|
WVGOBA Keystone Championship Round 1
Wednesday afternoon, November 11th, kicked off the $65,000 WVGOBA Keystone Championship at Wheeling Island Racetrack. Twenty-eight greyhounds squared off in 4 races around the 678-yard oval in the round 1 qualifiers.
Breaking on top in race 6, #1, WALK WITHME STAN, took an early lead. He extended his lead before losing ground in the far turn. #8, TAKE OFF TUG, collared the leader and drew away to victory by 4 ½ lengths. #7, GLS WILD THYME, was up for second and WALK WITHME STAN grabbed third.
In the 8th race, #1, RWC HALEY, was first out of the box, but quickly faded around the second turn where #2, RICO'S MANOFSIN, seized the lead and finished with a 7 length victory over #7, DKC HOT DOGETTE. #8, FLAT OUT QSTACHE, got up for show.
|
|
|
|
Fall Juvenile Final
Derby Lane wrapped up their Juvenile Stakes last Saturday, November 7th.
Girl power was on full display that night as #5, LAGRO CC NANCE, ripped out of the starting box and built herself a long commanding lead. Heading down the homestretch, she received a late challenge from MAC'S GOSSIE, who was making a late move. LAGRO CC NANCE was determined to be the first one to the finish line. She held on for a 1/2 length victory to be crowned 2015 Fall Juvenile champion.
#8, MAC'S GOSSIE, who also had a terrific start from the box, could not match the early speed of the winner. She was relentless in the chase and just missed taking first.
#6, BARTSMOUSTAKAS, with no early speed in his repertoire, but always seems to get there. He ran his usual closing style and was up for third place finish.
Don't forget to catch round one of the $75,000 Holiday Distance Challenge at Derby Lane on Saturday, November 28th!
|
|
|
Iowa Breeders Classic Final
From the first time BOC’S HANK JR put his paws on the track, he glowed of greatness. On Saturday, October 31, at Bluffs Run, Hank fulfilled that greatness with a beautiful box-to-wire performance to win the 30th edition of the $500,000 Iowa Breeders Classic by a solid four lengths in a smart time of 30.15 seconds for the 5-16 mile course.
“Hank deserved it,” Boeckenstedt Kennel trainer Philip Stapleton said. “He’s been running hard all year.”
That Hank was even in the IBC was a last-minute decision that had everyone in the kennel on edge.
Hank, a 73-pounder, born Feb. 5, 2013 out of KIOWA MON MANNY X BOC’S MISS RODEO, was put on the sideline with a sprained ankle in the semifinal of September’s $60,000 Finale. Stapleton said, at that time, the pup would not run in the IBC unless he was completely back to form.
 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
|
|
|
|
|
Night of Stars
The Annual Night Of Stars 2015 takes center stage on the Irish Greyhound racing calendar this weekend at Shelbourne Park with over €100k ($107,245) in prize money divided over eight championship races and a variety of distances enhanced by five high class open races. There will be Tote Trio Guarantees of at least €3500 ($3,753) per race with a strong possibility of bigger guarantees as the night progresses.
2015 Irish Greyhound Derby Winner BALLYMAC MATT represents the all-conquering Ballymac Kennel in the BoyleSports Night Of Stars Open 550 and judging by a recent 29.35 second workout over the Derby trip, it will be a major shock if we don't see another polished winning performance.
Commentary provided by Stephen McCausland at @MyIreghound. For more coverage on Irish Greyhound Racing, visit www.igb.ie or follow @BarkingBuzz on Twitter.
|
|
|
Kerry Agribusiness Irish St. Leger
Saturday, October 31st, marked the 13th running of the Kerry Agribusiness Irish St. Leger under its current sponsors, though the stakes itself has been running in Limerick since 1944.
The early favorites were OFFSHORE BOUND and PEREGRINE FALCON, though both fell short early on along with TYRUR TOMMY, who ran into trouble around the first turn. Despite drawing the #4 post and preferring the rail, SIDARIAN VEGA made his way to the front with young up and coming SKYWALKER RORY quickly challenging him. SKYWALKER RORY, sired by 2012 Irish Derby winner, SKYWALKER PUMA, took the lead around the last turn for a six length victory over SIDARIAN VEGA and clocking a time of 29.47. Offshore Bound finished the trifecta for third.
Congratulations to owner Ray Patterson, trainer Pat Guilfoyle, and all connections on the win! This victory gave SKYWALKER RORY an automatic entry to the Night of Stars at Shelbourne Park tonight, where he will be competing in the Boylesports 550 against lots of talent, including 2015 Irish Greyhound Derby winner, BALLYMAC MATT.
Photo Credit by Imelda Grauer
|
|
|
bestbet's Sprint Classic Final
On Saturday evening at bestbet Jacksonville, the place was hopping. Loads of people were busily moving throughout the facility and the talk of the day was the finals of the 2015 bestbet Sprint Classic. Heard over and over again was, "Who's going to win?" It was a big deal to everyone as our great Spin It to Win It promotion was based on just that, who won the big race.
As the time drew near, a ton of people moved outside to see the action live for themselves and as Rusty whirled through the far turn the excitement went to a different level.
At the pop of the box it was not the favorites that saw the early lead, but GS FLIPPER.
 Commentary provided by Kelly Clark, Director of Simulcasting and Racing Standards at bestbet (bestbetjax.com)
|
|
|
|
Commentary provided by Shane Bolender, Director of Racing at Southland Greyhound Park
