Charter Kennel trainer Rodney Cooley calls TK Quick Strike a “freak of nature.”

He’s fast. He’s powerful. He’s explosive. He’s determined. He’s exciting.

Cooley said Quick Strike reminds him of Talentedmrripley, the All-American who shined on the Florida circuit in 2001-2002.

Quick Strike, a July 2005 greyhound out of Flying Penske-Joanne’s Peach, was at his finest in the $10,000 Mountaineer Classic at Wheeling Island, capturing the championship final over the Memorial Day weekend after roaring through his three qualifying rounds undefeated.

The distance dandy’s come-from-behind effort in the final — edging out Mike Fynmore Kennel’s Nicotine Fit by a length — capped a remarkable stake inwhich Quick Strike broke his own 3/8 track record in the first round and won his semifinal race by 17 lengths.

Quick Strike’s performance was one for the ages — one of the most dominating ever in stakes competition at the Wheeling racetrack.

“For Quick Strike to go undefeated through the early rounds and then win the final is very special. It’s so difficult to accomplish because all it takes is a little bump, a misstep or a missed break,” Cooley said. “Each of the eight dogs in the final was capable of winning. It was a matter of who got loose.”

Rounding out the trifecta ticket behind favorite Quick Strike and Nicotine Fit (an 11-1 longshot) was Starz Supreme of the Flying Eagles-Miner Kennel. Starz Supreme was the second choice of patrons at 6-1 odds.

Completing the final field were Kiowa Vasquez (Steubenville Kennel), fourth; Greys Mysticrose (A Ray Kennel), fifth; Gable Bold (Gable Kennel), sixth; Aerosmith (Arivada-Plum Creek Kennel), seventh; and Creedence (Arivada-Plum Creek Kennel), eighth.

From the rail out, the post positions for the final follow: 1–Aerosmith; 2–TK Quick Strike; 3–Nicotine Fit; 4–Gable Bold; 5–Kiowa Vasquez; 6–Creedence; 7–Greys Mysticrose; 8–Starz Supreme.

“I was happy with Quick Strike’s post position but my only worry was Nicotine Fit possibly shutting him down on the break. I knew she would go to the front with her early speed,” Cooley said. “It unfolded the way I thought and fortunately Nicotine Fit came straight out. Quick Strike followed her out and got around the first turn clean.”

At the escape, Nicotine Fit had opened up a 3-length cushion on Quick Strike with Starz Supreme a couple more lengths back. Kiowa Vasquez was fourth after breaking last.

Nicotine Fit maintained her lead down the backstretch, eventually opening up a 4-length margin coming home.

“Heading down the backside I thought Quick Strike had a good chance, but he wasn’t making up much and Nicotine Fit wasn’t tiring. I was starting to sweat,” Cooley noted. “Usually at the 3/8 box Quick Strike kicks it into another drive, but this time he waited a little longer than normal. I was hoping he didn’t wait too long.”

Quick Strike had his work cut out for himself in the homestretch.

“Nicotine Fit didn’t make it easy,” Cooley said. “There definitely was separation when they headed home.”

Quick Strike slowly inched closer and closer to Nicotine Fit in the stretch before exploding by her with a final burst of speed just before the wire. The final margin of victory was a single length.

“I am very proud of him. He showed a lot of heart and determination in the stretch,” Cooley said. “Every race he goes out there to win. He puts it all out on the track and leaves nothing behind.”

Ben Travis, director of racing, said Quick Strike is a joy to watch.

“I certainly believe TK Quick Strike is one of the fastest greyhounds in the country right now. When a greyhound can beat a field of other stake competitors by 17 lengths, which he did in a previous round, it shows just how talented he really is,” Travis said. “It’s been exciting watching him and I’m looking forward to his upcoming races.”

Cooley also had some high praise for runnerup Nicotine Fit.

“I take my hat off to her. She ran a gutsy race,” Cooley said. “I didn’t realize she was that good.”

Norm Rader of Florida, who shares ownership of Nicotine Fit with Robert Litke, was ecstatic with her effort against one of the top 3/8 greyhounds in the country.

“I am very proud of Nicotine Fit — she ran her eyeballs out to hold off that monster for as long as she did. Mike (Fynmore) and his crew did a great job, as usual,” Rader said. “There’s nothing wrong with getting beat by Quick Strike. He is probably the best 3/8 dog in the country right now and I feel he’ll be an All-American for sure.”

Quick Strike, who stopped the clock in 38.23, returned $3.20 on a $2 win wager. The 2-3-8 trifecta paid $208.

“The potential has always been there for Quick Strike. I thought the sky was the limit with him,” Cooley said. “Now he’s showing it. He’s met all expectations, but I feel he has more to give.”

