Very few pups make the climb to Grade AA at Wheeling in less than 10 starts.

Often, when they do, racing against the top sprinters at one of the most competitive tracks in the country proves quite a challenge.

Not so for BD’s Grayson.

The Green-Maupin Kennel youngster not only moved up to Grade AA in seven trips but won his initial Grade AA test in a 10-length romp. Overall, Grayson has 6 wins, 1 second and 1 third in eight career starts.

“He’s going to be one of the superstars at Wheeling. I think he’ll be a 20-race winner this year and next,” Green-Maupin Kennel trainer Jim Grace said. “I think the whole litter can win 150-200 races before their careers are over.”

In addition to Grayson, the litter — July 2006 greyhounds out of Dodgem By Design-BD’s Valentine — includes BD’s Gentry, BD’s Gus, BD’s Gail, BD’s Gibson, BD’s Gretchen, BD’s Goff, BD’s Gilda and BD’s Geena. All are racing at Wheeling, however, Gilda and Geena may be headed to Tri-state Greyhound Park soon.

“When they came in the kennel in January, they looked like athletes. They were ready to go,” Grace recalled. “After a couple morning schooling races, I saw their potential. Grayson was the best followed by Gus and Gentry.”

Owner Bill Denton of Alabama said Grayson and Gentry were the top two on the farm but the whole litter trained well.

“I didn’t have a lot of dogs when I raised this litter so I was able to handle them more,” Denton said. “A lot of attention makes a difference.”

In his short career, Grayson has displayed some of the qualities the great ones possess — speed, heart and intelligence.

“Grayson is very explosive when he gets rolling and he has tremendous heart and drive. He makes moves like an older dog,” Grace said. “For his age, he has sound track sense. He has the ability to find holes and to get through them.”

In last Saturday evening’s feature race, Grayson put on quite a show on a sloppy track.

Drawing the eight hole, Grayson broke slow but quickly rushed up on the outside. He took a bump about halfway to the first turn, but the powerhouse shrugged if off and kept driving.

Grayson absorbed another shot around the turn as he moved into third heading down the backside. From there, Grayson took charge.

“He’s a solid greyhound who can take a bump or two. He’s very determined,” Grace said. “If he’s third or fourth at the toteboard, watch out because he’ll be flying home.”

Grayson pulled up to the leaders down the backstretch before exploding to the lead around the far turn. A single length lead at the top of the homestretch turned into 10 lengths at the wire.

“It was an incredible, amazing run. To get bumped twice and still win by 10 lengths was impressive,” Grace said. “Very few Grade AA dogs are going to pull away in the stretch like Grayson did.”

Grace wasn’t the only person saying “wow” after Grayson’s performance. Fellow trainers as well as racing fans were impressed.

Grayson opened his career in early February by winning his Maiden debut by 8 lengths. Following a second in Grade D after coming from last, he won his next two trips — Grade D by 5 1/2 lengths and Grade C by 2 lengths.

The sprinter finished third in his first Grade B race (only 2 lengths back) before winning three in a row — Grade B by 4 1/2 lengths, Grade A by 4 1/2 lengths and Grade AA by 10 lengths. In Grayson’s Grade D and Grade B wins, he went to the front early and was never challenged.

“He’s a dog who can go to the front or come from behind,” Grace noted. “He’s getting better and better with each race.”

Grace said the litter has a tendency to “break in the middle (of the pack) which could cause problems in the first turn,” but so far Grayson has avoided major traffic problems.

Gentry opened his career with a bang, winning three straight races — Maiden by 5 1/2 lengths, Grade D by 7 lengths and Grade C by 7 lengths. He has since bounced back and forth between Grades B and A.

“In the lower grades, Grayson was able to rush up near the lead but he’s been getting into trouble in the upper grades,” Grace said. “He doesn’t have the drive Grayson has and he’s still a little green passing dogs.”

Grace still expects Gentry to reach Grade AA.

“When he gets loose, he has a lot of speed,” Grace said. “I think he’ll turn into a nice top grade dog.”

In 12 starts, Gentry has 5 wins, 1 second and 1 fourth.

Grace also is high on Gus, who has climbed the ladder to Grade B with 3 wins, 3 seconds, 3 thirds and 2 fourths. He won Maiden by 8 lengths, Grade D by 8 lengths and Grade C by 2 1/2 lengths.

“Gus has been a very solid, consistent greyhound,” Grace said. “He has taken his time moving up which I like to see.”

The records of the other littermates follow: Gretchen (11-2-1-1-1), Gail (9-2-1-0-0), Gibson (12-2-0-1-0), Goff (11-2-2-0-0), Geena (6-0-0-0-0) and Gilda (4-0-0-0-0).

“The litter has definitely given our kennel a shot in the arm,” Grace said.

Denton is extremely pleased with the way the litter has progressed.

“I wish all my litters could be like this one,” Denton said.

IN THE HOMESTRETCH:

HOT DOGS: Douglas Kennel’s KB’s Best Buy has won five out of his last six Grade AA starts for trainer James Roche. Kennel-mates FWD Power Design (A, AA) and Early Wynn (C, B) have back-to-back victories.

Charter Kennel’s Switzler Salada has four straight wins (A, AA) for trainer Rodney Cooley. Kennel-mate Bay Oaks Wind has won three out of his last four 3/8 trips.

Darren Henry Kennel’s BD’s Flip has won three Grade AA races in a row for trainer Donna Wilcox. Kennel-mate Legend Of Zorro has won three out of her last four Grade AA outings.

Ryan Farms Kennel’s Super C Stroda has three straight victories (C, B, A) for trainer Terry Green.

C And C Kennel’s Van Do (AA) and Spectacular Lee (C, B) have back-to-back wins for trainer Patrick Bever.

Mike Fynmore Kennel’s Blunder Thunder (A, AA) and Movin Down (B, A) have two wins in a row for trainer Robert Britton.

Wayne Ward Kennel’s WW Has Glory (AA 7/16), WW Out Thomas (B, A 3/8) and JD Dr. Lighting (B, A) have back-to-back victories for trainer Ron Otto.

Lester Raines Kennel’s Barts Noble (B, A) and Rooftop Dixie To (B, A) have two straight wins for trainer Joel Roden.

Steubenville Kennel’s Hallo Be Quiet has back-to-back 3/8 victories (C, B) for trainer Debbie Schweizer.

Pawloski can be reached at sjpawloski@yahoo.com