Friday - 3/19/2010
The best time of the year is upon us once again at the Orange Park Kennel Club. Yep, that's right, IT'S STAKES RACING TIME!
The best of the best over the 550 course will be vying for a shot at the finals and the coveted title of champion in the 2010 edition of the Jacksonville Sprint Classic.
Several big times names are here ready to compete. We have former stakes winners, several stakes finalists, and even a retuning greyhound trying for the finals for the second year in a row.
So let's get into the meat of the seven great races for this Friday Evening, March 19th, at the Orange Park Kennel Club in the 1st round of the 2010 Jacksonville Sprint Classic.
Race 7 is the first on the card.
1. Sassy Gloria (Fuzzys Cannon - Sassy Nan) loves this post position and should get room early as the 2 dogs heads wide. She might not be in the early lead, but in the stretch you better watch out.
2. Gs Ashlynn (Rapido Rambo - Gm's Cutie) is back trying for her 3rd straight stakes final. Now over 550 again she needs to get accustom to the distance. Post position is a hindrance in this effort.
3. Wp's Clinton (Fuzzys Cannon - M's Countess Amy) is the half brother to last year's winner, Count Ivan. (Same Mom) He too has loads of speed and drive, but needs to find his break again in order to contend.
4. Kiowa Trent Tam (Trent Lee - Kay V Barbierie) is back over 550 again to try at another stakes event. She has enough late speed to be dangerous, but needs to get clear run from a middle post here.
5. Kb's Next Level (Dodgem By Design - Bf Pina) finished 3rd in the 2009 Puppy Stakes and has the best early speed of the bunch tonight. If she decides to break, she will be on the lead, but can she hold it? That is the question.
6. Kiowa Vinita (Flying Hydrogen - Greg Kiowa Girl) is a solid grade A competitor that has some late speed at her disposable in every occasion. She can run from either outside or inside, and should factor again at the finish line tonight.
7. Gabe Candice (Flying Penske - Home Town Charm) is more suited for the 660 yard course and will have to make due over the shorter distance. Closing will not be a problem, but it may be too late for her to contend.
8. Bf Dora (Dodgem By Design - Sol Lasting) is coming into this race hot off a win in her last effort. She is a solid breaker and has enough late to hold her own in the stretch. If she can get some help here, she might have a shot at the money.
This race will be all about the break. At the start Gs Ashlynn is going to move wide early and give Sassy Gloria all the room she needs on the rail to be stalking early leader, Kb's Next Level, way too early. Chasing will be Gloria's forte as she gets closer and closer and finally drives by late for the victory. Next Level gives her all, but comes up just short of her goal in place. Kiowa Vinita will be making up ground throughout and challenge the leaders at the finish line. Another one I think might factor is Wp's Clinton. I have seen big efforts from this greyhound, but he just hasn't been breaking as of late. If he can come out fast, he might just have a shot to upset in this effort. (1-5-6-3)
The second stakes event on the card comes in race 9.
1. Lrc Last Dance (Late Late Show - Hot Cargo) gets a great post position to start off her stakes career. She is not a breaker, but a rusher, so she needs a clean lane to the turn in order to be effective. The one box just might give that to her in this effort.
2. Gs Tank (Craigie Whistler - Gm's Peachykeen) has been running tough in grade A and it has everything to do with his break. Coming out fast has really upped his in the money percentage. If he hits it again tonight, he will be in the mix for sure.
3. Blaze N Ray (Craigie Whistler - Rayvan) was a finalist in the 2008 Sprint Classic and is back to try and show them an old dog might have some new tricks. His closing power has returned and from a good inside post, she should be late threat in this one.
4. Fth Keystone Cop (Dodgem By Design - Cm Lil Bit) is a multi-stakes finalist and puppy stakes winner. He has loads of experience in these races and if he keeps breaking like he has been, he is going to go a long way once again in this stakes. With back to back wins, he is the one to beat.
