Water Kennel and Sakkara Travis of Lingle Kennel. With Sakkara Travis holding a two length advantage at the top of the stretch, Rambo For Dawn kicked her engine into another gear and accelerated down the final parts of the 550-yard journey to win by one length ahead of a strong closing bid from Rio Rambo of K-Rod Kennel.
Ruff Flame (02/08/14)
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After a very successful 2013 campaign at Gulf Greyhound Park which included 16 wins and a third place finish in the finals of the $50,000 Diane Whitely Sprint Championship, Ruff Flame from K-Rod Kennel has put together a pair of hard earned victories to earn the Greyhound of the Week honors to improve his record this year to 5/2-0-1-2.
Since posting a top grade AA victory on November 29, the months of December and January were very difficult for the 67-pound white/red son of TK Quick Strike – Oh Yeah Baby posting only one grade A victory during a period of nine trips around the 550-yard racing oval. The tide turned for the better on January 29 as Ruff Flame overcame a difficult #5 post-position draw with a front running effort under extreme pressure posting a one length victory.
The icing on the cake arrived on Thursday evening February 6 as Ruff Flame proved the best in a four way battle down the stretch to earn back to back triumphant trips. Drawing the green and white stripes of the #7 post position, Ruff Flame had to overcome some adversity early in the race after being forced wide around the first turn but rallied quickly to position himself in second place behind race leader Sakkara Bowie from Lingle Kennel. With Kells Casanova of Tri-State Kennel shadowing every stride just to the outside, Ruff Flame continued to close the gap on Sakkara Bowie before finally putting his nose in front for good down the stretch and crossing the finish line by the narrow margin of a head in a time of 31.42 seconds.
This latest run of success improves the career record of Ruff Flame to an impressive 93/24-12-11-14. Congratulations are in order for owner Charter Kennel, Inc., trainer Cindy Unrein and of course to Ruff Flame for earning the Greyhound of the Week honors for the second time.
BWG Eat My Dust (02/01/14)
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This week’s recipient of the Greyhound of the Week honors requires little introduction after earning top honors at Gulf Greyhound Park as the 2013 win leader with 29 triumphant trips around the La Marque, Texas racing oval. Earning the nickname “the King of the Super Sprint Course”, BWG Eat My Dust is starting to pick up where he left off last year winning back to back races and scoring three wins in his last four races to grab the spotlight.
While accumulating an impressive career record of 63/32-1-5-4, the 72-pound black son of Super Lee – Dobbs Fairy has definitely taken a liking to the 330-yard course competing exclusively over the super sprint course since August 27, 2013 earning 18 of his 32 wins on the way to being named Greyhound of the Year at the Gulf.
The first couple of weeks of 2014 was a bumpy ride for BWG Eat My Dust only winning one of his first three starts but still drew the bullseye as the post time favorite on Sunday afternoon January 19. Drawing a favorable #2 post position for his rail running style, BWG Eat My Dust found himself in a heated battle with Gable Cathead from Bone Man Racing Kennel for the entire 330-yard journey. Saving ground along the rail, BWG Eat My Dust emerged from the long duel with a narrow victory by a neck in a time of 17.33 seconds.
One week would pass by before BWG Eat My Dust was able to flash his championship skills again, this time drawing the white colors of the #3 post position on Sunday afternoon January 26. After breaking evenly with the rest of the field, BWG Eat My Dust quickly accelerated to a one length lead at the first turn benefitting from some collisions behind him. Driving along the rail, BWG Eat My Dust kept a firm grip on his lead ahead of a strong bid from LD Fly Red Tail of Sambade Racing, LLC to win by one length as the odds-on 4/5 choice for owner David Dickson and trainer Sissy Sabell.
Winning Javis (01/18/14 & 01/25/14)
Click to view Winning Javis’ 1st Win.
Click to view Winning Javis’ 2nd Win.
There is a saying that “one must respect a streak” and sticking with that theme, Winning Javis from D.Q. Williams Kennel earned his title as the Greyhound of the Week for the second consecutive occasion.
After taking two straight trips to the Gulf Greyhound Park winner’s circle last week, the 73-pound black son of Fuzzys Cannon – Winning Olga would have his opportunity to extend that streak on Saturday evening January 25. The post-position draw put the rail running style of Winning Javis in another difficult spot breaking from the outside #8 post. Many of the same faces stood in the way of Winning Javis with five of the other seven competitors in the field seeking to play the revenge card. Sent off as the second choice at odds of 5/2 behind race favorite Korn from Currid Racing, Winning Javis wasted little time going immediately to the front end ahead of early speedsters Gable Raven of Bone Man Racing Kennel and Kells Lola of Cityboy Racing. Establishing a three length advantage around the first turn, the remainder of the 550-yard journey remained unchallenged for Winning Javis cruising home comfortably to a one length victory in a time of 30.74 seconds ahead of strong charging Korn.
The 2014 campaign for Winning Javis is off to an excellent start and is tied on top of the wins list with a record of 4/3-0-0-1 and improving his career record on the Texas Gulf Coast to 25/7-5-4-2. Congratulations go out to owner Sharon Williams, trainer Craig Edwards and of course to Winning Javis for taking the bragging rights for back to back weeks.
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This week saw the superstars from D.Q. Williams Kennel flying around the La Marque, Texas racing oval to earn the weekly accolades and one particular athlete, Winning Javis, shined the brightest with a pair of top grade AA victories to claim the Greyhound of the Week honors.
Winning Javis arrived at Gulf Greyhound Park in the beginning of the summer of 2013 from Naples-Fort Myers, Florida and made an immediate splash by running a 29.68 second blistering journey for a grade A victory in his second official start. The first visit to the elite competition of the Gulf’s top grade AA may have been too overwhelming for the 73-pound black son of Fuzzys Cannon – Winning Olga only cashing in two second place efforts in six starts before being forced away from the scene in the middle of July.
Returning in late September after a 2½ month departure, Winning Javis was back on his game with a second place finish followed quickly in his next outing with a grade A victory. A streak of cashing one paycheck after another materialized bringing a smile of trainer Craig Edwards and owner Sharon L. Williams finishing in the money in 11 out of 12 starts including his first top grade AA victory on November 2 and another grade AA victory on November 21. Another bump in the road arrived on November 24 with a seventh place finish and Winning Javis was forced away once again for the remainder of 2013.
A new year and a fresh start arrived for Winning Javis making his 2014 debut on January 8th with an honest fourth place effort finishing only four lengths behind. Perhaps needing that race to get his paws wet again, Winning Javis found himself facing a talented field on Sunday afternoon January 12 and found little respect from the fans being sent off at longshot odds of 13 to 1. Starting from the outside #8 post position, Winning Javis maneuvered his way around early traffic and positioned himself perfectly behind front running kennelmate MW’s Morrigan around the first turn. Steadily closing the gap, Winning Javis caught up with his friendly rival and proved the best down the stretch to win by one length.
The winning effort appeared to catch the attention of the fans for the next outing from Winning Javis on Saturday evening January 18 going off as the second choice on the odds board behind Korn from Currid Racing, who had gone box to wire in his previous start. Despite drawing an unfavorable #6 post position for his rail running style, Winning Javis jumped out quickly from the 550-yard starting box achieving a two length lead around the first turn. The remainder of the journey went unchallenged as Winning Javis won back to back races for the first time since arriving on the Texas Gulf Coast and eclipsed the 30-second barrier with a 29.94 speedy performance, a territory not visited since June 27, 2013 when Winning Javis ran 29.88 seconds in a second place grade AA race.
With a successful start to his 2014 campaign winning two of his first three races, Winning Javis has improved his career record at Gulf Greyhound Park to 24/6-5-4-2.
Texan Mercilus (01/11/2014)
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After a very successful campaign in 2013, Texan Mercilus from Tri-State Kennel has started off 2014 with a “bang” winning his first two outings to earn the Greyhound of the Week honors. With 19 wins last year, the 75-pound brindle son of Starz Jenko – Noah’s Doc Is In continues to be one of the top 550-yard sprinters at Gulf Greyhound Park adding to his impressive career record of 73/21-12-12-6 flashing tremendous early speed and refusing to be caught.
The latter part of 2013 was a bit of a roller coaster ride for Texan Mercilus experiencing a low point over a four week period from the middle of October until the middle of November with only one third place finish out of seven starts dropping down the grade ladder to grade B. Then with the arrival of the Thanksgiving holiday, good fortune arrived scoring a victory in grade B followed by another victory at Valley Greyhound Park’s Festival of Racing on November 30.
Returning back to the La Marque, Texas racing oval, Texan Mercilus started the month of December with three straight second place finishes and a trouble filled seventh place finish before visiting the winner’s circle again on December 27 with his first top grade AA victory since October 13.
Competing for kennel owner Lonnie Boyle and trainer Cam Hawkins, Texan Mercilus finished off the year with a fourth place finish in the Au Revoir chasing Johnny Guitar from Big Water Kennel and returned for his 2014 debut on Saturday evening January 4. Drawing the yellow colors of the #6 post position, Texan Mercilus won the battle for the early lead over Kells Heatwave from LaRosa Racing Kennel eventually opening up a five length lead around the far turn. Things became a little nerve racking down the stretch as U Too Chelsie from K-Rod Kennel came flying with her strong closing speed but the finish line arrived in time for Texan Mercilus winning by one length.
