Bluffs Run Greyhound Adoption

Transcription

Bluffs Run Greyhound Adoption
Iowa Greyhound Association
DECEMBER – 2007
Iowa Greyhound Association
Gloria Sanders
2397 Utah Avenue
Thor, IA 50591
IA Greyhound Association •
GREYHOUND ASSOCIATION
GREYHOUND
http://www.iagreyhounds.org/adim.php
PRESIDENT
BOB HARDISON (2008) . ................................ 19149 Highway 175
Onawa, IA 51040
Home: 712.423.3010
Fax: 712.423.1883
E-mail: hardison@onawave.net
VICE PRESIDENT
David Ungs (2008) .............................................. 22437 Asbury Road
Holy Cross, IA 52053
Home: 563.744.9025
Fax: 563.744.9070
TREASURER
Alan Hill (2009) ................................................... 15768 300th Street
Radcliffe, IA 50230
Phone: 515.893.2366
E-mail: ahill@netins.net
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
Gloria Sanders (2009) .......................................... 2397 Utah Avenue
Thor, IA 50591
Home: 515.378.3183
Fax: 515.378.3183
Email: evergreen@dtnspeed.net
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
David Robinette (2010) ............................................ 1132 N. Avenue
Elliott, IA 51532
Home: 712.767.2354
Fax: 712.767.2360
Email: plumeast@netins.net
Randy Schaben (2010) .................................... 502 2nd Ave., Box 62
Portsmouth, IA 51565-0062
Home: 712.743.2293
Fax: 712.743.3009
Email: rjschab@iowatelecom.net
Beverly Yates (2009) . .........................................21767 Juniper Road
Underwood, IA 51576
Home:712.322.7430
Fax: 712.322.7281
Email: ayates1621@aol.com
Brian Smith (2009) . ........................................ 1901 West 21st North
Newton, IA 50208
Home: 641.792.1771
E-mail: bsmith33@mchsi.com
Brad Boeckenstedt (Alternate 2008) .............31400 Bellevue Drive
Bellevue, IA 52031
Phone: 563-872-4841
E-mail: bocsracing@iowatelecom.net
Crawford Law Firm .............................................1701 Ruan Center
666 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50309
Office: 515.245.5420
Fax: 515.245.5421
Jerry Crawford, Jim Quilty
Don Avenson ..................................................... 30 Maplewood Drive
Oelwein, IA 50662
Home: 319.283.1124
• IA Greyhound Association
Website
Editor
Ron Mullen
Phone 712.526.2161
Fax 712.526.2043
Email
dogman@stratomail.com
www.iagreyhounds.org
Annual meeting date, location changed
The Iowa Greyhound Association Annual
Election of Officers and Membership
Meeting, usually set for the third Saturday
of January, has been changed to Saturday,
January 26, 2008, at 11:00 a.m. The location
has changed from Ames to Prairie Meadows
Racetrack and Casino (1 Prairie Meadow
Drive, Interstate 80 Exit 142, Altoona). The
meeting room is called Polk County Room.
I
n order to vote at this January 26 meeting
you MUST - NO EXCEPTIONS - have paid
your $25.00 2008 membership dues prior to
December 31, 2007. Please send your 2008
membership form (found on page 16 in this issue)
and your $25.00 individual membership dues
to: IGA Treasurer Alan Hill, 15768 300th Street,
Radcliffe, IA 50230.
It seems every year when I am wishing all our
members and friends a Merry Christmas and a
Happy New Year from the IGA Board of Directors
and Officers, I ask myself the same question,
“Where has the year gone?” I know I will soon be
a year older, we’ve had two more great-grandkids
in the year (7 total in all) Jim and I are semi-retired,
and we are thinking of selling our acreage in Thor
and moving back to near Storm Lake, where we
lived for over 40 years. In 2008, Jim and I will have
been married 50 years. I do not like change, but in
the past year we all have faced change in one way
or another, changes that we have no control over. I
am talking about the weather or climate. We have
seen drought, fires, earthquakes, hurricanes, floods,
tornadoes, too cold or hot temperatures. I saw no
toads or frogs this year and very few bees or wasps.
Robins headed south in August. There were fewer
Monarch butterflies. There were more politicians
moving about the State of Iowa, all telling us what
a great president they will make come November,
2008. Sorry, folks, but take me back to the 50’s and
60’s, when life was slow and easy and a much safer
world to live in.
In the past few months, our president, Bob
Hardison, lost his brother, David, who died of health
issues. A longtime member, Joe Puccio, died in a
vehicle accident. Our hearts, thoughts and prayers
go out to the families of these individuals.
Please take note: Changes in Ron Mullen and Brad
Boeckenstedt’s e-mail addresses inside the front
page cover. Officers up for election are: President
– Bob Hardison, Vice President – David Ungs, and
Alternate Board Member – Brad Boeckenstedt.
What has the IGA done in
promotions for 2007?
W
e hosted a booth at the Iowa State
Fair in Des Moines in August, with Bob
McKinnon, aka Maddog, his wife, Suzie,
and retired greyhound, Jones. Eric and Tara Hill
worked part-time at the booth to help relieve the
McKinnons, who worked 12-hour days for 11 days.
The temperatures were in the 90’s almost every day
at the fair. We held a simulcasting seminar in April at
Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino at Altoona,
with Matt Kingdon as guest speaker. We gave our
two annual donations to the National Greyhound
Association in Abilene, KS, for stakes races. We had
approval from the IRGC to host a Harley Davidson
motorcycle give-away at Bluffs Run for 2007, but
we tabled this event until next year, when we can
have more time to promote our breeding farms,
association, and the industry. We cancelled our
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– continued on 4 8
IA Greyhound Association • 8–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– continued from 3
greyhound auction, due to shortage of race dogs
and pups. We have held several meetings with the
new Iowa Department of Agriculture Bureau Chief
Jill Paxton. She is working with the greyhound
association and the three horse associations to
help better the breeding industry in Iowa. Jill will
be attending our January 2008 meeting as guest
speaker, talking about the department and some
changes being considered.
Retiring
We just learned that Donna Lovely, formerly with
GPA Midwest Adoption at Bluffs Run, has retired
from placing greyhounds. I am sure you all will want
to wish Donna well on her retirement. The new
group will be Heartland Greyhound Adoption. More
information will be provided as it becomes available.
