La's Lucy's DIAMOND Effort

I guess you can get jaded at times with all the distance power that the DQ Williams Kennel brings in each and every start. Or maybe I'm just spoiled that they send in a ton of talent to their kennel here on the Jacksonville Racing Circuit and most of us have come accustom to them winning and dominating races over the extended routes.

From Daddysgonafishin, to Golddust Memory, to Stopable Derrick, to Brother Mind, to Let's Play Fair, to Running Starlite, to Santa's Playgirl, to two time All-American Penny Candy, you expect them to obliterate the competition, but their newest entry La's Lucy did something in her last start that none of these big names have accomplished.

La's Lucy (Get Over - Ruby Is The Best) broke from the 8 box on Saturday Evening 3/27/2010 and took quick command of the race. She drove thru the early turn and breezed clear of the field and coasted all the way around the racetrack on the front end. She was never in question and make it look easy. She even beat the 2010 Orange Park Derby winner, Eds Budby, in the process, but that is not what made this effort so special. It was the time that she put up! You see La's Lucy clocked a 37.06 run.

No one in the last couple of years has even come close to the 37.00 barrier and to get within a length of it, really mean something. It means she was flay out flying in this race!

The last greyhound to get close, well that would be the current 770 yard track record holder Gil's Cuero. He posted up the same 37.06 second romp just over 3 years ago on 3/16/2007. In that race he won by 13 lengths and dominated from the get go.

Previous to that you would have to go deep in the archives and get back to the other surface and greyhounds from the past. Jams Alex would be the one to take that away. He ran 36.92 and 39.96 back in 1993. (Thanks for the INFORMATION JIMMY!)

So even though La's Lucy tied the best in the past three years, she had the fastest time in the last 17 years overall.

Currently the track record is held by Hobby Helper who's 36.73 second run is totally impressive and has stood since 1989.

Congratulations head out to the DQ Williams Kennel, Owner Sharon L. Williams, Trainer David Helton, and everyone else connected with this tremendous greyhound. Continued success and did I mention that yes this is another fantastic greyhound out of GET OVER!

Wake up people and breed to him, he throws a ton of grade A's, stakes entries, stakes winners, and very fast greyhound. Ok, done plugging. LOL!

Semi-Finals of 2010 Jacksonville Sprint Classic

Monday - 3/29/2010

With just one round left before the finals of the 2010 Jacksonville Sprint Classic field is set, a bunch of greyhound still have an opportunity to step up and secure themselves a spot in the elite eight.

For this round the field has been cut down to three remaining races and each of the twenty-four greyhounds want to find their way into the finals of this event.

Loads of talent are still in the mix including former stakes competitors, finalists, and even stakes winners.

Only two greyhound have won more than one race, Lady Avery and Hallo Mr Great, tonight they find themselves in separate races once again. If either of them gets taken down tonight, it could really add a money wrench into the point totals and who makes the finals.


The first race in the semi-finals on the card is the 7th.

1. Gm's Cashman (Dodgem By Design - Gs Gertie) loves the rail and gets the one box in this effort. The post with the most will be enough to get him close early and try for the upset. He was the leader in points for the 2009 Jacksonville Juvenile, and has righted the ship at the right time in the rounds. Tonight he should contend.

2. Kiowa Gooddesign (Dodgem By Design - Flying Acme) is a big time early speeder that draws a great post position once again here on the inside part of the racetrack. Doubt it? Look at her last race where she almost won from this very same starting box. Short late, YES, but if she can steal enough early, you never know.

3. Kiowa Vanessa (Flying Hydrogen - Greg Kiowa Girl) has some early speed of her own, you just don't know when she is going to use it. In round two she did, but in rounds one and three she did not. If she wants to have a shot at the finals, she will need to come out running in this effort.

4. La's Anthony (Dustin The Way - La's Felisha) is the only returning finalist in the field and he is once again in contention to get there again this year. He has found his break and is running on fresh legs. IO know he would rather be on the rail, but the 4 box is not that far off. If he breaks again, he will be in the mix for the win at the wire.

5. Sassy Gloria (Fuzzys Cannon - Sassy Nan) had a rough trip last time out from this very same starting box and if she doesn't break well, it could be a repeat in this race. She has good closing speed, but she still needs to be close enough early on to contend. If she gets back to breaking, she might have an outside shot in this round.

