Kiowa Nephew and Starz Supreme have each raced at three different tracks across the country.

During their careers, they also have competed in multiple stake races with marked success.

Now the Flying Eagles-Miner Kennel duo are making their presence felt at the Wheeling Island racetrack.

Since coming to Wheeling in December 2007, Kiowa Nephew has been on fire with 5 wins, 3 seconds and 1 third in his first 11 sprint starts. Four of his wins have come against Grade AA company.

Starz Supreme has turned into a force in 3/8 after shipping to Wheeling in October 2007. He has 9 wins, 5 seconds, 1 third and 1 fourth in 20 trips on the backside.

“While I expected Kiowa Nephew to make it at Wheeling, I didn’t know the results would touch on star status,” Dean Miner, kennel co-operator and owner of Nephew, said. “Starz Supreme is not a surprise. With his prior stake performances, the bar was set pretty high and he has responded.”

Supreme’s owner, Hal Gill of Florida, also felt the middle distance runner would do well at Wheeling.

“With his speed, I thought the track was perfectly suited for him,” Gill said. “I have no doubts he can run with the top 3/8 dogs at Wheeling.”

Kiowa Nephew, a June 2005 greyhound out of Flying Penske-Nickynackynou, had stops at The Woodlands (twice), Derby Lane and Dubuque before arriving in Wheeling. He was a finalist in the 2007 Great American Greyhound Futurity at The Woodlands and finished second in the 2007 Dubuque Classic.

“Nephew has a lot more talent than I give him credit for,” Miner said. “It can be very difficult adjusting to different racetracks and for Nephew to do well at each track is a testament to how good he is.”

After stumbling and falling in his first Wheeling start (Grade A), Nephew has been nearly unstoppable.

Nephew has four wins, including three in a row at one point, two seconds and a third in his eight top grade starts. In each victory, he was either on top or second around the first turn.

“He needs to be near the front of the action. He’s not a sharp breaker, but more first turn speed dependent,” Miner said. “Very few dogs come in here (Wheeling) and dominate like Nephew has dominated.”

Miner said Nephew appeared to miss his break in his last two victories, but rushed up to the lead heading down the backside.

“I was expecting Nephew to get picked off at the wire because he used so much energy rushing to the top, but they didn’t get close to him,” Miner said.

Nephew also excels in the turns, which can add a length or two to a lead.

“He runs the first and second turns very well,” Miner noted. “He accelerates into and out of the turns.”

In 77 career starts, Nephew has 30 wins, 17 seconds, 7 thirds and 7 fourths — a 78 percent mark on the pay sheet. Following is a track-by-track breakdown:

Woodlands (2006): 15-7-3-1-2; Derby Lane (2007): 14-1-4-0-2; Woodlands (2007): 14-7-3-1-1; Dubuque (2007): 23-10-4-4-2; Wheeling (2007): 11-5-3-1-0.

“I’m expecting Nephew to have a really big summer,” Miner, who purchased the speedster from Vince Berland earlier this year, said.

Starz Supreme, a June 2005 greyhound out of Flying Penske-Solitary Sue, opened his career at Derby Lane before traveling to Mardi Gras, back to Derby Lane, Lincoln and Wheeling. He has raced in six stake events.

Gill purchased Supreme from Jack Sherck in February 2007 after he was eliminated in the semifinals of the second Derby Lane Million.

“After what I saw of Supreme in 5/16 before and during the Million, I knew he’d be a champion in 3/8,” Gill said.

Moved to Mardi Gras, Supreme was a finalist in the 2007 World Classic, a finalist in the 2007 Hollywoodian and finished second in the Joe Ryan Memorial. He returned to Derby Lane where he won the consolation final of the St. Pete Derby.

At Lincoln, Supreme raced in the American Derby but did not take to the track, Gill related.

Supreme started his Wheeling resume with seven sprint races. Despite Grade A and AA 5/16 victories, Supreme’s future was in 3/8, Gill said.

Since moving to the backside, Supreme has become one of Wheeling’s top 3/8 campaigners. In his last five Grade AA outings, he has four wins and a second.

“He’s not only talented and determined, but he has it between the ears. He has the intangibles,” Miner said. “I’ve seen him win races in the first turn, I’ve seen him win races in the escape, I’ve seen him win races on the far turn and I’ve seen him win races deep in the stretch. He’s the kind of dog racing fans love to watch — he never gives up.”