Don Avenson, our legislative consultant, will be back
at the Iowa State Capitol come January. He will be
working to make sure the live racing purses remain
supplemented by the casinos. Also trying to repeal
the state taxes on greyhound supplies and feed. We
will be waiting to see if the referendum remains or
gets dropped. All tracks will be up for county votes
in 2010, if the referendum remains intact.
In this issue please check out the two Iowa
Greyhound Breeders Classic Stakes race winners
at Dubuque Greyhound Track and Bluffs Run
Greyhound Track. These two stake race purses
are some of the “richest” in the nation. NGA district
representative Bob Rider has provided a brief
summary of the 2007 NGA Fall Nationals.
Don’t forget to check out the pet adoption page and
great stories from friend and greyhound promoter,
Bob McKinnon.
You will also find in this issue, under Iowa Racing
and Gaming Commission Meetings, the 2008 racing
dates for Bluffs Run and Dubuque Greyhound
tracks. Please take notice that Bluffs Run races will
be run on the same days as the thoroughbred horse
Triple Crown Races.
Calendars, books
We are not selling greyhound calendars this year.
• IA Greyhound Association
We are still offering Down Under Jones books for
sale (see order form, page 8). These would make
great Christmas gifts.
Check out the stud dog ad - DK’s Prime Time, G&T.
Crates, Dubuque, Bluffs Run, and Qual Pet Division
of Darling International ads. These promotions,
along with the legislated 2% checkoff support the
printing of this quarterly news publication.
Thank you!
In closing, I want to say thanks on behalf of the
association’s officers, board, and members to our
legal and legislative consultants, Jerry Crawford and
assistants, Jim Quilty and Don Avenson. Without
these professional people we might end up like
some of the other states where greyhound racing is
shutting its doors to casinos, off track or off shore
betting or simulcasting only parlors. Keep up the
good work, guys!
Wish for 2008 – May all our backyards come up
with gushing oil wells!
Minutes and news submitted by
Executive Secretary Gloria Sanders
along with help from friends.
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IA Greyhound Association •
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission Meeting
October 8-9, 2007
6:30 p.m. - executive session (10/8/07)
8:30 a.m. - open session (10/9/07)
Salon C
The Isle Casino and Hotel Waterloo
777 Isle of Capri Boulevard
Waterloo, IA 50701
319.833.4753
Selected agenda for IGA business
11. RENEWAL OF RACETRACK LICENSE AND GRANTING
OF RACE DATES AND RACETRACK ENCLOSURE
GAMBLING LICENSE
A. Iowa West Racing Association/Bluffs Run Greyhound Park
and Horseshoe Casino (BRGP/HC)
PLEASE NOTE THESE APPROVED DATE CHANGES
AND HORSE STAKES
1. Application for renewal of racetrack license and for race
dates at BRGP January 1, 2008, through December 31,
2008, with six (6) performances per week for a total of
301 performances. Matinee performances are requested
for Tuesday through Sunday at 4:00 p.m. No racing will
occur March 4-6, April 27, June 10-12, November 27, and
December 23-26, 2008. Post time will be moved to 1:00
p.m. on May 3, May 17, and June 7, for the Triple Crown
Races. BRGP has requested the continuation of yearround simulcasting.
2. Application for Renewal of Racetrack Enclosure Gambling
License for 2008 and Approval of Contracts contained in
the Submission
B. Dubuque Racing Association/Dubuque Greyhound Park &
Casino (DGP&C)
1. Application for renewal of racetrack license and for race
dates at DGP&C April 26, 2008, through October 26,
2008, with six (6) performances per week for a total of
162 performances. Evening performances and post times
requested are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, at 7:00
p.m. Matinee performances and post times requested are
Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday at 1:00 p.m. Additional
performances on holidays and post times requested are:
Monday, May 26, at 1:00 p.m.; Thursday, July 3, at 1:00
p.m.; Friday, July 4, at 1:00 p.m.; and Monday, September
1, at 1:00 p.m. DGP&C has requested the continuation of
year-round simulcasting.
2. Application for Renewal of Racetrack Enclosure Gambling
License for 2008 and Approval of Contracts contained in
Submission
Election of the president of the NGA began with a tie between
Tracy Wildey and Marty Tanner. One of the nine NGA Board of
Directors had to go back to Florida for jury duty, so that left 8
voting members. After not being able to break the tie, a flip of a
coin gave the presidency to Marty Tanner.
• IA Greyhound Association
The 9 NGA Board members are:
District 1A: James Blanchard–83, Charles C. Marriett–35,
Calvin J. Holland–25
District 1B: Kevin M. Doyle–68, Randy Finegan–57, John
Steiner–9
District 1C: Sam R. Burdett–89, Tom Thomas–84
District 2A: Frederick A. Fulchino–90, Al Smith, Jr.–67
District 2B: Marty D. Tanner–71, Harlyn Goebel–59
District 2C: Rob Williams–38
District 3A: Dick Figurilli–76, Kathleen Y. Collins–54
District 3B: Robert V. Rider–63
District 3C: Tracy L. Wildey–138, Michael J. Ryan–40
President - Marty Tanner – Vice-President - Tracy Wildey
The NGA’s Fall Meet Auction topped the $1 million mark for the
11th straight time. For the sale on Friday and Saturday, 162
greyhounds sold for $1,158,900.
The replays on the internet seemed to make a lot of the
members happy.
We will be getting a new NGA web site.
The NGA is projected to be in the red for 2007, $33,430,
but should be able to operate with no fee increase for 2008.
Projected net loss for this year (2007) has changed very little
since the spring meet as a result of there being no major
surprises in the last six months. A robust auction and the loss
of another employee in May lessened the projected net loss to
some degree (from $48,000 to $33,000).
We have $464,687.83 in current assets and another
$333,956.32 in fixed assets. Total assets are $798,644.15
Breeding and registration trends were down 7% from 2006, but
last year it was down 10%, so it looks like it may be slowing
down.
At the WGRF meeting, it was stated - there is going to be
seven more new tracks in the next 10 years in Vietnam. There
were more Iowa bred dogs at this meet than I ever remember,
and many of them looked good. Was pleased to see so many
Iowa people at this meet.
We will have some new things coming up at the spring meet,
like term limits on the president.
We gave two states money for lobbying Colorado $15,000
all board members voted yes. They had asked for $20,000.