6. Fay's Mcqueen (Maryville Rumble* - Rooftop Kaylee) looked great in the 1st round as he won his 4th race in a row, but since he has not looked good at the start and has found trouble on the way to the 1st turn. If he does break, he could easily wire this field on the front end, but if he sits in the box, he will have to wait until the next stakes to contend.

7. Kiowa Fly Remi (Flying Stanley - Flying Rolling) is the third Kay Smith greyhound in this field and like the other two, she is all about the early speed. In order to be effective, likes he was in round 2 from this post, she needs to beat the box and make it to the early lead. She cannot win races from behind and will need the 16 points for a chance to take home a final round position.

8. Gs Ashlynn (Rapido Rambo - Gm's Cutie) still has a shot to make her 3rd stakes final in a row, and tonight she gets a post position that could be a difference maker. She loves it wide and gets the widest of the wide posts here in the 8 box. Over 550 she is a closer and should be rushing up late to challenge the leaders at the wire for the win in this effort.

This race is going to be very interesting, and the most important part of the race might just be the break. Just who is going to come out well? Who is going to make the lead? And who is going to be close enough to possibly take down the leaders before the wire? I like La's Anthony here. He is vying for another chance at that ever elusive stakes title and remember his dad won this very race back in 2004. Here I don't expect him to beat the blazers to the turn, but he will be stalking early and in the stretch it will be a determined late victory. Setting the pace should be Kiowa Gooddesign, but I don't know if he can steal enough even to hold on for second place at the finish line. He does have the talent to wire this field on the front end, just like he did in round 1, but he will need some help behind him to get it done tonight. The post will push him along, but short is short in the stretch especially with the big guns closing in late. Gm's Cashman gets a look here too, especially from the 1 box. He loves the rail and runs as close as anyone to it in any race. He has really righted the ship and has been tough in each of the rounds so far. Remember he was the leader in points for the 2009 Jacksonville Juvenile and knows how to get it done in the qualifying rounds. If he decides to come out running, he might just upset this talented field. Another greyhound not to forget is Gs Ashlynn. This greyhound finally gets to start from her best box and that alone might catapult her into her third stakes final in a row. She needs a win to have a chance in this race and everything is set up for her to steal it in this effort. Let's see if she steps up to the plate and knocks it out of the park in this effort. (4-1-8-2)


The second of the three qualifying races in the semi-finals runs in the 10th, the 1st half of the forced out Twin-Trifecta.

1. Blaze N Ray (Craigie Whistler - Rayvan) has found his form once again and looks to be running like he was when he made the finals of this race back in 2008. His closing ability is back and he has even started to break better on occasion. He loves the rail and can really put up some big efforts from here. If he gets loose early on, this race is over.

2. Eds Mark Time (Flying Penske - Eds Cherokee Girl) is a good closer that will be making up ground throughout once again in this effort. He likes the inside and has been successful from this post position in the past, but against this talented field he is going to have his hands full. He will need every point that he can muster if he wants a chance to move on to the finals.

3. Hallo Triple A (Hallo West Acre - Cat Bird's Seat) is a solid breaker and rusher that can take over races when the mood suits him, and in the stakes his mood has been pretty good. He has factored close in two of the three efforts and both of those came from inside post positions. Here he gets another can could go toe to toe with the top guns again.

4. Bleachy Boy (Lonesome Cry - Instant Vintage) is a big time closer over 550 yards and has been coming on throughout in each of the stakes rounds. He has not been able to win one yet and will need to in this race if he wants to run on Saturday. He might be a stretch for that top spot, but clearly a shoe in for another in the money effort.

5. Uss Fine Touch (Uss Raceway - Uss Glimmer) is better than his recent lines have shown. He is still looking to make his third stakes final in a row, and let's remember he finished in the money in the other two. He did win in round one and will need to channel that breaking ability again tonight if he stands a chance.

6. Hallo Mr Great (Hallo Mr Finigan - Kiowa Kay Dime) has posted up back to back wins and is tied for the point lead heading into this round. He has blazing early speed and that has helped him get to where he finds himself today. He is the one to beat in this effort as he looks for his 6th race in a row in the Quiniela.


