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Grayson: Hotshot pup

Very few pups make the climb to Grade AA at Wheeling in less than 10 starts. Often, when they do, racing against the top sprinters at one of the most competitive tracks in the country proves quite a challenge. Not so for BD’s Grayson. The Green-Maupin Kennel youngster not only moved up to Grade AA in seven trips but won his initial Grade AA test in a 10-length romp. Overall, Grayson has 6 wins, 1 second and 1 third in eight career starts. “He’s going to be one of the superstars at Wheeling. I think he’ll be a 20-race winner this year and next,” Green-Maupin Kennel trainer ...

Finalists set in $35,000 WVGOBA Juvenile stake

Littermates Trust Fund Baby and Wuzinyurwallet are the top qualifiers for Saturday afternoon’s final of the $35,000 West Virginia Greyhound Owners and Breeders Association Juvenile at Wheeling Island. Racing out of the Green-Maupin Kennel, the Tri-state invaders each posted three victories in the early rounds to top all qualifiers with 45 points. Also qualifying for the final are D’s Enzios (Douglas Kennel), 36 points; D’s Snow White (Douglas Kennel) and BJ’s Sure Enuff (Lester Raines Kennel), 33 points each; Iruska Frankford (Steve Sarras Kennel), 30 points; Flat Out Yardley ...

Bridgeport bullet now firing on all cylinders at Akron

Brittany Hocker left Bridgeport High School as one of the area’s most decorated sprinters of all time. She earned that tag seeing she won six state championships, including 100 and 200 meter sweeps during both her junior and senior seasons as a Lady Bulldog. She’s quickly moving up the ladder of premier sprinters to compete at the University of Akron. After missing all of last season with an injury, Hocker came back this winter for the Lady Zips’ indoor season raring to go and completely healthy. Her work in the off-season and preparation through the indoor campaign has ...

Valley duo honored for 30-year tenure in Detroit

Time flies when you’re having fun. Eastern Ohio natives and Bethany College products John Ciszewski and John Kapral can certainly relate. The two are celebrating 30 years in high-profile administrative positions with the Detroit Pistons. At a recent surprise gathering, both were honored by the NBA club for three decades of superior work. “I remember getting an internship (with the Pistons) in 1978,” Ciszewski recalled. “I phoned home (to Shadyside) and told dad, if it didn’t work out, I’d be home within a year.” Not only have things worked out, Ciszewski has grown ...

CHASING THE CHECKERED

I’ve went out on a limb before, but this time I’m positive. There is no way that Joe Nemechek is going to win today’s Aaron’s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway. Bet the ranch, house, condominium or whatever type of structure you reside in. It ain’t gonna happen. I don’t care that he won the pole during Saturday’s qualifying. How many pole-sitters have taken the checkered flag this season? I can tell you without further delay -- NONE! My pick, even though I don’t particuarily like the guy, is Tony Stewart in the No. 20 Home Depot machine. He piloted his ...

Trust Fund Baby captures Juvenile

After Trust Fund Baby smoked a 14-length, 29.52 victory in the semifinals of the $35,000 West Virginia Greyhound Owners and Breeders Association Juvenile at Wheeling Island, trainer Jim Grace was a bit uneasy. The Green-Maupin Kennel handler was hoping Trust Fund Baby — a virtual lock for the final after winning her first two rounds — would have a relatively routine effort in the semis. “All I wanted for Baby to do in the semifinals was get around the track safely, not win by 14 lengths in a sizzling time,” Grace noted. “That kind of race can take a lot out of a greyhound ...