Moving along to his next opportunity on Friday evening January 10, the post-position draw placed Texan Mercilus on the outside again with the lucky stripes of the #7 post. Flashing his notorious early box speed, Texan Mercilus sprinted away to a two length advantage and continued to cruise along comfortably on the lead ahead of KB’s Kebo Bob from K-Rod Kennel. Headed for home, another challenger from K-Rod Kennel, Rio Rambo, would come charging down the stretch but once again Texan Mercilus had enough fuel left in the tank to win by one length and start off 2014 a perfect two for two.
Johnny Guitar (12/31/2013)
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Before the sound of Auld Lang Syne filled the air as the crystal ball struck midnight on New Year’s Eve, there was a different tune being played around the La Marque, Texas racing oval by this week’s Greyhound of the Week, Johnny Guitar from Big Water Kennel. Competing for owner John Saladino and trainer Sissy Sabell, the 75-pound black son of Yahoo Omar – C Ya High Card finished off the month of December with a bang winning his final two starts including the Au Revoir Feature and celebrating the New Year.
The year of 2013 was definitely a roller coaster ride for Johnny Guitar. Returning from a five month departure from the racing scene, it took a few starts for Johnny Guitar to find success getting back to his winning ways with three top grade AA wins in the month of March but more bad news arrived returning Johnny Guitar to the proverbial shelf. As the heat of a Texas summer began to set in, Johnny Guitar made another return and remained in the Gulf’s elite competition scoring four more victories from June through August.
Tough times set in after a grade AA victory on August 17 as Johnny Guitar spent the next three plus months without the sweet taste of another top grade win and falling down the grade ladder to grade B for the first time since January of 2012. The stay in grade B was a brief one winning immediately and the uphill climb began entering the month of the December. After a third place finish in grade A, Johnny Guitar took full advantage of the beneficial #1 post position draws to win back to back races in grades A and AA announcing his return that he was back as one of the top sprinters on the Texas Gulf Coast.
Following a second place finish on December 21, Johnny Guitar returned to his winning ways going box to wire wearing the white colors of the #3 post position on December 27. Breaking immediately to the lead, Johnny Guitar turned away the challenge from Kells Casanova of Tri-State Kennel and drew clear to a 3½ length victory while putting an end to the five race winning streak of possibly the hottest greyhound at Gulf Greyhound Park at the time, Gable Demigod from Bone Man Racing Kennel.
The final chapter of 2013 arrived with the Au Revoir Feature as the post draw was kind to the connections of Johnny Guitar drawing the favorable red colors of the #1 post position once again. Riding the wave of momentum, Johnny Guitar broke to the front but was passed up by speedster Sakkara Bowie of Lingle Kennel heading into the first turn. With a strong run down the backstretch, Johnny Guitar pulled even with Sakkara Bowie around the far turn and sprouted wings running away from the best that the Gulf had to offer winning by four lengths.
Finishing with a flurry, the 2013 campaign for Johnny Guitar resulted in a successful record of 48/15-6-8-8 while building future Hall of Fame numbers totaling 89/34-9-10-12 over his two year career.
Gable Demigod (12/21/2013)
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There is a saying “better late than never” right? This week’s recipient of the Greyhound of the Week honors, Gable Demigod from Bone Man Racing Kennel, has gone undefeated in the month of December while putting together a career best five race winning streak. This monumental string of victories includes his top grade AA debut and then proved it was not a fluke by winning again for trainer John Mitcham, Jr. and owner Green Smith.
Starting his career in the month of May, the 74-pound red brindle son of Gable Wyatt – Gunpowder Gertie took four tries to graduate from the maiden class using a come from behind running style. Three more victories would arrive in the next eight starts but Gable Demigod could not advance any further up the grade ladder spending the next five months in the middle grades of B and A.
With the arrival of the month of December came a “new and improved” version of Gable Demigod beginning with a grade C effort on the 1st. For the first time ever in his career, Gable Demigod broke immediately to the lead and ran away to a nine length demolition of his rivals. Two more “traditional” come from behind winning efforts followed in a grade B win on the 7th and a grade A win on the 12th catapulting him into the elite competition of the Gulf’s top grade AA.
The stage was set on Tuesday evening December 17 as Gable Demigod made his top grade debut drawing the blue colors of the #2 post position. The early portion of the contest found Gable Demigod in his usual position near the back of the pack while the previous Greyhound of the Week, TNJ Buck Fever from Big Water Kennel, set the early pace. While beginning to make his move down the backstretch, a bit of racing luck occurred as TNJ Buck Fever was hit from behind by C Ya Rock Star from LaRosa Racing Kennel creating an opportunity. Gable Demigod seized the moment and accelerated around the pack of leaders to reach the finish line one length in front for win number four in a row and his first grade AA victory.
The “icing on the cake” would arrive in his next start on Saturday evening December 21 as Gable Demigod came flying home to victory once again proving his last winning effort was not a “one hit wonder”. Wearing the green colors of the #4 post position, Gable Demigod experienced some early traffic placing him in sixth place around the first turn. As an opening appeared in the backstretch, here came Gable Demigod passing rivals one by one until finally driving past race leader BWG Burninground from Big Water Kennel to win by one length and extending his current win streak to five in a row.
TNJ Buck Fever (12/14/2013)
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For the second week in a row, Big Water Kennel and trainer Sissy Sabell provide the Greyhound of the Week at Gulf Greyhound Park with veteran TNJ Buck Fever basking in the spotlight. The 73-pound black son of Heart Rumble* – TNJ Teardrop used a pair of front running victories adding to a successful record this year of 68/14-14-13-5 and career totals of 118/26-26-18-11 over the past two years for owner James Tuddy Dietz.
This recent rejuvenation comes at a time when the visits to the winner’s circle were few and far between. Except for a grade A victory on November 7, TNJ Buck Fever was experiencing a dreadful drought going winless over a three month time frame since a period from July 12 to August 2 winning four out of five races including three top grade AA contests. Entering the grade AA tenth race on Friday evening December 6, TNJ Buck Fever had the taste of victory stolen away down the stretch in his previous two outings. The scales tipped in the favor of TNJ Buck Fever on this night refusing to be caught to claim the winner’s share of the purse. Starting from the middle #5 post position, TNJ Buck Fever rushed past RC’s Dominic of D.Q. Williams Kennel achieving a two length lead around the first turn. The lead of TNJ Buck Fever disappeared around the far turn as Sakkara Travis of Lingle Kennel made his bid for the lead pulling even at the top of the stretch setting the stage for an exciting finish. After “scraping paint” with each other, TNJ Buck Fever put his nose out front for good to win by one length over Sakkara Travis in a time of 30.44 seconds. The next opportunity would arrive on Thursday evening December 12 drawing the yellow colors of the #6 post position, suited favorably for his mid-track running style. Sent off at profitable odds of 6 to 1, TNJ Buck Fever proved his previous winning effort was not a fluke going immediately to the lead once again. With a three length lead in hand around the first turn ahead of Beautyspecialist from D.Q. Williams Kennel, TNJ Buck Fever cruised along on the lead comfortably and finished the 550-yard journey unchallenged to win by the same three length margin in a time of 30.29 seconds.
BWG Eat My Dust (12/07/2013)
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The tide has shifted once again in the battle for the title of Greyhound of the Year tipping in the favor of BWG Eat My Dust from Big Water Kennel with a two race winning streak to earn the Greyhound of the Week honors. Taking advantage of the departure of 25 race winner Atascocita Davy from Libby Racing Kennels, who has not competed since November 16, BWG Eat My Dust has emerged on top to seize the “King of the Hill” bragging rights with a record of 53/26-1-5-3 heading into Sunday afternoon’s action.
Walking to the starting box of the 330-yard super sprint course on Wednesday afternoon November 27, BWG Eat My Dust was experiencing a three race trouble filled winless streak after putting together a dominating seven race win string to propel the 72-pound black son of Super Lee – Dobbs Fairy to the top of the 2013 wins list. Despite the recent bad fortune, the fans tagged BWG Eat My Dust as the heavy 3/5 race favorite starting from the middle #5 post position. As the lid popped open, Law’s Colski of Sambade Racing, LLC broke quickly but BWG Eat My Dust said “enough is enough” and rushed past his rivals to achieve the lead, eventually sprinting away along the rail to win by five lengths to tie Atascocita Davy with his 25th win. The next opportunity for BWG Eat My Dust would arrive in the bone chilling air on Thursday evening December 5. The “Racing Gods” were definitely smiling down on BWG Eat My Dust this night providing some luck on the way to a track leading 26th win of 2013. Wearing the green colors of the #4 post position, BWG Eat My Dust wasted little time going immediately to the lead and looking back historically in his previous 11 victories over the 330-yard super sprint course, has not been caught on the front end. So with history on his side, chances were that BWG Eat My Dust wouldn’t have been run down anyways, right? Well, just in case, a traffic jam developed at the first turn behind BWG Eat My Dust ensuring that the superstar owned by David Dickson and trained by Sissy Sabell would race away all alone by eight lengths in a time of 17.29 seconds.
Sam Hanna (11/30/2013)
Click to view Sam Hanna’s Win.
Gulf Greyhound Park has been “invaded” with some top notch athletes from Tri-State Greyhound Park in West Virginia as Currid Racing continues to reload and one of their superstars has made an immediate impact to claim the Greyhound of the Week honors in just four starts on the Texas Gulf Coast. Sam Hanna, a 77-pound black son of Trent Lee – D’s Smiley, does his best running from the back of the pack and his mid-track running style has struck gold cashing in two consecutive top grade AA victories to earn the glitter and fame of the weekly accolades for owner Plum Creek and trainer Heather Currid.