7. Kiowa Trent Tam (Trent Lee - Kay V Barbierie) surprised them all in his last race as he took down the not so short, La's Anthony, at the wire for the win. He was 23-1 in that effort and might find himself there again from the outside in this race. He will need to get to the rail and if he does, this Cinderella story might be over just yet.

8. Wp's Commodore (Fuzzys Cannon - M's Countess Amy) got loose on the lead in the last round and posted up the fastest time in all of qualifying. He is a monster up front and with a good post to break from in this effort, expect him to show up at the party with bells on. If he can get to the lead, it could be back to back wins for this big boy.

This race sets up well for Blaze N Ray. Ok, so he won't be in the lead early on but don't count him out. He loves this post position and is a whole different greyhound where wearing the red blanket. Here he is going to be close enough early on to take down everyone before the finish line tonight. Hallo Mr Great should be the pacesetter once again in this effort. He has the best early speed of the bunch and is running at the peak of his game. He has seen the lead in 4 of his last 5 races and in 2 of those he has held on for the win, and in the other 2 he was caught from behind. So his chances at 3 wins in a row in this effort, are 50, 50. Wp's Commodore gets a look after that tremendous effort in his last race and of course the wonderful post position that he drew in this effort. He breaks really well from the outside and as long as he is close early, he is a threat to win almost any race. The upside for him is huge, can he make the most of it tonight? Bleachy Boy is the best closer in the bunch and we all know what he is going to do late. The question is, what is he going to do early on? If he can get close enough at the start, he might have a shot at taking everyone down before the finish line, if he doesn't well then you get more of the same. Another in the money finish from off the pace. (1-6-8-4)



The third and final stakes race on the card comes in semi-final race number 11.

1. Kiowa Shag Along (Flying Stanley - Kiowa Shag Sue) draws the 1 box for the 4th straight qualifying race. It was good to him in the 1st two rounds, but it found him trouble late in the third round race. Here he needs to find his break and come out in a hurry if he wants a chance to pull off the upset.


2. KB's Next Level (Dodgem By Design - Bf Pina) has great early speed and when he hits the lid, he is tough to take down before the finish line. In round one, that was the effort he gave, but since he has not been on top of it. He has not been breaking quickly and needs to get back into form from yet another good inside post position in this effort.

3. Kiowa Kind Gel (Flying Penske - Kiowa Oneofakind) is another early speeder that needs to have the lead in order to be effective in this race. Like most true early speeders, she pays for it late and can be short, short, short in the stretch. If she can get back to the lead tonight, she might have a chance to win.

4. Lady Avery (Trent Lee - Leafs Falling) has been the picture of determination so far in the qualifying rounds. She is tied for the lead in points so far and has not been denied in back to back efforts. She is the best closer and gives her all at the wire. Will it be enough again late to post up another win before the finals? We will see.

5. Rs Libby Lu (Lonesome Cry - Sweet Sandra Sue) was the pre-race favorite to win this race, but she will need to work here just to make sure she has a spot in that final round race. She is tied for the 8th spot in qualifying right now, and would be out if the rounds ended today. She needs a big effort and we all know it's in her! Let's see the inner strength shine thru tonight.

6. Rays Scout (My Judge - Ivyona Star) has been close throughout in all of the stakes rounds and he posted up one of the best efforts so far in qualifying with his win 2 races ago in round 2. He still has what it takes to win against the best that the racetrack has to offer, but he needs to come out close if he is going to get it done in this one.

7. Dirty Picture (Coldwater Konow - Chance With Me) is an even runner with a bit of close to him at the end of the race. He likes it on the edges and the 7 box should not be a bad spot for him to start from. Breaking well will be the key to his success in this effort. If he decides to come out fast, he will factor throughout and at the wire tonight.

8. Eds Joy Of Pride (Domingo Dodge - Cherokee Queen) has really stepped her game in the stakes rounds. She has been closing like a mad woman and has been on a mission to show off her talented over the shorter course. Brother Eds Budby won the Orange Park Derby, and now she is trying to do the same in the Jacksonville Sprint Classic. If she wants to get there, she needs another big trip tonight.

