Post Positions 2010 Jacksonville Sprint Classic

Saturday - 4/3/2010


Saturday Evening in the 11thr ace we will run the finals of the 2010 Jacksonville Sprint Classic.

What a great field of greyhounds we have in this stakes final. Six of the eight greyhounds finished in the money in all of the qualifying rounds, three of eight won two or more rounds, and the point leader Lady Avery won her last three races in a row.


In conjunction with this stakes final we will be running our Mad Money Machine promotion. After races 4,6,8, and 10 we will draw names for a chance to grab as much cash as you can. Nab the special bill, and double your winnings.

We will also be featuring drink specials including $1.50 Draft Beers and Margaritas all night long.

So make you plans early as it's going to get pretty crowded around here on Saturday night with all of the exciting things happening here at the Orange Park Kennel Club.


Now let's look at this final round field a bit more closely.

1. Eds Joy Of Pride (Domingo Dodge - Cherokee Queen) has really grown up during the qualifying rounds and has proven that she can hang with the big boys. She loves the rail and gets it here with the one box. Crowe is looking for him 2nd straight stakes title from this litter, does she have enough to get it done? We will see.

2. Blaze N Ray (Craigie Whistler - Rayvan) is a big strong closer who was a finalist in this very same race in 2008. He too draws a great post near the rail and if he gets our close tonight, he is going to be a handful for everyone. His big win in qualifying came from this same area on the racetrack.

3. Sassy Gloria (Fuzzys Cannon - Sassy Nan) might have snuck in under the buzzer for the final spot, but her talent level is far beyond that. She can run and win from on or off the pace and is a threat as soon as she jumps from the starting box. She will need to be close early on though if she wants a chance to win.

4. Rs Libby Lu (Lonesome Cry - Sweet Sandra Sue) is the best early speed greyhound in the finals and was the winner of the last sprint stakes, the 2009 Sunshine State Silver Cup. She gets room early here with the empty box next to her at the start, but can she parlay that into a victory. If she does see the lead, they are going to be hard pressed to get to her before the wire.

5. La's Anthony (Dustin The Way - La's Felisha) is the only returning finalist to this race and needs to keep breaking like he has in qualifying. This solid rail runner is stuck in the 5 box and will have to work in order to contend tonight. After seven stakes finals and three in the money finishes, he is overdue for a stakes victory.

6.Wp's Commodore (Fuzzys Cannon - M's Countess Amy) won back to back races to round off the qualifying efforts, and posted up the time of the day on one occasion, but those all came from the front end. Tonight he is going to have to contend with some big time early speeders and it might be hard to get the clean air on the lead in this effort. Posted between all of the ankle burners could be his Achilles in this effort.

7. Hallo Mr Great (Hallo Mr Finigan - Kiowa Kay Dime) is a big time rusher that has been the model of consistency at the Orange Park Kennel Club. With 6 quinielas in a row and 11 in his last 14 races, he has been trustworthy throughout. Breaking again from a favorable outside post and with the eight coming out slowly, he will have loads of room at the start. Maybe even enough to upset.

8. Lady Avery (Trent Lee - Leafs Falling) is the best closer in the field and she has surely made it an exciting stakes. She has won 3 races in a row by a neck, a neck, and a nose. She won't be around early on, but this post should keep her out of trouble and allow her to continue the win streak. One thing is for sure, she will be flying up fast and it should prove to be another fantastic finish.

Ok so here is how I see the race playing out. At the break I think Rs Libby Lu and Hallo Mr Great will both come to play. Each gets room to rush to the front. Libby takes advantage of the empty box next to her and Mr Great takes advantage of the slow breaking Lady Avery to his outside. Both should have a clear lane to run in and both should be heads apart all the way up the front stretch. I think Libby has a little more box speed than Mr Great has so at the turn she should be the one just in front in the lead. This dynamic duel should be dueling for the lead and the win for the majority of this race, but in the stretch is where it is going to get really interesting. All of the big closer will start to make their runs at the leading pair, and it is going to be interesting to see if they can get to them before the finish line. Lady Avery has the best shot in my opinion. She is starting from a great post. She is going to break closer than she has so far in the stakes, and will get room to run herself on the outside part of the racetrack. She is going to be gaining on the leaders with every step in the stretch and I think she gets it done at the finish line for the 4th race in a row. Just like the semi-finals, Libby gets caught at the wire and Mr Great is also there, but finishes a close third in the photo. Cleaning up the superfecta should be the other closer, Eds Joy Of Pride. This greyhound has not missed the money so far in the stakes, draws a great rail post, and might just have a bit of karma on her side too. She is in a great spot and will make the most of it in this effort.