Well things could not have turned out any weirder than they did in the semi-finals of the 2009 Sunshine State Silver Cup. None of the favorites got up for the win in any of the three remaining races and in turn some big names missed a seat at the final round table. Speed was the key to success as all three greyhounds that made the lead, won their respective races.
Starting off the festivities was Kiowa Shag Along in the 7th race. Exploding from the 1 box, Shag Along, took early command of this effort but was by no means an easy winner. He was threaten throughout by Gabby's Fiona and Fth Keystone Cop. Both greyhounds chipped away at the winner's lead all the way to the wire and shrunk it down to next to nothing at the finish line. He did hold on to win, but Gabby was just a half a length off and Copper was one and a half from the win. All three might have been in serious trouble if Kiowa Swizzle had made a move just a touch sooner. He too was closing fast and pressing them all with his 4th place finish, just 2 length off the winner's pace. Completing the field was Bl Punch N Judy, Uss West Coast, Red I Rewind and Take It Over was scratched.
7th Grade: S Distance: 550 Condition: Fast
Kiowa Shag Along 79 1 1 1 2 1 3 1 .5 30.84 4.40 Shrinking Lead Insd
Gabby's Fiona 59 2 2 2 2 2 .5 30.89 4.20 Stalked Winner Rail
Fth Keystone Cop 71 5 7 3 3 3 1.5 30.96 2.20 Rushed, Game Threat
Kiowa Swizzle 73 6 5 4 4 4 2 30.98 2.30 Crowded, Good Bid Mt
Bl Punch N Judy 58 4 3 5 5 5 6 31.27 12.30 No Room On Rail
Uss West Coast 72 8 4 6 6 6 7.5 31.37 8.60 Jammed 1st Turn
Red I Rewind 71 3 6 7 7 7 16 31.95 14.60 Squeezed Back 1st
Take It Over 7 S .
James E. O'donnell, Jr., Dk Bd, M, 07/16/07, FLYING STANLEY - KIOWA SHAG SUE
The shocker of the evening came in the 10th race as heavy favorites, Count Ivan and Ru Tuff Enuf missed their breaks and were trying throughout to get a clean run and find some more points at the finish line. Hitting the lid were a couple of greyhounds, but rushing best to the turn was Topaz Hanna. Hanna dominated the run to the 1st turn and stole away 3 early lengths on the compeition. Thruout her lead shrank as the big namers started to rally, but it was all too little too late as she took home the win and a spot in the final round field. Kiowa More Am was a game second at the line and with this one she ousted Ru Tuff Enuf from the picture of the finals. Strong closing Pru Whistler was 3rd and Ru Tuff Enuf finished 4th. Rounding out the field was Count Ivan in 5th, Kiowa Smedley in 6th, Kiowa Fly Remi in 7th and Where's King Fly in 8th.
10th Grade: S Distance: 550 Condition: Fast
Topaz Hanna 58.5 2 4 1 3 1 2 1 .5 30.95 9.90 Had Enough Left Rail
Kiowa More Am 59 3 1 2 2 2 .5 31.00 21.90 Pressured Winner Rl
Pru Whistler 61.5 5 5 6 3 3 2 31.08 7.80 Charged Home Rail
Ru Tuff Enuf 73 4 3 3 4 4 5 31.29 1.30 Traffic In Turns
Count Ivan 85 8 8 5 5 5 7 31.43 1.80 Jammed Back Early
Kiowa Smedley 73.5 6 6 7 6 6 9.5 31.62 12.30 Shuffled 1st Turn
Kiowa Fly Remi 82.5 1 2 4 7 7 12 31.78 23.00 No Room Far Turn
Where's King Fly 73 7 7 8 8 8 13.5 31.91 13.40 Squeezed Back Early
Crowe Kennel, F, F, 12/23/05, DODGEM BY DESIGN - ESCALADE
Last but not least in the winner's bracket was the resurging Rs Libby Lu. Like I have said a thousand times, if she gets the lead, WATCH OUT! And that is just what she did in this race. She jumped the gun to the front and was never questioned for the entire duration of this trip. She coasted on the front end and maintained her lead from box to wire. Next best for the 4th straight round of the stakes was La's Anthony. Try as he might he couldn't chip away at the lead, but it was another strong effort for him anyways. Blaze N Ray bolted up late for the show position as he took over for Kiowa Deli Davis near the finish line. Completing the race was Cjc's Buckshot in 5th, Deerfield Moss in 6th, Where's Playpen in 7th and Hanks Talkitover in 8th.
11th Grade: S Distance: 550 Condition: Fast
Rs Libby Lu 57 5 1 1 3 1 3 1 3 30.78 9.80 Showed The Way Mt
La's Anthony 70 4 2 2 2 2 3 30.99 1.40 Placed Thruout Rail
Blaze N Ray 70 7 7 4 4 3 5.5 31.18 3.20 Gained Show On Rail
Kiowa Deli Davis 68 3 5 3 3 4 6 31.19 21.10 Outnodded For Show
Cjc's Buckshot 82.5 2 4 6 6 5 7 31.26 2.60 Jammed 1st, Ran Rl
Deerfield Moss 74 8 8 5 5 6 7.5 31.29 32.90 Jammed 1st Turn
Where's Playpen 62 6 6 7 7 7 11.5 31.57 27.80 Shuffled 1st Turn
Hanks Talkitover 62 1 3 8 8 8 . 9.60 Pulled Up
Stacey Blanch Kennel, Dk Bd, F, 05/29/07, LONESOME CRY - SWEET SANDRA SUE
The finals of this event will run on Saturday Evening September 5th at the Orange Park Kennel Club. Check out our promotion that night, $6000 in cash given away to 12 lucky winners, and special prices on draft beer and margaritas.