This race is going to be something special to watch. With not that many big time early speed greyhounds, and a couple of slow breaking ones to either side of her, Rs Libby Lu should make the most of the empty post next to her and take the lead in this effort. Once in front, Libby will steal away as many as she can on the rest of this field and take home the very slim win at the finish line. WHY? Well there are a good bunch of closers that will be coming after her at the finish line. Lady Avery has won back to back efforts and each has been by a neck, so why would that change in this race. She is going to be giving her all throughout and in the stretch she will make another tremendous rush and see if she can complete the hat trick or not. It's going to be close and may the best greyhound on this day prevail. Rays Scout gets the benefit of drawing next to Libby and that should give him someone to chase to the turn and spark his interest throughout this effort. If he can keep up the pace to the stretch, he might have a shot to steal one away from the queen at the finish line. The other closer to consider has to be Eds Joy Of Pride. This little girl has been running her eyeballs out during the qualifying rounds and even though she has just one win, she has been a threat in the stretch in all of her efforts. She has not missed the trifecta in 6 races in a row and could keeps that streak going in this race. That is if she can overcome the post and find a way to get to the rail tonight. (5-4-6-8)

The post positions for the finals will be drawn in Wednesday Matinee at the Orange Park Kennel Club and the finals of this event will take place on Saturday Evening April 3rd in conjunction with our Mad Mad Money Machine and drink special promotions.

Three Down and one To GO!

The third round of the stakes was not so much a kennel dominating, like in the first two rounds, but more of a couple of greyhounds dominating.

So who stepped up their game? Well the point leaders did of course! Lady Avery and Hallo Mr Great might have conflicting styles of races, but there is one thing that they seem to have in common, winning stake rounds.

In race 10 Lady Avery made it exciting again as she didn't take the lead until the finish line for the second race in a row. She won by just a neck and had to give everything she had in the stretch to get it done. Hey, but what else would you expect from the ultra closing DQ Williams Kennel? NOTHING! Props also head out to Hallo Triple A and Kiowa Gooddesign in this race. Both of these greyhounds ran as hard as they could, but came up on the short end of this stick this time around.

Race 15 was much different as Hallo Mr Great outrushed everyone to the early lead and never looked back. He coasted all the way around the racetrack in front and was never really challenged at any point after he took command. He was more than 2 lengths clear of the closers, Gs Ashlynn and Eds Joy Of Pride, at the finish line and looked GREAT winning this effort.

Both Lady Avery and Hallo Mr Great are tied after three rounds of stakes in points with a pair of wins and a second place finish each.

The big time race on the evening card came from the B & J Kennel and their greyhound Wp's Commodore. Running for a little family pride, Commodore has the same mom as last year's winner Count Ivan. Like his half brother, he is a terror on the early lead and that is just where he found himself in this round. He broke well, rushed hard to the turn, and took off on the front end thru the turn and down the backside. He continued on his torrid pace all the way to the finish line and was a couple of lengths clear of the competition at the wire. Posting up the best time of the card, 30.44 seconds, Commodore just threw his hat into the ring with this one.

The other stakes race came in the 11th on the card and it was a monster run by Kiowa Trent Tam. Finally this greyhound got around close and did something that you don't see every day, he ran down La's Anthony with the late lead. I know it was only by a nose, but a win is a win is a win and at 23-1 you have to love the effort put out. Running up behind him was the who's who list of greyhounds. Former finalists La's Anthony, Blaze N Ray, and Sunshine Silver Cup winner Rs Libby Lu. Now if he wants to move on in the stakes, he needs to put up a repeat performance in his next effort.

Night of Stars 23

The AGTOA is proud to announce that Night of Stars XXIII will run on Friday Evening July 2nd, 2010.

More info HERE.

3rd Round of the 2010 Jacksonville Sprint Classic

Friday - 3/26/2010

The third round of the 2010 Jacksonville Sprint Classic, on Friday evening March 26th, is going to be a hot one. No greyhound remains undefeated in this stakes and the points are all over the place. Tons of greyhounds are still within striking distance of the point lead, and with the field being cut down to just 4 races, everyone is going to have to battle for those dwindling spots.

