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In late August 2007, Legend Of Zorro went to post in her first Grade B race at Wheeling Island.
Zorro had captured three out of her first four races -- Maiden by 2 lengths, Grade D by 7 1/2 lengths and Grade C by 4 1/2 lengths -- and was the betting favorite to continue her rapid climb up the ladder.
Although the Darren Henry Kennel youngster finished third in the Grade B trip (only her fifth career start), it was apparent from Zorro's effort that she was going to be something special. She experienced all kinds of trouble (actually hopped over two dogs during the race), but never stopped trying as she stormed back from sixth to get a piece of the trifecta ticket.
"As soon as Zorro hops on the scale she is ready to go," assistant trainer Jon Charlton said. "One thing's for sure, she's going to try her best each time she goes to the box."
A November 2005 greyhound out of Jimbo Scotty-KB's Lynsey Ann, Zorro again displayed tremendous heart in her next Grade B race.
Hit hard on the first turn, Zorro dropped back to eighth heading down the backside. She moved up to seventh on the far turn before rallying in the stretch to get fourth.
"Never count her out," Charlton said. "No matter how far behind she gets, she's not going to quit."
Zorro ran a close second in her next Grade B outing, before posting back-to-back victories. She went box-to-wire in winning Grade B by a nose and closed from second in the stretch to win Grade A by 5 lengths.
After reaching Grade AA in nine starts, Zorro's career has blossomed.
In 24 top grade races, Zorro has 8 wins, 7 seconds, 4 thirds and 1 fourth. Overall, she has 13 wins, 9 seconds, 5 thirds and 2 fourths in 33 career trips -- an 87 percent mark on the pay sheet.
"Those are very impressive numbers and most of her races are in Grade AA," Charlton said. "She's been a very consistent greyhound since she came to Wheeling."
Zorro schooled three times at Southland in July 2007 before shipping to Wheeling with her sister WWW Animalhouse shortly thereafter. Animalhouse has a Grade AA 3/8 victory on her resume.
"We were very high on Zorro when she went up to Wheeling," Darren Henry said. "Animalhouse has been a surprise … a big, big plus."
While Zorro has the drive and determination to close from downtown, she also can go to the front. In three of her Grade AA races, Zorro rushed to the top early and never looked back in romping to 9, 7 1/2 and 5-length victories.
"If she clears on top, it's over. She's gone," Charlton said. "She is so strong at the end."
Zorro has captured three out of her last four sprint starts.
Charlton said the midtrack-running Zorro prefers an outside post, but she has two victories from the one hole and three from the two box.
"Zorro can break sharp at times and she has a lot of rush to her," Charlton said.
Selected for the Night of Stars XX field in November after only 16 career starts, Zorro broke slowly and fell back to seventh around the first turn. She closed in the stretch for fifth.
In the $50,000 Holiday Sprint Championship in December, Zorro had a second and a third in her two preliminary round races. She missed a spot in the final when she ran fifth in the semifinals.
Owner David Cottle of Maryland is thrilled with Zorro's success.
"I always hoped some day to have a dog who could race at Wheeling," Cottle said. "It's been exciting and I've enjoyed it. I'm real proud of her."
Cottle, the head coach of the University of Maryland lacrosse team, has developed "a passion" for the sport of greyhound racing in his five years in the business. He owns nearly 100 dogs and races at Bluffs Run, Orange Park, Palm Beach, Southland and Tri-state in addition to Wheeling.
The Jimbo Scotty-KB's Lynsey Ann breeding was Cottle's first litter. In addition to Zorro and Animalhouse, WWW Sabretooth races at Southland after opening his career at Wheeling while several others are at Victoryland.
"I have been very lucky and a lot of people have helped me along the way," Cottle said. "I've been fortunate to have been associated with some good people."
Cottle also had some kind words for the Darren Henry Kennel crew at Wheeling.
"Darren (Henry) has been very good to me by running my dogs and Donna Wilcox (trainer) and her staff have done a wonderful job handling the dogs," Cottle said.
WWW Animalhouse has turned into a solid 3/8 runner at Wheeling since moving up to the longer distance in late October. In 17 starts on the backside, Animalhouse has 5 wins, 4 seconds, 5 thirds and 1 fourth.
She captured Grade D by 4 1/2 lengths, Grade C by 3 1/2 lengths, Grade B by 8 1/2 lengths, Grade A by 3 1/2 lengths and has a 7-length Grade AA win among her nine top grade races.
IN THE HOMESTRETCH:
SIZZLING: Charter Kennel's TK Quick Strike smoked a 37.52 Monday over the 3/8 course, just off DEA's Magictouch's track record of 37.40 set in 2003.
Quick Strike, trained by Rodney Cooley, also has 37.62, 37.64 and 37.80 clockings on his resume.
Meanwhile, Darren Henry Kennel's BD's Flip smoked a 29.63 and Charter Kennel's Silver Geico a 29.67 on the sprint distance Saturday evening.
RACING CANCELED: Due to the rising waters of the Ohio River and anticipated flooding on Wheeling Island, Wednesday's matinee program was canceled by track officials. Racing is expected to resume Friday with the matinee and evening cards.
HOT DOGS: Ryan Farms Kennel's Witch Hazel has five straight Grade AA distance victories for trainer Terry Green.
Flying Eagles-Miner Kennel's Starz Supreme has won three out of his last four Grade AA 3/8 races for trainer Ashley McMillen. Kennel-mate Flying Real Hot has back-to-back wins (B, A).
Michael Green Kennel's BB's Give Mine has won three out of his last four Grade AA starts for trainer Jim Grace. Kennel-mate Sidney's Fritz has back-to-back Grade AA wins.
Darren Henry Kennel's BD's Flip has won three out of his last four outings (A, AA) for trainer Donna Wilcox.
Arivada-Plum Creek Kennel's Croce has won three out of his last four starts (A, AA) for trainer Donna Bumbaugh.
Charter Kennel's Silver Design has back-to-back victories (A, AA) for trainer Rodney Cooley.
Thorne-Abrahamson Kennel's MO's Hammer Down has three straight wins (C, B, A) for trainer Tom Engle.
Keota Kennel's GLS Cruzer has three wins, a second and a third in his last five races for trainer Louise Strong. Kennel-mate Socket Rocket has two wins and a second in his last three outings.
C And C Kennel's B's Nikki Boyce has back-to-back victories (C, B) for trainer Patrick Bever.
A Ray Kennel's Pak Black Baron has two straight marathon wins (D, C) for trainer Joe Palmer.
Pawloski can be reached at sjpawloski@yahoo.com