When Steve Sarras purchased CJC’s Fire at the 2008 National Greyhound Association Fall Meet in Kansas, he saw plenty of potential in the young sprinter.

Sarras especially liked Fire’s early speed – a key ingredient in many of the top sprinters at the Wheeling Island racetrack.

While some pups come in and fly right up the ladder, Fire took a little longer to develop. She also tested Sarras’ patience.

“With Fire it was a prolonged learning experience and frustrating at times. I’m not sure if it was her size or her youth,” Sarras related. “We had to shut her down a couple times and rework her to boost her confidence level. It took longer than expected, but finally she came out of her shell.”

A July 2007 greyhound out of Dragon Fire-Greys Real Nifty, Fire was only 15 months old when she competed at the nationals and a mere 18 months old when she broke in at Wheeling in January 2009.

Fire didn’t live up to her name as it took her six races to break her Maiden. For the next eight months, Fire bounced back and forth between Grades B and A while racing out of the Sarras Kennel.

In September 2009, Fire reached Grade AA for the first time and won four out of her first five races against the track’s top sprinters.

“She needed to mature and develop,” Sarras said. “She also started breaking more consistently and found her groove.”

The early speed merchant shocked Sarras and fans alike in one of her early Grade AA victories when she rallied from fifth around the first turn and third coming home to win by a nose at the wire. She split the two leaders just before the line.

“That race surprised me, but it showed me Fire was a legitimate Grade AA dog at Wheeling,” Sarras said.

Front speed has fueled Fire’s success.

“The killer blazing early foot she’s developed is her strong point,” Sarras said. “I don’t really know if post position matters, but she’d rather be inside.”

As Fire’s confidence grew, she continued to shine during the fall months – even making the final of the $100,000 Wheeling Island Invitational in November. She had a win, a second and a fourth in the qualifying rounds.

“It was a big accomplishment for her to even make the final,” Sarras said. “I was really proud of her.”

In the final, Fire – breaking from the seven hole – experienced trouble in the first turn and finished eighth. Gable Sour Cream won the stake event with Kiowa Myth runnerup.

“If Fire would have cleared the first turn, I think she may have finished in the top four,” Sarras said. “She just needed a little extra burst. Of course, dogs like Sour Cream and Kiowa Myth are in a league of their own.”

Fire posted 16 wins during the 2009 racing season, eighth overall and seventh among sprinters at Wheeling. Thirteen of her victories came from June through December.

“That’s pretty impressive for the caliber of dogs racing at Wheeling,” Sarras said. “I am extremely happy with the way she’s developed.”

The personable kennel operator/trainer also gave credit to his staff – Chris Meeker, Jon Charlton, Courtney Sarko and Amy McLaughlin – for playing a role in Fire’s success.

Fire’s career has been two separate stories.

In Fire’s first 32 races at Wheeling, she had 8 wins, 4 seconds and 2 fourths. In her next 26 starts – all in Grade AA – Fire had 10 wins, 5 seconds, 1 third and 2 fourths.

“She’s starting to hit her peak,” Sarras noted. “I think she’s a little stronger and a little smarter. Hopefully, she’ll maintain her consistency.”

In 10 starts this year, Fire has 2 wins, 4 seconds and 1 third.

Sarras also purchased Fire’s brother, CJC’s Smoke, at the same meet. Smoke has shuttled back and forth between Grades B and A for most of his career – once hitting Grade AA.

IN THE HOMESTRETCH:

HOT DOGS: Gable Kennel’s Tipp Mai Tai has won three out of his last four Grade AA starts for trainer Wayne Piquette. Kennel-mate Gable Iroquois has back-to-back Grade AA wins.

Vince Berland Kennel’s Flying Chattaroy has won three out of her last four Grade AA trips for trainer Pamela Webb.

Green-Maupin Kennel’s KB’s Ruckus has won three out of his last four outings (A, AA) for trainer Louise Strong. Kennel-mate KB’s Cuzak has back-to-back victories (A, AA).

Darren Henry Kennel’s BD’s Sheba has two wins and a second in her last three trips for trainer Donna Wilcox.

A Ray Kennel’s Stat Sickem has two straight wins (A, AA) for trainer Joe Palmer.

Plum Creek Kennel’s Bo Jangles has two wins and a second in his last three 3/8 races for trainer Joe Otto.

Steubenville Kennel’s Kiowa Pigtail has back-to-back victories (A, AA) for trainer Debbie Schweizer.

ALL-AMERICANS: The 2009 All-American team will be announced Monday at the American Greyhound Track Operators Association conference in Las Vegas.

Three Wheeling greyhounds — Gable Sour Cream, Kiowa Power Pak and Hi Noon Hero — were nominated.

Pawloski can be reached at sjpawloski@yahoo.com