In late February, TK Quick Strike just missed setting the 3/8 track record at Wheeling Island.

The Charter Kennel distance dandy stopped the clock in 37.41 — only .01 off DEA’s Magictouch’s track record of 37.40 set in June 2003.

Following Quick Strike’s near-record run from the eight hole, trainer Rodney Cooley was confident his star would set the record this year.

“If he stays healthy, I believe he will break the track record,” Cooley said at the time. “If he draws an inside post, gets a decent break and the track is fine, he’s good enough to do it.”

One month later, Quick Strike etched his name in the Wheeling Island record books when he smoked a 37.32 to shatter the old mark. Breaking from the one hole, Quick Strike popped on top early and never looked back in romping to a 9-length victory.

Cooley was thrilled after Quick Strike’s run to glory.

“It’s an awesome feeling. It’s not just an achievement for me, but for a lot of people connected with this dog — Charter Kennel operator Cary Alsobrook and Dr. Marty Tanner who raised Quick Strike,” Cooley noted. “I am really ecstatic for Marty. I’m sure it’s a dream come true for him to raise a track record-holder.”

Tanner also was pretty excited after hearing the news in Texas.

“I’m relatively new in breeding and raising greyhounds, so it’s really nice to raise one that can compete this way. It’s very gratifying,” Tanner said. “One thing that made this work was Charter Kennel purchasing Quick Strike and Rodney Cooley. They deserve all the credit.”

Tanner knew early on Quick Strike was something special.

“He was one of the best two pups I took to the nationals in 2006,” Tanner added. “He had something extra.”

Quick Strike has flirted with the record on numerous occasions since arriving in Wheeling in June 2007. His resume includes times of 37.41, 37.49, 37.52, 37.62, 37.63, 37.64, 37.69 and 37.70.

“When you have a greyhound come that close that many times, you know the dog is capable of running record times. He’s a machine when he gets loose,” Cooley said. “Quick Strike showed the ability in his sprint races, so I knew he’d be a force in 3/8. He is probably the fastest dog I have ever touched.”

A July 2005 greyhound out of Flying Penske-Joanne’s Peach, Quick Strike has 22 wins, 10 seconds, 4 thirds and 8 fourths in 55 career starts at Wheeling.

Pawloski can be reached at sjpawloski@yahoo.com