With sprint star Van Do sidelined for most of May and early June, three youngsters have stepped up to the plate and delivered for the C And C Kennel at Wheeling Island.

Although a month shy of being 2 years old, littermates Huge Lee, Spectacular Lee and Large Lee have each climbed the ladder to Grade AA. The trio has combined for 16 wins, 7 seconds, 4 thirds and 3 fourths in 41 starts — a 73 percent mark on the pay sheet.

“They ran some pretty fast times in training, but we didn’t expect them to do this well right from the git-go,” C And C Kennel trainer Patrick Bever said. “They like to get out in front and sometimes it’s hard to run them down. I know we’re ecstatic with the way they’ve raced.”

Owner Larry Birnbaum of Everytime Enterprises is equally thrilled with the July 2006 greyhounds out of Brett Lee-Looks Special. The litter also includes Terrific Lee and Aggressive Lee.

“I am extremely pleased and happy with the litter. To have all five race at Wheeling is a spectacular achievement,” Birnbaum said. “Brett Lee puts a lot of speed in his pups and Looks Special has been very productive. Her breeding to Trent Lee produced three Grade AAs at Wheeling in Powerful Trent, Quick Trent and Rising Trent.”

Large Lee opened his Wheeling career with a bang by winning four in a row — Maiden by 2 1/2 lengths, Grade D by 7 1/2 lengths, Grade C by 3 lengths and Grade B by 1 1/2 lengths.

“I definitely was surprised. He took to the track very fast,” Bever said. “He’s one of those dogs that make you say wow.”

After a third and sixth in his first two Grade A trips, Large Lee won Grade A by 1 1/2 lengths and then captured his first Grade AA start by 4 lengths. He has another top grade victory by 3 lengths and a fourth in three other Grade AA races.

In six out of his seven victories, Large Lee has hit the backstretch on top while in the other win he was second around the first turn.

“Large Lee has a nice break and a huge rush to the turn,” Bever noted. “He’s like a rocket when he gets loose. He reminds me a little of Van Do — they both just take off.”

The youngster has eclipsed the 30-second mark twice — 29.95 in Grade D and 29.99 in Grade A.

“He has tremendous speed for his age,” Bever said. “I think he’s going to be a very competitive Grade AA greyhound at Wheeling.”

Spectacular Lee also has displayed a ton of early speed as he moved up to the top grades. He has a victory and a fourth in three Grade AA races.

“He has a big rush to the turn too,” Bever said. “So far it looks like Spectacular Lee needs to go to the front” to be successful.

Spectacular Lee has posted several impressive victories — Maiden by 4 lengths, Grade C by 7 1/2 lengths, Grade A by 5 lengths and Grade AA by 3 1/2 lengths. In each race, he powered his way to an early lead.

“If he comes with his game face on, he can be tough to catch,” Bever said. “He needs to be on his mark and hit his break. I don’t think you’ll ever see him come from behind.”

In 16 starts, Spectacular Lee has 5 wins, 2 seconds, 1 third and 2 fourths.

Bever feels Spectacular Lee will be a steady Grade A-AA racer.

Huge Lee doesn’t possess a monster rush like his brothers, but he’s been a consistent in-the-money finisher. In 14 starts, he has 4 wins, 5 seconds and 2 thirds as he climbed the ladder to Grade AA.

“He’s not quite as quick as the other two, but he has a little drive to him,” Bever related. “I think he’ll be a solid top grade dog, but he’s not going to win a lot of races in Grade AA.”

In his Maiden, Grade C and Grade B victories, Huge Lee closed from second and third in the stretch. He posted an impressive box-to-wire 5-length win in Grade A.

“He gradually climbed up the ladder to Grade AA,” Bever said. “It gave him a chance to get more experience along the way.”

Terrific Lee has climbed the ladder to Grade B. In 12 starts, he has 3 wins, 3 seconds, 1 third and 1 fourth.

“He has wicked box speed and a power rush to the turn,” Bever said. “He’s been a little short because he exerts a lot of energy early in his races.”

In six straight starts in April-May, Terrific Lee held the lead heading down the backside as well as coming home. He won three of those races (Maiden, Grades D and C).

Terrific Lee also has dipped under 30 seconds with a 29.97 clocking in Maiden.

Aggressive Lee has 1 win, 3 seconds, 1 third and 2 fourths in 15 starts. He is in Grade C.

“Eventually I think he’ll be a Grade B-A dog who hits the ticket a lot,” Bever said.

While only 2 years old, the litter has plenty of time to improve.

“They are still so young and they have a lot of room to grow,” Bever said. “It’s always nice to get a young litter and watch them develop. We feel blessed to have them.”

Meanwhile, Van Do is set to return to the track. He won a schooling race last Saturday by 4 lengths.

IN THE HOMESTRETCH:

HOT DOGS: Lester Raines Kennel’s Sol Reign has won four out of his last five Grade AA starts for trainer Joel Roden. Kennel-mate Roar Of The Cat has back-to-back victories (A, AA).

Charter Kennel’s BI’s Never Late has three straight Grade AA wins for trainer Rodney Cooley. Kennel-mate TNJ Bonita has back-to-back victories (A, AA).

Flying Eagles-Miner Kennel’s Starz Supreme has three Grade AA 3/8 wins in a row for trainer Ricardo Pacheco.

Darren Henry Kennel’s BD’s Flip has won three out his last four Grade AA trips for trainer Donna Wilcox.

Wayne Ward Kennel’s Kiowa WW Dot (AA) and WW’s Kool Cherry (B, A) have back-to-back wins for trainer Ron Otto.

Steubenville Kennel’s Kiowa Stan Gus (AA) and Doctor Blair (A, AA) have two straight victories for trainer Debbie Schweizer.

Cardinal Kennel’s TNJ Roulette has back-to-back 3/8 wins (B, A) for trainer Jerrod Varner.

Steve Sarras Kennel’s FTK Overhaulin (B, A 3/8) and Sendahl Follett (C, B 3/8) have two wins in a row for trainer Barbara Long. Kennel-mate Dominator Ford W has two wins and a second in his last three 3/8 races.

Arivada-Plum Creek Kennel’s UCME Backstabber has back-to-back victories (B, A) for trainer Joe Otto.

Thorne-Abrahamson Kennel’s Kiowa In Side has two wins in a row (C, B) for trainer Tom Engle.

Douglas Kennel’s Keyon Cole has back-to-back 3/8 victories (C, B) for trainer James Roche.

Pawloski can be reached at sjpawloski@yahoo.com