Florida asked for whatever we could afford and after a pretty
hot debate they were given $30,000 this fall and can come
back in and ask for more in the spring. All but one voted to
give Florida $30,000. The haulers requested a meeting about
people that aren’t paying hauling bills (please read the review).
The dates for the spring meet will be April 21-26, 2008.
Bob Rider
State/Local Greyhound Associations
November 2007
Alabama
VictoryLand Kennel Owners
Randy Blair
15356 County Rd. 9
Fitzpatrick, AL 36029
Jacksonville Greyhound Kennel
Association
William Lambert
756-1 Baisden Rd.
Jacksonville, FL 32218
Arizona
Arizona Greyhound Association
Gloria Dorsey, President
213 E. Elm Ln.
Avondale, AZ 85323
Mardi Gras Greyhound Kennel Association
Joseph Trudden
1135 SW 62nd Ave.
Miami, FL 33144
Arkansas
Southland Kennel Owners
Fred Thorne, Attorney
195 Military Rd.
Marion, AR 72364
Darby Henry, President
107 Darby Rd.
Marion, AR 72364
Colorado
Colorado Greyhound Association
Gary Bryan, President
PO Box 122
Commerce City, CO 80037
Colorado Greyhound Breeders Association
Phil Breedlove, Secretary
PO Box 1160
Brighton, CO 80601
Florida
Central Florida Greyhound Kennel
Association
Rod Connell
PO Box 950550
Lake Mary, FL 32795
Daytona Beach Kennel Association
Todd Byers
1170 Forestwood St.
Daytona Beach, FL 32119
Florida Greyhound Association
Phil Ruotolo
15678 Light Blue Cir.
Ft. Myers, FL 33908
Naples-Ft. Myers Greyhound Kennel
Association
Jim Blanchard, President
PO Box 3193
Bonita Springs, FL 34133
Palm Beach Greyhound Kennel Association
James B. McClellan, President
497 W. Rambling Rd.
Wellington, FL 33413
Pensacola Greyhound Kennel Association
W.R. Etheredge
10307 Tanton Rd.
Pensacola, FL 32506
Tampa Bay Kennel Association
Cal Holland, President
3935 92nd Terr., N.
Pinellas Park, FL 33782
Iowa
Iowa Greyhound Association
Gloria Sanders, Executive Secretary
2397 Utah Ave.
Thor, IA 50591
Oregon
Oregon Greyhound Association
Dick Cage, OGA Executive
c/o Multnomah Kennel Club
PO Box 9
Fairview, OR 97024
Oregon Greyhound Breeders Association
Kirk Schaffer, President
26775 S. Kinzy Rd.
Estacada, OR 97023
Texas
Texas Greyhound Association
Diane Whiteley, Executive Director
PO Box 40
Lorena, TX 76655
Oklahoma
Oklahoma Greyhound Association
Alvin Staggs
20763 State Hwy.
Blair, OK 73526
West Virginia
West Virginia Greyhound O&B Association
Sam Burdette, President
422 Little Sandy Rd.
Elkview, WV 25071
Wisconsin
Kenosha Greyhound Racing Association
Andrea Benedict
1122 Sycamore St.
Delavan, WI 53115
Kansas
Kansas Greyhound Association
Steve Ward, President
HC 01, Box 23
Ellis, KS 67637
Massachusetts
Wonderland Kennel Owners Association
Billy O’Donnell, Jr.
19 Dodge Rd.
Hampton Falls, NH 03844
IA Greyhound Association •
T
he Iowa Department of Agriculture , Horse and
Dog Breeding Bureau wants to thank all of the
owners and breeders who took the time to attend
our meetings in Des Moines. Your care and
thoughtful participation enable us to grow and improve all
aspects of our Iowa Bred Program. We appreciate your
patience and shared insights with those of us new to your
industry.
One of the suggestions put forth during our meetings
was to designate an IGA Director as a liaison for the
owners and breeders with the Department of Agriculture.
This position would enable the greyhound owners and
breeders to make one effective phone call regarding their
concerns, rather than multiple, ineffective contacts. This
would also provide anonymity for callers, should it be
preferred. The Horse and Dog Breeding Bureau would
welcome this initiative.
Livestock Inspector Sam Burnight, had the privilege
of watching the largest State Bred Greyhound Race in
the world at Bluffs Run Greyhound Park. We want to
congratulate owner James Wilshusen, the Mickim Kennel,
and trainer Jeff Gubbels on KJ’S YUKON GOLD’s win in
the $450,000 Greyhound Iowa Breeders Classic.
Next year the Department of Agriculture looks forward
to attending the Dubuque Breeders Classic at Dubuque
Greyhound Park, as well as the $500,000 Greyhound
Iowa Breeders Classic at Bluffs Run Greyhound Park.
In the past 7 years, your Iowa Bred Program has grown
40%. It is now the number two greyhound program in
the country. Iowa bred greyhounds provide a $36 million
economic impact on the state of Iowa. The Department
of Agriculture looks forward to meeting each of you at the
January membership meeting and to working with you as
the Iowa Bred Greyhound Program continues to grow.
Saturday, November 5, Bureau Chief Jill Paxton and
Book Order Form
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• IA Greyhound Association
Send order with payment to:
Beverly Yates
Gloria Sanders
R
O
21767 Juniper Road
2397 Utah Avenue
Underwood, IA 51576Thor, IA 50591
(712) 322-7430
(515) 378-3183
Bluffs Run
Hit Em Up Lennox
$60,000 Fall Futurity
by Mark Pendgraft 9/22/07
Saturday, September 22, 2007 marked the 22nd Fall
Futurity at Bluffs Run. A lot of history behind the Fall
Futurity and tonight just added to the history.
KJ’S YUKON GOLD
is richest Iowa Bred
by Mark Pendgraft 11/4/07
The $450,000 Iowa Breeders Classic Champion, KJ’S
YUKON GOLD became the richest Iowa Bred for 2007.
Winning the $450,000 Iowa Breeders Classic and taking
home $211,500.00. KJ’S YUKON GOLD has earned
$267,870.00 for 2007, as of 11/4/07.
KJ’S YUKON GOLD (Trojan Cruze – Lady Schia) Owned
by James Wilshusen, racing for the Mickim Kennel and
Trained by Jeff Gubbels. His post position out of the #1
hole made him a huge favorite. He would break on top
and hang on for the win.
Hit Em Lennox (Stan’s Boy Flyer – Hit Em Up Style) racing
for Seastrom Kennel, Inc., trained by Jim Lovely and
owned by David Cottle raced out of the #1 post position.
