When Lewis And Wax set the Wheeling Island sprint mark in 2005, trainer Ricardo Pacheco got goosebumps.
When Flying Mancini shattered the record Monday in the semifinal round of the $100,000 Wheeling Invitational, it took Pacheco’s breath away.
Back in Wheeling less than a month after making the final of the 3/8 American Derby at Twin River (Lincoln) in Rhode Island, Mancini smoked a 29.34 to break Lewis And Wax’ mark of 29.37 set in July 2005. She went box-to-wire from the two hole in a 9-length romp.
“We knew Mancini had track record speed since she schooled a 29.62 when she returned from Lincoln, but we didn’t know when the potential would come out. It was breath-taking, a phenomenal race,” Pacheco, who has now handled two record-holders, said. “I got goosebumps when Wax set the record. His wasn’t a big surprise like Mancini because the track was very fast and Wax had flirted with the record.”
Pacheco said Mancini’s semifinal race was the first time she’s broken sharp from the box at Wheeling.
“She really hasn’t been firing but she has a mad rush to the turn. She’s been lucky to get herself in position early in her races,” Pacheco said. “Down the backside Mancini explodes. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a dog run the backstretch like her.”
Mancini, an October 2005 greyhound out of Kiowa Sweet Trey-Gable Acadia, broke on top early in her record run – bolting out to a 4-length lead around the first turn. By the time she hit the homestretch, she was up by 7 lengths before extending the margin to 9 lengths at the wire.
It was only Mancini’s fourth official trip around the Wheeling oval.
In the first round of the Wheeling Invitational, the Flying Eagles-Miner Kennel speed merchant won by 5 lengths in 29.87. She won by 9 lengths in her second round race in 30.56 on a sloppy track.
“She’s a dandy. She’s special. You dream of raising a greyhound like her,” owner Vince Berland of the Flying Eagles operation said. “She’s the fastest female we have ever raised and she may go down as the fastest bitch in history.”
Mancini now holds two track records. In May, she set the 770 yard track record at The Woodlands in 43.22. It was her only start over the marathon distance.
In addition to Mancini’s blazing speed, Berland said the youngster is a very determined greyhound. Off the track, she’s a sweetheart.
“She’s convinced she’s going to win every race she’s in,” Berland said. “In the kennel, she’s all over you. She has a million dollar personality.”
Berland credits his son, Lance, with the Kiowa Sweet Trey-Gable Acadia breeding which produced Mancini.
“She’s extraordinary, very special,” Lance Berland said. “She’s probably the only dog in history to hold both a 5/16 and a 7/16 record. However, I think she’s better suited for 3/8.”
Lance Berland was surprised by Mancini’s Wheeling track record.
“She ran some really fast 5/16 times at Kansas City, but it was a real surprise when I heard she broke Lewis And Wax’ track record,” Lance Berland said.
Mancini’s Wheeling mark was the 16th time in the racetrack’s history that a new record was set during a stakes event, qualifying or final. Mancini is the 11th different greyhound to do it and three of the greyhounds went on to win the stake event they were racing in.
The other 10 greyhounds to post record-breaking efforts in stake races were:
– TK Quick Strike (2008), won 3/8.
– Itsjustplaingood (1999), 3/8.
– My Tipper (1984), won 5/16, set record three times during stake event.
– My Red Streak (1984), 5/16.
– Mr. Wizard (1982), won 3/8, set record two times during the stake; 5/16, set record once.
– My Problem (1982), 5/16.
– Good Shot (1981), 3/8, set record two times during the stake.
– Kaya’s Mace (1981), 3/8.
– Labit’s Frederic (1981), 3/8.
– Big W’s Dinasoar (1981), 3/8.
Vince Berland said Mancini will be headed to Derby Lane following the Wheeling Invitational but will return after a few months.
“We want to showcase her around the country. She’s raced in Kansas, at Lincoln and now Wheeling,” Vince Berland said. “We’ve been very blessed the last couple years and our philosophy is we want racing fans to experience seeing her compete.”
The 2008 racing season has been a dream year for Mancini, who turned just 2 years old earlier this month.
“She hasn’t even peaked yet,” Pacheco said. “It’ll be a few months before she hits her prime.”
Her All-American-type credentials this year include victories in the Kansas Bred Sprint and Woodlands Countdown, runnerup finishes in the Great American Greyhound Futurity and the Shamrock Stakes, a finalist in the American Derby and two track records.
Pawloski can be reached at sjpawloski@yahoo.com