Results for Round 1 Orange Park Derby

DQ's Dynamic Duo Dominate

Last year's winner, the DQ Williams Kennel, hopes to retain the crown in 2010 and if the first round was any indication, everyone better watch out.

The best two performances on the card belonged to them as the big dogs made some noise in the first round of the Orange Park Derby.

Pre-race favorite Bad For Ya got back into the winner's circle in a big way in the 1st round with an impressive win. He bolted from the starting box to the early lead and never looked back. He was in complete control of this race, and crossed the finish line 8.5 lengths clear of the competition in the quickest time on the card, 37.68 seconds. With this effort he has won 5 of his 7 starts over 660 yards and has never finished worse than second.

Not to be outdone, La's Lucy also put up a gem that saw her score a first round victory too. This was nice to see after a long hiatus from the top spot at the wire. Back in early December she looked like she was the one to beat for this stakes title as she was riding high on a five race win streak, but since she had been frankly up and down in the majority of her races. In this one she showed everyone just what she can do. She broke quickly from the starting box and took early command over the field. Once in front she was off to the races and coasted to the wire 5.5 lengths ahead of the competition.

DQ were not the only winners on the card though, three other races were won by Eds Budby from the Crowe Kennel, Rays Taxman from the Connell Kennel and Holly Noelle from the B & J Kennel.

Eds Budby ran a tremendous race to take home the 1st round victory. He broke close and ran a huge front stretch to get into contention by the escape turn. From that point on he just continued to close on the leader and even though he was crowded on the rail in the far turn, he drove away from the field late to posted up the 4 length victory at the longest odds of any winner in the stakes.

Rays Taxman posted up his second win in a row over the 660 yard course with a win in the 1st round of the stakes. He looked stronger in this effort than he did last time out and if he keeps it up, it could take him a long way in this stakes. Here he broke well and stalked the pace all the way to the far turn, and that is where he made his move. He circled around the leader and took command down the stretch. He had greyhounds coming behind him, but he held tough late and secured the win at the finish line.

Holly Noelle might not be a household name, but everyone better pay attention to this little girl. The light bulb has come on at the right time and this win was her 3 in a row, and her 4th in 6 starts, over the 660 yard course. What might be even more impressive is how she is winning races . She has won them on the front end in the past, and in the 1st round, she came from off the pace to get it done at the wire. She has really stepped it up at the right time and could be a major force as the stakes continues on.

Second round action heads your way Monday Evening at the Orange Park Kennel Club. All the greyhounds return, as the battle for a spot in the next round.