Gill calls Supreme the “total product.”

“He has heart, drive, speed and power,” Gill said. “He’s the whole package and gives everything he has each time he goes to the box.”

Miner was quick to echo Gill’s take on Supreme.

“Something out of the norm is going to have to happen to Supreme for people to lose their bets on him,” Miner said. “The dog will try and try and try.”

Supreme is a powerhouse from an inside box, but “has to work a little harder” when he draws an outside hole, Miner added.

In 71 career starts, Supreme has 22 wins, 19 seconds, 7 thirds and 6 fourths — a 76 percent mark on the pay sheet. Following is a track-by-track breakdown:

Derby Lane (2007): 10-3-3-0-1; Mardi Gras (2007): 17-6-5-1-1; Derby Lane (2007): 14-2-6-3-1; Lincoln (2007): 3-0-0-1-0; Wheeling (2007): 27-11-5-2-3.

IN THE HOMESTRETCH:

SUPERSTAR CHALLENGE: A field of 40 greyhounds has been assembled for the $10,000 Wheeling Superstar Challenge which begins Saturday afternoon, March 15.

The second round is scheduled for Wednesday matinee, March 19, and the semifinals Sunday matinee, March 23 (Easter). The final is set for Saturday matinee, March 29.

WORLD CLASSIC: Former Wheeling racer Afleet Alex captured his opening round race in the World Classic Wednesday at Mardi Gras in Hollywood, Fla. The field of 24 greyhounds featured four six-dog races.

Two other Wheeling greyhounds did not fare so well in the opening round. San Tan Nomemory finished sixth in his race while Sly Star had a fourth place finish.

Also notching first round wins were Flying Fabian, Flying Stanley and Corda Would.

Afleet Alex, sent to post at 13-1 odds, posted a box-to-wire 4 1/2-length victory in 30.19. Rounding out the trifecta ticket were Starz Jenko and Magic Penny Anti.

Hallo Gold Acre, one of the pre-stake favorites, got bumped in Alex’s race and finished out of the money.

Flying Fabian took charge early in his victory, winning by 3 1/2 lengths in 30.22. Dutch Drummer and Ballet Lady rounded out the trifecta ticket.

Flying Stanley also posted a box-to-wire effort, romping to a 4 1/2-length win in 30.13. He was followed across the wire by Struttin Mcfly and Kiowa Wish Frank.

Corda Would jumped out to an early lead, but had to hold off a late rush by Soprano Drive to win by a nose in 30.24. Djays Itchintogo settled for third.

HOT DOGS: C And C Kennel’s Van Do has five wins and a second in his last six Grade AA races for trainer Patrick Bever.

Charter Kennel’s TK Quick Strike has three wins and a second in his last four Grade AA 3/8 trips for trainer Rodney Cooley.

Lester Raines Kennel’s USS San Juan has won three out of his last four Grade AA starts for trainer Joel Roden. Kennel-mate E’s Mulberrymoon has back-to-back wins (C, B).

Darren Henry Kennel’s BD’s Flip has won three out of his last four Grade AA trips for trainer Donna Wilcox.

Steubenville Kennel’s Hallo Mr Pete has back-to-back Grade AA 3/8 victories for trainer Debbie Schweizer.

Wayne Strong Kennel’s Mulberry Hummer has two straight Grade AA wins for trainer Louise Strong.

Thorne-Abrahamson Kennel’s Qwayzic has two wins and a second in his last three outings for trainer Tom Engle.

Ryan Farms Kennel’s Super C Scotty has two wins and a second in his last three starts for trainer Terry Green.

Flying Eagles-Miner Kennel’s Quick Amigos has back-to-back 3/8 wins (C, B) for trainer Ashley McMillen.

Gable Kennel’s Gable Hoodootoo has two wins in a row (C, B) for trainer Wayne Piquette.

Wayne Ward Kennel’s Its Qimat (C, B) and WW Has Glory (C, B 7/16) have back-to-back victories for trainer Ron Otto.

A Ray Kennel’s Greys Sierra Sun has two straight wins (C, B) for trainer Joe Palmer.

Pawloski can be reached at sjpawloski@yahoo.com