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One is a veteran with stops at four different racetracks.
The other is a newcomer with only 16 career starts.
As different as Flying Rugby and Flying Wheeling are in experience, they do have one common denominator: a burning desire to compete and a refuse to lose attitude.
"Both Rugby and Wheeling have tremendous heart and never give up no matter how far behind they get. They are two very determined greyhounds," Flying Eagles-Miner Kennel trainer Ashley McMillen said. "Both have been consistent money dogs since coming to Wheeling and I'm glad to have them in the kennel."
Flying Rugby, a May 2005 greyhound out of Flying Penske-Flying Jezebel and owned by Vince Berland, came to Wheeling Island in September 2007 after spending time at Tampa and Derby Lane in Florida and at The Woodlands in Kansas. In 25 Wheeling starts, Rugby has 4 wins, 5 seconds, 6 thirds and 4 fourths -- a 76 percent mark on the pay sheet.
According to Lance Berland of the Flying Eagles Kennel, Rugby was shipped to Wheeling with hopes he'd be able to race marathon. At Derby Lane, he had tasted some success in 3/8.
"Rugby ran 3/8 at Derby Lane and he looked like he could go marathon because he was always coming late. For some reason, it didn't work out," Berland said. "We are very happy and surprised he's been very competitive in sprints."
Despite a lack of early speed, Rugby has only missed the ticket twice in his 20 sprint races.
"Rugby has no box speed and he's not concerned with his rush to the turn either. Most of the time he's last or close to it heading down the backstretch," McMillen noted. "He doesn't win a lot of races, but it's tough coming from so far behind against Grade AA dogs. You never know how many dogs he's going to pass, but you do know he'll never quit."
Several monster finishes dot Rugby's resume. In the stretch, the powerhouse has closed from eighth to third, eighth to fourth, seventh to second (twice), seventh to third (twice) and sixth to third (twice).
"He steamrolls them in the homestretch," McMillen said. "When he gets rolling, he can run down some of the best dogs at the track."
Rugby prefers an outside post, McMillen said.
"He goes to the turn a lot better from the outside where he wants to be," McMillen said. "When he's on the inside, he'll wait until he has an opportunity to get to the outside."
Rugby has a box-to-wire 11-length victory in Grade B from the three hole, two wins in Grade A from the seven and eight boxes and a Grade AA victory from the eight hole. In his Grade A and AA wins, Rugby got down to the first turn second and third.
"That was pretty surprising," McMillen said. "If he's sitting third around the first turn I won't say he's a sure thing but I like his chances."
Berland said Rugby was "the only dog I could compare schooling times with Flying Stanley (multiple stakes winner) on the farm. Rugby had incredible, raw speed.
"I would call Rugby a poor man's Kiowa Mohican (a monster closer who raced at Wheeling a few years ago)," Berland said. "Rugby is relentless. Even if he gets stopped two or three times, he'll still keep coming."
Flying Wheeling, a June 2006 greyhound out of Kiowa Sweet Trey-Flying Crestline and owned by Dean Miner, broke in at Wheeling Island in November 2007 at a mere 17 months old. He has 5 wins, 4 seconds and 3 thirds in 16 starts -- a 75 percent mark on the pay sheet.
After a third and a fifth in two official schooling races, Wheeling won three out of his first four starts -- Maiden by 1 1/2 lengths, Grade D by 10 lengths and Grade C by 4 lengths.
"I bought Wheeling from Vince (Berland) after a couple of schooling races, but I didn't think a lot of the dog," Miner said. "When buying a dog, my first priority is -- is he good enough to run at Wheeling. He showed me enough for that."
McMillen was impressed with Wheeling from the very beginning.
"He's a very fast dog with a lot of desire," McMillen said. "After winning three out of his first four races I thought we had something special on our hands."
After a third in his first three Grade B trips, Wheeling posted back-to-back victories (Grades B and A) -- closing from second in the stretch in both races.
"We like the younger pups to dawdle in the lower grades to get experience, but he rocketed to the top pretty quick," McMillen said. "He never gives up just like Rugby and he may even have a little bit more early speed."
Wheeling's rise to Grade AA definitely stunned Miner.
