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Glory finds new home

The writing was on the wall.

WW Has Glory needed a change.

After winning his Maiden debut late last year at Wheeling Island, the Wayne Ward Kennel youngster experienced traffic problems in several of his seven Grade D 5/16 races — most of it brought on by himself.

“Glory started slowing in the turns and getting in tons of trouble. Then he would come charging home at the end,” trainer Ron Otto said. “In February, he was down to one line and ready to grade off so I decided to move him to 3/8. If he was going to make Wheeling, he was going to have to run distance.”

In his first trip on the backside, Glory — an April 2006 greyhound out of Luckydeals Honor-WW Kay Walkin — posted a box-to-wire 6 1/2-length victory in a TC race.

“He hit his break and he hit it good. I couldn’t have been any happier,” Otto said. “That race was huge … he saved himself (from grading off). I thought 3/8 would be his race.”

Glory didn’t fire in his next two 3/8 starts and again he slowed in the turns, Otto noted. Although he finished fourth and fifth, Otto had seen enough and quickly moved Glory to 7/16.

“Most marathoners don’t have a lot of box speed so I was hoping Glory could make the lead with the long straightaway to the first turn and get some separation with his speed,” Otto said. “He has tons of pure speed. Unfortunately, he’s had a hard time getting loose to use it.”

It didn’t take long for Glory to make his presence felt in the longer marathon distance.

In his first two 7/16 races, Glory posted box-to-wire victories by 11 and 5 1/2 lengths. In both races, he opened up multiple-length leads early and never looked back.

“I expected him to break like he did,” Otto said. “My only question was could he sustain it.”

Glory missed his break in two out of his next three top grade marathon trips — finishing sixth and eighth — but has rebounded in a big way. In his last six Grade AA 7/16 starts, Glory has four wins and a third.

“He’s still learning and getting used to the distance,” Otto related. “One thing he doesn’t like are dogs around him.”

Glory took charge early in three of his top grade wins — romps by 9, 8 and 4 lengths. In the other victory, he closed from second in the stretch to win by 1 1/2 lengths.

“His game is go to the front and run as fast and as far as he can,” Otto said. “When he races, he gives it everything he has.”

Even if Glory doesn’t break sharp, he has a power rush to the turn if he has an open lane.

“I think he’s capable of winning any time he goes to the box if he gets out on top early,” Otto said.

In 11 marathon races, Glory has 6 wins, 1 second and 1 third. Overall, he has 8 wins, 4 seconds, 1 third and 3 fourths in 23 career starts.

Otto feels Glory has the potential to be a top-notch marathon runner.

“He’s just a baby, so the next 10 or 15 races will show if he’s going to be one of the track’s top marathon dogs,” Otto said. “There aren’t any standout marathon dogs now at Wheeling but Magic Trixie (Steubenville) still can run and Aerosmith (Arivada-Plum Creek) looks like another nice young distance dog.”

Otto said Glory has surpassed any expectations he had for the youngster.

“For a dog with very little experience, he’s done way better than what I had hoped for,” Otto said.

Wayne Ward Kennel operator and Glory’s owner, Julia Ward, said she’s not surprised Glory has reached Grade AA, but she never thought he’d be a distance racer.

“Glory had lots of speed on the farm,” Ward said. “When he was struggling in Grade D, I thought he’s better than what he’s showing.”

Ward was quick to credit Otto for Glory’s turnaround.

“All the credit goes to Ron (Otto) for Glory’s success. He made the decisions to move him to distance,” Ward said. “Dogs like Glory have the ability but it’s up to the trainer to find where to put the dog so their ability comes through. I am very happy and proud of what Glory has accomplished.”

Otto also said Glory has a special spot in his heart because he handled his father, Luckydeals Honor.

“Honor was the first Maiden I broke in at Wheeling so having his son run and have success at Wheeling is pretty special,” Otto said.

Glory raced at the 2007 National Greyhound Association Fall Meet, winning his first round.