5. Kiowa Unnat (Kiowa Sweet Trey - Quik Superhero) is jumping right into the thick of things straight from 6 efforts in a row over 660 yards. The adjustment might be too tough to handle against this talented field, and the 5 box is not helping either. This could be a long night for him.
6. Sunsand Fannymay (Lonesome Cry - Sunsands Sienna) has been running well with 5 efforts in a row in the money, but this is grade A and the competition at this level is a bit different. If she wants to be successful, she needs to come out running tonight.
7. Hallo Mr Great (Hallo Mr Finigan - Kiowa Kay Dime) is an all out ankle burner that needs to be in the lead in order to win a race and sometimes that doesn't even get it done. As the only other big breaker in this field, he has a good shot at finishing in the thick of things tonight.
8. Uss Fine Touch (Uss Raceway - Uss Glimmer) is looking for her third stakes race final in a row and if she is going to make it, she needs to wake up. She is better than her last couple of efforts shows and this post might just help her get back on track.
As the box comes open this race is going to be a battle. Both Fth Keystone Cop and Hallo Mr Great should be up to the task tonight, as they duel from the box to the wire for the win. Slight edge to the back to back winner, Keystone Cop, as he is a bit stronger in the stretch and might even be able to get past Mr Great in the stretch if he has too. All in all a great battle. Closing on both of them will be Blaze N Ray. He is close enough to the rail to be effective in this race and has regained his chops as of late. Also look for Uss Fine Touch. With a 2nd in the Puppy Stakes and a 4th in the Orange Park Derby, she has proven that she can hang with the best of the best at the racetrack. If she decides to run and gets loose early on, she could steal away the win in this effort. (4-7-3-8)
The third stakes race on the card runs in race 10.
1. Kiowa Shag Along (Flying Stanley - Kiowa Shag Sue) is a good early speed greyhound that needs to be close to the early lead in order to be in contention in any race. The one box is working in her favor and if she gets loose, watch out!
2. Fth Chinook Arch (Dodgem By Design - Cm Lil Bit) is looking to rebound after a rough trip in his last effort. This even runner pretty much finishes where he starts off a race from, so if he wants to win it here, he needs to come out on the front end.
3. Rs Libby Lu (Lonesome Cry - Sweet Sandra Sue) would be the only sprint stakes winner in this field. She has great early speed and once in front she is really tough to take down. She has been on fire since returning from wheeling with 7 wins in 9 races. She will be the race time favorite tonight.
4. Pat C Tremor (Trent Lee - Pat C Aida) might not be winning a lot of races, but he has been in the hunt in 5 of his last 6 efforts. His even running style means he must be close early on, so he need to follow Libby Lu to the turn tonight if he wants to contend.
5. Fay's Mcqueen (Maryville Rumble* - Rooftop Kaylee) is another big time early speed greyhound that has been tearing up the racetrack. With 3 wins in a row, and 6 efforts in the trifecta, he is a formidable foe, but he must continue to break if he wants a chance. The 5 box could be a detriment tonight.
6. Lady Avery (Trent Lee - Leafs Falling) is a big time closer over 550 from the DQ Williams Kennel. This greyhound is a long way from her beloved rail in this effort and will need some help to get there tonight. Closing up late will not be an issue, but challenging for the win might be a bit too much to ask.
7. Mlb Bryce (Dodgem By Design - Milo Kynlee) is all rail all the time and will have to really work to get there from the 7 box in this race. If he breaks he might have a better chance, but with all the early speed around him, he still might be in trouble. This might be a tough race for him tonight.
8. Rays Scout (My Judge - Ivyona Star) has really come back to 550 with a flourish. Winning 4 of 7 race and finishing in the superfecta in all of them, he has proven that his 3rd place finish in the Orange Park Derby was no fluke. The 8 box is not the rail, but if he comes out quickly, he has a chance to win here.
