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C And C Kennel trainer Patrick Bever feels like he has hit the jackpot.
Languishing in the bottom third of the standings at the Wheeling Island racetrack a few months ago, the kennel has received a shot in the arm with the addition of several Trent Lee pups.
Since arriving in Wheeling this summer, the youngsters have helped propel C And C into a top five contender.
"We have struck gold with the Trent Lee breedings," Bever said. "Nearly all of the Trent Lee pups in our kennel as well as those in other kennels have done well. We're pleasantly pleased with their efforts."
Among the Trent Lee youngsters stepping up in the C And C Kennel are Soft Trent, Speedy Trent and Rising Trent, all in Grade AA, and Quick Trent in Grade A. In 43 races, the foursome have combined for 18 wins, 1 second, 9 thirds and 3 fourths -- a 71 percent mark on the pay sheet.
Larry Birnbaum of Everytime Enterprises, the owner of Trent Lee, is ecstatic with the pups' success.
"We're excited with the way they are running. They certainly are tearing up the racetrack," Birnbaum said. "Actually these are second tier dogs out of the litters. The better ones were sold at the 2007 National Greyhound Association Spring Meet."
A total of 11 Trent Lee pups from three litters were sold at the NGA auction for more than $130,000, Birnbaum said. Splendid Trent, a littermate of Soft Trent who sold for $41,000, was the first greyhound to break 30 seconds in both the first round and the final of a NGA meet.
Soft Trent, a December 2005 greyhound out of Trent Lee-Soft Melody, would have been sold at the NGA meet too but she sustained a toe injury in her first round victory.
"She was scratched from the final and we pulled her out of the auction because of the injury," Birnbaum said. "We had an offer for Soft Trent outside the auction ring but we decided to keep her and take our chances. She has come back fine."
In 20 Wheeling starts, Soft Trent has 7 wins, 1 second, 5 thirds and 1 fourth. She has three Grade AA victories on her resume.
"Knowing how Soft Trent and her littermates ran at the nationals, we didn't think she'd have any problems making Grade A-AA at Wheeling," Bever said. "She showed a lot of potential in the morning and adjusted quickly to the racetrack."
Soft Trent broke her Maiden in her second race, romping to a 9 1/2 length victory. Following two thirds and a fourth in Grade C, she won three straight -- Grade C by 3 1/2 lengths, Grade B by a length and Grade A by 4 lengths.
The youngster doesn't possess great box speed, but has a nice rush to the turn, Bever related. A majority of her races are come-from-behind efforts.
"If Soft Trent had a little more box speed, I think she'd be a great dog. Barring a super speed dog in her races, if she gets around third or fourth she has a shot to win," Bever said. "What impresses me the most about her is the way she navigates through traffic. It's unbelievable for her age."
In Soft Trent's last two Grade AA victories, she came from third and fourth in the stretch with powerful closing rushes on the outside.
"Soft Trent has a lot left in her tank coming home," Birnbaum said. "While Brett Lee (Trent Lee's dad) pups have tremendous speed to the turn, some are on the short side. It looks like these Trent Lee pups have more bottom."
Speedy Trent, a November 2005 greyhound out of Trent Lee-Whistler's Bride, climbed the ladder to Grade AA in just seven starts. He has 4 wins, 1 third and 1 fourth in eight trips.
Several impressive performances dot Speedy Trent's resume. He won Maiden by 9 lengths, Grade C by 4 1/2 lengths, Grade B by 4 1/2 lengths and Grade A by 7 lengths.
"He's a strong greyhound with no fear," Bever said. "He'll push his way through the first turn."
Like Soft Trent, Speedy Trent prefers to race midtrack.
Littermates Rising Trent and Quick Trent, November 2005 greyhounds out of Trent Lee-Looks Special, are carbon copies of each other. Both rely on their front speed.
"I love Rising Trent. She has wicked box speed and rush to the turn," Bever said. "She's really held tough in the stretch in her races."
In eight trips, Rising Trent has 4 wins, 3 thirds and 1 fourth as she climbed the ladder to Grade AA.
"She'll face dogs with more box speed in Grade AA so we'll see how she progresses," Bever said. "Going to Grade AA in eight starts at Wheeling is impressive."
Quick Trent experienced trouble in her first two Maiden trips, but rebounded with three wins in a row. She won Grade C by 5 lengths and Grade B by 4 lengths.
In Grade A, Quick Trent has a fourth in three starts.
"She's run into some trouble in Grade A with dogs with as much speed as she has. She's used to having no dogs next to her," Bever said. "Right now it's a learning experience, but I have great expectations for her."
Other Trent Lee pups racing out of the C And C Kennel at Wheeling include Rapid Trent, Standard Trent, Steel Trent and Cute Trent.
"With the success of these dogs, I see Trent Lee becoming a premier stud dog down the road," Bever added.
Birnbaum said Trent Lee has been bred nearly 200 times, with a majority of the pups expected to reach the racetrack late next year.
Trent Lee, a super sprinter at Caliente in 2004, came to Wheeling in early 2005 where he advanced to Grade AA. Shipped to Derby Lane in Florida in late 2005, Trent Lee set the track record of 29.59 in March 2006.
He also stopped the clock in 29.63, the second fastest time ever at Derby Lane.
IN THE HOMESTRETCH:
REMEMBER …
Bright Johnny
– Raced at Wheeling from 1978-1981
– 24 wins in 1980, 20 wins in 1979
– Finalist 1979 Thomas F. Shehan Sprint Classic
– Finalist 1980 City of Wheeling Stakes (5/16)
– Finalist 1980 Seabrook Great Greyhound Race (5/16)
HOT DOGS: Majestic Kennel's San Tan Nomemory has four straight victories (M, D, C, B) for trainer Joe Otto.
Flying Eagles-Miner Kennel's Kiowa Gale Maloy has three wins in a row (A, AA) for trainer Jay Hawkins. Kennel-mate Pikes Mulligan has back-to-back Grade AA victories.
C And C Kennel's Poor White Dog has four wins and a second in her last five Grade AA marathon trips for trainer Patrick Bever. Kennel-mate Van Do has won three wins, a second and a third in his last five outings.
Cardinal Kennel's Kiowa JSK David has won three out of his last four Grade AA 3/8 starts for trainer Waymon Varner.
Douglas Kennel's WCS Barts Olga has won three out of her last four 3/8 races (B, A, AA) for trainer Jim Roche. Kennel-mate Romantic Moments has back-to-back victories (C, B).
Keota Kennel's Silk Shark Susan has three wins and two seconds in her last five trips for trainer Louise Strong.
Lester Raines Kennel's Sammy Sleek has won three out of her last four starts (B, A, AA) for trainer Joel Roden.
Charter Kennel's Makin Bakin has two straight Grade AA victories for trainer Rodney Cooley.
Steubenville Kennel's Lazy K Kandycane has two Grade AA 3/8 wins in a row for trainer Debbie Schweizer.
Michael Green Kennel's Iruska Fancy has back-to-back wins (B, A) for trainer Jim Grace.
A Ray Kennel's AMF Racy Basie has two straight victories (B, A) for trainer Joe Palmer.
Pawloski can be reached at sjpawloski@yahoo.com