Who will show up in this round?? Can the first round winners get back on track tonight, or will the second round dominators keep the good times rolling on? One thing we do know, you needed to be close to get it done, so breaking is going to play a big roll once again in the outcome of these races.



The first stakes race on the card comes in the 7th race.



1. Kiowa Shag Along (Flying Stanley - Kiowa Shag Sue) must be living right as she draws the one box for the third race in a row. In the first two rounds she finished in the money from here, tonight you might expect more of the same.



2. Gm's Cashman (Dodgem By Design - Gs Gertie) showed mad skills in the 1st round with a win, but the 5 box did him in the second round. Back inside at the start of this race, he could return to breaking and winning tonight.



3. Wp's Commodore (Fuzzys Cannon - M's Countess Amy) got off the snide in the stakes rounds with a strong second place effort last time out. Post doesn't matter all that much to him, but breaking does. He need to be close early to be effective in this race.



4. Kiowa Trent Tovi (Trent Lee - Kay V Barbierie) looked good in the 1st stakes round, but struggled in the second. Closing is his best attribute, but he needs to have a clear lane to rush up in if he wants to be in the mix in the stretch.



5. Uss Fine Touch (Uss Raceway - Uss Glimmer) showed the form that got him in the money in back to back stakes finals in round 1, but in the second round he missed his break and got into trouble. Tonight he need to rebound and show his stuff.



6. Game Candice (Flying Penske - Home Town Charm) ran a huge race last time out and flew home to challenge the leader for the win. Normally a router, Candice need to want it again in this effort if she wants to move on in the stakes.



7. Bleachy Boy (Lonesome Cry - Instant Vintage) has made up ground throughout in both rounds but it has been too little too late for a shot at the win. Here he is a long way from the rail, but if he can get there untouched he might have a chance to steal away a victory.



8. Dirty Picture (Coldwater Konow - Chance With Me) is riding high off a couple of big efforts so far in the stakes rounds. He has been breaking very well, for him, and even though he showed some tough trips from the outside, I think this is an ok spot for him to start from. Watch out again tonight.



As the rabbit rounds the bend and the box pops open a couple of different greyhounds may be trying to get to the early lead, but only one will make it. Uss Fine Touch. Touch will take the extra room at the break from the empty box and find a lane to rush up into. He will be pressed throughout, but should be good enough for the win. Chasing the leader will be Kiowa Shag Along and Dirty Picture. Both greyhound has not missed the ticket so far in the stakes and from decent post positions, you should get more of the same in this effort. Don't count out Bleachy Boy either. We all know he will be flying at the end of this race trying to run down the leaders and if there is any trouble up front, he has a chance to take home the win. (5-1-8-7)





Second up in the remaining qualifying heats is the 10th race on the card.



1. Lady Avery (Trent Lee - Leafs Falling) is tied for the lead in points after two rounds of the stakes. She has been closing extremely well and has enough gears late to get to anyone here in the stretch too. Did I mention that she has the one box tonight? Well, you can figure out the rest.



2. Kiowa Gooddesign (Dodgem By Design - Flying Acme) is a blazing early speed greyhound that outrushed everyone to the lead and took home a win in round 1. Round 2 was not as kind as she was taking out of contention in the far turn. Here she should be unabated to the lead on the rail.



3. Kiowa Fly Remi (Flying Stanley - Flying Rolling) surprised them all in round two as he grabbed quick command of the race and held on all the way to the wire for the win. Early speed is his only weapon, and if he wants a chance to win again, he must hit the lid.



4. Hallo Triple A (Hallo West Acre - Cat Bird's Seat) was a first round winner, but finished out of it after trouble in round 2. He has a solid rush to the turn and can hang with the best of them when he wants to run, the problem is you never know when that is going to be. If he wants it here, pay attention.



5. Fay's Mcqueen (Maryville Rumble* - Rooftop Kaylee) was riding high on a 4 race win streak heading into the second round, but there he missed his break and that was the end to that. All he has to do is decide to fire out fast and this race will be his to lose.



6. Whistle Bit (Get Over - Lap Baby) might be a bit over her head against this talented field, but so far in the stakes she has been holding her own. Ok, so she hasn't challenged for the win or anything, but she has finished in the money twice. Not too bad for a grade C greyhound!



