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Mariska, Silver Jones, Gable Pimiento and Makin Bakin.
These four greyhounds were just a few of the newsmakers during the 2007 racing season at the Wheeling Island racetrack. Veterans, as well as newcomers, shared the spotlight throughout the year.
Two stake races were held in 2007 with Thorne-Abrahamson Kennel's Mariska capturing the $25,000 Hound Madness Stake in April and Charter Kennel's Silver Jones winning the $50,000 Holiday Sprint Championship in December.
In the two Night of Stars features, two Majestic Kennel racers -- CS Bosco and San Tan Nomemory -- prevailed. Racing to victory in the two West Virginia-bred stake races were Thorne-Abrahamson Kennel's CG's Revenge and Ryan Farms Kennel's Liam.
Several other Wheeling-based greyhounds traveled to stake competitions at other racetracks and enjoyed success, including:
? Lester Raines Kennel's Afleet Alex won the $140,000 Mardi Gras Greyhound Ultimate Challenge at Hollywood, Fla., and made the final of the $50,000 First Coast Classic at Orange Park.
? C And C Kennel's BB Becool ran fifth in the final of the Mardi Gras Greyhound Ultimate Challenge.
? Arivada-Plum Creek Kennel's Maxmilian Kohler (third) and Camerlengo (sixth) and Majestic Kennel's Sly Star (eighth) made the final of the Derby Lane Million.
? Lester Raines Kennel's USS San Juan won the $158,000 Great American Greyhound Futurity at The Woodlands.
? Charter Kennel's TK Quick Strike (fourth) and Silver Maverick (seventh) and Flying Eagles-Miner Kennel's Flying Fabian (eighth) made the final of the Great American Futurity.
? Flying Eagles-Miner Kennel's Flying Fabian won the $30,000 Kansas Bred Sprint.
Gable Kennel's Gable Pimiento and Charter Kennel's Makin Bakin tied for the track win championship with 30 victories each.
In early summer, Pimiento challenged the Wheeling consecutive win mark of 16 held by Casual Casey when she posted 12 straight victories. Other notable streaks during the year included Makin Bakin, Armys Mistress, Kiowa Gale Maloy, Mulberry Gus, Gable Cuidado and Pimiento -- all with five straight wins.
A number of talented youngsters burst onto the scene late in the 2007 meet, including C And C Kennel's KB's Seadog, Flying Eagles-Miner Kennel's Go Bon Outasite and Flying Mc Grath, Charter Kennel's BI's Never Late and A Ray Kennel's Diligent.
On a sad note, Wayne Ward -- operator of the Wayne Ward Kennel -- passed away in April following a lengthy illness.
Following are some of the highlights from 2007, but first a special thanks to all the greyhound trainers and owners and track personnel, especially Directors of Racing Shane Bolender and Ben Travis and Racing Secretary Chris Yahn, for their cooperation.
But first and foremost, as always, thanks to the greyhounds -- the athletes who made for the excitement on the racetrack.
JANUARY: Afleet Alex and BB Becool earn spots in the final of the $140,000 Mardi Gras Greyhound Ultimate Challenge at Hollywood, Fla. … Mariska hikes win streak to five in a row … Thagamizer, WW's Endlesstime, Gable Dillydally, Opalescent, GLS Bacardi and AMF Stalwart win three straight …
FEBRUARY: Afleet Alex wins $140,000 Mardi Gras Greyhound Ultimate Challenge at Hollywood, Fla. BB Becool runs fifth in final … dozen Wheeling dogs compete in second annual Derby Lane Million at St. Petersburg, Fla., with Camerlengo, Maxmilian Kohler and Sly Star earning spots in the final … Gable Nextel hikes win streak to four straight … Full Count, Deerfield Cutie, Rock Lee, Greys Red Ribbon, Kay V Prince Joe and Closing Belle win three in a row …
MARCH: Maxmilian Kohler races third, Camerlengo sixth and Sly Star seventh in the final of the Derby Lane Million won by Flying Stanley … $25,000 Hound Madness Stake kicks off at Wheeling with a field of 64 greyhounds … Gable Cuidado wins five straight … Gable Nextel hikes win streak to four in a row … Whaling Wildfire, Armys Mistress and Rent win four straight … Pawn Of Ruckus, Kay V Arrington and Kay Star Steal win three in a row …
APRIL: Mariska beats Gable Teletubbie and Rhythmless knocks off Pacer Of Ruckus in the semifinals of the $25,000 Hound Madness Stake. Mariska then beats Rhythmless by 6 lengths in the final … greyhound racing legend Wayne Ward passes away after a lengthy illness … Gable Nextel's career cut short when he dies from cardiac complications … CG's Revenge wins West Virginia Greyhound Owners and Breeders Association Juvenile with Harold Longfello second and Jags Scoobydoo third. Completing the final field were GLS Bacardi, Mac's Greg, D's Tattersalad, Coach Hogan and Jax Carl … Armys Mistress hikes win streak to five in a row … Christopher NOS, Gable Cayenne, Kiowa Josh, Okie Morris, Penrose Wildgold and Tiger Prince win three in a row …