Like most early speed, rail, greyhound tracks, the #1
post position is a favorable post position. Once Lennox
made it to the first turn he was sitting second, however
the more important part was his position, along the rail.
Holding the inside, along the rail, Lennox took the lead
by the time he made it out of the first turn. Once Hit Em
Lennox took the lead, nobody was catching him.
What made this a touch of history?
The Seastrom kennel has been at Bluffs Run since 1986,
just as long as the Fall Futurity. However the Seastrom
kennel has never won the Fall Futurity. Now the Seastrom
Kennel can be added to the record book.
The win for the Mickim Kennel would break a couple of
records, when it comes to the Iowa Breeders Classic.
The Mickim Kennel now holds the record for most I.B.C.
wins, (3) and Trainer Jeff Gubbels would also make the
record book for most wins in I.B.C. (3).
Owner James Wilshusen was gleaming from ear to ear
in the winners circle Saturday Night. Not only did he own
winner KJ’S YUKON GOLD but going unmentioned was
litter mate Kj’s Kayla Girl, she finished 6th. Not a bad day
for Owner James Wilshusen, that kind of day would give
anyone a reason to gleam from ear to ear.
Congratulations to the Mickim Kennel, Trainer Jeff
Gubbels and Owner James Wilshusen.
IA Greyhound Association •
Donna Lovely retires
after 16 years with
Bluffs Run Greyhound
Adoption Program
By Donna Lovely
Just like a greyhound that has performed to the best of their
ability for many years, there comes a point when you need to
take an honest look at their career, and make the decision that
it’s time to “retire to the couch.”
After 16 years of running the Bluffs Run Greyhound Adoption
Program, that moment finally came for me. It was with mixed
emotion that I submitted my resignation, or request for
“retirement,” a few months ago to Rory DeSantiago, Director of
Racing, at Bluffs Run.
After following several leads for a possible replacement,
on Nov. 1, Bluffs Run announced that they have secured a
working contract with the Heartland Greyhound Adoption
group out of Bondurant, IA, and that Bluffs Run greyhounds
will continue to receive the safety net that pet adoption in
retirement offers through a track funded, responsible process.
The Bluffs program began back in January of 1991, when
greyhound racing was still relatively new to Iowa and the
Council Bluffs/Omaha area.
Under the direction of the insightful George “Chub” Beno,
who was at the helm of the Iowa West Foundation, the
program was set up as one of the few track funded programs
in the country to provide adoption as the option for greyhounds
that performed at Bluffs Run.
Its intention was to house and care for 12 greyhounds at
all times that had raced for the various contract kennels at
Bluffs Run. Also to educate and expose the public to a breed
of dog that they should consider as a pet, that had only been
seen under racing conditions. Prepare both dog and possible
adopting home for the transition involved, screen off potentially
unsuitable homes and environments, play the role of vet tech/
animal behavioralist, promote and represent the racetrack,
greyhounds, breeders, and trainers, and be available 24-7, 365
to basically handle all public relations that deal with any and all
animal welfare aspects of greyhound racing, whether they be
directed from the public at large, or the press.
Most people don’t realize that it is not the pari-mutuel patron,
or even the fan of greyhound racing that considers adopting a
greyhound. In most cases, it is just the opposite.
The Bluffs program had the unique benefit of actually
operating at my farm in southwest Iowa, rather that at a
racetrack, and having the dogs away from the racetrack
environment helped them immensely in understanding the
game was over, and that they needed to broaden their
horizons. This was not always an easy task for a five year old,
capable racer, who knows no other way.
I can honestly say that I have always felt it was a huge
benefit to the industry to allow the public to visit and view a
small greyhound farm during the adoption process, and the
10 • IA Greyhound Association
education it had on helping them to understand a greyhound’s
true living and working environment.
Needless to say, there are a million humorous and interesting
stories I can tell from my experience as the Program Director
over the years. Of course, there are many sad ones as well.
The dogs I have known, the people I have met, the lives I have
changed, in the end placing 1,000 greyhounds to date that
reside in 26 states, including Canada. To maintain constant
open-house conditions at your home and your greyhound
farm is certainly not an easy thing to do, especially when you
are dealing with live animals, in year-round, very inclement and
harsh Midwest weather conditions.
Some day if you see me, you might ask me about the
day my dear husband, who on a whim, decided to invite the
Governor, his wife, and their entire staff and press entourage
over to see the farm. It was a mid-summer day of about 99
degrees, with a humidity level of approximately the same,
and Jim announced to me that they would be arriving within
moments. If the purpose of the visit was to give the Governor a
sense of just exactly what sort of economic impact greyhound
farms, breeders, the Adoption Program, and the industry has
on the state, then the visit went extremely well, but when we
opened the door to the puppy house, knowing there were
four litters of six-week old pups, just learning to paper train,
to say I held my breath in anticipation is an understatement at
best. Thankfully, the stars must have been shining on me that
day, as there was not one single mess to be found! Mission
accomplished.
One other story I must tell you before I sign off, is of a
newly hired Public Relations Director at Bluffs Run many
years ago. While it was commendable that this gal wanted to
promote greyhound racing, and wanted to use her “creative
flair” in doing so, she made a request that I will never forget.
She wanted me to furnish two racing greyhounds that she
envisioned laying on a blanket, off lead, in the middle of
Memorial Park, in downtown Omaha, with a plate of grapes
and cheese in the middle of the blanket, and two glasses of
wine beside them. “Yup, I’ll get right on that,” I told her when
she called. I hung up the phone, not knowing whether to laugh
out loud, or cry.
Three days later I called her back and told her I had
everything lined up as she asked, and we shot the ad
EXACTLY as she envisioned it, without a hitch, and I chuckled
under my breath during the entire shoot. (I will forever be
thankful to my adoption family, Barb Piper of Lincoln, NE, and
her two greyhounds, Summ Eager Echo and Godiva, who
she had worked extensively through obedience since their
adoption).
There have been elderly families, young families,
handicapped families, families who have great intentions,
but no clue about greyhounds, nursing homes, families who
were grieving the loss of a pet and had very big shoes they
wanted to refill, the boating and camping families, the longhaul truckers, the professionals, and the inevitable family that
owned five cats.
