Post by CampWhippet on Mar 3, 2006 11:41:44 GMT -5
Most Pleased With Positions
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By SCOTT CARTER scarter@tampatrib.com
Published: Mar 2, 2006
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ST. PETERSBURG - Some shook nervously as they struggled to open the gold-colored packages containing their starting box. Others ripped them apart with ease, and then either thrust their arms toward the sky in relief or walked away slowly, wishing for a better outcome.
A lot was at stake during Wednesday's post draw for the Derby Lane Million, which is the final race on Saturday night's card. The winner of Saturday's race earns $500,000, followed by $150,000 for second place and $125,000 for third. In the richest race in greyhound history, even the last-place finisher wins $20,000.
"My daughter [Kate] didn't even come over for the draw because she said she wasn't here for the first round of the draw, and we drew well," said trainer Mick D'Arcy. "She wouldn't come over today in case she jinxed me."
D'Arcy had nothing to worry about as his Greys Calibrator, the points leader in the tournament-style event, drew the 2 box for the final, a spot she broke the track record from in the second round. In fact, most seemed pleased with their draws since several of the dogs will run from positions they favor.
"We got a good post position for Joe Hearns," said trainer Cal Holland Jr., whose entry will break from the outside 8 box. "We are pretty happy. I just hope everybody is going to the rail and Joe Hearns has a good shot to rush and get where he wants to be going into the first turn."
Ebony River, a strong rail runner, will start from the 1 box, which trainer Doug Flint coveted. Possibly the biggest surprise of the tournament, local-based Jack Whistler, drew the 6. Jack Whistler is the youngest dog in the field of eight.
"If we would have been able to go up there and choose our starting box, I'm sure it wouldn't have been a 6," said Jack Whistler trainer Dale Horan. "But we're not overly disappointed with our draw. There are some nice dogs in the race, but there's not one that can't be beat. We're going to be a dark horse. Nobody expects us to win."
No matter what dog wins Saturday night, the Derby Lane Million has created a buzz the industry hasn't experience in a while.
The track is hoping for a crowd of 8,000 or more for the final.
"I think the fans have enjoyed it," D'Arcy said. "This is top stakes racing at the highest level."
Wagering on the Derby Lane Million begins today.
sports.tbo.com/sports/MGB1K4SIAKE.html
Skip directly to the full story.
By SCOTT CARTER scarter@tampatrib.com
Published: Mar 2, 2006
ADVERTISEMENT
More from this channel:
Search our archives: Type keyword(s)
30 days6 months2005200420032002200120001999199819971996199519941993199219911990All
Past 7 days most viewed | Tribune archive from 1990
ST. PETERSBURG - Some shook nervously as they struggled to open the gold-colored packages containing their starting box. Others ripped them apart with ease, and then either thrust their arms toward the sky in relief or walked away slowly, wishing for a better outcome.
A lot was at stake during Wednesday's post draw for the Derby Lane Million, which is the final race on Saturday night's card. The winner of Saturday's race earns $500,000, followed by $150,000 for second place and $125,000 for third. In the richest race in greyhound history, even the last-place finisher wins $20,000.
"My daughter [Kate] didn't even come over for the draw because she said she wasn't here for the first round of the draw, and we drew well," said trainer Mick D'Arcy. "She wouldn't come over today in case she jinxed me."
D'Arcy had nothing to worry about as his Greys Calibrator, the points leader in the tournament-style event, drew the 2 box for the final, a spot she broke the track record from in the second round. In fact, most seemed pleased with their draws since several of the dogs will run from positions they favor.
"We got a good post position for Joe Hearns," said trainer Cal Holland Jr., whose entry will break from the outside 8 box. "We are pretty happy. I just hope everybody is going to the rail and Joe Hearns has a good shot to rush and get where he wants to be going into the first turn."
Ebony River, a strong rail runner, will start from the 1 box, which trainer Doug Flint coveted. Possibly the biggest surprise of the tournament, local-based Jack Whistler, drew the 6. Jack Whistler is the youngest dog in the field of eight.
"If we would have been able to go up there and choose our starting box, I'm sure it wouldn't have been a 6," said Jack Whistler trainer Dale Horan. "But we're not overly disappointed with our draw. There are some nice dogs in the race, but there's not one that can't be beat. We're going to be a dark horse. Nobody expects us to win."
No matter what dog wins Saturday night, the Derby Lane Million has created a buzz the industry hasn't experience in a while.
The track is hoping for a crowd of 8,000 or more for the final.
"I think the fans have enjoyed it," D'Arcy said. "This is top stakes racing at the highest level."
Wagering on the Derby Lane Million begins today.
sports.tbo.com/sports/MGB1K4SIAKE.html