Before making his southbound journey, Sam Hanna competed in grade AA at Tri-State very successfully with a record of 42/7-12-8-6 which adds up to cashing a paycheck 78% of the time. After schooling in very well with a second place finish, Sam Hanna was introduced to the blazing early box speed of the superstars at Gulf Greyhound Park in his first two official starts only managing to close ground for a pair of fifth place finishes behind previous Greyhound of the Week, Rio Lone Ranger from K-Rod Kennel.
The tables would turn for the better as a muddy racing surface presented itself on Saturday evening November 23 and late speed was the name of the game on this night playing perfectly into Sam Hanna’s favor. Starting from a perfect #8 post position for his running style, Sam Hanna made his usual bid from behind and used a sweeping move around early speedsters Atascocita Ty of Libby Racing Kennels and TNJ Road Runner of Big Water Kennel to score his first win at the Gulf by three lengths.
The next opportunity for Sam Hanna arrived on Wednesday afternoon November 27 drawing the yellow colors of the #6 post position. There’s always an added ingredient of excitement with the anticipation of a strong closer trying to catch a speedster flying along on the lead. This was the exact scenario that presented itself as Hot on Her Tail from D.Q. Williams Kennel led for most of the 550-yard journey until Sam Hanna came flying down the stretch in the center of the racetrack to reach the finish line one length in front.
Rio Lone Ranger (11/16/2013)
Click to view Rio Lone Ranger’s Win.
Finally, a new face arrives into the Greyhound of the Week spotlight as Rio Lone Ranger from K-Rod Kennel is emerging into one of the top sprinters at Gulf Greyhound Park. With a recent run of success winning four out of his last five races including a current streak of two top grade AA victories, the 68-pound red son of Lonesome Cry – Green Eyed Cat has improved his record to 23/8-3-3-1 for trainer Cindy Unrein and owner Dolores Russell. Finally, a new face arrives into the Greyhound of the Week spotlight as Rio Lone Ranger from K-Rod Kennel is emerging into one of the top sprinters at Gulf Greyhound Park. With a recent run of success winning four out of his last five races including a current streak of two top grade AA victories, the 68-pound red son of Lonesome Cry – Green Eyed Cat has improved his record to 23/8-3-3-1 for trainer Cindy Unrein and owner Dolores Russell.
The career of Rio Lone Ranger can be divided into two halves. Beginning in the month of June, Rio Lone Ranger started with a bang winning four of his first ten races climbing quickly through the grade ladder from maiden to grade A. Then things suddenly turned in the opposite direction with only one second place finish over the next six races forcing a departure from the racing scene in the middle of August. Arriving back to the La Marque, Texas racing oval in the first part of October, Rio Lone Ranger appeared rejuvenated winning both of his official schooling efforts. After getting his paws wet with a fifth place finish in his return on October 13, Rio Lone Ranger has flashed tremendous early box speed from the 550-yard starting box achieving the lead around the first turn in his last six races only to be caught twice winning four of the contests. After finishing third in his top grade AA debut on November 2, Rio Lone Ranger made a bold statement in his next opportunity on Friday evening November 8. Wearing the yellow colors of the #6 post position and facing Sakkara Bowie from Lingle Kennel with his seven race winning streak, Rio Lone Ranger popped out on top and refused to be caught with a determined 1½ length front running effort and his first career grade AA triumph. A rematch was in order on Wednesday afternoon November 13 as Rio Lone Ranger faced another top grade field including Sakkara Bowie. Drawing the blue colors of the #2 post position, Rio Lone Ranger went immediately to the lead once again establishing a two length lead around the first turn. Cruising down the backstretch, Rio Lone Ranger could hear the footsteps as Sakkara Bowie drove up to challenge around the far turn but Rio Lone Ranger refused to be caught on this day holding on by ½ length ahead of a late charge from Uinques Place of D.Q. Williams Kennel and Sakkara Bowie.
Atascocita Davy (11/02/2013 & 11/09/2013)
Click to view Atascocita Davy’s 1st Win.
Click to view Atascocita Davy’s 2nd Win.
As the two winning streaks consisting of seven wins in a row held by Sakkara Bowie of Lingle Kennel and BWG Eat My Dust of Big Water Kennel were extinguished, last week’s Greyhound of the Week, Atascocita Davy from Libby Racing Kennels found a way to keep his winning streak alive and kicking in order to keep the weekly honors for the second consecutive occasion.
Heading into the contest on Thursday evening October 7th, the deck was stacked against Atascocita Davy facing some of Gulf Greyhound Park’s top sprinters including Gable Raven from Bone Man Racing Kennel, Miss Jakie from D.Q. Williams Kennel and Korn from Currid Racing. Then throw in the fact of drawing an unfavorable #1 post position draw for his wide running style from which Atascocita Davy has not found the winner’s circle in his last four attempts wearing the red blanket. Despite all of this, the fans painted the “bullseye tag” on Atascocita Davy going off at odds of 2 to 1. As track announcer John Paul Faour gave his patented race call of “Here’s Marquey”, the 550-yard starting box opened and out popped Atascocita Davy immediately to the lead moving to his favored outside portion of the racetrack ahead of Gable Raven and Korn. Sprinting away early to an insurmountable three length advantage around the first turn, Atascocita Davy continued to fly on the front end going unchallenged for the remainder of his journey around the La Marque, Texas racing oval. The final winning margin was four lengths in a very fast time of 29.90 seconds. More importantly, Atascocita Davy stands alone once again on top of the 2013 wins list with an impressive record of 58/25-6-4-5 and lifetime future Hall of Fame numbers totaling 90/35-9-7-10. Congratulations go out to owner Atascocita Racing, trainer Troy Tinney and of course to Atascocita Davy for his current three race winning streak heading into a rematch with the same three rivals on Tuesday evening November 12. —————————————————————————-
The battle for the title of “top dog” and Greyhound of the Year continues to see-saw back and forth with this week’s Greyhound of the Week, Atascocita Davy from Libby Racing Kennels, stating his case with two top grade AA victories this week. Owned by Atascocita Racing and trained by Troy Tinney, the 65-pound black son of Rhythmless – Atascocita Jade continues to enjoy a very successful year with a record of 57/24-6-4-5 and pulled even with BWG Eat My Dust from Big Water Kennel on top of the wins list.
After two out of the money finishes heading into this week, Atascocita Davy entered his contest on Tuesday night October 29 trying to get back on track but faced a difficult top grade field including Korn, who has been a thorn in his side never defeating the superstar from Currid Racing. Drawing a favorable outside #6 post position for his wide running style, Atascocita Davy made his move down the backstretch and caught race leader SS Stem Winder of K-Rod Kennel around the far turn to take control. Appearing to “sprout wings”, Atascocita Davy sprinted away to a five length victory in a time of 30.16 seconds to pull temporarily pull even with BWG Eat My Dust at 23 wins.
Already knowing that BWG Eat My Dust had earned his 24th win on Thursday evening, Atascocita Davy was ready to go in the twentieth race finale on Saturday afternoon November 2. Starting from the middle #5 post positions, Atascocita Davy was made the second choice on the odds board behind the three race winning streak of Miss Jakie of D.Q. Williams Kennel. Breaking more alertly this time around, Atascocita Davy raced stride for stride with BWG Burninground of Big Water Kennel heading into the first turn. With a sweeping move heading into the backstretch, Atascocita Davy put his nose in front for good and extended his lead around the far turn to eventually cross the finish line 3½ lengths in front stopping the timer at 30.03 seconds.
Kennel of the Week
Lingle Kennel (01/03/15)
Although the Kennel of the Week honors only covered two days of racing to begin a new year, there is always a mad scramble by each of the kennels in the Gulf Greyhound Park compound because each wants to see their name on top of the kennel standings at least once. Starting off 2015 on the right note is Lingle Kennel and trainer David Lingle. With 21 starts covering the Friday and Saturday evening performances, the athletes from Lingle Kennel earned 5 wins, 3 seconds, 5 thirds and 2 fourth place finishes to cash in $4,037.68 worth of purse money for the two day period.
Tri-State Kennel (12/27/14)
During a shortened week of competition due to the Christmas holidays, a trio of kennels battled for the Kennel of the Week honors with Tri-State Kennel, Meteorite Kennel and Libby Racing Kennels each winning eight races. The deciding factor proved to be more finishes in the money from the athletes from Tri-State Kennel to claim the hard fought bragging rights for trainer Leon Giguere. The final numbers accumulated to 8 wins, 5 seconds, 6 thirds and 4 fourth place finishes to earn $8,491.76 in purse money. Leading the way was Backwood Lou and a grade TAA victory on Saturday evening over the 660-yard course.
D.Q. Williams Kennel (12/20/14)
It’s no secret that a majority of the top athletes competing over the longer 660-yard course have historically come from the D.Q. Williams Kennel. That point was proven truthful to the fullest extent with victories in each of the four races of the first round in the Texas Greyhound Association Christmas Classic to propel D.Q. Williams Kennel into the Kennel of the Week spotlight. Joining in on the fun were the two hottest sprinters at Gulf Greyhound Park as Seldom Told crushed his competition on Sunday afternoon and Need My Moneynow ran away to his fifth consecutive top grade AA victory on Wednesday afternoon. The final numbers for the week accumulated to 9 wins, 6 seconds, 4 thirds and 3 fourth place finishes out of 47 starts to cash in $9,081.82 worth of purse money for trainer Craig Edwards. With less than two weeks of racing left this year, D.Q. Williams Kennel will be the Kennel of the Year with their 354 wins ahead of the heated battle for second place between Currid Racing (327.5 wins) and Libby Racing Kennels (323 wins).