In the end, the Adoption Program came a long, long way
from the very first appearance I made back in 1991, when
people either literally ran out of the way at the sight of such a
big dog, or stopped to give me their “expertise” on just how
greyhounds were treated, although it was clear they knew
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– continued on 12 8
Greyhound Pets Of America
1-800-366-1472 - Gloria
evergreen@dtnspeed.net
Heartland Greyhound Adoption
1-515-967-6564
www.heartlandgreyhoundadoption.org
Bluffs Run Greyhound Adoption
1-712-622-8334 - Donna
Lovelygreyhounds@aol.com
Dubuque Adoption
Corey 563-451-3851
Quad Cities Adoption
Janet 309-737-0652
We need to all be responsible
greyhound breeders. Please place your
greyhounds with a responsible adoption
group. When homes are screened prior to
placement, they are less likely to end up
on the street or at the Humane Society.
We are always in need of more
adoption people. There are grants
available to help get a facility set up. You
must be licensed by the state.
Pet Poem
Author: unknown
Now I lay me down to sleep
My human’s bed is soft and deep
I sleep right in the center groove
My human beings can hardly move!
I’ve trapped their legs,
They’re tucked in tight
And here is where I pass the night
Peacefully, without a doubt
‘Til morning comes and I want out!
I sneak up slowly to begin
Nibbling on my humans’ chins
They soon awake to care for me
‘Cuz I’m their critter, don’t you see?
Now morning’s here and time to play
(I always seem to get my way!)
From first light to the setting sun
I count my blessings one-by-one!
So, thank you, Lord, for giving me
These human people that love me tight
And share their bed with me at night!
IA Greyhound Association •
11
Dubuque Greyhound Park &
Casino’s 2007 All Star Team
Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino announced its 2007
greyhound All Star Team (Hot Box). At the end of each season
the racing office picks out the top eight greyhounds that they
believe stood out from the rest.
This year’s captain of the team, starting in postposition
number one, JD Titanium, of the Stidham & Stout Kennel,
came in from St. Pete in late April and schooled in with a win.
Picked to run in the $2,000 Inaugural, he finished in second
place. In July he won the $45,000 King & Queen Stakes. As
an Iowa bred he was put in the $230,000 Iowa Breeders’ Cup,
but ran short of points to make it in the finals but did have
enough to make it into the $20,000 Iowa Bred Consolation.
He finished the season off as the top point win leader and was
voted Greyhound of the Year.
In postposition number two, Pat C Game Face of the Pat
C Greyhound Kennel, started his career at Dubuque as an
overage maiden. He worked his way up to grade A and
stayed there for the majority of the season. He was put into
the $45,000 Future Star Stakes, but just ran short of points to
make it into the finals. His claim to fame though was winning
three out of the four rounds in the $230,000 Iowa Breeders’
Cup and winning the finals with impressive drive from last
place.
In postposition number three Galebutterfinger of the Dog
Patch Kennel, came in from Valley Greyhound Park as a grade
C and was moved right into 3-8ths. After winning a couple of
races, she was moved over to 7-16ths, where she was tough
to beat. They moved her back to 3-8th for the Dubuque Classic
Stakes and it turned out to be a good decision, since she won
the $55,000 event.
In postposition number four Git N Stormy of the Sweetcorn
City Kennel, came to Dubuque in May and broke in as a
maiden. She moved up to grade B, just in time for the Future
Star Stakes, where she seemed to come into her own at the
right time to win the $45,000 Future Star Stakes. Git N Stormy
finished out the season as a solid grade A.
In postposition number five Bringingittolife of the Iowa Racers
Kennel, came to Dubuque in May and broke in as a maiden.
He worked his way up to grade A, just in time for the $45,000
Future Star Stakes, where he finished fourth in the finals. Being
an Iowa Bred, he was put into the $230,000 Iowa Breeders’
Cup and was the ninth place finisher in points. This put him
into the $20,000 Iowa Bred Consolation race that he won with
an impressive seven-length lead.
In postposition number six, Shrewd Operator of the Iowa
Racers Kennel, came from Bluffs Run in April as a grade A.
He was put in the $2,000 Inaugural race that he won by four
lengths. He then ran in the $45,000 King & Queen Stakes,
where he made it into the finals. Shrewd Operator never
dropped out of grade A for the whole season of 33 starts.
In postposition number seven Thrill A Minute of the Dog
Patch Kennel, came to Dubuque in May, from Bluffs Run as a
grade C. It was decided to run a 3-16ths race each Saturday
night for the race fans to have something different to bet on,
12 • IA Greyhound Association
little did we know that
a champion 3-16ths
dog would come out
of it. Thrill A Minute just
seemed unstoppable with 14 wins out 18 starts in 3-16ths and
breaking the 3-16ths track record (17.47) but then breaking it
again (17.41) two months later.
And rounding off the field in post position number eight,
Hawkeye Bound of the Iowa Racers Kennel, came to Dubuque
in April, as a grade A from Bluffs Run. She was put in the
$55,000 Dubuque Classic, where she ran the fastest Dubuque
Course time of the season (38.98) and made it into the finals.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– continued on 14 8
8Lovely––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– continued from 11
nothing of what they were talking about.
Unfortunately, as my reputation as “the greyhound lady”
grew, so did my responsibilities and commitments to the
greyhounds.
Pressures to be all things to all greyhounds is more than
I had originally bargained for, and the mission of supplying
a safety net for 12 greyhounds that have competed and
completed their careers at Bluffs Run became confused
with the mission of trying to place puppies for breeders,
senior breeding greyhounds, greyhounds that were owned
by transient families, who no longer wanted them, and
greyhounds who had not been placed through the program,
but had ended up at a Humane Society, sometimes local, but
many times, not so local.
Again, like the heart of a greyhound, I gave it my all, and I
always gave it my best effort. In reflection, I can say that my job
has been an honorable and rewarding one, and I treasure the
many photos and handwritten letters attesting to the profound
love so many greyhounds I have placed over the years have
received.
I would like to thank the many families who volunteered at
various events and who opened their hearts and their homes
to these beautiful greyhounds. I would also like to give my
heartfelt appreciation to Bluffs Run, Iowa West Foundation,
Gloria Sanders, Bob and Suzy McKinnon, Steve Sigafoose,
Bev Yates, and last but not least, my husband, Jim. I will
always be appreciative to them for their efforts in supporting
and promoting greyhounds and greyhound adoption.
