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Razorback Classic Set for a "Kid" "Revolution"
The championship for the $40,000 Razorback Classic at Southland Park this evening looks to be one of more contested contests in a few years when the 10th race of the evening goes to post.
There are no greyhounds in the main event that went undefeated during qualifying and only one greyhound (KEEPER POCKET) was able to win three of the four rounds. Six of the remaining seven in the race won two races a piece while DUTCH BOOGIE (Lester Raines Kennel) was the solo entry to gain a solo victory. When a race like this goes to post, as it often does, it comes down to break and post position.
Let's take a look at the "paw by paw" breakdown on how the race sets up.
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T.L. Weaver Memorial Challenge
HUSKER MAGIC, who set a track standard in Wednesday’s qualifying of the $8,000 T.L. Weaver Memorial Challenge at Derby Lane, heads the field tonight for the track’s final 550-yards stakes race of the 2015-16 meet in St. Petersburg, Florida. The 20th annual event, which is named in honor of Derby Lane’s late founder, is Race 10 on the evening’s 15-race performance with post time at 9:47 PM EDT.
HUSKER MAGIC, who will start from post 2, became the first greyhound in Derby Lane’s 91-year history to record 100 career wins at the oval with a box-to-wire four-length victory. The 2015 Rural Rube winner, All-America captain, and national win leader has 101 lifetime victories – including a triumph at Daytona Beach (Fla.) Kennel Club in 2015 when she won the inaugural $35,000 Daytona 550 National Championship, her first of two stakes titles.
 
 Commentary provided by Don Jensen, previously the publicity director at Charles Town Race Track for 40 years. He currently writes for the Tampa Bay Times and is a contributor to the NGA.
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Wheeling Island National
More often than no,t the favorite or best greyhound does not win the final of a stake event. Not the case in the championship final of the $140,000 Wheeling Island National May 30 when Lester Raines Kennel’s ATASCOCITA SIG romped to victory in the first ever futurity-type stake at the West Virginia racetrack.
Without question, Sig was the best greyhound in the field – winning five of his six qualifying round races – and then posting a box-to-wire 4 ½-length victory in a sizzling 29.14 in the championship final. Brad Boeckenstedt Kennel’s JD INDENDENCE took runner up honors while SE’S SOLID CASH, another Lester Raines Kennel pup, got up for third.
“We thought Sig had a great shot, but you have to race so anything can happen,” Atascocita Racing owner George Ulmer, who nominated Sig for the Wheeling Island National, said. “I thought he was the best dog but we were cautiously optimistic.”
 Commentary and photo provided by Stan Pawloski, writer for the Greyhound Review. Click here for Stan's NGA profile.
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Last Handicapper Standing
Southland Park's Razorback Classic and the bestbet Puppy Stakes wrap up tonight, leaving only two stakes left to finish out the Last Handicapper Standing contest: Derby Lane's St. Petersburg Derby and the Southland Derby. Be sure to get your picks and wagers in!
Richard E. has been holding on to that top spot for the last few rounds, but those trailing in the top 5 are closing in. Who will be the last handicapper standing? Could it be you?
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bestbet Puppy Stakes
Another exciting stakes race final is upon us and this time around we get to see the best puppies at the racetrack battle it out for the title, the crown, and the cash in the 2016 bestbet Puppy Stakes.
Normally, there is a greyhound that everyone thinks is going to win, here the race is WIDE OPEN! Seven of the eight greyhounds in the final won 2 of the 4 qualifying rounds, and 5 of the 8 greyhounds were 4 or more lengths clear of the rest in one of those victories. Loads of talent, early rush, raw speed, and even a closer or two dot this effort, so we are not only in for an exciting race, it should be an exciting finish, too.
Let’s take a closer look at the finalists and how the race might play out tonight in the 11th race on the card.
 Commentary provided by Kelly Clark, Director of Simulcasting and Racing Standards at bestbet ( bestbetjax.com).
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Tri-State's WVGOBA Open Distance
A field of eight distance specialists qualified for the 667 yard Tri-State Open Distance Final on Saturday, May 28th.
#3, CHRIS RULER, grabbed the lead and the rail and looked like she might go all the way. #2, CROSSFIRE CLYDE, made his patented just-off-the-pace move after stalking in third, and collared second place finisher CHRIS RULER on the far turn to claim victory by three lengths. #1, MAC'S OLYMPIA, got up to show in a furious last to third place late drive. #7,ZIPPEN ZIDEL, rounded out the superfecta over fifth place finisher #4, GLS KOKOMO. #6, MAC'S CECILE, could place no better than her jacket number. #5, RICO'S GANDY, and #8, COACH KATRINA, tired badly and finished seventh and eighth, respectively.
Congratulations to CROSSFIRE CLYDE and all connections!
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UB SIR MIX ALOT Gets It Right The First Time!
The first time the Xtrem Hess Racing LLC Kennel greyhound, UB SIR MIX A LOT, was tested on the 3-16 mile course at the Iowa Greyhound Park, he charged home the winner in the Memorial Sprint Stakes on Monday, May 30.
“It is kind of a little bit shocking,” said trainer Brad Hess.” We knew he had early speed, but we didn’t expect him to win.”
The decision to submit UB SIR MIX ALOT in the Sprint was jump-started by owner “Cheyenne Criswell,” said Hess. “It was his idea to go to the 3-16. He was excited and happy.”
Looking over the current roster in the kennel, “he is the greyhound we have,” said Hess, “with the most early speed.”
Looking at the charts seemed to support the move. Sir Mix, in doing the 5-16 distance, was leading early then fading in recent starts.
 Commentary provided by Steve Sigafoose, previously a sports editor of the Council Bluffs, Iowa Daily Nonpareil. He is a contributor to the NGA. Contact him at slsig1@cox.net. |
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New Month, New Opportunity!
It's the beginning of the month, which means our popular Bank of America In-Person Deposit Match has renewed! As always, we will match up to $50.00 of your first Bank of America in-person deposit for the month of June.
Let us know that you would like to take advantage of the June match when you speak to a customer service representative after you've made your in-person deposit. The match will be credited to your account with your deposit within 24 hours of your call. Remember, the match is available to account holders in good standing and is intended for wagering only.
With our Dog Days of Summer promotion having just begun and our Last Handicapper Standing contest entering its last few rounds, take advantage of our In-Person Deposit Match to help you win cash!
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Commentary provided by Shane Bolender, Director of Racing at Southland Greyhound Park.