Big battle time in this effort as three very talented greyhounds should be in close proximity for the majority of this race. Rs Libby Lu should bomb to the early lead, but she will be pressed throughout by the quick breaking Fay's Mcqueen and Rays Scout. I think she can steal enough of a lead early, especially from a favorable post, to last at the wire for the win. Mcqueen in second just behind and closing up with every step in third will be Rays Scout. Completing the superfecta will be the other best closer in this field, Lady Avery. She overcomes any trouble that comes her way and beats out the rest in the stretch for the final spot in the cash a the wire. (3-8-5-6)
Race 11 will be the 4th stakes event on the card.
1. Kiowa Gooddesign (Dodgem By Design - Flying Acme) is a big time early speed greyhound in his best box. He loves it on the rail and has won back to back races from here. Tonight could be another.
2. Steel Reserve (Iruska All Star - Gable Pops) might be a bit over his head in this race, but has shown some good speed in the past and looks to return to the form that saw him get into grade A. He will need a big break and a big effort to find the cash tonight.
3. Eds Budby (Domingo Dodge - Cherokee Queen) doesn't care about the distance. This Orange Park Derby Champ, smoked a personal best in his last race over 550 yards. He is on the tippy top of his game now and looks to be a force in this race as well.
4. Kiowa Smedley (Dodgem By Design - Kiowa Heavenly) has been closing well as of late, but just can't seem to get close early enough to win some more races. The 4 box is close to the rail, but I fear not close enough for him to break out of the funk. On the lead, he is money, but can he get there?
5. Wp's Commodore (Fuzzys Cannon - M's Countess Amy) is another half sibling to Count Ivan, and in 3 of his last 6 races he has looked like it. In all of those wins he has made the lead at the 1st turn and will need to do so again in this race if he wants a chance. Without the lead, he can be suspect at times.
6. Pru Whistler (Craigie Whistler - Rambo For A Win) only drawback in this race is the post position. This Night of Stars winner, is all rail all the time and this is the 6 box. She has tremendous closing ability and with 6 efforts in a row in the trifecta, you know she will be around late again tonight.
7. Charmurpantsoff (San Tan Riffraff - Majestic Angle) is much better than his lines show, and if his break returns to him, he could challenge for the win in this effort. He has been in a funk and needs to break out of it and the outside might just help him, especially with the dog next door heading to the rail early on.
8. Kiowa Kind Gel (Flying Penske - Kiowa Oneofakind) is the other big time early speeder in this race and might just steal away the lead from everyone at the break. With 3 wins in 5 races and all of them in the trifecta, she is hot, hot, hot. Look for it to continue on once again in this effort.
At the break there is going to be a big battle for the early lead in this effort. The Kiowa duo, Gooddesign and Kind Gel, both have great post positions and either of them could make the front in this effort. Slight advantage to Gooddesign though as he is not quite as short late as Kind Gel is, but really it doesn't matter as the best closer in this field is going to win. Eds Budby has proved all his doubters wrong in his last race with a superb victory. He doesn't need to be in front early, just in front at the wire and that is what he is going to do. Look for another statement race tonight. The other closer she be watched out for even though she is not in the best starting box. Pru Whistler is a stakes winner and knows how to come on with the best of them in the stretch. She will do whatever she needs to do to get to the rail tonight, and will challenge the leaders at the finish line for sure. (3-1-6-8)
Keeping the drive alive for race number five, we take a look at the 12 race on the card.
1. Dirty Picture (Coldwater Konow - Chance With Me) is a solid grade A competitor that always seems to be around at the finish line. A strong closer from an advantageous post position, everyone better keep an eye out for him late in race.
2. Pat C Bee Gee (Flying Penske - Pat C Clementine) is looking to rebound in this race after a couple to rough trips in a row. The post will go a long way to help him out tonight and if gets around close, he will be in the mix at the finish line.
3. Eds Joy Of Pride (Domingo Dodge - Cherokee Queen) is Budby's sister and seems to be coming into her own at the right time. She has won back to back races and has come flying in all of her last 6 races. She likes the post and hopes to keep the dream alive in this one.