It’s funny now, 16 years after the inception of the Bluffs Run
Greyhound Adoption Program, wherever I go, or whoever I talk
to, EVERYBODY knows someone who either owns or who
has owned a greyhound. There is a great deal of satisfaction
in knowing that this wasn’t always the case and I am honored
to have represented Bluffs Run in “doing the right thing” for the
sake of the dogs, and for the role I played in making this so.
Now, can someone PLEASE fluff up the pillows on that
couch and feed me some grapes?
Yours in the love of greyhounds,
Donna Lovely
Molotov’s “Heir Apparent”
$
Fee:
750
Frozen Semen Only
IA Greyhound Association •
13
8All Stars––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– continued from 12
Post #1 (Captain)
JD Titanium
(Greyhound of the Year and top win leader for the
2007 season)
($45,000 King & Queen Champion, Finals of the
$20,000 Iowa Bred Consolation)
(Second in the Dubuque Inaugural, Fastest 5-16th time
of the season 30.37)
Stidham & Stout Kennel
Post #2
Pat C Game Face
($230,000 Iowa Breeders’ Cup Champion)
Pat C Greyhound Kennel
Post #3
Galebutterfinger
($55,000 Dubuque Classic Champion)
Dog Patch Kennel
Post #4
Git N Stormy
($45,000 Future Star Champion)
Sweetcorn City Kennel
Post #5
Bringingittolife
($20,000 Iowa Bred Consolation Champion, Finals of
the $45,000 Future Star Stakes)
Iowa Racers Kennel
Post #6
Shrewd Operator
($2,000 Dubuque Inaugural Champion, Finals of the
$45,000 King & Queen Stakes)
Post #7
Thrill A Minute
(14 wins out of 18 3-16ths starts, set new track
record twice for the 3-16ths course)
Dog Patch Kennel
Post #8
Hawkeye Bound
(Fastest Dubuque Course time of the season 38.98)
Finals of the $55,000 Dubuque Classic)
Iowa Racers Kennel
14 • IA Greyhound Association
Dubuque Greyhound
Park & Casino’s 2007
Greyhound of the Year
The 2007 Greyhound of the Year at Dubuque is JD
Titanium. Owned by Jon Stidham, this 73 pound red
brindle male, Iowa Bred, was born April 8, 2005. His
parents are Galena and Terri Lynn.
JD Titanium schooled in at Bluffs Run at the beginning
of 2007. He was then sent down to St. Petersburg,
where he had 19 starts, with six wins, two seconds, one
third, and one fourth. He was sent to Dubuque at the
beginning of the racing season, starting out as a grade A,
where he stayed the whole year.
JD Titanium added to his status on July 4, when he
won the $45,000 King and Queen’s stakes at Dubuque.
He finished up the season on top of the win leader board
with 17 wins out of 32 starts. Two more wins than the
second place finisher. His final stats for the 2007 season
at Dubuque are 32 starts, 17 wins, six seconds, two
thirds, and three fourths.
Git N Stormy wins 2007
$45,000 Future Star Stakes
It’s not often when a kennel can say their dogs covered
the whole trifecta ticket, but Sweetcorn City Kennel can
brag about it all they want with four of their dogs making
it into the finals of the $45,000 Future Star Stakes event
and finishing first, second, and third to pay out a $127.40
trifecta ticket.
The $45,000 Future Star Stakes started out with 48
greyhounds whelped March 2005 or later, that have won
their first official race at Dubuque Greyhound Park &
Casino this meet.
Ron Hanson, trainer for the Sweetcorn City Kennel was
very happy about getting four dogs into the finals and
believed his dog could win from the eight hole, but had
no idea that his kennel could pull off taking first, second,
and third.
As the race went off, Rido’s Isabel, of the Sweetcorn
City Kennel, took the lead early in the race and held on
all the way to the final stretch until Git N Stormy, also of
the Sweetcorn City Kennel, came from the back of the
pack and drove right by Rido’s Isabel to win the 2007
Future Star Stakes. Rido’s Isabel held onto second place,
followed by Tapco Karalexis, who kept with the leaders
throughout the race to take third place. Fourth place
finish was taken by Bringingittolife, of the Iowa Racers
Kennel, who came from last place.
Pictured left to right: Jean Hallahan, Director of Mutuels; Brian
Carpenter, Director of Racing; Luetta Rider, owner of the Sweetcorn
City Kennel; Alexandrea Popa, Leadout; Robby Michels, Racing
Secretary; Ron Hanson, trainer for the Sweetcorn City Kennel; Corey
Mihalakis and Tina Voseberg, helpers for the Sweetcorn City Kennel.
Pictured left to right: Brian Carpenter, Director of Racing; Christopher
Collins, Sue Collins’ son; Sue Collins, Assistant Trainer for the Dog
Patch Kennel; Jessica Ricke, Leadout; Robby Michels, Racing
Secretary; Mike Jackson, owner of the Dog Patch Kennel; Lee
Haynes, trainer for the Dog Patch Kennel; Nicole Jackson, wife of
Mike Jackson; Dawn Templeton, helper for the Dog Patch Kennel;
Galebutterfinger, 2007 Dubuque Classic Champion.
Galebutterfinger wins 2007
$55,000 Dubuque Classic
The Dog Patch Kennel dominates the $55,000
Dubuque Classic. Mike Jackson, owner of the Dog Patch
Kennel, was just happy to have three greyhounds make
it to the finals. Little did he know that his kennel would
monopolize the race, taking first, second, and fourth.
Galebutterfinger and Kiowa Nephew, both owned by
Vince Berland, were the stars in this special stakes event
taking first and second. Galebutterfinger, who was the
lowest point-getter to make it into the finals, broke out
into the middle of the pack. She kept a steady drive to
the stretch, where she turned on an unbelievable rush
to go around the leader and become the 23rd annual
Dubuque Classic Champion. Kiowa Nephew, who led the
majority of the race, could not hold off its kennel mate
and finished second place.
The favorite, O Ya Mr. Black of the Clayton Black
Kennels, was trying to make history at Dubuque by
winning the Dubuque Classic two years in a row. O Ya
Mr. Black, who needed an inside post broke poorly,
coming out of the six hole. Working his way through
traffic, he put on an impressive stretch drive to take third
place. Taking fourth place was the final dog of the Dog
Patch Kennel, Slatex Heart. Slatex Heart kept a steady
pace all the way around the track and was only a length
away from giving the Dog Patch Kennel a clean sweep of
the top three places.
