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KB’s Best Buy following in his dad’s footsteps

Back in 2005-06, Tempo Petrocelli was one of the most consistent top grade greyhounds at Wheeling Island.

In 127 starts, Petrocelli had 37 wins, 21 seconds, 12 thirds and 19 fourths — a 70 percent mark on the pay sheet. All but 16 of his trips were in Grade AA.

Now, one of Petrocelli’s sons, KB’s Best Buy, is making a name for himself at the Wheeling oval after competing at the 2007 National Greyhound Association Fall Meet in Kansas. In 25 Wheeling starts, Best Buy has 9 wins, including four in Grade AA, 4 seconds, 2 thirds and 4 fourths — a 76 percent mark on the pay sheet.

Like father, like son.

“Best Buy reminds me so much of Tempo Petrocelli. When Randy and Lori Doubles (who own Best Buy as well as Petrocelli) sent us BB, I was thrilled to death,” Douglas Kennel trainer James Roche said. “I am so happy the Doubles have had someone come up behind Petrocelli. To see his prodigy do this is very gratifying.”

Both Tempo Petrocelli and Best Buy were raised on Kenneth Biehle’s farm in Texas, however, BB almost didn’t make it to last fall’s meet.

“Best Buy never got all the extra work because he was hurt early in training. Before the nationals, I think he only had six boxes and never for more than 3/16,” Biehle noted. “At the last minute we decided to take him to Abilene where he ran third in the first round and then won his final.”

The Doubles were immediately drawn to Best Buy. Being a son of their own Tempo Petrocelli, didn’t hurt either.

“We were thrilled to be able to purchase Best Buy at the fall auction. He ended up being the only Petrocelli pup for sale as two brothers were scratched,” Randy Doubles said. “Because of his young age (born April 2006) and lack of schoolings, we were hoping Best Buy would mature at the racetrack.”

Doubles said Best Buy’s mom, KB’s Hannah Jo, was “a solid Grade A greyhound at Palm Beach with a ton of bottom. We were hoping Petrocelli would put some early speed in her pups.”

The Doubles’ hopes have been realized.

Best Buy, however, did not hit the ground running when he arrived in Wheeling in November 2007. It took him five races to break his Maiden, but Roche was not concerned.

“The five Maiden races gave him more experience and were just part of the learning curve,” Roche said. “Most of the dogs we bring in have at least 20 starts so to do what he’s done at Wheeling is fantastic.”

Doubles actually was pleased Best Buy did not start his career with a string of victories.

“Struggling in Maiden did not concern me too much. I wish every dog I owned ran five or six Maiden races,” Doubles said. “It doesn’t look good in the program, but I think it helps the dog mature and teaches them how to run.”

After winning Maiden with a box-to-wire 8 1/2-length romp from the eight hole, Best Buy came right back and won Grade C by 4 lengths and Grade B by 4 1/2 lengths. Over his next 10 starts, Best Buy bounced back and forth between Grades A and B.

“He was still going through a big learning curve,” Roche said.

Roche believes Best Buy turned the corner in a Grade A victory in late February when he closed from second in the stretch to win by 1 1/2 lengths.

“After that race, Joe Douglas (kennel operator) turned to me and said he’s turning into a greyhound,” Roche recalled. “Early on I thought he’d be a decent usable dog in Grades B and A, but that one race changed our minds.”

Best Buy has stepped up his game since reaching Grade AA. In nine starts against the track’s top sprinters, he has 4 wins, 2 seconds, 1 third and 1 fourth.

“It took him about six months to hit his stride after showing steady improvement along the way,” Roche said. “I think his success in Grade AA can be attributed to a combination of steady starts, the maturation process and confidence. Once they realize they can beat the good dogs, they’ll beat them.”

After a fourth and sixth in his first two Grade AA trips, Best Buy had a pair of seconds and then four straight victories. He has displayed a more consistent break in Grade AA.

“When Best Buy made it to Grade AA, he seemed to figure out his break,” Doubles said. “He’s been no worse than third at the turn since the beginning of March.”

Roche said Best Buy needs to get out of the box to be successful.