Currid Racing (12/13/14)
With the holidays in full swing, many of the kennels at Gulf Greyhound Park enjoyed a very successful and profitable week of racing. Putting a stop to the three week run from Tri-State Kennel and emerging on top of a heated battle for the Kennel of the Week honors was Currid Racing and trainer Freddy R. Currid. After an incredible beginning to the week with five wins on Sunday afternoon, the trips to the winner’s circle were sparse but the athletes continued to fill up the paysheet consistently with the final numbers adding up to 7 wins, 9 seconds, 3 thirds and 6 fourth place finishes earning $6,934.18 in purse money. Leading the way with a top grade victory was Fun For All and his smashing debut performance over the 660-yard course Saturday evening. The back and forth battle for second place in the kennel standings continues as this latest effort moves Currid Racing (318.5 wins) ahead of Libby Racing Kennels (318 wins) by ½ win with less than three weeks of competition remaining this year.
Tri-State Kennel (11/29/14)
Over recent times, the athletes from Tri-State Kennel have been running at the top of their game and the trend continued in dominating fashion to earn the Kennel of the Week honors for the second consecutive week. There has been a definite “pep in their step” as trainer Leon Giguere, along with kennel helpers Shannon Knight, Kathy Burd and Taryn Seals have turned things around drastically in the positive direction much to the delight of kennel owner Lonnie Boyle. After a very consistent performance during the week, the final exclamation point was provided emphatically on Saturday evening with a spectacular night of racing resulting in five trips to the Gulf Greyhound Park winner’s circle. Playing “the numbers game” to perfection with the most starts for the week at 59, the final numbers accumulated to 12 wins, 8 seconds, 5 thirds and 7 fourth place finishes totaling $7,990.87 worth of purse money to take to the bank.
Tri-State Kennel (11/22/14)
Kennel owner Lonnie Boyle of Tri-State Kennel can be credited with making one of the best decisions in the latter part of this year by bringing in trainer Leon Giguere. Since his arrival at Gulf Greyhound Park, the athletes from the Tri-State Kennel have been simply flying around the La Marque, Texas racing oval cashing in multiple opportunities on the paysheet. After narrowly missing the top honors last week, Tri-State Kennel and their consistent performance throughout the week proved the best outdueling Currid Racing for the Kennel of the Week honors. The final totals added up to 9 wins, 6 seconds, 8 thirds and 4½ fourth place finishes out of 48 starts to earn $6,772.06 in purse money. Leading the way with a pair of grade TAA victories over a muddy 660-yard course was Dutch Janelle while Hashtag Juanes also contributed with a grade TAA victory over the 330-yard super sprint course.
Bone Man Racing Kennel (11/15/14)
A full week of intense competition returned to the Texas Gulf Coast as a trio of kennels battled for the Kennel of the Week honors. Riding the wave of an excellent beginning to the week with three wins on Sunday matinee and five more victories on Wednesday afternoon, trainer John Mitcham, Jr. and his athletes from Bone Man Racing Kennel emerged on top to claim the weekly spotlight by the narrow margin of $123 over D.Q. Williams Kennel and $170 over Tri-State Kennel. The final numbers totaled 10 wins, 5 seconds, 6 thirds and 4 fourth place finishes out of 49 starts to cash in $6,416.46 worth of purse money at the bank. With victories coming in from all throughout the grade ladder, Slatex Albany led the way with a strong closing top grade AA winning effort on Wednesday afternoon. This latest effort places Bone Man Racing Kennel in fifth place of the yearly kennel standings just four wins behind fourth place K-Rod Kennel.
D.Q. Williams Kennel (11/01/14)
Beginning every Sunday with a fresh start and the slate wiped clean, each of the eleven kennels currently competing at Gulf Greyhound Park share the same optimism to be as successful as possible and earn the weekly “bragging rights” of the top kennel for the week. The question of who would be shining in the spotlight as this week’s Kennel of the Week was answered quickly as the athletes from D.Q. Williams Kennel simply dominated the racing scene with two incredible days of racing to claim the honors for two consecutive occasions. After trainer Craig Edwards led his superstars to six wins on Sunday afternoon and then six more victories on Wednesday afternoon, the final numbers for this eye-opening effort accumulated to 16 wins, 7 seconds, 3 thirds and 7 fourth place finishes out of 52 starts to eclipse the five figure mark cashing in $10,169.85 worth of purse money. Leading the way was arguably the fastest greyhound currently at Gulf Greyhound Park, Seldom Told, with a pair of top grade AA victories on Sunday afternoon and Saturday afternoon. Also contributing to the outstanding week was a 660-yard grade TAA victory from Sun Shinny Day on Wednesday afternoon and another speedy front running effort from Need My Moneynow on Thursday night. The lead on top of the kennel standings continues to grow as D.Q. Williams Kennel (313 wins) is racing away from second place Libby Racing Kennels (285 wins) and third place Currid Racing (276.5 wins).
D.Q. Williams Kennel (10/25/14)
After a one week departure from the weekly spotlight, trainer Craig Edwards and his athletes from D.Q. Williams Kennel returned with a fury to re-claim the Kennel of the Week honors once again. Using dominating efforts on three out of the four live racing performances during this past week, D.Q. Williams Kennel accumulated a total of 11 wins, 8 seconds, 5 thirds and 1 fourth place finish out of 45 starts to cash in $7,367.02 worth of purse earnings. Top grade AA victories were abundant with Seldom Told nearly breaking the 550-yard track record on Sunday afternoon, Miss Jakie putting an end to a long dry spell with a strong run on Wednesday afternoon and George H W Bush clinching a victory over the 330-yard super sprint course on Saturday night. With just over two months left this year, D.Q. Williams Kennel appears to be on their way to the Kennel Championship of 2014 by extending their lead on top of the kennel standings with their 297 wins. Libby Racing Kennels (278 wins) remains solidly in second place with Currid Racing (269.5 wins) continuing their pursuit in third place.
D.Q. Williams Kennel (10/11/14)
After D.Q. Williams Kennel ran away from the competition last week to earn the weekly spotlight, the race for the Kennel of the Week honors proved to be much more exciting as an intense back and forth duel materialized between the top two kennels currently at Gulf Greyhound Park, D.Q. Williams Kennel and Libby Racing Kennels. With everyone anxiously pacing the halls and calling on the telephone repeatedly to see who would hold the weekly “bragging rights” and begin all of the trash talking, the final results came down to the narrow margin of less than $24 as trainer Craig Edwards led his athletes from D.Q. Williams Kennel to the Kennel of the Week honors for the second consecutive week. Beginning the week on a slow note, the wins came rolling in on Thursday night and Saturday night to accumulate final numbers of 10 wins, 7 seconds, 4 thirds and 5 fourth place finishes out of 43 starts to earn $7,291.44 in purse money. Leading the way with top grade victories were Freedom Call, an emerging young superstar over the 660-yard course winning four out of her last five starts including a grade TAA victory Wednesday afternoon, and Need My Moneynow who ran around the 550-yard course Thursday evening in blinding fashion to post a career best time of 29.60 seconds for his seventh top grade AA winning effort in his last nine starts. Of course the battle on top of the yearly kennel standings continues among “the Big Three” with D.Q. Williams Kennel (279 wins) leading the way as Libby Racing Kennels (268 wins) moves into second place overtaking Currid Racing (264.5 wins) now in third place.
D.Q. Williams Kennel (10/04/14)
The performance given by the athletes from Gulf Greyhound Park’s top kennel, D.Q. Williams Kennel, can be summed up with one simple word, dominating. When analyzing the results, most of the attention can be focused in the middle of the week and one glorious afternoon on the Texas Gulf Coast. On Wednesday October 1, trainer Craig Edwards experienced one of those days that everyone dreams about by walking away with six winning trips out of the eight races D.Q. Williams Kennel were entered in. Of course, the momentum carried forward to the following evening on Thursday October 2 adding three more victories to their weekly total. The final numbers accumulated to 11 wins, 7 seconds, 6 thirds and 5 fourth place finishes out of 42 starts to cash in $7,996.24 in purse earnings. The lone top grade AA victory came from Need My Moneynow on Sunday afternoon winning an exciting back and forth duel over Sakkara Bowie. With this latest effort worthy of the Kennel of the Week honors. D.Q. Williams Kennel (269 wins) extended their advantage on top of the kennel standings over second place Currid Racing (259.5 wins) and third place Libby Racing Kennels (258 wins).
