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Quite often sporting events don't live up to their prior buildup and accompanying hype.
That was not the case last weekend in Night of Stars XX at Wheeling Downs.
Taking part in a national simulcast program featuring top-grade races from 17 tracks across the country, the Wheeling sprint was a classic with three greyhounds hitting the wire only a half length apart.
The homestretch battle couldn't have been any more dramatic as Majestic Kennel's San Tan Nomemory closed on the outside to edge Ryan Farms Kennel's Freya by a head and Charter Kennel's Makin Bakin by a half length in a photo finish.
Completing the Night of Stars field were Gable Pimiento (Gable Kennel), fourth; Legend Of Zorro (Darren Henry Kennel), fifth; Van Do (C And C Kennel), sixth; Sol Reign (Lester Raines Kennel), seventh; and Kay Shivon Sissy (Wayne Ward Kennel), eighth.
"Winning Night of Stars was very special when you look at the great field put together for the race. Nomemory beat a very talented field," Majestic Kennel trainer Joe Otto said. "I'm sure the race got a lot of attention nationwide because of the caliber of dogs running at Wheeling."
The Night of Stars field resembled a stakes final. The eight finalists had combined for 108 wins, 51 seconds, 31 thirds and 15 fourths in 252 starts -- an 81 percent mark on the pay sheet.
The post positions for the Night of Stars race and their posttime odds were 1 -- Van Do, 3-1; 2 -- Gable Pimiento, 10-1; 3 -- Sol Reign, 20-1; 4 -- Makin Bakin, 3-2; 5 -- Freya, 27-1; 6 -- Legend Of Zorro, 9-1; 7 -- Kay Shivon Sissy, 10-1; 8 -- San Tan Nomemory, 9/2.
"Nomemory likes midtrack so we were pleased with the eight box," Otto said. "It's his best hole, but he still had to run his race."
An expected, race favorite Makin Bakin popped on top early with longshot Freya just to her outside. A few strides further back were Van Do and San Tan Nomemory.
Nearing the first turn, Nomemory exploded on the outside past Freya and just behind the frontrunning Makin Bakin. Nomemory was only a length off the lead heading down the backside.
"Nomemory put on one of his best rushes to the turn since he's been in Wheeling. In most sprint stake races, it's usually a dog in the top three around the first turn who wins," Otto noted. "I was just hoping Nomemory got through the turn clean because dogs like Makin Bakin are tough to catch if they are spotted a few lengths."
Halfway down the backstretch, Nomemory moved up alongside Makin Bakin.
"I thought Nomemory would run right by Makin Bakin and win easily," Otto said. "It looked like he was going to go by her, but Makin Bakin didn't give an inch."
Freya was several lengths back in third followed by Gable Pimiento. Van Do drifted back after going wide around the first turn while Legend Of Zorro, Sol Reign and Kay Shivon Sissy were never in contention.
Coming off the last turn, Makin Bakin appeared to have a slight lead as Nomemory drifted out a bit as they hit the homestretch. At this point, Freya was flying up the rail and gaining ground with each stride.
"Halfway down the stretch, I knew it was going to be a head-bobber (at the finish)," Otto said.
Virtually dead even just yards before the wire, Nomemory finally was able to get his head in front of Freya at the line. Pacesetter Makin Bakin settled for third in a photo finish.
"It was very close. I couldn't tell," Otto said. "I know Nomemory was very determined."
Otto also tipped his hat to Makin Bakin and Freya.
"Makin Bakin easily is one of the top three dogs at Wheeling. She battled all the way to the wire," Otto said. "Freya has run under the radar but she ran a monster race."
Director of Racing Ben Travis said the race generated plenty of excitement.
"It was a tremendous effort by the youngster San Tan Nomemory. I knew the dog was a serious contender but I didn't expect him to be that close to Makin Bakin as early as he was in the race," Travis said. "The surprise for me was that Freya, the longest shot on the board, almost won the race. That demonstrates how good of a field it was."
Nomemory's victory was his fourth straight in Grade AA. For the year, the August 2005 greyhound out of San Tan Riffraff-EF Cris Memory has 9 wins, 3 seconds, 2 thirds and 1 fourth in 15 starts.
"If I was working for another kennel, I know Nomemory is one greyhound I wouldn't want in the same race," Otto said.
The champion paid $9.60 on a $2 win wager while the 5-8 quiniela returned $82. The 8-5-4 trifecta paid $659 and the 8-5-4-2 superfecta was $2,308.
IN THE HOMESTRETCH:
ONE TO WATCH: Word is the Flying Eagles-Miner Kennel may have a future superstar on the grounds.
Flying Mc Grath, a May 2006 greyhound out of WW Apple Jax-VJ's Kintes Gal, makes his Maiden debut during Friday afternoon's card. He will break from the four box in Race 3.
Owned by Dean Miner, Mc Grath won both of his schooling trips. In each race, he popped on top out of the box and never looked back in winning by 14 and 8 lengths.
SUPER LEE: C And C Kennel's Super Lee is back.
The winner of 18 out of his 26 races at Palm Beach earlier this year, Super Lee had a successful Wheeling debut during Wednesday's matinee card.
Breaking from the five hole in Grade A, Super Lee broke decent but rushed to the top around the first turn and never looked back in winning by two or three lengths. He stopped the clock in 30.30.
Super Lee is owned by Everytime Enterprises.
HOT DOGS: Charter Kennel's Silver Patriot has three wins in a row (A, AA) for trainer Rodney Cooley.
Arivada-Plum Creek Kennel's Going Out has three straight 3/8 victories (B, A, AA) for trainer Ricardo Pacheco.
Ryan Farms Kennel's Witch Hazel has won three out of her last four 3/8 races (B, A, AA) for trainer Terry Green. Kennel-mate Irish Holly has back-to-back wins (B, A).
Steubenville Kennel's Kiowa Vasquez has back-to-back Grade AA 3/8 victories for trainer Debbie Schweizer. Kennel-mate Kiowa Apple Lyde has two wins and a third in his last three starts.
Keota Kennel's Fortuate Son has two wins in a row (A, AA) for trainer Louise Strong.
Majestic Kennel's Mulberry Gus (AA) and Calif Dude (B, A)have back-to-back victories for trainer Joe Otto.
Michael Green Kennel's Winnie Walker (B, A) and Cookie Potts (C, B) have two straight wins for trainer Jim Grace.
Douglas Kennel's D's Belle has back-to-back victories (C, B) for trainer Jim Roche.
C And C Kennel's Tommy Commander has back-to-back Grade AA wins for trainer Patrick Bever. Kennel-mate First Classtowin has two wins in a row (C, B).
Pawloski can be reached at sjpawloski@yahoo.com