IA Greyhound Association •
15
2008
Membership Application
MOVED?
Call us today!
Iowa Greyhound Association
Application for ❑ New ❑ Renewal
PLEASE PRINT
Name__________________________________________________________________________________________
Postal Address___________________________________________________________________________________
City/Town____________________________________________State_____________________ Zip______________
Phone Numbers
Home: (__________) - _____________ - _________________________
Business: (__________) -_____________ -_________________________ Fax:_______________________
E-mail: ____________________________________________________
❑ Yes ❑ No
❑ Kennel ❑ Trainer ❑ Other
Are you licensed by the IA Racing and Gaming Commission? If “yes” indicate which type of license: ❑ Owner Is your interest in greyhounds:
❑ An investment ❑ A hobby ❑ A full-time business
❑ Other:_________________________________________
The IA Greyhound Association is a nonprofit organization. The purpose of the Association is to promote the breeding,
training, and the welfare of the greyhound in the State of Iowa. Membership in the corporation is open to any individual
who supports the objectives of the Association (one of which is the annual recipient of the dog racing promotion fund
from the IRGC), has paid any required dues, and has met any specific membership requirements.
Yearly membership dues are $25.00 for VOTING members. The election of the board of directors and officers is
held during the ANNUAL general membership meeting, the third Saturday of January. For any member to be
considered ACTIVE and to participate in the January election, you must have been an ACTIVE member for one year
prior to voting. Your dues shall be paid and received by the corporation (NO EXCEPTIONS) by December 31
of the year preceding the vote and approved by the membership committee.
Memberships paid from September 1 are good for the following year. It is the member’s responsibility to make sure
their dues are paid PRIOR to December 31 DEADLINE.
Signature_____________________________________________________ Date______________________________
SEND this membership application form and payment for $25.00 to
Iowa Greyhound Association
Alan Hill, IGA Treasurer
15768 300th Street
Radcliffe, IA 50230
515.893.2366 - e-mail: ahill@netins.net
16 • IA Greyhound Association
January 10, 2008 Stoney Creek Inn, Johnston
March 6, 2008 Stoney Creek Inn, Johnston
April 17, 2008 Diamond Jo Worth, Worth
County
June 5, 2008 Wild Rose Emmetsburg,
Emmetsburg
NOTE: Agenda submissions are due in the commission’s Des Moines
office ten business days prior to the meeting.
The commissioners can be reached at the Commission Office, 717
E. Court, Suite B, Des Moines, IA 50309 - 515.281.7352 - fax number
515.242.6560
Gerald Bair lives in Ankeny. He served as Director of the Iowa
Department of Revenue and Finance for 27 years and is currently a
consultant for NCR Teradata Division. (Independent)
Kate Cutler lives in Honey Creek. She is legal counsel for Omnium
Worldwide, Inc., in Omaha. (Democrat)
Diane Hamilton lives in Storm Lake. She serves as a community
volunteer. (Democrat)
Toni Urban lives in Des Moines. Commissioner Urban’s political
affiliation is Democrat. Commissioner Urban can be reached at 214 Foster
Drive, Des Moines.
Greg Seyfer lives in Cedar Rapids. He is a real estate law and
business law attorney. His term on the Commission expires April 30, 2007.
(Republican)
Advertising
Information
All ad copy, corrections, additions, cancellations, etc.
must be received on or before the first of the month prior
to IGA publication (March, June, September and December).
All ads must be submitted camera-ready
or ad will be returned.
Full page ad............................................................. $50.00
Half page ad............................................................ $30.00
1/3 page ad.............................................................. $25.00
1/4 page ad.............................................................. $25.00
You MUST advertise in the IGA publication for your ad
to run at no additional fee for the website. Your ad will
be run for 3 months, until the next publication, or you
cancel.
Send ad copy to:
IA Greyhound Association
Gloria Sanders
2397 Utah Avenue
Thor, IA 50591
IA Greyhound Association •
17
Dubuque Greyhound Park &
Casino’s 2007 Trainer of the
Year, Scott Robinette
Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino congratulates
Scott Robinette as the 2007 Trainer of the Year. Scott
has been around greyhound racing his whole life. He
was born and raised in Tucson, AZ. At the age of 10, he
began helping his father in the kennel. Scott furthered his
racing career as a Lead-out, Kennel Master, Brakeman,
Starter, and Clerk of Scales at Phoenix Greyhound Park.
In 1995, Scott graduated high school and began
working as a helper for a kennel in Phoenix. In 1997, he
moved to Colorado to work as an Assistant Trainer for
Plum Creek Kennel. Two years later he moved to Kansas
to become a Trainer for the Plum Creek Kennel.
Scott has also trained at Bluffs Run Casino in Council
Bluffs, IA, Hollywood Greyhound Park in Florida, Gulf
Greyhound Park in Texas, and Phoenix Greyhound Park.
He is currently in his second year as Trainer for his
brother’s kennel, The Iowa Racers Kennel, who is battling
for first place as our 2007 racing season winds down.
$230,000 Iowa Breeders’ Cup
Champion Pat C Game Face
Pictured left to right: Brian Carpenter, Director of Racing; Bruce
Wentworth, General Manager of Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino;
Robby Michels, Racing Secretary; Lynn Vondren, Leadout; Pat Collins,
owner of the Pat C Greyhound Kennel; Andrew Owen, Assistant Trainer
for the kennel; Larry Chamberlain, Trainer for the Pat C Greyhound
Kennel; Al Stilson, helper for the kennel; Jackie Jerkin, Joe Recker,
owner of Pat C Game Face; Phillip and Virginia Recker, brother and
sister-in-law of Joe Recker.
$2,000 Au Revoir Champion
Pat C She’s Right
Weighing-in Trainer for the Iowa Racers Kennel, Scott Robinette.
18 • IA Greyhound Association
Pictured left to right: Brian Carpenter, Director of Racing; Tracy
Potter, State Steward; Joseph Troutman, State Veterinarian; Robby
Michels, Racing Secretary; Pat Collins, owner of the Pat C Greyhound
Kennel; Alex Popa, Leadout; Andrew Owen, Assistant Trainer; Larry
Chamberlain, Trainer for the kennel; Rhonda Dunbar, State Steward;
Justin Delaney; Presiding Judge.
