2009 Sunshine State Silver Cup Preview

Saturday - 9/5/2009


Ok the post positions have been drawn and it's time to get down to the nitty gritty of the stakes final. Remember if you live in the area to come on out for the stakes race. Pick the winner and get a chance at 1 of 12 $500 cash giveaways. Even if you don't win, how can you go wrong with our $1.50 Draft Beer and Margarita specials? You can't, so without further ado:

1. La's Anthony (Dustin The Way - La's Felisha) Anthony drew the best starting box of any finalist and if he wants to break, HE CAN WIN THIS RACE. He has been in more stakes finals than any other greyhound in the field, 6 in total, and he has finished in the money in 4 of those efforts. In his last 33 efforts inside of the 4 box he has finished in the quiniela 26 times. Saving his best run for the finals, this non-winner in qualifying may get it done tonight!

2. Count Ivan (Kiowa Sweet Trey - M's Countess Amy) Ivan has been the predominate force at the Orange Park Kennel Club for almost a year and tonight he gets a chance to get some revenge for his second place last year in this very race. Since he has won 2 stakes titles and is the most decorated greyhound in this field. In the open he is faster than anyone and he can win from the inside too. All he has to do is decide to run, and this race could get ugly early on. Forget about his last race, he won the previous 3 rounds and is back on track to be a threat throughout again tonight.

3. Kiowa More Am (Trojan Cruze - Kiowa Morley Cee) More Am was the final greyhound to get into this field, but don't let that fool you. The O'Donnell had another greyhound in last year's race that tied for last in points and he pulled off the win in the finals. Ok, More Am is not Wish Frank, but you never know. Beside let's not forget that this greyhound finished 4th in the finals of the 2009 Jacksonville Sprint Classic. She will need to come out in a hurry tonight if she wants to contend with the big boys at the finish line.

4. Gabby's Fiona (Can You Hear Me - Mummy Speed) Fiona goes quietly about her work and maybe that is what she doesn't get the attention that she deserves on a regular basis. No greyhound in this field has been hotter than her as of late. She has not missed the trifecta in 15 races in a row and frankly she was in the hunt in each and every one of her qualifying rounds. She has enough early speed to go with the ankle burners and even enough left late to get to them before the finish line. If she pops the lid, she has a shot tonight.

5. Fth Keystone Cop (Dodgem By Design - Cm Lil Bit) Copper is the only other greyhound in this final, besides Ivan, with a title under his belt. He won the 2009 JGR Puppy Stakes and did it commanding fashion. Tonight the post is really what is going to make him scratch his head. He is really going to have to come out well if he wants to win, but he was going to have to do that anyways. He does get an empty box next to him and a slow breaker to his outside, and let's remember that he ran a personal best in the 1st round from a similar post. He knows how do get it done, he just needs to prove it again!

6. Cjc's Buckshot (Pacific Mile* - Gable Ruth) Buckshot is the best closer in the field and with all of this early speed up front, this race might set up better for him that he knows. If any trouble happens on the lead, he will be there in the stretch to snatch up the competition before the finish line. Buckshot just missed getting into the last final and gets some redemption here with 3 wins in qualifying. Post is a hindrance though, as he likes it inside and will have to work hard to get there early on tonight. He has shown that he can beat them in qualifying, let's see how he does in the finals.

7. Rs Libby Lu (Lonesome Cry - Sweet Sandra Sue) With Libby it's all about the break. When she comes on running she is one of the toughest greyhounds on the circuit and has proven time and time again that she can hang, and beat the best on the front end. Without the lead, she is not a threat to win, but can factor in the money in almost any situation. Here posted outside she gets the bonus of the slow breaking Buckshot to her inside and as long as she sees clean air, she might be tough to keep off the ticket here. She was 2nd best in the finals of the 2009 JGR Puppy Stakes and let's not forget about that 11 length romp in the 1st round. The only question is , WILL SHE BREAK HERE!

8. Topaz Hanna (Dodgem By Design - Escalade) Hanna is the surprise of the stakes and like her friend next door, breaking is the key to her success. Hanna heads into this race hotter than any other greyhound with back to back victories. She exploded to the lead in both of those races and held on at the wire for the wins. Now for the bad news, she is in the 8 box and wants the 1! I know if she really comes out in a hurry and post won't matter, but looking at her lines she breaks better closer to the RUSTY as he turns around the corner. Her only shot is to make the lead in this race. Can she do it for a third straight time? We will find out on Saturday Evening.

Ok now for how I see the race playing out:

At the break I expect everyone to show up so it should be a tight bunch as they maneuver for early room and a lane to rush up in. Count Ivan is the class of this field and I expect him to show it early and often in this effort. He will outrush this talented field to the turn with La's Anthony close in tow to his inside. On the outside Rs Libby Lu and Topaz Hanna should be lurking. Down the backside it turns into a two greyhound race and the Cagey veterans duel it out. Stride for stride to thru the far turn and as they turn for home. Ivan digs in deeper and battles all the way to the wire for the slim win for a tenacious La's Anthony. Rs Libby Lu holds on for third as the big closer, Cjc's Buckshot, finally gets to the rail and is coming on strong to challenge the other leaders at the finish line.

Good Luck to everyone involved and remember to come on out or tune in and watch, wager, and win on the 11th race on Saturday Evening September 5th at the Orange Park Kennel Club.