7. Charmurpantsoff (San Tan Riffraff - Majestic Angle) is still running for adoption and looks to improve on a couple of so, so efforts. Here he is in with not a lot of early speed and that should help him get closer at the start of this race. He needs to step it up, let's see if he is up to the task.



8. Steel Reserve (Iruska All Star - Gable Pops) looked good in the 1st round, but didn't fare so well in the second. Here he needs to do one thing if he is going to compete, he MUST break. He only runs when he is close to the early lead, so that is where he needed to be in this race.



Time for a new win streak to start. I don't expect Fay's Mcqueen to miss the start in back to back races, and against this field, she should easily be able to make the lead. Once in front she can prove short on occasion, but should steal enough early on to survive the late chargers in the stretch. Tying to make it interesting will be Lady Avery. Lady Avery is the best closer in the bunch and if she gets around close, she might be the one that continues her win streak in this effort. She is really on top of her game right now and if she were to run down the rivals late, frankly I would not be surprised at all. Kiowa Gooddesign is the only other greyhound in this field that has the early speed to get in front of Mcqueen before the first turn. If he does decide to hit it in this effort, he could see himself getting back on track with another win in the qualifying rounds. Post, yes that is helping him out as well tonight. Charmurpantsoff is way better than his lines show, he just hasn't been running up to his former form. He has not been breaking and that is the main reason that he has been finishing like he has. The outside post might help him get a lane early on, and if he does come to play in this effort, he has the skills needed for the upset. (5-1-2-7)





Race three of four comes your way in the 11th race on the card.



1. La's Anthony (Dustin The Way - La's Felisha) is the only returning finalist in this field and he looked like it in round 2. He loves the rail and the one box will go a long way to help him contend again tonight. If he gets loose early, it could be back to back winning efforts.



2. Kiowa Trent Tam (Trent Lee - Kay V Barbierie) gets another good rail post in this race and slowly she is getting back into closing in time form over 550 yards. She needs to make the transition a bit faster though if she wants to move on in the stakes.



3. Rs Libby Lu (Lonesome Cry - Sweet Sandra Sue) was the pre-race favorite and in her round 2 effort she looked like it. There she got back to breaking and was in complete control from box to wire. Here she is posted up well and should show off her true talented again.



4. Kiowa Vanessa (Flying Hydrogen - Greg Kiowa Girl) is a big time early speed greyhound that just missed out on stealing away a win in round 2. Breaking on top is her only chance to get around with these big dogs and finish in the money.



5. Fth Chinook Arch (Dodgem By Design - Cm Lil Bit) got close early in round two and that was difference between an 8th in round 1 and a 2nd place finish in round 2. A solid even running, Arch, needs to make the most of the empty box next to him, and find a way into early contention tonight.



6. Eds Mark Time (Flying Penske - Eds Cherokeegirl) hasn't been to threatening to the leaders so far in the stakes, but he has been consistent. In both rounds he has been closing throughout the race and has factored in the money at the finish line. As long as he can stay clear, he has a money shot again here.



7. Kiowa Kind Gel (Flying Penske - Kiowa Oneofakind) is an early speed demon that can go to the turn with the best of them at the racetrack. Her drawback is that she can be short at the end of the race. So far in the stakes, so good, two in the money efforts. Tonight more of the same.



8. Blaze N Ray (Craigie Whistler - Rayvan) the 2008 finalist might be an older dog, but he still has some new tricks for the competition. He posted up a win in his last effort and has finished in the money in both stakes starts. He can do it from the lead or from off the pace. His only concern here, the 8 box.



This race is going to be a know down drag out affair that might be decided by a photo finish. I expect Rs Libby Lu and Kiowa Kind Gel to both come out running in this effort. These two should be clear of the rest as they head to the turn and it could turn into a quite a battle on the lead. Stalking close behind will be La's Anthony, from his best box, and then the rest of the field. By the far turn Anthony will be rolling and things will start to get interesting. As they turn for home, Kind Gel starts to fade, Libby holds strong, Anthony will be closing, and a new player comes into the mix and his name is Blaze N Ray. Four greyhounds, all out, all competing for the win. This finish should be tremendous. I like Libby to hold on, Anthony just missing in place with Blaze N Ray just off in third as Kiowa Kind Gel holds on for a spot in the super. (3-1-8-7)





Capping off the stakes rounds, and the evening, the 15th and final race is a speed duel.