Currid Racing (09/27/14)
The battle for the weekly bragging rights around the Gulf Greyhound Park kennel compound ultimately centered on the trio of Currid Racing, D.Q. Williams Kennel and Big Water Kennel. With a spectacular effort of four victories on Saturday evening, the athletes from Currid Racing finished in furious fashion to earn the Kennel of the Week honors by the narrow margin of $378. Playing the numbers game to perfection, trainer Freddy R. Currid used their 52 starts (most this week throughout the kennels) to accumulate 9 wins, 6 seconds, 5 thirds and 10 fourth place finishes to cash in $6,978.23 worth of purse money. Leading the assault was Greyhound of the Week Scarlet Oconner and her hard earned top grade AA victory on Saturday evening. The battle on top of the kennel standings between “the Big Three” continues to be as intense as ever as Currid Racing (253.5 wins) remains in second place pursuing first place D.Q. Williams Kennel (258 wins) while third place Libby Racing Kennels (251 wins) is hot on their heels.
Libby Kennels (09/20/14)
For the first time in over a month, there is a new recipient of the Kennel of the Week honors as trainer Troy Tinney and the rest of his crew led their athletes from Libby Racing Kennels to the weekly spotlight. With the benefit of two excellent performances on Wednesday afternoon and Saturday night, Libby Racing Kennels accumulated a total of 8 wins, 7 seconds, 8 thirds and 2 fourth place finishes out of 44 starts to cash in $6,434.24 worth of purse money at the bank. Leading the way with top grade AA victories were Atascocita Keane on Sunday matinee over the 550-yard course and Trey Chic on Thursday evening over the 330-yard super sprint course. As a member of “the Big Three” here at Gulf Greyhound Park, Libby Racing Kennels (243 wins) remains in third place and still in the thick of the hunt chasing second place Currid Racing (244.5 wins) and the current “top dog” D.Q. Williams Kennel (251 wins).
D.Q. Williams Kennel (09/13/14)
There is a common saying which applies to this week of competition around the Gulf Greyhound Park racing oval in La Marque, Texas, “the more things change, the more they remain the same”. With the introduction of the New Fall Racing Schedule offering live racing on Sunday matinees, Wednesday matinees, Thursday evenings & Saturday evenings, the hottest kennel on the Texas Gulf Coast continued their assault on the rest of the kennel compound to earn the Kennel of the Week honors for the fourth consecutive week. Despite a majority of the kennels enjoying profitable weeks of their own, trainer Craig Edwards led his athletes from D.Q. Williams Kennel to a weekly best purse earnings check of $6,422.70 comprised from 8 wins, 5 seconds, 7 thirds and 4 fourth place finishes out of 43 starts. The trips to the winner’s circle came from a mixture of victories throughout the grade ladder but leading the way was Twinkle Twinkle’s hard fought mixed grade TAA triumph over the 660-yard course Thursday evening. As the streak continues, D.Q. Williams Kennel (246 wins) extended their leading margin on top of the kennel standings over second place Currid Racing (239.5 wins) and third place Libby Racing Kennels (235 wins).
D.Q. Williams Kennel (09/06/14)
There’s no question who the hottest kennel has been during the heat of the summer as trainer Craig Edwards continues to have his athletes flying around the La Marque, Texas racing oval. Not only did D.Q. Williams Kennel stamp their name as the Kennel of the Week for the third consecutive week but now the journey to the top of the yearly kennel standings is complete by overtaking Currid Racing and wearing the crown as “King of the Hill” at Gulf Greyhound Park. Doing most of their damage on Sunday matinee, Wednesday matinee and Thursday evening with numerous trips to the winner’s circle, the final totals for D.Q. Williams Kennel added up to 11 wins, 4 seconds, 11 thirds and 10 fourth place finishes out of 54 starts to earn $7,700.58 in purse money. The top grade victories kept rolling in with Seldom Told winning his 7th consecutive race on Sunday matinee, Winning Javis and George H W Bush won on Thursday evening and Need My Moneynow going box to wire on Friday night. For many weeks filling the role as the hunter, D.Q. Williams Kennel (238 wins) becomes the hunted with Currid Racing (236.5 wins) and Libby Racing Kennels (228 wins) taking up the chase.
D.Q. Williams Kennel (08/30/14)
Trainer Craig Edwards kept his athletes from D.Q. Williams Kennel on their “A” game to earn the Kennel of the Week honors for the second consecutive week and continue their assault towards the top of the yearly kennel standings. Using a steady diet of success for every performance, the final numbers accumulated to 11 wins, 9 seconds, 6 thirds and 5 fourth place finishes out of 53 starts to cash in $8,018.64 in purse money at the windows. Top grade victories were plentiful with a pair of winning trips from Need My Moneynow on Sunday afternoon and Saturday night along with MW’s Morrigan on Saturday evening and the historical win from Seldom Told on Wednesday afternoon. This latest effort has pushed D.Q. Williams Kennel (227 wins) into second place of the kennel standings jumping ahead of third place Libby Racing Kennels (226 wins) and now has their sights set on the leader of the pack Currid Racing (228.5 wins). As we move into the final third of the year, expect the competition among “the Big Three” to remain intense right down to the final race of 2014.
D.Q. Williams Kennel (08/23/14)
The battle on top of the kennel standings amongst “the Big Three” continues to heat up just like the dog days of summer here in the great state of Texas. With another impressive week, the athletes from D.Q. Williams Kennel have earned the Kennel of the Week honors for trainer Craig Edwards while continuing to close the distance on their rivals. Doing most of their damage on Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday with eight of their victories for the week, D.Q. Williams Kennel accumulated final numbers totaling 10 wins, 7½ seconds, 5½ thirds and 10 fourth place finishes to cash in $7,464.52 in purse money at the bank. Leading the charge was the speedy rail running specialist MW’s Morrigan and her top grade victory on Wednesday afternoon. As mentioned before, D.Q. Williams Kennel (216 wins) now has second place Libby Racing Kennels (218 wins) and first place Currid Racing (219.5 wins) in their crosshairs but in the same breath, there are still four long months before the ultimate finish line arrives so get your popcorn ready and enjoy the show!
Meteorite Kennel (08/16/14)
During this summer, the “big three” kennels at Gulf Greyhound Park have dominated the racing action but for the second time in two months, the athletes from Meteorite Kennel have stepped into the spotlight as the Kennel of the Week. Despite a slow start in the beginning of the week, business picked up for trainer Christopher Donoghue from Thursday through Saturday earning eight of their ten total wins for the week. Without the benefit of a top grade victory, the final numbers accumulated to 10 wins, 11 seconds, 5 thirds and 3 fourth place finishes cashing in $6,427.54 at the bank and barely edging out D.Q. Williams Kennel by $103 for the bragging rights in the kennel compound. With this latest effort, Meteorite Kennel sits in fifth place of the kennel standings with their 178 wins in pursuit of K-Rod Kennel (181.5 wins), D.Q. Williams Kennel (206 wins), Libby Racing Kennels (212 wins) and Currid Racing (212.5 wins).
Currid Racing (08/09/14)
After a one week absence from the limelight, Currid Racing has reclaimed the glitz and glamour of the Kennel of the Week honors for the fifth time in the last seven weeks. With four performances of competition laid out on the table, the Currid family played the numbers game to perfection once again using 48 starts (the most for the kennel compound) to accumulate 8 wins, 6 seconds, 9 thirds and 5 fourth place finishes to cash in $7,886.20 worth of purse money at the bank. Despite having no top grade victories over the shorter distances of 330 and 550 yards, Power Player put on quite a show on Thursday evening around the 660-yard course in a mixed top grade TAA winning trip. The battle at the top of the kennel standings amongst “the Big Three” continues to be quite “feisty” as Currid Racing (205.5 wins) remains in second place ahead of third place D.Q. Williams Kennel (197 wins) while remaining hot on the heels of leader Libby Racing Kennels (207 wins).
D.Q. Williams Kennel (08/02/14)
Two simple words can describe what happened for this week’s hot kennel at Gulf Greyhound Park, “welcome back!” Trainer Craig Edwards returned to the D.Q. Williams Kennel and the athletes responded in resounding fashion to run away with the Kennel of the Week Honors. Despite a shortened week of competition around the La Marque, Texas racing oval, D.Q. Williams Kennel took full advantage of their opportunities with 11 wins, 8 seconds, 3 thirds and 5 fourth place finishes to earn $9,617.78 in purse money. Top grade victories were plentiful with a 660-yard victory from Dontmesswith TX and a 550-yard win from red hot MW’s Morrigan on Wednesday afternoon. Joining in the party was rail running Miss Jakie overcoming an outside post-position draw to visit the winner’s circle on Friday evening. This spectacular performance puts D.Q. Williams Kennel (190 wins) solidly in third place of the kennel standings as the top two kennels played “musical chairs”. After taking over the top spot last week, the stay for Currid Racing (197.5 wins) was short lived falling back into second place as Libby Racing Kennels (201 wins) vaulted back into the lead.
Currid Racing (07/26/14)
Stop the press! For those of you who have been paying attention over the past month, the athletes from Currid Racing have been in hot pursuit of frontrunning Libby Racing Kennel and knockin’ on the door of becoming the top kennel at Gulf Greyhound Park. With another outstanding week of racing, trainer Heather Currid and the rest of the Currid family have chalked up the Kennel of the Week honors for the fourth time in five weeks and reached their goal by achieving first place of the yearly kennel standings. The basic formula of most starts equals more opportunities to cash was played to perfection again with 42 out of 62 journeys (67%) around the La Marque, Texas racing oval earning a purse check. The final numbers added up to 11 wins, 8 seconds, 11 thirds and 12 fourth place finishes accumulating $8,426.16 in coinage. With winning efforts scattered throughout all of the grade levels, leading the way with a top grade AA victory was Scarlet Oconner on Wednesday afternoon. The pecking order of the kennel standings now stands as follows with Currid Racing (194.5 wins) in first place, Libby Racing Kennels (192 wins) in second place, D.Q. Williams Kennel (179 wins) in third place and K-Rod Kennel (171.5) in fourth place.
