Deja vu.

The brother-sister act was at it again last Saturday at the Wheeling Island racetrack.

Only this time, Wuzinyurwallet got the best of his littermate sister Trust Fund Baby by closing in the stretch to capture the $65,000 West Virginia Greyhound Owners and Breeders Association Derby (3/8). Kicken Kalindi got up for second while Trust Fund Baby settled for third.

Back in April, Trust Fund Baby rushed home to edge Flat Out Yardley to win the WVGOBA Juvenile while Wuzinyurwallet came from downtown to get third.

“Running first and third in the Juvenile was special but to come back with the same two dogs and run first and third in the Derby was a sensational feeling. For them to do it at two different distances was phenomenal,” Green-Maupin Kennel trainer James Grace said. “Working with Baby and Wallet is amazing. It’s a trainer’s dream.”

Finishing behind Wuzinyurwallet (Green-Maupin Kennel), Kicken Kalindi (Haber Kennel) and Trust Fund Baby (Green-Maupin Kennel) in the WVGOBA Derby final were: Jax Calvin (Thorne-Abrahamson Kennel), fourth; Bombshell (Douglas Kennel), fifth; Police Dog (Douglas Kennel), sixth; CTR Diamond Lil (Steubenville Kennel), seventh; and Iruska Promise (Thorne-Abrahamson Kennel), eighth.

Wuzinyurwallet, an April 2006 greyhound out of Kiowa Sweet Trey-Iruska Camry, was an overwhelming favorite in the final after winning all three of his qualifying rounds by a combined 30 lengths. While two of his victories were from the one hole, Wuzinyurwallet was not so lucky with the draw in the championship.

The post positions for the 3/8 Derby final from the rail out were: 1–CTR Diamond Lil, 2–Police Dog, 3–Kicken Kalindi, 4–Bombshell, 5–Wuzinyurwallet, 6–Iruska Promise, 7–Jax Calvin, 8–Trust Fund Baby.

“The holes couldn’t have been any worse. I was hoping Trust Fund Baby got the rail and Wuzinyurwallet a one or eight hole,” Grace said. “Despite the post positions and heavy rain before the race, I was still confident because I felt we had the best dogs in the race. The two dogs I was concerned with were Police Dog and Kicken Kalindi.”

As it turned out, Grace couldn’t have asked for a better break — Trust Fund Baby popped out on top with Wuzinyurwallet second and Kicken Kalindi third.

“It was a perfect break. I thought Baby would go to the front but I didn’t expect Wallet to get around the first turn as close as he did,” Grace related. “I believe the one holes Wallet had in the early rounds helped with his break. He was getting more consistent.”

As Trust Fund Baby and Wuzinyurwallet passed the grandstand the first time running one-two, Grace was feeling pretty good until he glanced over his shoulder.

“When we broke one-two, I thought we’d win the race until I saw Kicken Kalindi. She wasn’t far behind and that put a knot in my throat,” Grace said. “She has a tremendous kick coming home.”

At the escape, Trust Fund Baby maintained a length lead over Wuzinyurwallet with Kicken Kalindi and Jax Calvin a couple more lengths back. When they reached the far turn and headed for home, Trust Fund Baby had opened up a 2-length cushion but Wuzinyurwallet and Kicken Kalindi were poised to strike.

“At first I thought Baby was going to hold them off but I could see her starting to tire a little as they neared the finish line,” Grace said. “Once Wallet straightened out in the stretch and started rolling, I knew Kalindi wasn’t going to catch him. He was driving like a machine.”

Wuzinyurwallet finished a length in front of Kicken Kalindi at the wire with Trust Fund Baby only 1 1/2 lengths back in third. The champion stopped the clock in 38.18.

The WVGOBA Derby outcome was similar to the recent Mountaineer Classic where TK Quick Strike dominated his three early rounds before closing in the stretch to capture the championship by a length.

“It’s a grueling three rounds and final. It can take a lot out of a dog,” Grace noted. “To win all the rounds and the championship is a credit to the dog, trainer and helpers. It’s a group effort.”

Wuzinyurwallet returned $4.20 on a $2 win wager. The 5-3-8 trifecta paid $90.60.

After the Juvenile, Grace had no doubt Wuzinyurwallet and Trust Fund Baby could go the longer 3/8 distance.

“I really felt Wuzinyurwallet would be the better of the two, but I thought both could go the distance,” Grace said.