Quick Strike opened the first round of the Mountaineer Classic May 12 with a bang as he shattered his own 3/8 track record with a scorching time of 37.27. The old mark was 37.32 set in late March.

Breaking from the six hole, Quick Strike went box-to-wire in an 11 1/2-length romp.

“He fired out of the box and was very aggressive coming down into the first turn. It was an impressive race,” Cooley said at the time.

In round two, Quick Strike closed from third in the stretch with a powerful rush to win by 4 lengths. In the semifinals, the powerhouse annihilated the field with the 17-length, box-to-wire effort from the six hole.

Quick Strike’s three early round wins were by a combined 32 1/2 lengths — nearly an 11 length average margin of victory.

Charter Kennel operator Cary Alsobrook, who purchased Quick Strike at the 2006 National Greyhound Association Fall Meet, was overjoyed by the stake victory.

“There aren’t many stake events at this level of competition where one greyhound dominates four consecutive rounds. Quick Strike not only accomplished this, but broke the track record for the second time in the process,” Alsobrook said. “This is most significant since Wheeling is considered by most as the top competitive track in the nation.”

Alsobrook knew early on Quick Strike was something special.

“It is strange how some greyhounds give me a special feeling when purchased in the auction. Like Dodgem By Design and Lonesome Cry, Quick Strike was no different and he hasn’t let us down.” Alsobrook said. “Marty Tanner, who raised Quick Strike, called after the race and was thrilled. Rodney Cooley hasn’t come down from the clouds as yet. These are the kind of things that make such accomplishments so meaningful.”

Cooley said Quick Strike will continue to race at Wheeling, but the Charter Kennel operation will listen to opportunities if and when they come up.

“I wouldn’t be afraid to race him against any dog in the country if the conditions are right,” Cooley said. “I’d definitely rate him up there at the top.”

In 25 starts this year, Quick Strike has 15 wins, 3 seconds and 3 thirds.

IN THE HOMESTRETCH:

WVGOBA STAKE: The $65,000 West Virginia Greyhound Owners and Breeders Association Derby (3/8) kicks off Saturday afternoon with a field of 40 greyhounds.

The second round is set for Wednesday afternoon, June 4, and the semifinals on Monday afternoon, June 9. The championship final is scheduled for Saturday afternoon, June 14.

PALM BEACH: Two former Wheeling greyhounds ran second and third in the final of the $85,000 Grand Classic at Palm Beach won by Starz Jenko.

Van’s Escalade took runnerup honors while All-American Afleet Alex finished third.

Starz Jenko, winner of the World Classic earlier this year, closed in the stretch to win the stake by 1 1/2 lengths in 29.74. Both Van’s Escalade and Afleet Alex experienced trouble during the race, but still were able to catch the trifecta ticket.

Completing the final field were Ballet Lady, fourth; Alivefortomorrow, fifth; Flying Jojo, sixth; Spanish Hammer, seventh; and Yahoo Homer, eighth.

HOT DOGS: Charter Kennel’s Makin Bakin has raced to four straight Grade AA victories for trainer Rodney Cooley. Kennel-mates Silver Geico has won three out of his last four starts (A, AA) while Silver Jones has two wins and a second in his last three Grade AA trips.

Lester Raines Kennel’s Sol Reign has three Grade AA wins in a row for trainer Joel Roden.

C And C Kennel’s P Nut Picker has won four out of his last five races (A, AA) for trainer Patrick Bever. Kennel-mate Large Lee (A, AA) and Spice E Hot (C, B) have back-to-back victories.

Darren Henry Kennel’s BD’s Flip has two straight Grade AA wins for trainer Donna Wilcox.

Green-Maupin Kennel’s BB’s Give Mine has back-to-back Grade AA victories for trainer Jim Grace.

Arivada-Plum Creek Kennel’s Soft Machine has won four out of his last five starts (M, D, C, B) for trainer Joe Otto. Kennel-mate Into The Rush has back-to-back wins (C, B 3/8).

Wayne Strong Kennel’s Bella Alexander has two wins and a second in his last three races for trainer Louise Strong.

Thorne-Abrahamson Kennel’s Backwood Bentley has two wins and a second in his last three 3/8 trips for trainer Tom Engle.

Flying Eagles-Miner Kennel’s Rico’s Sylvia has two wins and a second in her last three 3/8 outings for trainer Ricardo Pacheco.

Ryan Farms Kennel’s Irish Holly has back-to-back victories (C, B) for trainer Terry Green.

Douglas Kennel’s Wet Jet has two wins in a row (C, B) for trainer Jim Roche.

Mike Fynmore Kennel’s Charlie Dodgem has back-to-back victories (C, B) for trainer Robert Britton.

Pawloski can be reached at sjpawloski@yahoo.com