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Rodney Cooley never was one to start out a young greyhound without plenty of morning work.
The Charter Kennel trainer has always believed pups need time to adjust to the racetrack and to start the maturation process before going into official schooling and racing.
All that changed when Primco Mayes arrived in Wheeling after competing at the 2007 National Greyhound Association Spring Meet in Kansas.
"In the morning he would blister any dog we put him up against -- other maidens as well as graded dogs. Sometimes he'd unload on them by 10 lengths or more," Cooley said. "He forced us to put him on. There was no reason not to put him on."
It didn't take long for racing fans to take notice. In 18 starts at the Wheeling Island racetrack, Primco Mayes has 5 wins, 6 seconds, 5 thirds and 1 fourth as he climbed the ladder to Grade AA.
A January 2006 greyhound out of Dodgem By Design-Prima Mystic, Primco Mayes was only 17 months old when he officially schooled in early June. After a fourth in his initial schooler, he romped to a 15-length victory in his next training effort.
Primco Mayes finished second in his first three Maiden races, finishing a length back twice and 2 1/2 lengths behind in the other race.
"I was a little surprised. I really thought he'd win two or three in a row right away," Cooley said. "It probably was a blessing he didn't because it gave him a few more races to adjust."
Primco Mayes got loose on the backside in his next Maiden outing and the youngster displayed his powerful closing speed for the first time. Racing third, he took a length lead around the far turn before pulling away to a 7-length victory.
Although Primco Mayes lacks box speed, he broke second in his first Grade C race and rushed to the top by 2 lengths around the first turn. He continued to distance himself from his competitors, eventually winning by 7 lengths.
Primco Mayes made it three wins in a row by posting a come-from-behind victory in Grade B. Heading down the backside fourth, he powered his way home for a length victory.
"He runs a super backstretch to the finish line," Cooley noted. "When he gets out in his own lane, he really starts rolling."
Grade A proved a bigger challenge for Primco Mayes. Facing faster breakers and more overall front speed, the youngster found himself having to make up more ground.
In four out of his first six Grade A starts, Primco Mayes was sixth or seventh around the first turn. He was able to rally, however, as he notched five thirds and a second in those races.
"He just can't spot good dogs at Wheeling eight, nine or 10 lengths," Cooley said. "He's still able to catch the ticket, but it's tough to win from that far behind."
In his Grade A victory, Primco Mayes broke fifth from the five hole but found a lane and rushed up to the lead around the first turn. From there he pulled away for a 6-length victory in a quick 29.90.
The youngster followed up his Grade A win with an impressive 3-length Grade AA victory in 30.09.
Breaking from the seven hole, Primco Mayes rushed up to third around the first turn. He moved up to second coming home where he pulled away for an easy victory.
Primco Mayes' outside running style has been a factor early in his races.
"If he gets an outside post or finds room early, I think he can run with just about anyone at Wheeling," Cooley related. "But when he's inside or in the middle of the track, he'll try to loop around the other dogs to get to the outside."
Primco Mayes had a pair of seconds and a fourth in his next four races against the track's top sprinters. In one of his place finishes he came from seventh at the top of the stretch while he rallied from eighth heading home to get fourth in another race.
"Some of his best races were ones he didn't win. Somehow he finds a way to work his way through traffic," Cooley said. "When he's loaded up to go to the track, he's all business. He loves to go."
Even though Primco Mayes looks like the perfect 3/8 greyhound, it may be awhile before he sees the backside.
"We're looking at Primco Mayes as a possible entry in next year's Derby Lane Million so he'll probably stay in 5/16," Cooley said. "Actually his style doesn't fit this racetrack. To do what he's done at Wheeling at his age is even more impressive."
Primco Mayes shined at the 2007 NGA Spring Meet, winning his first round race by a length before coming back to capture his final by 6 lengths. He was raised and owned by Paul Berland and Jeff Cole.
Before the meet, Charter Kennel operator Cary Alsobrook had his sights set on purchasing Primco Mayes.
"Primco Mayes was the highest pup I graded at the NGA Meet from his age group," Alsobrook said. "He was researched well ahead of the auction so I knew he had great potential."
IN THE HOMESTRETCH:
REMEMBER …
Odd Express
– Raced at Wheeling from 1979-1982
– 76 career wins, tied for eighth all-time at Wheeling
– 32 wins in 1981 (second to Friend Delilah's 47)
– Third 1981 City of Wheeling Stake (5/16)
– 5/16 track record 30.24 set on March 24, 1982
?- Nicknamed 'The Train'
AFLEET ALEX: Lester Raines Kennel's Afleet Alex ran fourth in last weekend's final of the $50,000 First Coast Classic won by Platinum Perfect at the Orange Park Kennel Club in Florida.
Afleet Alex, the top qualifier for the final, was crowded during the race but still managed to finish just 3 lengths behind the winner.
Platinum Perfect went box-to-wire from the eight hole, holding off Fth Jive Talker by a length at the wire. Kay V Tatoo Tony was third.
Completing the final field were Afleet Alex, fourth; Starz Margie, fifth; Kiowa Wild Boy, sixth; Gil's Lampasas, seventh; and TMC's Dogbone, eighth.
HOT DOGS: Flying Eagles-Miner Kennel's Flying Speedo has three wins and a second in his last four Grade AA starts for trainer Jay Hawkins. Kennel-mates Kay Star Steal has three straight 3/8 victories (B, A, AA) while Kiowa Gale Maloy has back-to-back wins (A, AA).
Charter Kennel's TK Quick Strike has won three wins and a third in his last five Grade AA 3/8 races for trainer Rodney Cooley. Kennel-mate Closing Belle has back-to-back wins (A, AA).
Cardinal Kennel's Kiowa JSK David has two wins and a second in his last three Grade AA 3/8 trips for trainer Waymon Varner. Kennel-mate Kiowa Song Bird has two victories and a second in her last three outings.
Majestic Kennel's San Tan Nomemory has three straight wins (M, D, C) for trainer Joe Otto.
Gable Kennel's Gable Indonesia has back-to-back Grade AA victories for trainer Wayne Piquette.
C And C Kennel's Jack Whistler has two straight Grade AA wins for trainer Patrick Bever.
Pawloski can be reached at sjpawloski@yahoo.com