Going into the WVGOBA Derby, Wuzinyurwallet only had six career trips on the backside while Trust Fund Baby had two.

“It’s not like they were veteran distance runners,” Grace said. “Being only 2 years old in April, I’ve really been impressed by what they’ve been able to do.”

Co-owners Loretta Maupin and Marena Riggin of Riggin Racing, Inc. were ecstatic after Wuzinyurwallet’s victory.

“It’s like a dream come true to have a dog go through the early rounds undefeated and then win the final. Both of our dogs ran fantastic races,” Riggin said. “It’s very special after the Juvenile where Baby won all of her qualifying races and the final. I am so proud of both of them for what they’ve accomplished.”

Riggin also was concerned with Kicken Kalindi — the winner of the WVGOBA Distance Championship last year at Tri-state Greyhound Park.

“I have a lot of respect for Kalindi and she ran a very competitive race,” Riggin added.

Maupin said she was “a wreck all day. With the post positions and the weather I just didn’t know.

“I can remember Wallet and Baby as little puppies. It makes your heart explode with joy to see them grow up and win stake races … what a feeling,” Maupin said. “Jim (Grace) has done such a fantastic job with them. He goes the extra mile and the results show it.“

Riggin also was quick to pat Grace on the back.

“He has done a wonderful job getting them ready for both stake races,” Riggin said. “I am very appreciate of what he’s done.”

Grace said Wuzinyurwallet and Trust Fund Baby will probably stay in Wheeling until the WVGOBA Sprint later this year at Tri-state.

In 16 Wheeling starts, Wuzinyurwallet has 7 wins, 2 seconds, 2 thirds and 3 fourths. Trust Fund Baby has 5 wins, 2 seconds, 1 third and 1 fourth in 11 Wheeling trips.

IN THE HOMESTRETCH:

TWIN RIVERS SPRINT: Darren Henry Kennel’s BD’s Flip has shipped to Lincoln for the upcoming $75,000 Twin Rivers Sprint. So far, he is the only Wheeling greyhound heading to New England.

Early rounds in the stake are scheduled for Friday, July 4; Wednesday, July 9; and Monday, July 14. The semifinal is set for Saturday, July 19, and the final on Friday, July 25.

Also expected to compete in the stake are World Classic champion Starz Jenko and Hallo Gold Acre.

HOT DOGS: Lester Raines Kennel’s Sol Reign has won six out of his last seven Grade AA starts for trainer Joel Roden. Kennel-mate BJ’s Sure Enuff has back-to-back victories (C, B).

Wayne Ward Kennel’s Kiowa WW Dot has three straight Grade AA wins for trainer Ron Otto. Kennel-mates Kiowa WW Mother (B, A) and WW’s Wizard (C, B) have back-to-back victories.

Thorne-Abrahamson Kennel’s Flying Wheeling has won three out of his last four Grade AA 3/8 outings for trainer Tom Engle.

Darren Henry Kennel’s Braska Omni has three wins and a second in his last four Grade AA trips for trainer Donna Wilcox. Kennel-mates Blazing Chad has two wins and two seconds in his last four Grade AA starts while SW Zap Me Runnin has two straight marathon victories (C, B).

Steubenville Kennel’s Kiowa Rock Vince has back-to-back Grade AA wins for trainer Debbie Schweizer. Kennel-mate Kiowa Power Pak has three straight victories (M, C, B).

A Ray Kennel’s AMF Nudge has two straight Grade AA 3/8 wins for trainer Joe Palmer.

Green-Maupin Kennel’s BD’s Gentry has back-to-back victories (A, AA) for trainer James Grace.

Steve Sarras Kennel’s Cool Rebel has two wins in a row (B, A) for trainer Barbara Long. Kennel-mate Smooth Butter has two wins and a second in her last three trips.

Douglas Kennel’s D’s Tattersalad has back-to-back victories (B, A) for trainer James Roche.

Ryan Farms Kennel’s Cerviche has two straight 3/8 wins (C, B) for trainer Terry Green.

Charter Kennel’s Johnny Chase has back-to-back victories (C, B) for trainer Rodney Cooley.

C And C Kennel’s Rapid Trent has two wins in a row (C, B) for trainer Patrick Bever.

Cardinal Kennel’s TNJ Kahla has back-to-back victories (C, B) for trainer Jerrod Varner.

Pawloski can be reached at sjpawloski@yahoo.com