Currid Racing (07/19/14)
The weekly competition on the Gulf Coast was as heated as another summer in the great state of Texas resulting in two kennels distancing themselves from the rest of the compound. After all of the results were tallied, a familiar name returns to the Kennel of the Week spotlight as trainer Heather Currid and rest of the family from Currid Racing earned the honors for the third time in the last four weeks by the narrow margin of less than $90 over Bone Man Racing Kennel. Despite not having the most victories for the week, the numbers game proved to be the winning formula racking up loads of second and third place finishes to improve their totals. The final numbers for Currid Racing added up to 8 wins, 13 seconds, 11 thirds and 4 fourth place finishes out of 58 starts to cash in $7,425.19 in purse money. This latest run of success over the past month solidifies their second place position in the kennel standings with 183.5 wins while continuing their pursuit of frontrunning Libby Racing Kennels and their 188 wins.
Meteorite Kennel (07/12/14)
As a new era began at Gulf Greyhound Park with a total of 14 races offered for every live racing performance, the battle for the Kennel of the Week honors was very heated and the winner’s share of the purse money was equally divided as six kennels finished within $679 of each other. A new face would emerge on top as Meteorite Kennel and trainer Christopher Donoghue claimed the weekly award. With the benefit of successful “bookend” efforts at the beginning of the week on Sunday and the end of the week on Friday & Saturday, the athletes from Meteorite Kennel earned 9 wins, 1 second, 7 thirds and 9 fourth place finishes to cash in $5,983.21 at the bank. Leading the way were CT Wild Thing with a grade TAA victory over the 660-yard course on Sunday afternoon and a career best effort from Just Win Baby winning his first grade AA contest and fastest time ever of 29.77 seconds on Saturday evening. While enjoying a successful first half of 2014, Meteorite Kennel finds themselves in sixth place of the kennel standings just ½ win behind fifth place Bone Man Racing Kennel.
Currid Racing (07/05/14)
After last week’s dominating performance around the La Marque, Texas racing oval, the athletes from Currid Racing continued their successful streak in very impressive fashion by running away with the Kennel of the Week honors. Once again, things came down to the simple formula of more starts equals more opportunities to cash in on purse checks. With the highest amount of the starts for the week at 53, the red hot greyhounds racked up 14 wins, 6 seconds, 8 thirds and 5 fourth place finishes to earn an eye popping $9,128.78 in purse money to put a huge smile on the face of trainer Heather Currid and the rest of the Currid family. Top grade wins were plentiful this week with Scarlet Oconner winning on Sunday afternoon and a sweep of the two grade AA contests on Friday matinee by Juliette Barnes and Korn. The climb up the kennel standings continues as Currid Racing (169.5 wins) has catapulted into second place passing third place D.Q. Williams Kennel (163 wins) and fourth place K-Rod Kennel (159.5 wins). Now, the bullseye is set upon frontrunning Libby Racing Kennels (175 wins) setting up a very exciting duel for the remainder of this summer.
Currid Racing (06/28/14)
There are a few words that can describe the performance by the athletes from Currid Racing but I will stick with “dominating” on their way to running away with the Kennel of the Week honors. Of course, trainer Heather Currid gets most the spotlight but the entire family contributes to their success as Currid Racing is quickly climbing up the kennel standings stating their case to become the top kennel at Gulf Greyhound Park. Playing the numbers game to perfection with the highest amount of starts for the week at 58, the gang accumulated 11 wins, 9½ seconds, 7½ thirds and 7 fourth place finishes to earn $8,111.88 in purse money. Highlighting their week were two excellent nights of competition with three wins on Thursday evening, four wins on Friday evening and the exclamation point of a top grade AA victory by Good Fight on Saturday night. With this latest effort, Currid Racing (155.5 wins) jumps into third place over K-Rod Kennel (151.5 wins) and now sets their sights on second place D.Q. Williams Kennel (159 wins) and frontrunning Libby Racing Kennels (171 wins).
Libby Racing Kennels (06/14/14)
As Libby Racing Kennels continues to lead the way on top of the kennel standings for the year, trainer Troy Tinney has led his athletes to the Kennel of the Week honors for the first time in nearly two months. Making the most of their 41 starts with a workmanlike effort, the gang from Libby Racing Kennels earned 11 wins, 3 seconds, 5 thirds and 4 fourth place finishes to accumulate $6,848.77 worth of purse money for kennel owner John Liberatore. Leading the way with top grade AA victories were Atascocita Kosta taking a winning trip in the third round of the $25,000 Diane Whiteley Sprint Championship on Wednesday afternoon and CTW Combat Ready on Thursday evening. After this successful week, Libby Racing Kennels (166 wins) lengthened their advantage over second place D.Q. Williams Kennel (149 wins), third place K-Rod Kennel (140.5 wins) and fourth place Currid Racing (138.5 wins).
Bone Man Racing Kennel (06/07/14)
After several successful weeks of competition, trainer John Mitcham, Jr. of Bone Man Racing Kennel has finally broke through to catch the Kennel of the Week spotlight. With their 53 starts this week, the athletes accumulated 9 wins, 5 seconds, 5 thirds and 7 fourth place finishes to cash in $6,932.71 worth of purse money at the bank. The highlight of the week arrived on Thursday evening with a total of four victories for the night including winning performances from Gable Demigod and defending champion Slatex Slaton in the second round of the $25,000 Diane Whiteley Sprint Championship. Bone Man Racing Kennel continues to enjoy a successful 2014 campaign sitting in sixth place of the kennel standings with 119.5 wins in pursuit of Big Water Kennel (123 wins), Currid Racing (134.5 wins), K-Rod Kennel (138.5 wins), D.Q. Williams Kennel (143 wins) and Libby Racing Kennels (155 wins).
Currid Racing (05/31/14)
For the second time during the month of May, trainer Heather Currid led the athletes from Currid Racing to the Kennel of the Week honors ahead of strong performances from Meteorite Kennel and D.Q. Williams Kennel. Currid Racing made the most of their 47 starts this week with a consistent, workmanlike effort accumulating 12 wins, 9 seconds, 3 thirds and 8 fourth place finishes to cash in $7,822.56 at the bank. Many young pups helped to contribute to the outstanding week but leading the way was the hottest greyhound on the Texas Gulf Coast and this week’s Greyhound of the Week, Korn, with another front running victory on Friday evening. Currid Racing sits solidly in fourth place of this year’s kennel standings with 128.5 wins while inching closer to “the big three” of third place K-Rod Kennel (133.5 wins), second place D.Q. Williams Kennel (135 wins) and frontrunner Libby Racing Kennels (146 wins).
D.Q. Williams Kennel (05/24/14)
There was a period of time during the months of April and early May that the athletes from D.Q. Williams Kennel were “red hot” earning the top honors for three out of four weeks. After taking a two week hiatus, trainer Craig Edwards led his gang back to the weekly “king of the hill” bragging rights to return to the Kennel of the Week spotlight over solid efforts from Currid Racing and Bone Man Racing Kennel. After only finding their way to the Gulf Greyhound Park winner’s circle twice at the beginning of the week on Sunday and none at all on Wednesday afternoon, their fortunes took a major turn in the positive direction with three wins each on Thursday and Saturday evenings. With nothing higher than a grade B victory all week long, the final numbers totaled 9 wins, 7 seconds, 9 thirds and 4 fourth place finishes out of 55 starts to accumulate $7,412.58 in purse money. As a member of “the big three” here on the Texas Gulf Coast, D.Q. Williams Kennel (129 wins) continues to turn up the heat in the battle on top of the kennel standings closing the gap on second place K-Rod Kennel (130.5 wins) and front running Libby Racing Kennels (139 wins).
Big Water Kennel (05/17/14)
This week of racing around the La Marque, Texas oval started off in excellent fashion with a fantastic Mother’s Day and ended with a bang featuring an extended 17 race matinee performance in coordination with the Preakness and California Chrome continuing his quest for the ever elusive Triple Crown. The battle for the weekly bragging rights materialized into an intense battle between two kennels and the outcome was not decided until the running of final race Saturday afternoon. At the conclusion of the action, Big Water Kennel owned by David Dickson and trained by Sissy Sabell squeaked past Bone Man Racing Kennel and trainer John Mitcham, Jr. to earn the Kennel of the Week honors by a narrow margin of $7.56. With the benefit of a “bookend” effort of winning trips on Sunday afternoon, Friday night and Saturday afternoon, Big Water Kennel accumulated 8 wins, 8 seconds, 5 thirds and 6 fourth place finishes to cash in $6,779.64 worth of purse money at the bank. Leading the way with top grade AA wins were TNJ Buck Fever and his 30th career victory on Saturday afternoon and BWG Eat My Dust ending a three race winless drought going box to wire also on Saturday to earn win #14 out of 20 starts in 2014. Big Water Kennel (108 wins) is enjoying a very successful year so far currently in fourth place of the kennel standings in pursuit of “the big three”. (D.Q. Williams Kennel – 120 wins, K-Rod Kennel – 126.5 wins, Libby Racing Kennels – 131 wins)
Currid Racing (05/10/14)
For the first time in nearly two months, a different name other than Libby Racing Kennels or D.Q. Williams Kennel has stepped to the forefront as trainer Heather Currid led her athletes from locally based Currid Racing to the Kennel of the Week honors. With a consistent performance throughout the week, Currid Racing managed to win a four-way battle over Big Water Kennel, Bone Man Racing Kennel and D.Q. Williams Kennel to shine in the weekly spotlight. Led by another of Gulf Greyhound Park’s top 550-yard superstars, Korn and his recent run of 6 out of 7 top grade AA victories, Currid Racing used 46 starts to capture 8 wins, 7 seconds, 8 thirds and 8 fourth place finishes to cash in $6,934.04 worth of purse money at the bank. After the first four and a half months of 2014, Currid Racing is enjoying a profitable year so far currently sitting solidly in sixth place of the kennel standings with 94.5 wins in pursuit of fifth place Meteorite Kennel (96 wins) and fourth place Big Water Kennel (100 wins).