IN THE HOMESTRETCH:

MOUNTAINEER CLASSIC: A field of 48 greyhounds will go to post Monday afternoon in the opening round of the $10,000 Mountaineer Classic at Wheeling Island.

The second round in the 3/8 stake will be held during the Saturday matinee card, May 17. The semifinal is set for Wednesday afternoon, May 21, with the championship final on Monday afternoon, May 26 (Memorial Day).

Mountaineer Classic entries follow (by kennel);

Arivada-Plum Creek: Most Needed, Swiss Maid, Creedence, Aerosmith, UCME Flip Flop.

Michael Fynmore: Oshkosh Addie, Yo Festus Henry, Nicotine Fit, Hunt For Glory, PTL Butner, Elizabeths Ezra.

Flying Eagles-Miner: Starz Supreme.

Thorne Abrahamson: Fed Factor.

Douglas: Hawk Harrelson, Salizar Slammer.

Ryan Farms: Witch Hazel, Keenan, LaSalle.

A Ray: Greys Mysticrose, KB’s Pullover.

Cardinal: TNJ Rodeo Joe, TNJ Pirate, Kiowa Ballet, Kiowa Wall, Run To Home, TNJ Roulette.

Michael Green: Wuzinyurwallet.

Steubenville: Hallo Mr Pete, Hallo Mr Brendon, Kiowa Vasquez.

Steve Sarras: Sendahl Freddie.

C And C: Soft Trent.

Gable: Gable Bold, Gable Buckbeak.

Darren Henry: WWW Animalhouse, SW Zap Me Runnin, Pacer Of Ruckus, Braska Omni.

Charter: TK Quick Strike, TNJ Heartache.

Wayne Ward: Its Qimat, WW Out Spongebob, WW Brenda, WW’s Valera.

Wayne Strong: Millenium Drive, CS Bosco, Radar Colin, Armys Mistress.

PALM BEACH: Four former Wheeling greyhounds are competing in the $85,000 Palm Beach Grand Classic in Florida.

Both All-American Afleet Alex and Diligent ran third in the first round, while Van’s Escalade had a fourth and MJG Blu By You was seventh after experiencing early trouble.

Posting first round wins were Starz Jenko, Alivefortomorrow and Joker Dodgem.

The second round for the field of 23 greyhounds was held during today’s matinee program while the third round is Monday afternoon, May 12. The field will be cut to 16 for the semifinals on Sunday afternoon, May 18.

The championship final is slated for Monday afternoon, May 26 (Memorial Day).

HOT DOGS: Darren Henry Kennel’s Legend Of Zorro has five straight Grade AA wins for trainer Donna Wilcox.

Thorne-Abrahamson Kennel’s Drifting Darby has won three out of his last four Grade AA starts for trainer Tom Engle.

Flying Eagles-Miner Kennel’s T’s Dancer has three wins in a row (B, A, AA) for trainer Ricardo Pacheco.

Steubenville Kennel’s Kiowa More ASAP has three straight victories (D, C, B) for trainer Debbie Schweizer.

Michael Fynmore Kennel’s Oshkosh Addie has won three out of her last four 3/8 races (C, B, A) for trainer Robert Britton.

Ryan Farms Kennel’s Cactus Spur (AA) and Whaling Wildfire (B, A 3/8) have back-to-back wins for trainer Terry Green.

Charter Kennel’s Batista has two straight Grade AA victories for trainer Rodney Cooley.

A Ray Kennel’s AMF Sweet Betty has two wins in a row (B, A) for trainer Joe Palmer.

Wayne Strong Kennel’s RK’s Alex Trebec has back-to-back victories (B, A) for trainer Louise Strong.

Cardinal Kennel’s TNJ Rodeo Joe has two 3/8 wins in a row (B, A) for trainer Jerrod Varner.

Wayne Ward Kennel’s WW’s Evan has two straight wins (C, B) for trainer Ron Otto. Kennel-mate JG’s Korea War has three wins and three seconds in her last seven races.

Pawloski can be reached at sjpawloski@yahoo.com

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