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Week of When Chris Stadler took over as trainer for the Mike Fynmore Kennel at Wheeling Downs in April 1999 he wanted to be competitive and finish the year in the top 10. Despite racing only nine months, the kennel still cracked the 300-win mark (305) - securing the No. 10 spot in the kennel standings on the final day of the '99 racing season. Fynmore's winning mark of 15 percent ranked third behind the Wayne Ward Kennel (20 percent) and the ZEZ Kennel (18 percent). Stadler's charges hit the trifecta 40 percent of the time - tied for fourth with the A Ray Kennel. Leading the way were the Wayne Ward Kennel (48 percent), the ZEZ Kennel (46 percent) and the Iruska Racing Kennel (42 percent). "We were thrilled," Mike Fynmore,
kennel owner-operator, said of his first season in As the 2000 racing season unfolds, Fynmore and Stadler are picking up right where they left off at the end of last year. Through Jan. 9, the kennel had 13 wins in 66 starts - second to ZEZ's 26 victories. "We've had a couple good opening weeks, but it's a long season," Fynmore said. "Hopefully we can stay within a stone's throw of ZEZ." Fynmore and Stadler are shooting for the top, but "realistically I'd be happy in the top three. Fourth or worse I won't." Two young speedsters - RLM's Dugansboy and Cee Bar Meg - may just be the ticket to help the kennel achieve its 2000 goal. The pair have combined for eight wins and five seconds in their last 15 starts. "These two special pups have really given the kennel a boost," Fynmore said. "Hopefully they'll stay healthy and rack up 30 or 40 wins combined." Dugansboy, only 22 months old, recently won four races in a row, including three of those in Grade AA. "On the farm Dugan looked special enough to come straight to In 21 career trips, Dugansboy has 7 wins, 8 seconds and 2 thirds - an 80 percent trifecta mark. "Pleasantly surprised," Fynmore noted. "He was a little short when he first got started, but with a little experience and maturity he's starting to finish better," Fynmore said. Cee Bar Meg, a month younger than Dugansboy, has back-to-back Grade AA early speed victories - hiking her career mark to 7 wins, 4 seconds and a third in 20 trips. Meg needs the front and then it's "come get me," Fynmore added. She has drawn into tonight's 13th race. Cee Bar Meg has a good breeding connection: her mother (Cee Bar Lori) is a litter sister to Iruska Superstar's mother (Cee Bar Star). Meanwhile, two sisters - Asti Hope and Asti Hanna - also have been nice additions to the Fynmore stable. Bred for distance, Hope has turned into a pure speed sprinter while Hanna has shown the ability to run both 5/16ths and 3/8ths. "They were designed to be marathon dogs, but you never know what you're going to get," Fynmore said. Hope has 7 wins in 15 trips - her last three in Grade AA. Hanna has been on a roll since moving up to the longer 3/8ths distance - 3 wins and 3 seconds in eight starts. Fynmore, who ownes or part-ownes about 20 percent of his greyhounds, also looks for good things from USS Valley Girl - another early speed merchant. "She just fires out of the box," he said. The personable Fynmore, kennel champ at his Fynmore's top win leader last season, Cee Bar Lando, also is expected back soon. Winner of 16 races last year, Lando is scheduled to school this evening. In addition to Stadler, Tom Blakely (assistant) and Fynmore's wife Alicia play key roles in the Fynmore camp. "Chris works hard and understands it takes hard work to compete near the top," Fynmore said. "The harder you work, the better the results." IN THE HOMESTRETCH: STREAKING: Win Again is still on fire. The 2 1/2-year-old Debonair Kennel sprinter, trained by Paul Petrone, raced to his seventh straight Grade AA victory Monday afternoon. Win Again will probably draw in this weekend as he bids for his eighth straight victory. Coming off a 20-win season in 1999, Win Again has won 11 out of his last 14 trips. HOT DOGS: ZEZ Kennel's Prima Gold Tone, last year's win leader with 40, has won three straight Grade AA starts for trainer Kim Sine. Littermate Prima Gold Medal has three wins and a second in her last four outings. Littermates Red Tiger Smoke and Red Tiger Blast both have won three out of their last five trips on the backside. Youngster Rainbow Rescue has won three out of his last four starts. Kiowa Sutton has won three out of his last four Grade AA starts for Cardinal Kennel trainer J.B. Jackson. Kennel-mate Devie's January has back-to-back victories (Grades A, AA). Fynmore Kennel's Matt's Texas T, trained by Chris Stadler, has a pair of wins and a second in his last four starts. Littermate Matt's Redman has a win and two seconds in his last three trips. AMF Toto, running out of the A Ray Kennel and trained by Jeff Patterson, has two wins and a second in her last three starts. Kennel-mate BB's Alfafa has back-to-back wins (Grades C, B). Debonair Kennel youngster Mocan Sweet, trained by Paul Petrone, has two wins, a second and a third in her last four starts. Kennelmate Mi Big Mac has back-to-back wins (Grades A, AA). Iruska Zederiah has won two straight Grade AA starts for Iruska Racing Kennel trainer Roger Salem. Wayne Ward Kennel's Kiowa WW Pouh, trained by
Steve Bergeron, has won three out of her last four trips (Grades M, C and B).
Snazzy Tale, running out of the Lester Raines Kennel and trained by Rod Monroe, has won three straight races (Grades M, C and B). Maverick Kennel's AZ Rosie Cain, trained by Bill Baker, has back-to-back victories (Grades C, B). Kiowa Hagar Hin has two wins and a third in her last three starts for Steubenville Kennel trainer Joe Palmer. PAYOFF ODDITY: If you had a show ticket on the 12th race last Friday evening, you probably couldn't believe your eyes when the payoffs were put up. I know this writer had to double check the results in the newspaper. Each of the three dogs to hit the ticket in that race paid more than $100 to show. The winner, Snazzy Tale, paid $120.80 to show; the second place dog, WW Lucky Chair, returned $132.80 on a show ticket; and the third dog, P's Whitewater, paid $102.60. Apparently, one unfortunate patron bet "the ranch" on a dog to show in the race and it didn't hit the ticket. Consequently, the show pool was unusually high. SUPER BOWL: A Super Bowl Party will be held on Sunday, Jan. 30, beginning
at VALENTINE'S DAY: Dine with your Valentine on Sunday, Feb. 13, at Wheeling Downs' Terrace Dining Room (two brunch buffets for $20). Reservations are required. STAKES: The $10,000 Spring Juvenile final is scheduled for Saturday evening, March 4. Qualifying round will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 23; Saturday, Feb. 26; and Wednesday, March 1. The $50,000 West Virginia Greyhound Owners and Breeders Association Juvenile final is set for Saturday evening, April 1. Preliminary round will be run on Wednesday, March 22; Saturday, March 25; and Wednesday, March 29. |
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