Quick Strike sets new track record

April 3, 2008

In late February, TK Quick Strike just missed setting the 3/8 track record at Wheeling Island. The Charter Kennel distance dandy stopped the clock in 37.41 — only .01 off DEA’s Magictouch’s track record of 37.40 set in June 2003. Following Quick Strike’s near-record run from the eight hole, trainer Rodney Cooley was confident his star would set the record this year. “If he stays healthy, I believe he will break the track record,” Cooley said at the time. “If he draws an inside post, gets a decent break and the track is fine, he’s good enough to do it.” One month ...

Phil Niekro: 69 and feeling fine

April 7, 2008

Fifty years ago this spring, he had just turned 19...a year removed from high school graduation at Bridgeport. “I was still playing (right here) in the sandlot leagues,” Phil Niekro recalls. One of the most heralded athletes in Bulldogs’ history, Niekro realized he possessed some ability. Just how much, however, was anyone’s guess. “I was playing for Blaine, Barton, the Cave Club, and pretty much unsure of my future,” he recalled. Phil was experimenting with a pitch taught him and brother Joe by their father in the family’s backyard. “I remember the Milwaukee Braves ...

Another opening day downer

April 8, 2008

PITTSBURGH — One minute they’re on their way to an opening day embarrassment. The next, they’re blowing opportunities left and right to pull off an improbable comeback win. Welcome back, Buccos! As hundreds streamed across the Clemente Bridge — apparently more interested in confronting rush hour traffic instead of staying the course inside PNC Park — the Pirates and Cubs were showing no signs of ending an opening day marathon, a nearly five-hour affair that extended into early evening. Of course, we won’t know for weeks how much progress this team has made from the one ...

Surprises aplenty at Fight Night XIX

April 9, 2008

I had the opportunity to take in my first professional boxing card at Wheeling Island Hotel Casino Racetrack last weekend. The wife and I were ringside for the six-bout Fight Night XIX card, staged by West Virginia Sports Promotions guru Jerry Thomas. Although there was only one local fighter involved, the Ballroom was jam-packed with boxing enthusiasts. The local fighter, Bellaire’s Ralph “Raising Hell” Heller was holding his own, that was until the latter stages of the third round of his scheduled four-round bout. Heller, who came into the ring with a 1-1 mark, was ...

Sprint star Blazing Chad wins six in row

April 10, 2008

Drawing the eight hole last Sunday, Blazing Chad looked like a lock to hike his winning streak to six in a row at Wheeling Island. And why not? The Grade AA sprinter, who runs as wide as the racetrack, has been on a mission this year after missing the final two months of the 2007 racing season. In the first three months of 2008, Blazing Chad — a June 2005 greyhound out of Dodgem By Design-Blazing Foxy — had six sub-30 second races as well as several multi-length victories, including 11 1/2 and 9 1/2-length romps. Some racetrack observers believe Chad could challenge the 5/16 ...

Gaudio has been on coaching fast track since 1975

April 13, 2008

    Dino Gaudio would have been just fine had he stayed in his hometown Yorkville, coached at the local high school, conducted basketball camps throughout the Ohio Valley and become some kind of local coaching legend.     But then that would have been just down right greedy. The Ohio Valley would have reaped all the benefits of having Dino Gaudio stay right here in the valley where he grew up. Coaching only our kids and just teaching basketball right here in the old Ohio Valley.     Then again, Dino Gaudio is one of those guys that should be ...