Gulf stages 2nd round of Whiteley stake

Gulf Greyhound Park offered a special 17 race matinee performance on Saturday June 8 in accordance with the third jewel of the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes.
Gulf Greyhound Park offered a special 17 race matinee performance on Saturday June 8 in accordance with the third jewel of the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes. Included in the exciting racing action on the Texas Gulf Coast were six second round races filled with forty-seven Texas-bred athletes seeking the ultimate prize as the $50,000 Diane Whiteley Memorial Sprint Champion.

Slatex Slaton of Bone Man Racing Kennel trained by John Mitcham, Jr. remains as the only undefeated competitor through two rounds but the 62-pound black daughter of Trent Lee – Slatex Isabell can’t afford to let off the accelerator pedal with several of the top point earners also faring well in second round action. After running away to an impressive seven length win from the #1 post position in round one, the post draw was kind once again for the rail running specialist drawing the red colors in race #7. The scenario proved much differently as Slatex Slaton found herself in “chase mode” racing in the middle of the pack down the frontstretch but made an all-important ground saving maneuver around the first turn to move into third place behind race leader TNJ Buck Fever of Big Water Kennel and KB’s Jibba Jabba of Rader Racing, LLC. A thrilling finish was in store as Slatex Slaton found a path at the top of the stretch and accelerated to the finish line reaching the wire by a narrow margin of a head in front of TNJ Buck Fever and KB’s Jibba Jabba in a time of 29.95 seconds as the even money favorite.
The fastest time of the day was carved out of the 550-yard La Marque, Texas racing oval by Atascocita Gray of Libby Racing Kennels in race #3. After a troublesome fifth place finish in the first round from the #2 post position, the 76-pound fawn son of Lonesome Cry – Atascocita Sofia sported the blue colors of #2 post again and showed his rivals in the shortened field of seven why he was the 2013 Futurity Champion at Southland Greyhound Park in West Memphis, Arkansas. Sent off as the 3/2 favorite, Atascocita Gray found the early portion of the contest to his liking with loads of room to get his engine revved up as Miss Jakie of D.Q. Williams Kennel exploded to the lead from the #1 rail post position. With a furious rush, Atascocita Gray seized the front end around the first turn and sprinted away, blazing a trail to a five length win in 29.52 seconds. Miss Jakie also ran the fastest time of her young career but had to settle for second best on this day with BWG Frankthetank of Big Water Kennel earning another third place finish.

The “pride and joy” of trainer Freddy Currid from Currid Racing, SOS Awesome, showed why he is a major player in this stakes competition rolling to an easy victory in race #11. After missing his break in round number one eventually leading to a third place finish, the 67-pound black son of Trent Lee – KB’s Extra Fast made amends breaking to the lead wearing the blue colors of the #2 racing blanket establishing a four length advantage around the first turn. As track announcer John Paul Faour stated, “SOS Awesome is Awesome!” and the remainder of the journey was a piece of cake for the speedster winning by four lengths in 29.60 seconds. First round winner, Kells Wild Bill of Libby Racing Kennels, gave another excellent effort winning the place battle over Kells Carlisle of Lingle Kennel.

BWG Judy Carol of Big Water Kennel threw her name into the mix with a strong come from behind winning effort in race #5 denying first round victor Kells Casanova of Tri-State Kennel back to back wins. The 67-pound white/red daughter of Starz Jenko – Cry Dinero prefers the middle portion of the racetrack and drawing the yellow colors of the #6 post position proved to be more advantageous after a troublesome fifth place finish from the #2 post in the first round. While watching Kells Casanova sprint away to a four length lead around the first turn, BWG Judy Carol circled around a traffic jam at the turn placing the leader squarely in her sights. The leading margin diminished to two lengths around the far turn and then BWG Judy Carol kicked into a higher gear to rush by Kells Casanova and win by two lengths in 29.94 seconds. Atascocita Enok of Libby Racing Kennels followed the leaders from a distant third place position nine lengths behind.

The third time was a charm for Also Rainbow of K-Rod Kennel starting from the outside #8 post position running away with a box to wire effort in race #9. After finishing in fourth place in round number one, the 55-pound black daughter of TK Quick Strike – Odd Abilena did just enough to cross in front of wide running Atascocita Davy from post position #1 to obtain her desired rail running position and clear around the first turn with a four length lead. From this point forward, it was clear sailing for Also Rainbow crossing the wire in a career best time of 29.84 seconds and 2½ lengths to the good. After a spectacular performance in the first round, Atascocita Davy of Libby Racing Kennels continued his good fortune overcoming the inside post position to chase the winner for second place.
The second victory for K-Rod Kennel came in the form of an upset as Ruff Flame continues to be peaking at the right time with a front running victory in race #13. Starting from post position #3, the 66-pound white/red son of TK Quick Strike – Oh Yeah Baby outdueled kennelmate U Too Fifi to the first turn to seize a two length lead ahead of speedster Algoa Big Red of Currid Racing. With only Marquey in his sights, Ruff Flame also turned in a career best effort of 29.81 seconds to win by four lengths at odds of 8 to 1. Dontmesswith TX of D.Q. Williams Kennel passed a tiring Algoa Big Red in the stretch to take the place spot while race favorite Golden Star of Rader Racing, LLC closed some ground to finish in third place for the second consecutive occasion.
Gulf stages 2nd round of Whiteley stake
By Ron Godfroy Tue, Jun 11, 2013