Flying Eagles-Miner Kennel’s Flying Mancini tops all qualifiers for Saturday afternoon’s final of the $100,000 Wheeling Invitational.
Mancini was the only greyhound to make it through the three qualifying rounds unscathed. She accumulated a total of 45 points.
In the semis, Mancini set a new 5/16 track record when she stopped the clock in 29.34. The old mark of 29.37 was held by Lewis And Wax since July 2005.
Completing the championship field are Kiowa WW Brother (Wayne Ward Kennel), 40 points; Flying Westover (Flying Eagles-Miner Kennel), 36 points; Gable Twinkie (Gable Kennel) Pal WW Wendy (Wayne Ward Kennel) and Seldomscenetears (Wayne Ward Kennel), 28 points each; Makin Bakin (Charter Kennel) and Kansas Buzzer (Wayne Strong Kennel), 26 points each.
Tommy Commander also had 26 points but lost out in the tie-breaker because Makin Bakin and Kansas Buzzer each had a win during the early rounds.
While Mancini appears to be the favorite, going through the early rounds undefeated and then winning a stake final is a tall challenge. Of course two greyhounds – TK Quick Strike and Trust Fund Baby – turned the trick earlier this year in stake races at Wheeling.
The post positions for the championship final are: 1-Pal WW Wendy, 2-Gable Twinkie, 3-Kiowa WW Brother, 4-Makin Bakin, 5-Flying Mancini, 6-Flying Westover, 7-Seldomscenetears, 8-Kansas Buzzer.
Director of Racing Ben Travis said the final is loaded with outstanding greyhounds.
“What an awesome field with Flying Mancini being so dominant through the qualifying rounds and breaking the track record and Kiowa WW Brother who’s only been out of the trifecta five times in 34 races,” Travis noted. “I’m excited about the race and wish all the kennels and owners the best of luck.”
Following are capsule looks at the finalists:
1-PAL WW WENDY: Posted a huge victory from the one hole in the semis to earn a shot in the final; favors an inside post but faces a major challenge against these burners.
2-GABLE TWINKIE: Has been on a roll recently with three wins and two seconds in his last six starts; if space opens along the rail down the backside, he’ll be picking up serious ground; should get a good trip if he stays down.
3-KIOWA WW BROTHER: Powerful sprinter has come into his own lately with nine wins in his last 14 starts; can go to the front or come from behind if close; if he didn’t get crowded in the first turn of the Panhandle Sprint final, he wins it; needs to outbreak kennel-mate Pal WW Wendy and Makin Bakin.
4-MAKIN BAKIN: Hats off to this veteran sprinter for just making the final at 3 1/2 years old; posted a gutsy win in round one, but will need to steal a sizable advantage to pull off an upset in the final; she needs to pop the box.
5-FLYING MANCINI: New track record holder appears unstoppable as she won her three qualifying races by a combined 23 lengths – almost an 8-length margin of victory; has not been firing from the box but has found open lanes to rush to the turn; five hole not the easiest to win from at Wheeling, but if she hits it lights out.
6-FLYING WESTOVER: Has hit the trifecta ticket in 18 out of his 25 Wheeling starts after shipping in from The Woodlands; posted two wins in the early rounds; runs stronger on the lead but may have trouble getting over the inside speed and the outside rushers.
7-SELDOMSCENETEARS: Came up with a big win from the eight hole in the semis to earn a finals slot; has several big races since arriving from Mardi Gras in July; not a ton of break speed, but loves to rush up around from an outside post.
8-KANSAS BUZZER: Midtrack runner was probably smiling after drawing an eight hole; ran third in the final of the Firecracker Sprint from the eight box; has five wins and four seconds in his last 10 starts; hard to keep him off the ticket.
Who will make it to the winner’s circle on Saturday afternoon? Here’s a sampling of picks.
Travis: Flying Mancini on top with Kiowa WW Brother second and Gable Twinkie coming from behind to get third.
Chris Yahn, racing secretary: Flying Mancini on top with Kiowa WW Brother, Pal WW Wendy and Kansas Buzzer on the trifecta ticket.
Robin Reed, local greyhound historian: Kiowa WW Brother on top with Gable Twinkie, Seldomscenetears and Kansas Buzzer on the ticket.
Joe Otto, Arivada-Plum Creek Kennel: Flying Mancini on top with Gable Twinkie, Seldomscenetears and Kansas Buzzer on the ticket.
Norm Secia, C And C Kennel: Kiowa WW Brother on top with Gable Twinkie, Seldomscenetears and Kansas Buzzer on the ticket.
RACE ANALYSIS: Without question, Flying Mancini is the dog to beat and rightly so. I’ve watched all the great ones race at Wheeling, and she’s right up there.
However, as handler Ricardo Pacheco has noted, “she hasn’t been firing” and “she’s been lucky to get herself in position early in her races.”
Finding an open lane from the five hole against this talented field of greyhounds will be difficult. If she does, write the check to the Berlands.
With speed inside of her and greyhounds rushing strong from the outside, I think trouble looms for Mancini. With that in mind, look for Kiowa WW Brother to jump the field from the three hole, rush to the top around the first turn and never look back in rolling to an easy victory.
Boxed favorably in the eight hole, Kansas Buzzer should go down to the turn second. Seldomscenetears, another midtracker, may follow Buzzer around with Gable Twinkie coming late on the inside.
I’ll go with Kiowa WW Brother on top with Kansas Buzzer second and third on the trifecta ticket. Also go with Brother on top with Gable Twinkie, Flying Mancini and Seldomscenetears on the trifecta ticket.
IN THE HOMESTRETCH:
WIENER NATIONALS: Wheeling Island will host the Wiener Dog Nationals on Sunday afternoon with $500 in cash prizes up for grabs.
The Wiener Nationals will consist of afternoon qualifying rounds beginning at approximately 3 p.m. The dachshunds will race over a 30-yard course.
Pawloski can be reached at sjpawloski@yahoo.com