MAY: Afleet Alex, WW Williams Echo, Lonesome Breaker and Jack Whistler compete in the $120,000 Palm Beach Grand Classic but none of them make the final … CS Bosco wins Night of Stars XIX with Opalescent second and Whaling Wildfire third. Completing the field were TNJ Rodeo Joe, Genisis Place, Cafe Queen, Armys Mistress and Gable Cuidado … Liam wins $65,000 WVGOBA Sprint Stake with Pretty Woman second and GA's Sayitnow third. Completing the final field were Umagooma, Harold Longfello, WJS Flameproof, Flat Out Ady and Cbar Emperor … USS San Juan wins the $158,000 Great American Greyhound Futurity at The Woodlands. TK Quick Strike runs fourth, Silver Maverick seventh and Flying Fabian eighth in final … Gable Pimiento and Makin Bakin boost win streaks to five in a row …
JUNE: Gable Pimiento hikes win streak to 12 straight … Gable Bob and Braska Cando win four in a row … Get Over Desmond, CTW Plaza Rio, Sly Star and Nintendo Joe win three straight …
JULY: Gable Pimiento win streak snapped at 12 in a row … Flying Fabian wins $30,000 Kansas Bred Sprint … Primco Mayes, Makin Bakin, Soft Trent, Ugo Lonesome Boy, Tommy Commander, Closing Belle and Sol Reign win three straight …
AUGUST: Afleet Alex tops all qualifiers for the $50,000 First Coast Classic at the Orange Park Kennel Club … Makin Bakin hikes win streak to four in a row … Kendra wins four straight … Sol Reign, Gable Indonesia, Irish Holly, Haily D Polly, Gable Hannah and Quick Trent win three in a row …
SEPTEMBER: Afleet Alex races fourth in the final of the $50,000 First Coast Classic at Orange Park … West Virginia-bred sprint stars Iruska Creme Pie and Rhythmless retired … Kiowa Gale Maloy hikes win streak to five in a row … San Tan Nomemory wins four straight … Mulberry Gus, Kay Star Steal, Kiowa JSK David, Makin Bakin, Hallo Mr Brendon, Flat Out Ady and Gable Pimiento win three in a row …
OCTOBER: Gable Pimiento and Mulberry Gus hike win streaks to five straight … Gable Burma, Bella Alexander, Makin Bakin, Van Do and CS Bosco win three in a row …
NOVEMBER: San Tan Nomemory captures Night of Stars XX with Freya second and Makin Bakin third. Completing the field were Gable Pimiento, Legend Of Zorro, Van Do, Sol Reign and Kay Shivon Sissy … Witch Hazel wins four in a row … Silver Patriot, Going Out, Tommy Commander, KB's Seadog, Super Lee, Kiowa Apple Lyde, Jax Carl and Kay V Prince Joe win three straight …
DECEMBER: Silver Jones wins $50,000 Holiday Sprint Championship with Super Lee second and Mulberry Gus third. Completing the final field were Braska Cando, San Tan Nomemory, Freya, WW's Green Apple and Bella Alexander … Kay V Prince Joe hikes win streak to four in a row … Flat Out Ady and KB's Seadog win four straight … Super C Simon, Escrow Officer and Van Do win three in a row.
IN THE HOMESTRETCH:
RACE SCHEDULE: The West Virginia Racing Commission Wednesday reversed an earlier order which reduced the number of races to 15 for each card at the Wheeling greyhound racetrack.
Beginning Sunday, the 2007 racing schedule will go back into effect with a 20-race card. Monday and Wednesday will again feature a 20-race program with doubleheaders of 20 and 17 races on Friday and Saturday.
The decision by the racing commission to go to 15-race cards resulted from a high number of injuries during the 2007 season. However, a maintenance schedule instituted by new Racing Director Ben Travis in October has reduced injuries.
The commission's move to reduce the number of races raised concerns from racetrack officials, kennel personnel and track employees. In addition to a loss of handle, some full-time workers' hours were reduced and part-timers were not even scheduled to work.
HOT DOGS: Arivada-Plum Creek Kennel's Lick Of Sense has four straight 3/8 victories (D, C, B, A) for trainer Donna Bumbaugh.
A Ray Kennel's Diligent has four wins in a row (M, D, C, B) for trainer Joe Palmer. Kennel-mates AMF Runaway (C, B) and AMF Well Armed (C, B) have back-to-back victories.
Majestic Kennel's Sirius Drive has three straight Grade AA 3/8 wins for trainer Joe Otto.
Charter Kennel's Silver Jones has won three out of his last four Grade AA trips for trainer Rodney Cooley. Kennel-mate Rooftop Hero has back-to-back victories (B, A).
Lester Raines Kennel's E's Sweet Fay has two straight Grade AA wins for trainer Joel Roden. Kennel-mate Three Wonders has back-to-back 3/8 victories (C, B).
Ryan Farms Kennel's Common Practice has won three out of her last four starts (A, AA) for trainer Terry Green. Kennel-mates Super C Secret (B, A) and Bow Lucky Me (C, B) have back-to-back wins.
Mike Fynmore Kennel's Nicotine Fit has three wins and a third in her last four outings for trainer Brandon Grizzle. Kennel-mate Daily Planner has back-to-back victories (C, B).
Steubenville Kennel's TMC's Tuesday has three wins and a second in her last four starts for trainer Debbie Schweizer.
Gable Kennel's Gable Tony Lama (A, AA) and Gable Dingdong (C, B) have back-to-back victories for trainer Wayne Piquette.
Darren Henry Kennel's Pacer Of Ruckus has two straight wins (A, AA) for trainer Donna Wilcox.
Pawloski can be reached at sjpawloski@yahoo.com