Charter Kennel’s Makin Bakin tops all qualifiers for Saturday afternoon’s final of the $10,000 Superstar Challenge at Wheeling Island.

The Rodney Cooley-trained sprinter had two victories and a sixth in her three qualifying races to accumulate a total of 33 points. Makin Bakin was the track’s co-win leader last year with 30 victories.

Also qualifying for the championship final are Van Do (C And C Kennel), Silver Jones (Charter Kennel) and Freya (Ryan Farms Kennel), 31 points each; BD’s Flip (Darren Henry Kennel), 29 points; Gable Fx (Gable Kennel) 28 points; and AMF Far Far Away (A Ray Kennel) and Bella Alexander (Wayne Strong Kennel), 26 points each.

Just missing a spot in the final were USS Ricochet with 25 points and Ugo Lonesome Boy with 24 points.

The eight greyhound finalists survived three qualifying rounds on the 5/16 track over a nine-day period. A total of 40 greyhounds were entered in the initial field.

“Saturday’s championship race kicks off our 2008 stake race schedule, which includes a stake race every month highlighted by the $100,000 Wheeling Island Invitational in October,” Ben Travis, director of racing, said. “The Superstar Challenge race includes the best of the best at Wheeling and promises to be full of excitement.”

The post positions for the Superstar Challenge final are:

1–Van Do; 2–Freya; 3–AMF Far Far Away; 4–BD’s Flip; 5–Silver Jones; 6–Makin Bakin; 7–Gable Fx; 8–Bella Alexander.

Following are capsule looks at Wheeling’s Superstar Challenge finalists.

Van Do (Stan’s Boy Flyer-Cat Can Do) — Has won seven out of his 14 starts this year, including five in a row at one point; in 40 career races at Wheeling, he has only missed the pay sheet five times; although he prefers an outside post, he has a 5-length win wearing the red blanket.

Freya (Larking About-Goulais) — Very consistent racer, pounds the pay sheet week after week (14 out of 15 races this year); should get a good trip from the two hole, a spot where she won her semifinal race, if Van Do moves off the rail and gives her room.

AMF Far Far Away (Dodgem By Design-WMS Wiskaway) — One of the two big closers in the race, he has hit the pay sheet in 16 out of his 20 career starts; on occasion he has got into his races early, but more often than not he’ll be coming from behind like a runaway freight train if he gets loose.

BD’s Flip (Kiowa Sweet Trey-BD’s Cindy) — The youngest dog in the final field, he won’t turn 2 years old until April; the early speedster has won 12 out of his 22 career trips; if he hits the lid and gets the front early, he will be mighty tough to overhaul.

Silver Jones (Dodgem By Design-Fuzzys Jasmine) — Deja vu possibly? in December, he won the Holiday Sprint Championship from the five hole; has hit the quiniela ticket in 10 out of 14 races this year; faces a tall order boxed between early speed merchants BD’s Flip and Makin Bakin.

Makin Bakin (Lonesome Cry-Can She Cook) — Last year’s track co-win leader displayed her early speed with a pair of victories in the qualifying rounds, including a sizzling 29.58; she’ll need to beat the box to get her nose in front of the other early speed inside of her.

Gable Fx (Gable Dodge-Flying Shell K) — The surprise finalist in this talented field; has hit the trifecta ticket in 10 out of his 16 races this year, but prefers an inside post; with a slow-breaking Bella Alexander in the eight hole, he could follow Makin Bakin out of the box.

Bella Alexander (Craigie Whistler-Bella Fabulous) — Powerful closer could easily catch the ticket if he’s able to clear the first turn relatively close to the leaders; will be coming with a rush in the homestretch; also a finalist in the Holiday Sprint Championship.

In an effort to get an inside look at the Superstar Challenge final, each trainer or owner was asked about their post positions and what their respective greyhounds needed to do to be successful Saturday afternoon.

1–Van Do (C and C): “I wanted to be outside of Makin Bakin but Van Do should be okay if he gets out of the box. The two (Freya) and three (AMF Far Far Away) dogs don’t have a lot of box speed,” trainer Patrick Bever said. “Van Do has been one of the top dogs since he’s been at Wheeling. If he hits the top, it’s over.”

2–Freya (Ryan Farms): “Freya wants the inside so the two hole should be good for her,” trainer Terry Green said. “She needs to break decent and get to the rail. If she’s not on the lead going down the backstretch, she needs to be right near the leaders.”

3–AMF Far Far Away (A Ray): “I would rather have him in the eight hole with Makin Bakin slashing down but I think he’ll stay down on the inside,” owner Tom Ferris said. “All I ask is for him to get around fourth or fifth and he’s got a shot unless Van Do or Makin Bakin hit it and are way out in front.”

4–BD’s Flip (Darren Henry): “I was hoping for a one hole. It’s going to be tough for him to get the lead where he’s at unless he really hits it,” trainer Donna Wilcox said. “With his running style, he needs to break. He can be pretty salty on the lead.”

5–Silver Jones (Charter) and 6–Makin Bakin (Charter): “I’d rather have Makin Bakin and Silver Jones in opposite holes because she’s going to be pushing over on him right out of the box. Bakin has to beat Van Do and Flip to the turn but she’ll have her work cut out for her. If she hits the front, it’s her race to lose,” trainer Rodney Cooley said. “I hope Bakin doesn’t cut Jones off too bad and he can get down to the turn at least third. He won the Holiday Sprint from the five hole so maybe he can do it again.”

7–Gable Fx (Gable): “He’s always looking for the rail, so I would have preferred an inside post,” trainer Wayne Piquette said. “His best shot other than starting at the 7/16 box will be to follow Makin Bakin out of the box, stay close and then come up the rail in the homestretch.”

