New Sensations Puppy Classic
 

Naples Ft. Myers was the site for the second round of the New Sensations Puppy Classic which was run on November 30th. This is a synopsis of the four eliminations which were run during the Matinee program.

The first elimination race (race #2) was won by the second choice, #4, FLYING SLOAN (2nd in round 1), who overcame a large early deficit to get up in the final strides at 7/2 odds. #6, MALLOMAR (won first round), jumped out to a huge early lead at 18-1, and just failed to hang on. #1, GO BON JAN, tangled up on the first turn with #7, BGR A PUJOLS, but recovered to run a distant third. #3, KINDA DONT CARE (winner in round 1), a $20,000 NGA auction purchase, and the 2/5 favorite, stumbled at the break and lost all chance to finish fifth.

The second elimination race of the day (race #4) featured greyhounds who had not fared well in round 1. #3, MOUTH OFTHESOUTH, who had fared poorly (7th) in round 1 at 8-5, broke sharply and went right to the lead, winning by a large margin at 3-1. The race favorite at 3-2 was #1, BS HAPPY (fourth in round 1), who was second going into the first turn, went a bit wide causing the second favorite at 2-1, #6, FLY CHICAGO CUB, to stumble, eliminating both from contention. #7, RP SHAWNO, at 30-1, benefited from the jam to close late for  a distant second. #2, PJ LOTS OF DOTS, ran evenly for third.

 

The $20,000 Futurity stakes is named in honor of Dick Andrews; former Palm Beach kennel operator, humanitarian, and 2004 inductee to the Greyhound Hall of Fame.

The 2016 title will be contested over the Royal Palm Course in five qualifying events by some of the finest up-and-coming young sprinters, starting with round one Wednesday afternoon, December 7th. First post is at 1:00 PM EST.

HI NOON VIPER took the lead entering the final turn and won the inaugural running of the $10,000 Thanksgiving Stakes Saturday night, November 26, at Derby Lane for his first career stakes victory.
   
HI NOON VIPER, the 6-5 wagering favorite for Nova kennel, finished two lengths in front of Alabama Racing kennel’s FANCY FRANCY, a 16-1 shot. The 31-month-old son of TRENT LEE and HI NOON RHAPSODY clocked 550 yards in 30.61 seconds. It was the first lifetime stakes win for trainer Miguel Valenzuela.
 
“This is a blessing for me,’’ Valenzuela said. “I expected him to win, and with us being leading kennel, it’s that much more of a blessing.’’
 
Nova kennel owners Hans and Elly Limmer won their sixth stakes championship at Derby Lane, the first since 2011.
 

bestbet's 770 Thanksgiving Marathon Challenge
 

The finals of the 2016 Thanksgiving Marathon Challenge were a highly-contested race made up for the greyhounds that finished 1-4 in their qualifying heats.

Loads of talent was on tap, with the track record holder and former 770 stakes winner in the mix, along with several other tough grade A competitors. Previewing this race, we said it might come down to who wanted it more, and that is exactly what happened when the box opened on Friday evening, November 25th, at bestbet Jacksonville.

As the lure bounced through the escape turn and up the backstretch, the box popped open in the finals of the 2016 Thanksgiving Marathon Challenge, and the track record holder, HERSTAL, made the lead. Driving up the backside, the closer was in command, but it was not going to stay that way for long. Chasing right alongside was the always breaking and running threat ATASCOCITA WARM, and the 2nd time over the distance runner LK’S CENTURIA.