Trending
Tom Ferris took a gamble at the 2006 National Greyhound Association Fall Meet in Kansas.
Today, it's paying big dividends.
While Ferris has always leaned toward proven bloodlines in his auction purchases, the A Ray Kennel operator went out on a limb with CDN Thunderkat.
"His mother (Tom S Kuntry Kat) came from a pretty good litter at Southland but this was her first litter of pups. Of course, his father (WW Greys Drifter) had some success at Wheeling," Ferris said. "Thunderkat showed some fast times in schooling before the fall meet, but it was pretty much a stab in the dark."
Purchased from Lisa Riches of Canada for $11,000, Thunderkat has earned more than $22,000 in less than a year of racing at the Wheeling Island racetrack. In 53 career starts, the sprinter has 13 wins, 13 seconds, 7 thirds and 3 fourths -- a 68 percent mark on the pay sheet.
The early speed merchant has been on a roll since mid-August -- 4 wins, 2 seconds and 1 third in his last eight Grade AA starts.
"Thunder's always been an honest dog and has a lot of want to. He's going to give an effort every time he goes to the box," Ferris noted. "If he has a bad race, it's because he missed his break and couldn't get through."
Speed is Thunderkat's game.
"When we schooled Thunder in the morning, he was all early foot and a little short," Ferris recalled. "He wasn't the type of dog who was going to come from behind."
Thunderkat broke his Maiden in early December 2006 with a box-to-wire 3-length victory. Over the next six-month period, he climbed the ladder to Grade A but bounced back to Grade B on a couple occasions.
The youngster reached Grade AA once in both June and July but struggled and quickly fell back to Grade A.
"A lot of it (dropping in class) had to do with the fact he was young (Thunderkat broke in at 18 months old)," Ferris said. "The track also was a little slower and he wants a faster surface."
Thunderkat appears to be a different greyhound since advancing back into Grade AA in August.
"He's matured as a greyhound and he's a little stronger," Ferris said. "We also moved him up front in the kennel where he can see everything going on. He was in the back longer than we expected but we weren't getting any new pups in."
In Thunderkat's last four trips against the track's top sprinters, he has 3 wins and 1 second. In each victory, he rushed to the top early.
"I always thought he had the talent," Ferris said. "When he outrushed Makin Bakin (Charter Kennel speedster) to the turn back in June, that race told me Thunder could go to the lead in Grade AA."
Thunderkat tends to break better from an inside post, but rushes better from an outside hole, Ferris indicated.
"I prefer him in the eight hole because he can overcome a mediocre break with his rush," Ferris said. "If he breaks decent, not many dogs are going to outrush him to the turn."
Drawing the eight hole in his last outing, Thunderkat broke fifth but displayed his explosive rush to reach the turn on top. He opened up 5 lengths down the backside before winning by 1 1/2 lengths.
"He runs hard down the backstretch and usually extends his lead," Ferris said. "Coming home he's a little short, but not where he's going to be off the ticket. He's giving his all as long as he can."
Thunderkat has caught the quiniela ticket in nearly 50 percent of his 53 career races.
The immediate future is quite bright for Thunderkat, who won't turn 3 years old until May 2008.
"I'd like to think he'll maintain his consistency for another six months," Ferris said. "Sprinters use a lot of energy and he'll also be facing a lot of fresh legs next year."
IN THE HOMESTRETCH:
REMEMBER …
Lil Mis Marker
– Raced at Wheeling from 1981-1983
– Record of 41-18-7-6 in 1982
– Winner 1982 City of Wheeling Stakes (5/16)
– Finalist 1982 West Virginia Classic (3/8)
– Finalist 1982 Seabrook Great Greyhound Race (5/16)
HOT DOGS: Flying Eagles-Miner Kennel's Kiowa Gale Maloy has five straight Grade AA victories for trainer Jay Hawkins. Kennel-mates Kay V Arrington has three wins and a third in her last four Grade AA trips while Flat Out Ady has three straight Grade AA victories.
Charter Kennel's Makin Bakin has won four out of her last five Grade AA races for trainer Rodney Cooley. Kennel-mate Primco Mayes has two wins and a second in his last three starts.
Steubenville Kennel's Hallo Mr Brendon has three straight wins (C, B, A) for trainer Debbie Schweizer. Kennel-mates Lazy K Kandycane has won three out of her last four Grade AA 3/8 starts while Hallo Goosey Say has back-to-back victories (A, AA).
Gable Kennel's Gable Thailand has two wins and a second in her last three Grade AA starts for trainer Wayne Piquette. Kennel-mates Gable Hannah has two wins and a second in her last three outings while Gable Pimiento (AA) and Gable Anoka (C, B) have back-to-back victories.
C And C Kennel's Behave Lee has two wins, a second and two thirds in her last five Grade AA races for trainer Patrick Bever.
Robert Thorne-Abrahamson Kennel's JA's Jerry has won three out of his last four 3/8 races (C, B, A) for trainer Tom Engle.
Douglas Kennel's Romantic Moments has won three out of his last four starts (C, B, A) for trainer Jim Roche.
Darren Henry Kennel's Legend of Zorro has two wins and a third in her last three trips for trainer Donna Wilcox.
Majestic Kennel's Risky N Frisky has back-to-back 3/8 victories (C, B) for trainer Joe Otto.
Pawloski can be reached at sjpawloski@yahoo.com