8–Bella Alexander (Wayne Strong): “I wanted outside of Makin Bakin, but he needs to break better than he usually does and hopefully find a hole to duck into around the first turn. A little trouble up front wouldn’t hurt either,” trainer Greg Strong said. “If he has to make up 5 or 6 lengths he could be in trouble, but if he’s a length or two off the lead coming home he’s got a chance.”

Travis likes the two pre-race favorites, Van Do and Makin Bakin.

“I would imagine Van Do will go off as the betting favorite and I believe the number one post position will provide an opportunity for him to avoid some trouble in the first turn,” Travis noted. “I also like Makin Bacon, although she has to get out of the starting box quickly to have a shot. Rounding out my trifecta would be Freya, who should be a factor throughout the race.”

STAN’S RACE ANALYSIS:

The final shapes up as a speed battle to the first turn between Van Do, BD’s Flip and Makin Bakin. The sprinter able to rush to the top stands an excellent chance of making it to the winner’s circle Saturday afternoon.

With a fast track anticipated, I like Makin Bakin to hit the lid and rocket to the top by 3 or 4 lengths heading down the backside. Look for Van Do to experience early trouble, as Freya and BD’s Flip pick up the chase.

A few lengths back will be Silver Jones and Bella Alexander.

Makin Bakin will maintain her lead around the far turn, but it’ll get interesting in the stretch as Freya and Bella Alexander mount furious closing kicks. At the wire, Makin Bakin holds on by a length to capture the Superstar Challenge.

For entertainment purposes only, go with Makin Bakin on top with Freya second and third in the trifecta. On the side, play Makin Bakin over BD’s Flip, Silver Jones and Bella Alexander.

Makin Bakin and Freya were victorious in last Sunday’s two semifinal races. Capsules of the two races follow:

Makin Bakin, a winner in round one and the favorite in her semifinal trip, posted a box-to-wire 3-length victory in 30.21. AMF Far Far Away roared home to finish second while BD’s Flip rounded out the trifecta ticket.

Freya, sent to post at 11-1 odds, broke second to early speed merchant Sidney’s Fritz before closing in the stretch for a 2 1/2-length victory in 30.10. Bella Alexander got up for second as Sidney’s Fritz settled for third.

Race favorite Van Do, who won his first two qualifying rounds, experienced early trouble and finished seventh in his semifinal effort.

‘Experts’ handicap stake final

– Chris Yahn, racing secretary: Van Do to win with Silver Jones and Makin Bakin second and third.

– Ron Otto, Wayne Ward Kennel: BD’s Flip on top with Bella Alexander on the ticket.

– Tom Engle, Thorne-Abrahamson Kennel: Van Do to win with Gable Fx or Bella Alexander on the ticket.

– Joe Otto, Arivada-Plum Creek Kennel: Van Do and BD’s Flip each first and second with AMF Far Far Away third.

– Dean Miner, Flying Eagles-Miner Kennel: Van Do and BD’s Flip each first and second with Freya on the ticket.

– Steve Sarras, Sarras Kennel: Freya on top with BD’s Flip, Silver Jones or Makin Bakin second and third.

– Jerry Cole, Arivada-Plum Creek: Bella Alexander to win with Van Do and Makin Bakin rounding out the trifecta ticket.

– Chris Stadler, Steubenville Kennel: Van Do first and second with AMF Far Far Away, BD’s Flip. Silver Jones, Makin Bakin or Bella Alexander on the ticket.

IN THE HOMESTRETCH:

HOT DOGS: Flying Eagles-Miner Kennel’s Kiowa Nephew has won five out of his last six Grade AA starts for trainer Ricardo Pacheco. Kennel-mates Flying Wheeling (A, AA 3/8) and Flying Fenimore (C, B) have back-to-back victories.

Darren Henry Kennel’s Blazing Chad has raced to four straight Grade AA wins for trainer Donna Wilcox.

Wayne Strong Kennel’s Mulberry Hummer has three wins and a second in his last four Grade AA races for trainer Louise Strong.

Charter Kennel’s Silver Patriot has two straight Grade AA wins for trainer Rodney Cooley. Kennel-mate Silver Maverick has two wins and a second in his last three trips.

Gable Kennel’s Gable Pimiento has back-to-back Grade AA victories for trainer Wayne Piquette.

Douglas Kennel’s KB’s Best Buy has two straight Grade AA wins for trainer Jim Roche.

Steubenville Kennel’s Magic Trixie has two wins and a second in her last three 7/16 starts for trainer Debbie Schweizer.

A Ray Kennel’s AMF Dark Light has four victories in a row (M, D, C, B) for trainer Joe Palmer.

Mike Fynmore Kennel’s Magic Coke has won three out of her last four starts (M, C, B) for trainer Robert Britton.

Cardinal Kennel’s No Holds Barred has back-to-back victories (B, A) for trainer Jerrod Varner.

Arivada-Plum Creek Kennel’s UCME Fancy Pants has two wins and a second in her last three trips for trainer Jerry Cole.

Wayne Ward Kennel’s Kiowa WW Son has two wins in a row (C, B) for trainer Ron Otto.

Thorne-Abrahamson Kennel’s Oshkosh Sysco has back-to-back victories (C, B) for trainer Tom Engle.

WORLD CLASSIC: Wheeling-based racer Sly Star has made the final of Saturday evening’s World Classic at Mardi Gras in Hollywood, Fla.

After finishing fourth and sixth in his first two rounds, the Wayne Strong Kennel greyhound had a victory and a second in his next two races to earn a spot in the championship race.

The star-studded World Classic final field from the rail out has: 1–Sly Star; 2–Bigfoot’s Bust; 3–Corda Would; 4–Soprano Drive; 5–Starz Jenko; 6–Magic Penny Ante; 7–Hallo Gold Acre; 8–Flying Stanley.