Semi-Finals of the 2010 Orange Park Derby

Monday - 2/1/2010


And then there was TWO! Yes, just 2 races full of fantastic greyhound jockeying for points in the semi-finals of the 2010 Orange Park Derby.

These 16 greyhounds will lock up in head to head competition and as of right now, it is almost anyone's game. We have no undefeated greyhounds remaining and the new point leader is Eds Budby.

There is a slew of early speed greyhounds and a mess of closers over 660 yard chasing them. This round really comes down to pure desire. Who wants it more! Who wants to make the finals? We will find out soon enough.

The first of the two events on the card takes place in the 7th race on the card.

1. Kiowa Trent Tovi (Trent Lee - Kay V Barbierie) is all rail all the time and the one box will go a long way in helping his effort in this race. He has not missed the trifecta in the rounds, maybe more of the same.

2. Uss Fine Touch (Uss Raceway - Uss Glimmer) has shown good early speed over 660 yards and will need to come out running once again in this effort if she wants to contend at the finish line.

3. Eds Budby (Domingo Dodge - Cherokee Queen) has been strutting his stuff in the rounds and is currently the man on top in points. All he needs to put up here is a solid effort & he will make the finals.

4. Eds Go For It (Flying Penske - Eds Cherokeegirl) has not won a round yet, but she has been a force in each and every effort. She has not missed the money in 3 straight, tonight might be her night.

5. Racheal Lee (Get Over - Nothing But Fine) is the only stakes winner left in the derby. She knows how to win and if she wants to run, she could easily dominate. A big race is needed to reach the finals.

6. Rays Scout (My Judge - Ivyona Star) has been bombing from the starting box over 660 and could be the one to catch once again in this effort. If he gets away enough early, it could be back to back wins.

7. On The Fly (Dodgem By Design - Ww Ellen's Time) needs to rebound after a tough race last time out. She can run from the lead or from behind, but if she wants the finals, she needs to break tonight.

8. Gs Ashlynn (Rapido Rambo - Gm's Cutie) has started to figure this 660 thing out at the right time. Still she needs more points to move on. The 8 box is a big bonus for her tonight. She might upset again.

At the break this race is really going to be crowded. Rays Scout, Uss Fine Touch, Eds Budby and maybe even Gs Ashlynn are going to look to control this race from the get go. I think Scout is the one to make the lead, but the question is can he hold on all the way to the finish line for the win? I think not! Budby will be too close too soon for Scout to get it done. Budby should continue on his great run in this effort and put up another win tonight. Everyone else better pay attention to the veteran too. Racheal Lee is starting to get it revved up in the stakes and if she wants to run, OUCH! She is the class and will be flying up late to take down almost everyone for a spot in the quiniela in this effort. Scout should hold on for third as Uss Fine Touch presses throughout and gets outfinished late and has to settle for the last spot in the superfecta. (3-5-6-2)



The second stake event on this evening is in the 11th race on the card.

1. Kiowa Uzzia (Kiowa Sweet Trey - Quik Superhero) has made up ground throughout in all of the rounds and the one box is a great starting post for him in this effort. He might need a win to make the finals.

2. Kiowa True Love (Flying Penske - Kiowa Tom Long) draws back near the rail after missing it terribly in her last race. The post alone is enough for everyone to take notice of her in this race. Watch out!

3. Gabe Candice (Flying Penske - Home Town Charm) can close a ton when she wants too, but is tonight one of those nights? That is the real question! The post should be ok, and late she could really challenge.

4. La's Lucy (Get Over - Ruby Is Best) was unbeaten thru 2 rounds and now needs to get back on track after a trouble ridden race last time out. All she needs to do is get out of the box well, and the rest takes care of itself.

5. Bad For Ya (Trent Lee - Leafs Falling) was the other undefeated greyhound in the stakes and needs to come out running in this effort. In the last race he broke last and it cost him his quiniela streak. Tonight, redemption is at hand!

6. Holly Noelle (Cricket Express - Solitary Camile) looked tremendous in round one, but has since been outrushed and outrun in the stakes. If she wants a shot, she needs to break on top in this effort.

7. Rays Taxman (My Judge - Ivyona Star) has enough early speed to make the front in this effort. He just needs to show it. Forget the last race is what he would like to do, with another big win in the stakes here.

8. Xtra Style (Kl's Doug - Exceptional Bid) has been there and done that. This stakes veteran showed her true form in round two and will need a similar one in this race. A big time closer, she must be around early on.

I see this race being a DQ battle from the start to the finish. At the break La's Lucy and Bad For Ya will show up and come out running to challenge Rays Taxman for the early lead. All three of these great greyhounds could be leading the way, but only one of them is going to take home the win. Even if Taxman gets the early nod, he is not going to be able to hold off the firepower toward the end of this effort. Lucy, Bad For Ya, either way you like them, it's a quiniela baby. Tax man should settle in for third or fourth depending on how Kiowa True Love runs from another rail post position. If she come out with the early leaders here she might just finish a bit higher up the totem pole at the wire. (5-4-2-7)

Remember the post position draw in Wednesday Matinee and the finals of this race will run on Saturday Evening February 6th in conjunction with our Sweet Winning Promotion.