1. Kb's Next Level (Dodgem By Design - Bf Pina) has loads of early speed and showed that off in the 1st round of the stakes with a win. Here posted up in the one box, with no speed around, she has a shot to pull off another win in this effort. Especially with some early room from the 2 dog.



2. Gs Ashlynn (Rapido Rambo - Gm's Cutie) will have to try and make due from an inside post once again in this effort. She is looking for her 3rd stakes final in a row, but needs to collect a big lump sum of points in this race if she wants to get there. Breaking well would go a long way in helping her tonight.



3. Fth Keystone Cop (Dodgem By Design - Cm Lil Bit) looked like a former stakes winner in round 2 of the stakes and that was mainly because his break returned. When he can come out fast, he has a good chance at getting into the money and from an advantageous post in this race, he might get it done in back to back efforts.



4. Ctw Anti Gravity (Maryville Rumble* - Greys Gravity) runs his best from the inside part of the racetrack and I just don't know if the 4 box is close enough to the rail in order for him to show up in this effort. If he does decide to break, he should be able to get a piece of this pie at the wire.



5. Sassy Gloria (Fuzzys Cannon - Sassy Nan) has finished close in both of the stakes rounds so far but has been shut out of the winner's circle on both occasions. Tonight the tough 5 box may give her troubles as she tries to get to the inside part of the racetrack. Winning might be a stretch, but factoring is not!



6. Rays Scout (My Judge - Ivyona Star) made up for a missed break in round one, with a dominated and qualifying best run in round 2. He rushed to the early lead and ran faster than anyone else on the card. He has all the skills and if the lights are back on, he is going to be a force again tonight.



7. Hallo Mr Great (Hallo Mr Finigan - Kiowa Kay Dime) is probably the best breaker in this field, but like most true early speed greyhounds, he is short at the end of the race. Here he might be able to see the lead again, but I don't know if he can hold on to win like he did in his last effort. Tied for the point lead, he will be a factor throughout in this one.



8. Eds Joy Of Pride (Domingo Dodge - Cherokee Queen) is at the top of her game right not as she took home a win in the 1st round, the third in a row for her, and finished in the money in the second. She has great closing speed, but this post is nowhere near the rail. This 8 box will be bothersome at best.



No doubt that the posted up breakers are going to come out running at the start of this race, but I don't think that either Kb's Next Level or Hallo Mr Great can get it done all the way to the wire. WHY? Well, Rays Scout is back and is going to be WAAYYY to close early on to be denied a victory tonight. This greyhound can break fast and can go 660, and in a sprint race that is bad news for a couple of frontrunners in the stretch. I see the battle for place won by Mr Great as he is a little bit more determined without the lead in any race and KB's Next Level holds on for a game show. Sassy Gloria is the other greyhound to pay attention to in this effort. She has not missed the trifecta in 6 races in a row and is just waiting to pull out that whooping stick. She is as fast as anyone in this race and could also get it done from off the pace too. Sleeper alert, pat attention to her in this effort. (6-7-1-5)

DQ Flips the Script in 2nd Round

If you follow our circuit then you know it was only a matter of time before the DQ Williams Kennel got rolling in the stakes rounds, and the second round of the stakes was there time to shine in the spotlight.

The DQ Williams Kennel took over for the Lester Raines Kennel in this round as they posted up wins in 3 of the 7 qualifying rounds. What was nice for them was it was a good mix of the old and the new. Two former finalists in this very same race and a puppy who has really started to show some superior late drive.

The most impressive effort for them came in the 12th race as 2008 finalist, Blaze N Ray, broke from his favorite post position and was way too close too early on. Ray was stalking by the backside and drove thru the far turn to steal away the lead. He continued all the way to the wire and left the field in his wake, 5 and a half lengths behind him.

The newcomer of the trio backed up a close second place finish in round one with a determined stretch run win in round two. She ran a huge race from behind as she weaved her way thru traffic and gave everything she at the finish line to take home the win by a neck.

