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When Kiowa Power Pak arrived in Wheeling in May, he was only 16 months old.
Three months later, the Steubenville Kennel powerhouse was beating some of the best middle distance racers at the racetrack.
Scary to say the least.
“Barney O’Donnell called when Power Pak was 15 months old and said he’s so fast there’s nothing else (training) we can do with him,” Steubenville Kennel trainer Debbie Schweizer said. “So the decision was made to send him to Wheeling.”
Expectations were high, and Power Pak – a January 2000 greyhound out of Kiowa Mon Manny-Kiowa More Mar – responded in a huge way.
Power Pak won his first four sprint races (Maiden, Grade C, Grade B and Grade A) as he moved straight up the ladder to Grade AA. In 18 Wheeling races, he has 8 wins, 2 seconds, 1 third and 4 fourths.
“I was not surprised when Power Pak went right up to Grade AA. Barney (O’Donnell) knows his dogs,” Schweizer said. “Power Pak is still learning, but I am extremely happy with the way he’s performed. To run with the calibre of dogs at Wheeling at his age is a big achievement.”
After winning an official schooling race by 7 1/2 lengths, Power Pak quickly grabbed the spotlight at the Wheeling Island racetrack as he won Maiden by 2 1/2 lengths, Grade C by 1 1/2 lengths, Grade B by 11 lengths and Grade A by 6 1/2 lengths.
“At the time, I was thinking he would be our entry in the $100,000 Wheeling Invitational,” Schweizer noted.
However, Grade AA proved more of a challenge for the youngster – two fourths and a fifth in his first three starts against the track’s top sprinters. In two of the races, Power Pak experienced trouble in the first turn.
“He just didn’t have enough front speed in Grade AA. He was getting knocked around in the first turn, so we decided to put him in 3/8 to stretch him out,” Schweizer related. “I don’t like putting puppies over in 3/8 that young, but it was obvious he needed to go the longer distance. He showed a lot of finish in his sprint races.”
Schweizer expected Power Pak to flourish in 3/8, but not so quickly. In 10 starts on the backside, he has 4 wins, including three in Grade AA, 2 seconds, 1 third and 2 fourths.
“He’s still learning how to run the distance,” Schweizer said.
In a majority of Power Pak’s 3/8 races, he’s broken last or close to it. By the escape, he’s usually no better than fifth and numerous lengths behind.
“Power Pak hasn’t been breaking, but he’s finding his way around and through traffic,” Schweizer said. “At the toteboard, Power Pak starts to make his move. Coming home he has tons of bottom.”
In one of his Grade AA victories, Power Pak broke last and was still sixth at the escape. He moved up to third with a big backstretch move before powering his way home to win by 1 1/2 lengths.
“Never count him out,” Schweizer said. “If he gets a clean trip, he’s got a shot. It’s tough to keep him off the ticket.”
Power Pak’s two other Grade AA wins came from the three hole where he was able to get into the races early. In both trips, he was third at the escape.
Once loose on the backside, Power Pak picked up the leaders and pulled away to dominating 7 1/2 and 5 1/2-length victories.
“If he’s close at the escape, I like his chances of winning the race,” Schweizer said.
Power Pak came from seventh at the escape to finish second in another Grade AA outing. His progress was impeded twice, but he never gave up.
“He’s got a lot of heart,” Schweizer said. “If he figures out his break, he’s going to be a real tough competitor.”
Power Pak has yet to match up with All-American candidate TK Quick Strike, the track record holder and win leader.
“It will be interesting to see how Power Pak does against one of the best dogs in the country,” Schweizer said. “They both have powerful finishes.”
Power Pak’s dad, Kiowa Mon Manny (Flying Penske-Flying Monica K), was one of the top sprinters at Wheeling in 2005.
Mon Manny won nine Grade AA 5/16 races in a row in January-February before his streak was snapped when he ran second by a head. Then he won his next seven straight.
Dean Miner, who recently purchased Mon Manny from Kay Smith, thinks the former sprint star can be a very successful sire.
“I think Power Pak is one of the fastest greyhounds in the country,” Miner said. “He is the main reason I purchased Mon Manny.”
Power Pak’s come-from-behind 3/8 racing style, his speed and power has created a buzz at the racetrack. He definitely has turned some heads.
“He’s fun to watch,” Schweizer said. “He’s young, he’s exciting and his future looks very bright.”
IN THE HOMESTRETCH:
AMERICAN DERBY: Three dogs with Wheeling connections have advanced to the semifinals of the $115,000 American Greyhound Derby at Twin Rivers Greyhound Park (formerly Lincoln) in Rhode Island.
Moving on to Monday afternoon’s semifinal round are Magic Penny Ante, Flying Mancini and Starz Supreme. The final is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 20.
Following are capsule looks at the three competitors after the first three rounds:
– Magic Penny Ante: two wins and a second.
– Flying Mancini: win, second and sixth.
– Starz Supreme: win, fifth and sixth.
Magic Penny Ante is tied with Lovely Sonia for the top spot with 52 points based on a 20-12-8-6-4-2-1-0 point system.
Next in line are BWG Tax Audit, 42 points; Chasen Tail and Rossmore Althia, 40 points each; Flying Mancini and Bad Influence, 34 points each; U Rock My World and Kups Carleysimon, 28 points each; Starz Supreme, Flying Northport, Country Rodeo and WW’s Atlantic, 26 points each; and No More Loving, 22 points.
HOT DOGS: Charter Kennel’s Makin Bakin has won three out of her last four Grade AA trips for trainer Rodney Cooley. Kennel-mate Vince F Bundy has back-to-back Grade AA victories.
Wayne Strong Kennel’s Kansas Buzzer has three straight Grade AA wins for trainer Dinna Otto. Kennel-mate Radar Colin has won three out of his last four marathon starts (A, AA).
Steubenville Kennel’s Kiowa Apple Lyde has two wins and a second in his last three Grade AA 3/8 outings for trainer Debbie Schweizer.
Lester Raines Kennel’s Starz Cee Chase (AA) and Kelsos Serengeti (C, B 3/8) have back-to-back victories for trainer Joel Roden.
A Ray Kennel’s AMF Hockey Puck has three wins, a second and a third in his last five marathon races for trainer Joe Palmer.
Darren Henry Kennel’s Braska Gizmo has two wins and a second in his last three outings for trainer Donna Wilcox. Kennel-mate LB Quibble has two straight victories (B, A).
Mike Fynmore Kennel’s Yo Where Ya Ben has two wins and two seconds in his last four trips for trainer Chris Burgess. Kennel-mate TH Apache has back-to-back wins (B, A).
Pawloski can be reached at sjpawloski@yahoo.com