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Derby Lane's Holiday Distance Challenge
As he topped his buffet dinner with dessert this past weekend in the Derby Club at Derby Lane, Alex Hall touched on his appetite to win the $70,000 Holiday Distance Challenge.
“This is my most important (stakes race) to make a statement to my boss (Vinny Savill),’’ said Hall, the manager and trainer for Patriot kennel. “I went to work for him and won a lot of stakes races over at (former) Red Oak (kennel), so he thinks the world of me. It’s time to prove to him that this is the one (stakes) for us. But I’m crossing my fingers and hoping for a lot right now, because I haven’t made a major final or even a stakes (final) in about 1-1/2 years. This (opportunity) has been a long time coming.’’
Hall, 23, who joined Patriot in April, said he realizes that winning the Challenge – which ends qualifying tonight with eight greyhounds advancing to next Friday night’s 660-yard championship – will be a challenging task. Getting TEMPO RINGER into the finale in Wednesday’s third qualifier was Hall’s first achievement. His second possible finalist is WW’S ODESSABEACH, who may need a victory in the final qualifying round to join TEMPO RINGER. If that happens, Hall then will probably have to contend with FLYING DYNOMITE (McAllister Racing kennel) and possibly OYA STAN THE MAN (D’Arcy) for the championship. Hall said the two rivals are “the dogs to beat.’’
 
 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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bestbet's Holiday Stakes
What a great evening we had on Saturday, December 10th, at bestbet Jacksonville. Not only did the local crowd like the great 12 races of Christmas Promotion that was going on, but they also loved the stakes racing action that was taking place. Wagering was up both locally and around the country as we handled just shy of $300,000 on the night and featured some fun and unique races for everyone to watch, wager, and win.
During the 12 stakes races, we had a race over every distance at the racetrack. That’s right, 330, 550, 660, 770, and even a 990 race that handled almost $33,000. Included in those events were stakes finals over 550, 660, and 770 yards, which were exciting and chalkish. In the following, we will look at those final round races, and then we will recap the winner of every stakes race on the card.
 Commentary provided by Kelly Clark, Director of Simulcasting and Racing Standards at bestbet (bestbetjax.com)
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AllAboutTheFame and JS Outlaw Legend Remain Undefeated!
The fourth and final round of qualifying for Palm Beach Kennel Club’s $20,000 Dick Andrews Futurity takes place this Monday afternoon, December 19.
Heading into the sweet sixteen, two Greyhounds have garnered undefeated qualifying records. JS OUTLAW LEGEND and ALLABOUTTHEFAME will each attempt to enter the $20,000 Dick Andrews Futurity finale with unblemished records.
ALLABOUTTHEFAME, who has finished in the top two in all eight of her career races, including six victories, will be going for her fourth-consecutive qualifying win in Race 12, while JS OUTLAW LEGEND will be attempting the quartet of wins and will be breaking from the advantageous eight post position. His main competition in Race 14 will come from the super-early speed semifinalists, TC CARLOS GOMEZ and O YA SUNFLOWER.
The following includes the complete lineup of Monday’s two semifinal events.
Commentary provided by Jeff Prince, Customer Service Manager at Palm Beach Kennel Club. |
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New Sensations Puppy Classic
The even-money favorite, #6, BGR J PERALTA, continued his domination with a 6 1/2 length victory in the New Sensations Puppy Classic held in the Matinee program at Naples Fort Myers on Saturday, December 10th. This was PERALTA's fifth straight win, all done in wire to wire fashion. The winner did not break on top, but quickly assumed command with his great early rush and was never threatened.
The second place finisher, #5, PJ WHERE YOU AT, an $11,000 NGA auction purchase, rushed up to clear second and chased the winner throughout at 10-1. The third place finisher, #4, FKYING SLOAN, took advantage of a jam on the first turn to clear into third and remained there at odds of 14-1.
The second choice in the wagering at 3-1, #1, KINDA DONT CARE, a $20,000 NGA auction purchase, did not break well, cleared into fourth, and ran in that position the entire race.
The remaining field, #2, KIOWA URBAN at 6-1, a $29,000 NGA auction purchase, #3, FLYING RUBY ROSE, at 10-1, #7, MALLOMAR, at 11-1, and #8, DS SPICE, at 9-1, all jammed on the first turn and ran 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th, respectively.
Congratulations to the Boeckenstedt Kennel, owner Brad Boeckenstedt, and trainer Phil Stapleton for the excellent job preparing this fine greyhound for a great performance in the final and throughout the eliminations.
Photo provided by Erik Koltz from United Greyhound Racing.
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