The only returning finalist in the field also proved that he still has what it takes to win a race. La's Anthony hit the mark from the 8 box and took instant control of the 4th race. He never looked back at any point in this race and coasted on the lead all the way to the wire for the easy victory.

The O'Donnell Kennel had another successful run thru the qualifying rounds. Winning 2 of the 7 races, just like they did in the 1st round, on the front end.

The big race for them came in the 5th race as Hallo Mr Great rushed to the early lead and held on at the finish line for the slim win. This time out he was not denied the victory in the stretch and along with that second place effort, he is now tied for the lead in points for this event with Lady Avery.

Kiowa Fly Remi didn't disappoint either as she put on the longshot hat in the 9th race on the card. As the box came open, she exploded to the early lead and stole enough early on to last all the way to the wire for the victory.

The other two winners were greyhounds that everyone expected to be undefeated heading into the third round. Ok, so they might not have had such great trips in round 1, but they did make up for it in round 2.

Rs Libby Lu looked like her old self in this effort. She broke from the 5 box in the 10th race and make the most of the empty box next to her. She was instantly in command of the race and even though she was hard pressed throughout, she showed once again what heart can get you, A WIN!

Rays Scout was the remaining winner in the 11th race on the card. He too found his break, was close early, and drew away from the field throughout for the easy victory. Scout's trip was the fastest of the second round as he made amends for his subpar performance in round 1.

The Lester Raines Kennel completed the swap with DQ in this second round of qualifying by not winning any races, but still finishing in the money in 4 of the 6 races that they were entered into.

Last but not least, let's not forget about Eds Joy Of Pride. He was the only winner in the first round to finish in the trifecta in the second round. He closed well throughout and was just a length off at the finish line. Don't forget about him either in the next rounds.

Congratualtion to the Orange Park All-Americans

The Orange Park Kennel Club is proud to announce that two of our fantastic athletes have been named to the 2009 AGTOA All-American Team.

For the second year in a row the best distance greyhound at the racetrack has received top honors. Penny Candy (Stan's Boy Flyer - Majestic Angle) was well deserving of the award as she put up a fantastic run 2009, despite being sidelined late in the year.

Dominate would be a good way to sum up just how she was running at the Orange Park Kennel Club. Penny started off in fine fashion by winning the 2009 Orange Park Derby and continued on her success by taking home the win in the 2009 James J Patton Marathon.

In her 10 stakes starts on the year Penny won 9 of those efforts, including an undefeated run thru the marathon stakes as she blew away the field in the finals and won by an impressive 7 lengths.

Penny's record for 2009 was 39 starts, 25 wins, 3 places, 5 shows, and 3 fourth place finishes, or 36 out of 39 in the money. She had win streaks of 3 or more races on 5 different occasions and is currently sitting with 76 career victories.

Congratulation head out, for the second year in a row, to DQ and Sharon Williams, trainer David Helton, the DQ Williams Kennel, and everyone else connected with this stupendous greyhound. Penny is in a class all by herself and if you are looking for the definition of the word heart, this little girl sums it up.

The best sprinter at the racetrack also received honors as Count Ivan (Kiowa Sweet Trey - M's Countess Amy) was named to the 2009 AGOTA All-American Second Team.

Ivan started off the year as hot as any greyhound running. Ivan posted up wins in 16 of his first 19 starts in 2009 and that included a win streak of 11 races in a row.

He parlayed that into the Jacksonville Sprint Classic and took home the title. Continuing to impress, Ivan, won 3 of the 4 rounds in the Sunshine State Silver Cup and made the finals. Bad luck followed him there though as he fell in the 1st turn.

In 2009 Ivan won 7 of his 10 stakes starts and posted up yearly totals of 41 starts, 19 wins, 6 places, 5 shows, and 2 four place finishes, or 32 of 41 in the money. For his career count Ivan has won over 50 races.

Congratulation go out to owner Henry Howe, Bill and Cathie Lambert, Chris Coach Grieb, trainer Tom Artzer, the B & J Racing Kennels, and everyone else connected with this fantastic greyhound. Ivan the terrible earned his name in 2009 on the lead. Once he was there, the race was over and it was a TERRIBLE place for the rest of the field to be.