“The most important part of his race is getting around the first turn in the top three. He has to get in position early,” Roche said. “He doesn’t need to be in front, but close to the front. If he’s second or third in the stretch, he’ll line up a dog and go get him.”

In three of his Grade AA wins, Best Buy closed from second and third in the stretch while in the other victory he posted a box-to-wire 3-length victory in besting Wheeling Superstar Challenge runnerup BD’s Flip.

Roche was very surprised and impressed with Best Buy’s four straight Grade AA wins.

“It is very difficult to put any kind of streak together at Wheeling,” Roche said. “Some people forget this track is the most competitive in the country. I was surprised.”

Best Buy’s bid for five in a row was halted when he got caught in the stretch and ran third on a rain-soaked track.

“A good dog can catch him and those were good dogs. He has nothing to be ashamed of,” Roche said. “He’s still young and getting better.”

Although Best Buy has eclipsed the 30-second mark twice (29.88 and 29.96), Roche said, “I don’t really know how fast this dog is, but I don’t think he’s shown it.”

Doubles is elated with Best Buy’s progress, but was quick to credit Biehle.

“We’re always surprised to get a good greyhound since we don’t do this for a living and are always short on time and on a limited budget,” Doubles said. “I have to contribute most of the success to Ken Biehle. He told me back in 2001 to stick with well-bred greyhounds, deal with quality people and we would be successful.”

Doubles also is excited about Tempo Petrocelli’s breeding career.

“His first two litters have shown good potential. Best Buy’s littermate, KB’s Hotstuff, made the Puppy Stakes final at Palm Beach,” Doubles said. “Most of the pups seem to break fairly well and have a big rush to the turn like their father.”

Roche also is high on Tempo Petrocelli, who he handled at Wheeling.

“Besides Randy (Doubles) and Ken (Biehle), I might be Tempo Petrocelli’s biggest fan,” Roche said.

IN THE HOMESTRETCH:

PICK 4: A new national Pick 4 wager has been announced by Delaware North Companies Gaming and Entertainment and includes Wheeling Island.

The new Pick 4 wager, launched last weekend, includes Daytona Beach, Southland and Phoenix in addition to Wheeling. It will take place once a week every Saturday evening.

Delaware?North Companies will guarantee a $10,000 gross pool. The takeout rate for the Pick 4 will be 25 percent and there will be no carryover provision.

The Pick 4 post time schedule, subject to change, includes:

Leg 1: Daytona (Race 13), 10:40 EDT

Leg 2: Southland (Race 10), 10:43 EDT (9:43 CDT)

Leg 3: Phoenix (Race 2), 10:46 EDT (7:46 CDT)

Leg 4: Wheeling (Race 15), 10:49 EDT

HOT DOGS: Charter Kennel’s TK Quick Strike has raced to five straight Grade AA 3/8 wins for trainer Rodney Cooley. Kennel-mate Switzler Salada has three wins in a row (A, AA).

Steubenville Kennel’s Kiowa Ya Mike and Mohican Direct have back-to-back Grade AA victories for trainer Debra Schweizer.

C And C Kennel’s Tommy Commander has won three out of his last four Grade AA starts for trainer Patrick Bever.

Darren Henry Kennel’s Legend Of Zorro has two wins and a second in her last three Grade AA trips for trainer Donna Wilcox. Kennel-mates BD Flip (AA) and Braska Foxy (C, B) have back-to-back victories.

Green-Maupin Kennel’s BD’s Grayson has won four out of his last five outings (D, C, B, A) for trainer Jim Grace. Kennel-mate Daily Lane has two wins and two seconds in her last four trips.

Ryan Farms Kennel’s Keenan has three straight marathon victories (C, B, A) for trainer Terry Green. Kennel-mate Annie Oakley has back-to-back 3/8 wins (C, B).

Wayne Ward Kennel’s JG’s Korean War has two wins and two seconds in her last four starts for trainer Ron Otto.

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

Gable Kennel’s Gable Hemp has back-to-back 3/8 victories (C, B) for trainer Wayne Piquette.

Pawloski can be reached at sjpawloski@yahoo.com

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