4. Gm's Dale (Deerfield Site* - Steffie's Charm) has some good early speed and will need to find it once again in this race if he is going to stand a chance to challenge. Let's see if he is up to the task tonight.
5. Ctw Anti Gravity (Maryville Rumble* - Greys Gravity) comes into the stakes on a high note as she won her last race in grade A. The 5 box is right next door to her 6 box win, but if she wants to get back to back jacks, she needs to come out running from the start.
6. Kiowa Stan Cay (Flying Hydrogen - Flying Monica K) has not so much recent success in grade A, but has won her last 2 races in grade B to get back to A. She has broken well in both of those starts and will have to again if she wants to factor. An even runner, she should finish where she starts tonight.
7. Kiowa Vanessa (Flying Hydrogen - Greg Kiowa Girl) must be close early on in order to be effective in this race. She has some good early speed and when the mood suits her, she can bring it with the best of them. The only question is, does she feel like it tonight, or not?
8. Cjc's Buckshot (Pacific Mile* - Gable Ruth) is a stakes finalist that can bring it with the best of them in the stretch. The rough spot for him in this effort is the post position. He likes to race on the rail and will have his hands full from the outside tonight. If he can break, or clear early, he will be a force here.
This race is pretty much evenly matched and could turn out a ton of different ways. So with that being said, I strike while the irons hot! Ctw Anti Gravity gets room early on with the empty post, breaks out fast, takes over the lead, and comes home to win back to back races. Challenging her late will be the best 3 closers in the race. The red hot Eds Joy Of Pride, Dirty Picture, and Cjc's Buckshot. Any of the three closers could steal away the win if they get closer enough early on and if someone else bombs from the box, maybe then steal one on the lead. In this race, you never know. (5-3-1-8)
Race 14 for Friday evening is the 6th stakes race on the card.
1. La's Anthony (Dustin The Way - La's Felisha) is the only returning finalist from last year's race. He has the experience factor on this entire field and from his favor post position, he is going to be tough to beat in this effort.
2. Eds Mark Time (Flying Penske - Eds Cherokeegirl) is another Crowe kennel greyhound showing good form at the right time heading into the stakes rounds. Posted up in a good spot, he should be a strong force once again in this race, that is if he can get around close enough early on.
3. Gm's Cashman (Dodgem By Design - Gs Gertie) was the point leader in the 2009 Jacksonville Juvenile and finally he has started to get back into that form. He has all the skills to take home the victory in this effort, he just needs to seize the opportunity that is in front of him.
4. Sweet Babboo (Dodgem By Design - Rooftop Sara) hopes that she can get back on track in this effort. She has not been breaking well and in turn she has been getting into trouble and finishing out of the money. Her only hope tonight is to come out fast in this one.
5. Kiowa Fly Remi (Flying Stanley - Flying Rolling) is all about the early speed and pays for it on occasion at the end of the race. He is short, short, short coming home and will need a big early lead if he wants to steal one away from the rest of the crowd tonight.
6. Cayenne Ferrari (Dodgem By Design - Cayenne Jet) is back in grade A and will need every ounce of that closing speed again tonight if she wants to factor at the wire with the leaders. It would be nice if she had the rail, but she will have to make due from the outside. Winning might be a stretch, but she has a shot at the money in this here.
7. Fth Chinook Wind (Dodgem By Design - Cm Lil Bit) is a tough competitor as long as he is close in the early stages of the race. If he is too far behind early on, he doesn't have the desire that he does in other races. Here he needs to be close from a post that really is not to his liking. If he wants to go, pay attention.
8. Kiowa Top Design (Dodgem By Design - Flying Acme) runs better on the front end, but can close from off the pace on occasion to challenge for the win in the stretch. Here away from the bunch to the inside, he might just get loose early and put on a show. But if not, he still should be close enough to contend.