"I was shocked to see how quickly Wheeling took off up the grading ladder," Miner said. "He's one of those unexpected, but certainly welcome surprises."
In Wheeling's first four top grade starts, the youngster ran second -- finishing just a half length and 1 length off the winner in two of the races. Wheeling also has fashioned some fantastic finishes -- coming from eighth and sixth around the first turn and ending up second.
Wheeling experienced some trouble in his last two Grade AA starts, finishing out of the money in each effort.
"He's still a little green in traffic," McMillen said.
Miner indicated Wheeling may end up on the backside soon.
"I'm really not sure what to expect, but he deserves a chance," Miner said. "He's just fast enough to get tangled up in the first turn in sprint races. I'd sure like to see him get loose on the backside."
McMillen is looking forward to Wheeling's 3/8 debut.
"I'm optimistic. I think he will have a better break and stay out of trouble," McMillen said. "He had a couple rough trips in his last two sprint starts so we decided to give him a try in 3/8."
The highlight of Rugby's career came in early 2007 when he made the consolation final of the second Derby Lane Million. He finished seventh after experiencing early trouble.
Rugby also competed in the Distance Classic and St. Petersburg Derby at Derby Lane.
In 50 career starts, Rugby has 13 wins, 15 seconds, 13 thirds and 9 fourths -- a 67 percent mark on the pay sheet.
IN THE HOMESTRETCH:
HOT DOGS: Darren Henry Kennel's Legend Of Zorro has four straight Grade AA victories for trainer Donna Wilcox.
C And C Kennel's Tommy Commander (AA) and Boston Barron (A, AA) have back-to-back wins for trainer Patrick Bever. Kennel-mate Van Do has two wins and a second in his last three Grade AA outings.
Steubenville Kennel's Kiowa Rock Vince (AA) and Mohican Direct (A, AA) have two straight victories for trainer Debbie Schweizer. Kennel-mate Hallo Mr Brendon has two wins and two seconds in his last four Grade AA 3/8 trips.
Wayne Strong Kennel's Thagomizer has back-to-back Grade AA wins for trainer Louise Strong.
Flying Eagles-Miner Kennel's Kiowa Nephew has two wins and three seconds in his last six starts for trainer Ashley McMillen. Kennel-mates Kay V Arrington has two wins and a second in her last three Grade AA races while Kay V Prince Joe has two wins in a row (A, AA).
Charter Kennel's Silver Geico has three straight victories (C, B, A) for trainer Rodney Cooley. Kennel-mate HK's Deputy Dog has two wins and a second in his last three starts while TK Sword Drawn has back-to-back victories (B, A).
Thorne-Abrahamson Kennel's Iruska Boss Hogg (C, B) and Risky N Frisky (C, B 3/8) have back-to-back wins for trainer Tom Engle.
Cardinal Kennel's TNJ Pirate has two 3/8 victories in a row (B, A) for trainer Jerrod Varner.
Lester Raines Kennel's USS Atmosphere (A, AA) and Ricochet (B, A) have back-to-back wins for trainer Joel Roden.
Wayne Ward Kennel's WW's Brande has two wins in a row (C, B) for trainer Ron Otto.
Arivada-Plum Creek Kennel's Van Halen has back-to-back victories (C, B) for trainer Donna Bumbaugh.
SPRINT STAKE: Flying Eagles Kennel's Flying Stanley is the only unbeaten greyhound after two rounds of the Sprint Classic at Derby Lane in Florida.
The original field of 32 greyhounds will be cut to 16 for Saturday night's round. The point totals follow:
Flying Stanley 32 points; Flying Macbeth and Flying Fabian, 26 points each; Ballet Lady 24 points; Brady Thomas 22 points; Kinloch Brae 20 points; Djays Itchintogo and Red Dirt Road 19 points each; Van's Escalade and Hometown Boy, 16 points each; Deco Fyllip 14 and Deco Cargo, 14 points each; Silver Draft, 11 points; Greys Bricklayer, Law's Crusader and Dermatophyte 10 points each.
Flying Fabian, Van's Escalade and Greys Bricklayer all broke in at Wheeling.
Pawloski can be reached at sjpawloski@yahoo.com