D.Q. Williams Kennel (05/03/14)
As a full week of racing returned to Gulf Greyhound Park including a special 17 race matinee performance on Saturday May 3 which attracted over 1,600 fans to watch and wager on the 140th Kentucky Derby, the recent theme remained the same as trainer Craig Edwards continues to have “the magic touch” leading his athletes from D.Q. Williams Kennel to the Kennel of the Week honors for the third time in four weeks. Turning away strong performances from K-Rod Kennel and Bone Man Racing Kennel, the gang from D.Q. Williams Kennel used a consistent effort in the higher grade races throughout the week to accumulate 7 wins, 8 seconds, 8 thirds and 7 fourth place finishes to earn another profitable check of $7,387.20. As a member of “the big three”, the battle continues on top of the kennel standings as third place D.Q. Williams Kennel (109 wins) remains in hot pursuit of second place K-Rod Kennel (113.5 wins) and frontrunning Libby Racing Kennels with their 118 wins.
D.Q. Williams Kennel (04/26/14)
With a shortened week of racing due to the celebration of the Easter holiday, the game of “back and forth” continues to materialize as D.Q. Williams Kennel takes over the reins from Libby Racing Kennels for the second time in three weeks as the Kennel of the Week at Gulf Greyhound Park. Trainer Craig Edwards played the numbers game to his advantage with the highest number of starts amongst the kennels while finishing in a tie with Meteorite Kennel with the most wins for the week. The final numbers accumulated to 7 wins, 3 seconds, 4 thirds and 9 fourth place finishes out of 44 starts to cash in $7,010.45 worth of purse money at the bank. Leading the way with top grade AA victories were Need My Moneynow on Wednesday afternoon and Winning Javis on Thursday evening. The race on top of the kennel standings tightened up as “the big three” of D.Q. Williams Kennel (102 wins), K-Rod Kennel (105½ wins) and Libby Racing Kennels (112 wins) continue to separate themselves from the rest of the pack.
Libby Racing Kennels (04/19/14)
After a brief departure, Gulf Greyhound Park’s top kennel, Libby Racing Kennels, found their way to the Kennel of the Week honors for the fourth time in the last five weeks. The journey was by no means very easy with the purse money being spread evenly as half of the kennels experienced successful weeks eclipsing the five thousand dollar mark.
Trainer Troy Tinney played the numbers game to perfection with the highest number of starts at 51 with 8 wins, 7 seconds, 6 thirds and 9½ fourth place finishes to cash in $6,893.22 at the bank. Leading the way with top grade victories were Greyhound of the Week Atascocita Kosta on Friday evening and an impressive run from Atascocita Eliot on Saturday night. This latest effort keeps Libby Racing Kennels (107 wins) comfortably on top of the yearly kennel standings ahead of second place K-Rod Kennel (99.5 wins) and last week’s Kennel of the Week, D.Q. Williams Kennel, and their 95 wins.
D.Q. Williams Kennel (04/12/14)
Trainer Craig Edwards and his athletes from D.Q. Williams Kennel were “red hot” this week to claim the Kennel of the Week honors and put an end to the three week reign held by Libby Racing Kennels. Without the benefit of a top grade AA victory, D.Q. Williams Kennel used a steady performance to accumulate 11 wins, 5 seconds, 11 thirds and 5 fourth place finishes out of 54 starts to cash in $8,418.04 in purse money to take to the bank. This recent effort solidifies D.Q. Williams Kennel (89 wins) in third place of the yearly kennel standings while continuing their pursuit of second place K-Rod Kennel (91 wins) and top kennel Libby Racing Kennels (99 wins).
Libby Racing Kennels (04/05/14)
When looking for this week’s recipient of the Kennel of the Week honors, it’s as easy as counting one, two, three. Libby Racing Kennels and trainer Troy Tinney hit the trifecta as their athletes continue to be the hottest thing going on the Texas Gulf Coast winning at least two races each day throughout the week to claim the title for the third consecutive week. With another workmanlike effort of their 44 starts, the final totals accumulated to 12 wins, 5 seconds, 4 thirds and 5 fourth place finishes earning $7,973.00 in purse money. Leading the way with top grade AA victories were Atascocita Kosta on Friday evening and Ugo Kismet on Saturday night. After jumping to the lead on top of the yearly kennel standings last week, Libby Racing Kennels (94 wins) has extended their lead over two time defending champion K-Rod Kennel (83 wins) and D.Q. Williams Kennel (78 wins). Libby Racing Kennels (03/29/14) Troy Tinney continues to have “the hot hand” as his superstars from Libby Racing Kennels are flying around the Gulf Greyhound Park racing oval and found their way to the Kennel of the Week honors for back to back occasions. Making the most of their 43 starts this week, the athletes earned 10 wins, 5 seconds, 5 thirds and 6 fourth place finishes taking $7,650.62 worth of purse money to the bank. The highlight of the week occurred on Thursday evening as 11 of the 13 competitors landed on the paysheet while winning an eye opening 5 races. Showing the way with top grade AA victories were Ugo Kismet on Sunday afternoon and Atascocita Davy on Friday evening. With this latest streak of success, there has been a changing of the guard on top of the kennel standings as Libby Racing Kennels (82 wins) now sits on top after overtaking two time defending champion K-Rod Kennel (78 wins).
Libby Racing Kennels (03/22/14)
Trainer Troy Tinney had his athletes from Libby Racing Kennels on their “A” game and rode the wave of an excellent start of five wins at the beginning of the week on Sunday afternoon to earn the Kennel of the Week honors. Throw in two more victories on Thursday evening and three more to wrap up the week Saturday night, Libby Racing Kennels dominated the action while closing the gap on front running K-Rod Kennel in the kennel standings. The effort can be summed up as “efficient” with 11 wins, 3½ seconds, 8½ thirds and 6 fourth place finishes out of 46 starts to cash in $8,685.00 in purse money. Leading the way with top grade AA victories were hot-shot pup Atascocita Kosta on Sunday afternoon and recent Greyhound of the Week, Atascocita Davy, earning his third win in a row on Saturday evening. At the beginning the week, the margin between the top two kennels was ten wins but now Libby Racing Kennels (72 wins) is within striking range of K-Rod Kennel (75 wins).
K-Rod Kennel (03/15/14)
The dominating performance from the athletes of Gulf Greyhound Park’s top kennel, K-Rod Kennel can be summed up with a short three letter word, Wow! As spring break provided bigger crowds for the exciting action, trainer Cindy Unrein and assistant trainer Vicky Garcia took full advantage of the additional purse money up for grabs to earn the Kennel of the Week honors for the second consecutive week by eclipsing the five figure mark. The final numbers accumulated to 10½ wins, 9½ seconds, 4 thirds and 9 fourth place finishes from 59 starts to cash in a profitable check of $10,219.55. Top grade AA wins were plentiful with pair of winning efforts from KB’s Comic Strip and KB’s Kebo Bob on Wednesday afternoon and KB’s Show N Tell on Friday evening. K-Rod Kennel (71 wins) continues to lead the way on top of the kennel standings for the year with a comfortable margin of 10 wins over second place Libby Racing Kennels (61 wins) and D.Q. Williams Kennel (56 wins).
K-Rod Kennel (03/08/14) For the first time since the beginning of February, a full week of five performances took place at Gulf Greyhound Park providing the kennels and their athletes multiple opportunities to compete for top dollars. With another outstanding performance, the top kennel on the Texas Gulf Coast for the last two years, K-Rod Kennel, continued their dominance and earned the Kennel of the Week honors. Trainer Cindy Unrein and assistant trainer Vicky Garcia keep playing the numbers game to perfection with the second highest amount of starts for the week (54, behind the 57 starts from D.Q. Williams Kennel) leading to a tie with Libby Racing Kennels for the most wins this week at 10. The final totals for K-Rod Kennel were 10 wins, 4 seconds, 10 thirds and 7 fourth place finishes cashing in $8,430.65 worth of purse money. Leading the way with top grade AA victories were Rio Rambo on Thursday night and KB’s Show N Tell on Friday night. Tri-State Kennel (03/01/14) The live racing action at Gulf Greyhound Park resumed on Thursday February 27 after a two week departure. The stakes were high and dollar signs filled the eyes of everyone as two weeks’ worth of purse money was up for grabs and two kennels took full advantage with excellent results over a three day period from Thursday through Saturday. At the end of the duel, Tri-State Kennel and trainer Cam Hawkins proved the best to the earn the Kennel of the Week honors over K-Rod Kennel. With 26 starts, the athletes from Tri-State Kennel earned 7 wins, 5 seconds, 3 thirds and 6 fourth place finishes to cash in $18,583.20 in purse money. Leading the way were Kells Rodeo and Texan Mercilus with top grade AA victories on Saturday evening.
