Three of a kind.

USS San Juan, E’s Sweet Fay and USS Ricochet.

All fueled by speed and enjoying success in Grade AA.

The Lester Raines Kennel trio have stepped up their games since coming to the Wheeling Island racetrack. Juan and Fay spent parts of 2007 at Wheeling while Ricochet arrived earlier this year.

“I’m real happy with each one of them. They are dogs you can count on week after week,” Raines Kennel trainer Joel Roden said. “In Grade AA, it’s nice to know all three have a shot to go to the front each time they race.”

In 2008, the three sprinters have combined for 15 wins, 5 seconds, 4 thirds and 2 fourths in 36 starts — a 72 percent mark on the pay sheet.

Without question, speed is their game.

“Get to the front and catch them if you can,” Roden said. “Juan and Fay can be caught but Ricochet has a little more staying power.”

San Juan, a June 2005 greyhound out of Gable Dodge-USS Romance, has won three out of his last five Grade AA starts. In each victory, Juan rushed up to the lead around the first turn.

“He’s not a huge breaker, but he rushes like a bear to the turn,” Roden noted. “If he gets a clean break and a lane, not too many dogs are going to outrush him to the top.”

San Juan broke in at Wheeling in February 2007, winning three out of his first four starts (Maiden, Grade C and Grade B) to climb the ladder to Grade A. His quick start and early foot prompted the decision to send him to the Great American Greyhound Futurity at The Woodlands in Kansas.

After advancing through the qualifying rounds, San Juan captured the championship of the Futurity with a box-to-wire victory in May 2007. He stayed in Kansas through mid-August before returning to Wheeling.

“I think it was a good move sending him to Kansas,” Roden said. “Since coming back, he’s more mature and stronger. It takes a little more to come and get him now.”

In 21 starts at The Woodlands, San Juan had 6 wins, 4 seconds, 5 thirds and 4 fourths. In 59 career races, he has 18 wins, 7 seconds, 10 thirds and 9 fourths — a 74 percent mark on the pay sheet.

Sweet Fay, a July 2005 greyhound out of Kiowa Sweet Trey-DEA’s Absolute, shipped to Wheeling in August 2007 after opening her career at Wichita. She won 11 out of 17 starts in Kansas, including nine in a row, along with a pair of seconds and thirds.

“She’s all speed. While Juan is more of a rusher, Fay’s a lid-hitter,” Roden said. “She needs to get to the turn on top.”

Sweet Fay has nine Grade AA victories on her Wheeling resume. In February and early March, she ripped off four straight victories, the last three against Grade AA company.

“Her success also depends on how clean the other good dogs make it through the first turn,” Roden said. “If she gets separation down the backstretch, she can be tough to catch because she’ll open up huge leads.”

When Sweet Fay doesn’t get the lead, her chances are greatly diminished.

“She doesn’t run as hard when she doesn’t make the lead, but she gets it most of the time,” Roden said.

In Sweet Fay’s last 20 Wheeling starts, she’s hit the backstretch on top 15 times.

In 55 career races at Wichita and Wheeling, Sweet Fay has 23 wins, 7 seconds, 5 thirds and 5 fourths — a 72 percent mark on the pay sheet.

Roden is extremely high on USS Ricochet, a December 2005 greyhound out of USS Raceway-USS Romance. He opened his career at Wichita and The Woodlands before shipping to Wheeling in January 2008.

“I like this dog a lot,” Roden related. “If he can get a little more consistent with his break, he’s going to be a real nice greyhound.”

After finishing sixth in his first Wheeling start, Ricochet won four out of his next five races (Grades B, A, AA). He won Grade A by 6 lengths and had a 5-length Grade AA victory.

“When he gets the front, it’s way tougher to catch him,” Roden said. “He tries hard all the time.”

In early March, Ricochet won a Grade AA race featuring Makin Bakin and Legend Of Zorro. Breaking from the one hole, Ricochet took charge early and never looked back in rolling to a 2 1/2-length victory.

“It was the feature race of the day and had some really nice greyhounds,” Roden recalled. “Ricochet got out and no one came close to him. I was impressed.”

In nine Wheeling trips, Ricochet has 4 wins, 2 seconds and 1 third. He had 6 wins, 1 second and 1 third in nine starts at Wichita and 8 wins, 1 second and 1 fourth in 13 races at The Woodlands.

Ricochet has 18 wins, 4 seconds, 2 thirds and 1 fourth in 31 career races — an 80 percent mark on the pay sheet.

“All three have been nice additions to the kennel,” Roden said.

San Juan and Ricochet are owned by Ron Wiltse while Sweet Fay is owned by Eldon Hughes.

IN THE HOMESTRETCH:

HOT DOGS: Lester Raines Kennel’s Sol Reign has four wins and a second in his last five Grade AA starts for trainer Joel Roden. Kennel-mate E’s Mulberryman has three wins in a row (C, B, A).

Steubenville Kennel’s Hallo Mr Pete has three straight Grade AA 3/8 wins for trainer Debbie Schweizer. Kennel-mates Kiowa Vera (AA 7/16) and Hallo Mad Max (C, B) have back-to-back victories.

Flying Eagles-Miner Kennel’s Kiowa Nephew has won four out of his last five Grade AA races for trainer Ashley McMillen. Kennel-mate Starz Supreme has five wins and two seconds in his last seven Grade AA 3/8 outings while Kay V Arrington has back-to-back Grade AA wins.

Wayne Ward Kennel’s Its Qimat has three wins in a row (C, B, A) for trainer Ron Otto.

Darren Henry Kennel’s Blazing Chad has back-to-back Grade AA victories for trainer Donna Wilcox. Kennel-mate Macs Mojo has won three out of her last four races (C, B, A).

Douglas Kennel’s Dream’s Kyle has won three out of his last four starts (D, C, B) for trainer Jim Roche.

Wayne Strong Kennel’s Powerful Trent has two wins and a second in his last three trips for trainer Louise Strong.

Steve Sarras Kennel’s Iruska Frankford has back-to-back victories (B, A) for trainer Barbara Long.

Thorne-Abrahamson Kennel’s Silly US has two straight wins (B, A) for trainer Tom Engle.

A Ray Kennel’s AMF Bad Choice has back-to-back victories (B, A) for trainer Joe Palmer.

Charter Kennel’s HK’s Deputy Dog (B, A) and U Too Isaiah (C, B) have two wins in a row for trainer Rodney Cooley.

SUPERSTAR CHALLENGE: C And C Kennel’s Van Do is the lone unbeaten greyhound after the first two rounds of the $10,000 Wheeling Island Superstar Challenge.

Van Do notched his second consecutive stake qualifying win Wednesday afternoon to hike his point total to 30 entering Sunday’s semifinal round. The final is scheduled for Saturday afternoon, March 29.

Also advancing to the semifinal round are: Silver Jones (Charter), 25 points; Ugo Lonesome Boy (Charter), KB’s Seadog (C And C) and Gable Fx (Gable), 23 points each; BD’s Flip (Darren Henry), 21 points; USS Ricochet (Lester Raines), 20 points; Makin Bakin (Charter), 18 points;

Flying Connie (Flying Eagles-Miner), Freya (Ryan Farms), AMF Far Far Away (A Ray) and Bella Alexander (Wayne Strong), 16 points each; Fortunate Son (Wayne Strong) and Sidney’s Fritz (Michael Green), 15 points each; and IRS Dave (Flying Eagles-Miner), 14 points.

In addition to Van Do, second round winners were Ugo Lonesome Boy, Silver Jones, Fortunate Son and Gable Fx.

Pawloski can be reached at sjpawloski@yahoo.com