In my opinion this race is La's Anthony's to lose. I know all the things that people will say. He has not looked all that sharp. He has not had enough starts back. He is too old. Yadda, Yadda, Yadda. True, but this is the one box and he is wearing the RED blanket. He is a machine from this post and with no speed directly in his face, he should be out and gone early on for the win. By the way the next closest fastest time in the field to his 30.22 clocking is 4 lengths behind him at 30.51. Trying to hang around will be the inside chasers and closers. Eds Mark Time will be gaining ground throughout this race, just not on the leader. He should be good enough for place as Gm's Cashman stalks in a solid place in the trifecta for the duration of this event. Let's not forget the 8 box either. Kiowa Top Design might be the best chance at an upset, that is if he can fire to the lead from the outside, otherwise he hangs throughout in the super. (1-2-3-8)
Capping off the 7 stakes races, it's the final event on the card, race 15.
1. Kiowa Trent Tovi (Trent Lee - Kay V Barbierie) is back over 550 and draws his best box here on the rail in the 1st round of the stakes. Expect more from him that he showed in his last race tonight. If he gets loose early, he will challenge for the win tonight.
2. Hallo Triple A (Hallo West Acre - Car Bird's Seat) is a hot and cold running greyhound that can get streak and put up some impressive efforts in a row. Recently the water has been luke warm, but that doesn't mean that it can't change in this effort, especially from a good post position.
3. Hanks Diana (Lonesome Cry - Dolly Madison) has come back on a mission and has won 3 races in a row from the front end. She has great early speed and will be vying for the front end again in this race. If she makes it there, she might be very tough to take down before the wire.
4. Where's Playtime (Dodgem By Design - Uss Agenda) used to be an early speed monster, but she seems to have lost a step or two over the last couple of months. She can still pop the lid on occasion and steal enough early to win a race, but against this field that mountain might be too tall to climb.
5. Bleachy Boy (Lonesome Cry - Instant Vintage) can gain on anyone at anytime over 550 yards and on occasion he gets up for the win at the wire too. But what else would you expect a DQ dog to do? LOL! Post might seem like a problem, but he won last time out from the 5. He could steal another one.
6. Whistle Bit (Get Over - Lap Baby) is a strong closing greyhound that is trying to make her way back to grade A in this effort. Working for her is the post as he like to race on the wide side of the racetrack. If she can get around somewhere in the pack, she might factor in the superfecta.
7. Cayenne Carmagea (Dodgem By Design - Cayenne Jet) runs tough from the inside post positions and feels right at home on the rail, but tonight she will have to make due from the outside and we will have to see what she can do. She has enough early to get close and can hold her own late. A big break is needed here.
8. Uss West Coast (Lonesome Cry - Uss Mysterious) has been on a tear in his last 3 efforts. In each he has bombed to the early lead and held the field at bay for the duration. The lead has gotten shorter in each, but no one has got to him before the wire. Tonight, from a good post, you might just get a 4-peat!
This race could turn into a two greyhound race from the start to the finish. Both Uss West Coast and Hanks Diana have won 3 races in a row and both have come on the front end. Only one greyhound can make the lead here and even if one does, the other might outlast them for the win. Slight edge to West Coast. He has a better initial break and rush and should be able to just edge out Diana to the lead, but late could be another story. Diana is not as short at West Coast is late and that could prove to be a turning point in who wins. Either way you like em, one should get to win 4 in a row. Making up ground throughout on the leaders will be Bleachy Boy. This greyhound has gears the other two wish that they possessed. It is not out of the realm of possibility that he could win this race too. If he can clear close early, no one may be able to stop him before the finish line. Another greyhound to watch out for is Kiowa Trent Tovi. Tovi is back at 550 and gets to start this race from his best box. He too is a strong closer that will come on late to challenge, he just can't get to far back too early or he might not be able to close the distance and contend. Upset minding, don't forget about him in your wagers.
Second round action of the 2010 Jacksonville Sprint Classic will take place on Monday Evening March 22nd. All 56 greyhounds will return as they seek additional points for a chance to move on to the finals.
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