“We’re off to see the Wizard

The wonderful Wizard of Oz

We’ll find he is a whiz of a Wiz

If ever a Wiz there was

Because because because because

Because of the wonderful things he does …”

Since coming to Wheeling in late March, WW’s Wizard has been a shining star for the Ron Otto-trained Wayne Ward Kennel. In 20 starts, Wizard has 7 wins, 5 seconds, 1 third and 3 fourths – an 80 percent mark on the pay sheet.

“From the moment Wizard arrived, he caught my eye. He was a standout in morning schooling,” Otto said. “Wizard is still learning, maturing. We couldn’t be happier with his progress.”

A September 2006 greyhound out of Stan’s Boy Flyer-Aunt M, Wizard has two impressive victories and a third in five Grade AA races. Otto was a bit surprised by Wizard’s top grade wins.

“I thought he’d win Grade AA down the road, but not right away. He surprised me,” Otto said. “When he reached Grade AA, I was just hoping he’d hit the ticket.”

In Wizard’s first trip against the track’s top sprinters in mid-July, he broke last from the four hole and was only sixth around the first turn. Wizard moved into third down the backstretch before getting up by a half length at the wire with an explosive stretch drive.

It was truly a fantastic finish as Wizard had to make up at least 5 lengths coming home.

“He got under the rail around the first turn and just took off down the backstretch,” Otto said. “In the homestretch, he jumped a dog and still was able to win. I was very impressed.”

Last Saturday night, Wizard dominated a Grade AA feature field as he rocketed to the top early from the eight hole and never looked back in rolling to a 10-length victory. He was up by 6 lengths heading down the backside before extending the margin.

“Three of Wizard’s previous wins were from the one hole, but he ran from the eight box like he loved it,” Otto noted. “When he goes to the front, I don’t think he’ll lose many races. If there’s a dog who can catch Wizard, I’d like to have that dog in my kennel.”

Wizard’s Grade AA romp was the first time he’s ever gone to the front in an official start. In two official schooling races, he rushed to early leads before winning by 13 and 4 1/2 lengths.

“I thought Wizard might be a speed dog after those two schooling races, but he’s turned into more of a closer. He has a lot of bottom,” Otto said. “I’d like to see him on the lead a lot more, however, I don’t think we’ll see a lot of it. He’s still young so he could develop more early speed.”

Otto said Wizard is a very determined greyhound.

“He has the heart and he has the desire,” Otto said. “He’s not afraid of traffic. He’ll take a bump and keep on coming.”

Wizard wasn’t highly touted when he shipped in to Wheeling Island, but he’s quickly blossomed into one of the track’s top youngsters.

“He’s getting there,” Otto said.

Wizard opened his career at Wheeling in mid-April, breaking his Maiden in his third race. Moved to Grade D, he won in his second attempt.

After three Grade C races, Wizard posted back-to-back victories in Grades C and B. He almost made it three in a row as he came up a length short in his initial Grade A start.

Wizard moved to Grade AA after five Grade A trips.

“He was probably better off missing in his first Grade A race. Young dogs gain so much more experience taking their time moving up the ladder,” Otto said. “Grade AA at Wheeling is a far different level. The speed to the turn is turned up a notch.”

Wizard has drawn in Friday afternoon in Race 15.

One littermate, WW’s Lion, also is racing at Wheeling. She has climbed as high as Grade B with 3 wins, 1 second, 4 thirds and 5 fourths in 23 starts.

“Lion doesn’t have much early speed, but closes real hard in her sprint races,” Otto related. “She needs the outside.”

Otto tried Lion on the backside in June with little success.

“I thought she’d do better over there,” Otto said. “Maybe down the road I’ll give her another shot in 3/8.”

Two other littermates, WW’s Tin Man and WW’s Toto, are racing at Derby Lane in Florida.

IN THE HOMESTRETCH:

HOT DOGS: Ryan Farms Kennel’s Abner has won four out of his last five starts (M, D, C, B) for trainer Terry Green. Kennel-mates Sassy Brat (C, B 3/8) and Twila Mae (C, B) have back-to-back victories.

Charter Kennel’s BI’s Never Late has back-to-back Grade AA wins for trainer Rodney Cooley.

Lester Raines Kennel’s Solar Splendor has won three out of her last four outings (D, C, B) for trainer Joel Roden.

Darren Henry Kennel’s Blazing Chad (A, AA) and WWW Animalhouse (C, B 3/8) have back-to-back wins for trainer Donna Wilcox.

Steubenville Kennel’s Hallo Cruise Gold (A, AA) and TMC’s Tuscany (B, A) have two straight victories for trainer Debbie Schweizer.

Wayne Ward Kennel’s JJ’s Make Me Pop has two wins in a row (B, A) for trainer Ron Otto.

Arivada-Plum Creek Kennel’s Van Halen has back-to-back wins (C, B) for trainer Joe Otto.

Michael Fynmore Kennel’s Cmon Ejekat Me has two victories in a row (C, B) for trainer Chris Burgess.

SOUTHLAND DERBY: Soprano Drive closed in the stretch to capture the $50,000 Southland Derby in Arkansas last weekend.

Breaking from the two hole, Soprano Drive broke sixth but rushed up to third around the first turn. He remained third until closing in the stretch to win by 2 lengths in 32.22.

Frontrunner Flyin Penske Eve held on for second while I Do Run Run got up for third.

Completing the order of finish were Whytell Broom, fourth; Ba My Hope, fifth; John Monad, sixth; Jim Morrison, seventh; and Camerlengo, eighth.

Camerlengo, a former Wheeling racer out of the Arivada-Plum Creek Kennel, was hit in the first turn and dropping out of contention.

Pawloski can be reached at sjpawloski@yahoo.com