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Van Do wins Superstar Challenge

Van Do may have romped to a 5-length victory in the final of the $10,000 Superstar Challenge at Wheeling Island last weekend, but there were some anxious moments early in the race.

Locked in a speed battle with BD’s Flip to the first turn, a lot could have happened.

Van Do made sure it didn’t.

The C And C Kennel sprint star would not be denied as he powered his way to the lead on the rail before running away from the stellar field in the inaugural Superstar Challenge. BD’s Flip (Darren Henry Kennel) held on for second while Gable Fx (Gable Kennel) rounded out the trifecta ticket.

“It was a very competitive field of greyhounds. I’ve always believed it takes a very good dog to make a stakes final, but a lucky one to win it,” C And C Kennel trainer Patrick Bever said after his first stakes victory. “We ran second in the Holiday Stake (Super Lee) so it’s nice to get one for the C And C Kennel. I think the last one C And C won was Doc Tanner (2004).”

Completing the final field in the Superstar Challenge were Makin Bakin (Charter Kennel), fourth; AMF Far Far Away (A Ray Kennel), fifth; Bella Alexander (Wayne Strong Kennel), sixth; Freya (Ryan Farms Kennel), seventh; and Silver Jones (Charter Kennel), eighth.

“Ever since Van Do came up from Daytona Beach, he’s been phenomenal,” Bever said. “In the stake final, he came with his game face on and did what he had to do. We’re very proud of him.”

Equally overjoyed with Van Do’s victory was owner Patricia Byers of Florida. It was her first stake championship as a greyhound owner.

“I was in tears, it felt so good. Van Do ran an awesome race and I couldn’t be any prouder of him than I am right now,” Byers said. “Like the other dogs I’ve sent to Wheeling, he’s taken to the track very well. The C And C handlers also have done a wonderful job with him.”

From the rail out, the Superstar Challenge field featured: 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.

The race shaped up as a speed matchup between Van Do, BD’s Flip, Makin Bakin and possibly Silver Jones, the winner of the Holiday Sprint Championship. Each was capable of popping the box and rocketing to the early lead.

“We would have liked to see Van Do in the eight hole, but neither the two (Freya) or three (AMF Far Far Away) have a lot of box speed so we thought he’d be okay in the one hole,” Bever said. “All he needed to do was come out and stay down out of trouble.”

At the break, BD’s Flip hit it from the four box with Van Do a close second on the rail and Gable Fx third on the outside. Makin Bakin, the top qualifier with two early round victories, missed her break and was fifth racing to the turn behind Silver Jones.

Displaying a power rush to the turn, Van Do drove up under Flip as the pair raced into the turn. When they hit the backside, Van Do had a slight edge.

“He always has been determined to get to the front. He really dug deep to get by Flip,” Bever said. “We were a little anxious when they went to the turn.”

Once on the backside, Van Do — the race favorite — gradually began to extend his lead.

“When Van Do got the lead, I liked his chances,” Bever said. “Barring any missteps, I didn’t think any of the dogs would run him down.”

BD’s Flip and Gable Fx maintained their second and third spots down the backstretch followed by Makin Bakin, Bella Alexander, Freya and AMF Far Far Away. Silver Jones fell in the first turn.

Van Do opened up a 3-length advantage coming home as the C and C Kennel crew began to taste victory.

“It was very comforting seeing him on the front coming around the far turn,” Bever said. “When he’s on his game, he’s on his game.”

In the homestretch, Van Do continued to pull away as he finished 5 lengths in front of BD’s Flip. Gable Fx, the longest shot in the final at 17-1 odds, was another half length back.

Van Do stopped the clock in a quick 29.74.

The champion, sent to post at even money, returned $4 on a $2 win wager. The 1-4-7 trifecta paid $493.

A May 2005 greyhound out of Stan’s Boy Flyer-Cat Can Do, Van Do won his first two qualifying races by 3 and 2 1/2 lengths. In the semifinals, he experienced early trouble and finished seventh.

Entering the Superstar Challenge qualifying rounds, Van Do had won three straight Grade AA starts.

In 41 career starts at Wheeling, Van Do has 19 wins, 9 seconds, 6 thirds and 2 fourths — an 87 percent mark on the pay sheet.

Bever expects a solid summer of racing from Van Do and hopefully a spot in the $100,000 Wheeling Invitational in October.

IN THE HOMESTRETCH:

HOT DOGS: Darren Henry Kennel’s Blazing Chad has raced to five straight Grade AA victories for trainer Donna Wilcox. Kennel-mates Braska Cando (AA 3/8) and BD’s Spencer (C, B) have back-to-back wins.

Flying Eagles-Miner Kennel’s Kiowa Nephew has won three out of his last four Grade AA outings for trainer Ricardo Pacheco.

Douglas Kennel’s KB’s Best Buy has three Grade AA wins in a row for trainer Jim Roche.

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

Charter Kennel’s TK Quick Strike (AA 3/8) and TNJ Stick Pin (C, B) have two straight wins for trainer Rodney Cooley. Kennel-mate U Too Isaiah has won three out of his last four trips (C, B, A).

C And C Kennel’s Soft Trent has back-to-back victories (A, AA) for trainer Patrick Bever.

Steve Sarras Kennel’s Stay Away Joe has two 3/8 wins in a row (B, A) for trainer Barbara Long.

WORLD CLASSIC: Longshot Starz Jenko stunned the field by posting a box-to-wire 3-length victory in the final of the $150,000 World Classic last weekend at Mardi Gras in Hollywood, Fla.

Sent to post at 14-1, Jenko exploded out of the five box and never looked back in capturing the rich stake event. Hallo Gold Acre and Flying Stanley rounded out the trifecta ticket.

Completing the final field were Bigfoot’s Bust, fourth; Soprano Driver, fifth; Magic Penny Ante, sixth; Wheeling-based Sly Star, seventh; and Cardo Would, eighth.

Pawloski can be reached at sjpawloski

@yahoo.com

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