K-Rod Kennel (02/08/14)
With a shortened week of racing due to the Super Bowl on Sunday February 2, a majority of the kennels enjoyed success on the Texas Gulf Coast. Emerging on top was the two-time defending kennel champion, K-Rod Kennel, to earn the Kennel of the Week honors. Along with four other kennels, trainer Cindy Unrein and assistant trainer Vicky Garcia enjoyed six trips to the Gulf Greyhound Park winner’s circle and won the duel over Tri-State Kennel by $290 for the weekly bragging rights. The final totals added up to 6 wins, 4 seconds, 6 thirds and 7 fourth place finishes cashing in a purse check of $6,434.16 at the bank. Leading the way with top grade AA victories were Rio Rambo on Wednesday afternoon and Ruff Flame on Thursday evening. The battle on top of the kennel standings tightened up with K-Rod Kennel remaining in second place but closing the gap on front running D.Q. Williams Kennel to 1½ wins.
D.Q. Williams Kennel (02/01/14)
Playing “the numbers game” to perfection with the most starts for the week amongst the kennels here at Gulf Greyhound Park, D.Q. Williams Kennel earned the Kennel of the Week honors while extending their lead on top of the kennel standings over K-Rod Kennel and Bone Man Racing Kennel. The athletes trained by Craig Edwards finished the week with a flourish doing most of their damage on Friday and Saturday evening. The final totals for the week added up to 8½ wins, 8½ seconds, 7 thirds and 5 fourth place finishes taking a purse check for $7,491.13 to the bank. Leading the way with top grade AA victories were MW’s Morrigan on Wednesday afternoon and two time Greyhound of the Week, Winning Javis, extending his winning streak to four in a row on Saturday night and sits atop the wins list in 2014.
Libby Racing Kennels (01/25/2014)
The early hustle and bustle continues among the kennels at Gulf Greyhound Park with Libby Racing Kennels earning the Kennel of the Week honors. Trainer Troy Tinney used the youth movement of blossoming pups and a handful of lower grade victories to contribute to an excellent week of racing. Standing out was a dominating performance on Thursday evening January 23 as Libby Racing Kennels scored five wins including the first top grade AA victory in 2014 for superstar Atascocita Davy. The final totals for the week were 11 wins, 8 seconds, 2 thirds and 5½ fourth place finishes to cash in $7,353.13 in purse money. This latest effort moves Libby Racing Kennels from eighth place in the kennel standings to being right in the thick of the hunt in fifth place only 4½ wins from the top.
D.Q. Williams Kennel (01/18/2014)
After the first two weeks of competition in 2014, D.Q. Williams Kennel was positioned in sixth place of the kennel standings despite being only four wins behind a tightly grouped bunch. Trainer Craig Edwards had his athletes performing in spectacular fashion over the last seven days to earn the Kennel of the Week honors vaulting D.Q. Williams Kennel to the top of the kennel standings. The week resembled a set of “bookends” with a majority of their success occurring on Sunday afternoon with three wins, three more wins on Friday evening and four victories on Saturday night. Playing the “numbers game” to perfection with the highest amount of starts for the week (56), D.Q. Williams Kennel scored 12 wins, 5 seconds, 11 thirds and 6 fourth place finishes to cash $8,658.30 in purse earnings. Showing the way with top grade victories were Mr Caleb on Wednesday afternoon and a pair of wins from Winning Javis on Sunday afternoon and Saturday night punching his ticket to the Greyhound of the Week honors.
K-Rod Kennel (01/11/2014)
Moving forward into the new year, the scramble on top of the kennel standings continues as the kennels at Gulf Greyhound Park seek the bragging rights as “king of the hill”. For the second week in a row, the Gulf’s leading kennel from the past two years, K-Rod Kennel, earned the Kennel of the Week honors emerging on top from a four-way battle including Tri-State Kennel, D.Q. Williams Kennel and Currid Racing. Using a steady diet of in the money finishes, trainer Cindy Unrein and assistant trainer Vicky Garcia led their superstars to 7 wins, 7 seconds, 9 thirds and 8 fourth place finishes cashing in $7,976.52 in purse money. Leading the way with top grade AA victories were Spry Cairo on Sunday afternoon and U Too Chelsie on Saturday night. K-Rod Kennel sits in second place of the kennel standings tied with Currid Racing at 13 wins so far this year in pursuit of Big Water Kennel and their 14 wins.
K-Rod Kennel (12/31/2013)
Happy New Year! As we move into another exciting year of greyhound racing action on the Texas Gulf Coast, some things remain the same as the two time Kennel of the Year, K-Rod Kennel, starts off with the first Kennel of the Week honors. Despite finishing in third place in the number of wins over the three day period from Thursday through Saturday, K-Rod Kennel emerged on top out of a three way duel with Big Water Kennel and Bone Man Racing Kennel totaling the highest amount of purse earnings. Trainer Cindy Unrein and assistant Vicky Garcia led their superstars to 6 wins, 3 seconds, 3 thirds and 7 fourth place finishes out of 30 starts to cash $4,933.35 in purse money.
Bone Man Racing Kennel (12/21/2013)
For the second week in a row, trainer John Mitcham, Jr. had his athletes from Bone Man Racing Kennel flying around the La Marque, Texas racing oval but this time resulting with the Kennel of the Week honors. After winning 15 races last week and a second place finish behind D.Q. Williams Kennel, Bone Man Racing Kennel accumulated 14 ½ wins, 9 ½ seconds, 5 thirds and 8 fourth place finishes out of 60 starts to cash in $7,689.51 in purse money to outrun Gulf Greyhound Park’s top two kennels (K-Rod Kennel & D.Q. Williams Kennel). There’s just over a week left of competition this year and K-Rod Kennel (463.5 wins) responded to the challenge of the hard charging D.Q. Williams Kennel (456 wins) by widening their margin on top of the kennel standings to 7 ½ wins.
D.Q. Williams Kennel (12/14/2013)
The theme of the same ol’ song and dance continues as D.Q. Williams Kennel won a three way battle with Bone Man Racing Kennel and K-Rod Kennel to earn the Kennel of the Week honors for the ninth time in the last eleven weeks. A majority of the visits to the winner’s circle occurred in the early portion of the week accumulating 11 of their wins from Sunday through Wednesday. The final totals for trainer Craig Edwards and the athletes of D.Q. Williams Kennel added up to 15 wins, 9 seconds, 9 thirds and 5 fourth place finishes earning $7,987.39 in purse money. With just over two weeks left in the year, the battle on top of the kennel standings has intensified into a nailbiter as D.Q. Williams Kennel and their 447.5 wins are now just three wins behind frontrunning K-Rod Kennel and their 450.5 wins. Let the fireworks begin!
D.Q. Williams Kennel (12/07/2013)
After taking a brief one week hiatus from the spotlight, D.Q. Williams Kennel once again claimed the Kennel of the Week honors for the eighth time in the past ten weeks. A consistent steady effort resulted in 9½ wins, 11½ seconds, 8½ thirds and 8½ fourth place finishes out of 66 starts to earn $6,853.62 in purse money. Leading the way with top grade AA wins for trainer Craig Edwards and assistant Enrique Macias were a dead heat victory on Sunday afternoon from Hot on Her Tail and a front running effort from MW’s Morrigan on Saturday night. Despite this latest accomplishment, the pursuit for the kennel championship is beginning to run out of time as D.Q. Williams Kennel (432.5 wins) only narrowed the margin between themselves and leading K-Rod Kennel (441.5 wins) by ½ win this week. Down the stretch they come, can D.Q. Williams Kennel catch K-Rod Kennel?
Currid Racing (11/30/2013)
One simple word could describe the performance from this week’s recipient of the Kennel of the Week honors, Currid Racing……Wow! Trainer Heather Currid had their athletes on their “A” game all week long with a steady diet of victories rolling in one after another resembling a Thanksgiving feast of the purse money. With a total of 63 starts during this shortened week of racing due to “Turkey Day”, Currid Racing accumulated 15 wins, 9 seconds, 11 thirds and 5 fourth place finishes earning $8,794.89 in purse winnings. Leading the way with top grade AA victories were two invaders from Tri-State in West Virginia, Sam Hanna on Wednesday afternoon and Donna Paulsen on Saturday evening.
D.Q. Williams Kennel (11/02/2013 & 11/09/2013 & 11/16/2013)
D.Q. Williams Kennel continues to remain the hottest kennel at Gulf Greyhound Park running away with the Kennel of the Week honors for the fifth time in the last six weeks. Trainer Craig Edwards and assistant Enrique Macias keep running to the bank with smiles on their faces as the spectacular efforts from their athletes tallied 10 wins, 17 seconds, 9 thirds and 6 fourth place finishes cashing in $7,732.25 in purse money. MW’s Morrigan led the balanced effort with the only top grade AA victory for the week on Saturday evening. This successful run of good fortune is making the battle on top of the yearly kennel standings more of a “nail biter” with D.Q. Williams Kennel and their 399 wins shrinking the margin between themselves and front running K-Rod Kennel with their 412.5 wins. One thing is for certain, these final two months of the year will be exciting in the race for the kennel championship.