$2,000 Secretary’s Choice
Champion Pazzo Hawkeye
Pictured left to right: Dawn Templeton, helper for the BlanchardCalabro Kennel; Jean Hallahan, Director of Mutuels; Brian Carpenter,
Director of Racing; Robby Michels, Racing Secretary; Leadout, Audrey
Berfeld; Brian Webb, Trainer for the Blanchard Calabro Kennel; Gail
Toenges, owner of Pazzo Hawkeye; Tiffany Tittle, friend of the kennel;
Jeff and Amy Kelly with children; daughter and grandchildren of Gail
Toenges.
... to the 2007 Trainer of
the Year, Scott Robinette
and the 2007 Greyhound
of the Year, JD Titanium
Pictured left to right: Brian Carpenter, Director of Racing; Scott
Robinette, Trainer of the Year for the Iowa Racers Kennel; Michael
Stout, partner of the Stidham & Stout Kennel; Jon Stidham, partner
of the Stidham & Stout Kennel and owner of JD Titanium; Tammy
Ertl, Trainer for the Stidham & Stout Kennel; Robby Michels, Racing
Secretary; Tanya Hasselmann, helper for the kennel; Cindy Nierling,
Assistant Trainer for the kennel.
$20,000 Iowa Bred
Consolation Champion
Bringingittolife
Pictured left to right: Brian Carpenter, Director of Racing; Cory Ricke,
Leadout; Robby Michels, Racing Secretary; Scott Robinette, Trainer for
the Iowa Racers Kennel; Brian Southwood, Assistant General Manager
of Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino.
IA Greyhound Association •
19
On Halloween a few years back, Rory Goree, president of Greyhound Pets of America,
broadcast Cerberus: The Hound from Hell, on Voice of America out of Phoenix, radio on
the web. Additionally, the play was broadcast around Montana on public radio. The short
story Cerberus: The Hound from Hell, upon which the radio play is based, was originally
published in The Greyhound Review, October 1993. This Halloween, the play was
broadcast a second time on Voice of America, radio on the web.
You can listen to the whole thing at this address:
www.greyhoundsmakegreatpets.org
What follows are Parts I and 2 of 9 Parts. The entire broadcast is a radio half hour of 21
minutes.
Illustrations by Tom Quinn of Spokane, Washington.
Tom Quinn, illustrator of McKinnon’s Moose, Bruce and the goose and Down Under Jones,
recently finished a huge mural, highly praised in various publications, for Horizon Airlines
at the Spokane airport.
Robert Scott McK innon’s
CERBERUS: THE HOUND FROM HELL
FADE IN:
(Part 1)
PUBLIC ADDRESS: (Mike squeaks; Call to the Track fizzles; somebody drops
something)
MADDOG MCDERMUTT: Get that thing fixed!
PUBLIC ADDRESS: (Again, trumpet, kind of sick; mike squeaks)
PUBLIC ADDRESS: Ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to Grassy Meadows
Greyhound Track. And happy Trick or Treat, all you greyhound fans, on this
October 31 Halloween evening. It is now ten minutes before post time.
NARRATOR: Hi everybody. I am your narrator. My name is Bobby Mack, and I
am a dog trainer. Tonight, it is a very still night, and we are under a full October
moon. My fellow dog trainers of Grassy Meadows Greyhounds have gathered
railside, down by the finish line, for the evening’s first race, as we always do.
NARRATOR: However, it is October 31, Halloween, and in honor of the occasion,
Maddog McDermutt, the world’s most famous dog trainer, just ask him, in his pink
jump suit, filthy Stetson, Siberian cross country ski boots, and a reversible VOTE
DEMOCRAT - VOTE REPUBLICAN button, studies RACE ONE of a racing
program through a pair of joke store Groucho Marx glasses.
20 • IA Greyhound Association
MADDOG MCDERMUTT: I kind of like this number one dog here. What do you
guys think?
NARRATOR: Pooch the Mooch McGill, in a tux several sizes too small, pretends
to rest peacefully in a cardboard box, a fluffy pillow for his head, the old corpse in
the coffin routine. (magic music) He sits up, surprised, like he could very well be a
zombie, or such.
POOCH THE MOOCH MCGILL: Hey everybody! Boo!
LITTLE ELSIE: Boo yourself!
NARRATOR: That was Little Elsie, Maddog’s sidekick.
MADDOG MCDERMUTT: We’re never too old to have a little fun, eh boys and
Little Elsie? Trick or treat?
NARRATOR: And it is fun, but overdone, if you ask me. (Bubbles and water
sounds) Jake the RakeSmith, Mangy Martinez and Stan Dupp, dressed as the three
witches in MacBeth, surround a big pot, blinking, steaming, and bubbling. They stir
enthusiastically with broom handles.
NARRATOR: It was good Halloween, and we trainers had gone to a lot of thought
and work and practice, and everybody hoped the fans and race track management
took the time to notice. I myself had chosen Dracula, mainly because I had the fangs,
had them since fifth grade, and so I myself wore a black suit, a red hanky in the
breast jacket pocket, slicked my hair straight back, and put on some makeup around
the eyes. It was the fangs that made it though. (hiss) "You guys look marvelous," I
said, and everybody joined in, (ad libs; party noise makers go off) congratulating
each other and going on about how great we dog trainers looked.
NARRATOR: A big sign leans against the pot: ADOPT A RETIRED RACING
GREYHOUND. Ben Dover is a pumpkin, a big orange ball, with holes for mouth,
nose, eyes, and arms and legs; he waddles back and forth and around the boiling pot
and three witches.
NARRATOR: Little Elsie, the ghost, wears a sheet with a removable hood.
POOCH THE MOOCH MCGILL: Boo!
LITTLE ELSIE: Boo yourself!
NARRATOR: Fleas Finnegan appears for Halloween as Little Red Riding Hood, a
quaint basket in the crook of his arm, covered with a colorful napkin, with a loaf of
bread and a bottle of wine poking out. Fleas seems embarrassed by the whole thing.
Personally, I thought he looked a little flaky and maybe used bad judgment on his
choice of costume.
IA Greyhound Association •
21
NARRATOR: Anyway, here then, with the exception of one, a certain Ratfink
Rodentia, are the dog trainers of Grassy Meadows Greyhound Track. Behind the
trainers, sitting by themselves, on a bench this side of the grandstands, we dog
trainers have noticed a middle-aged man with a boy of about twelve. (organ music)
(Part 2)
SON: Hey Dad, how come I can’t trick and treat, like all the other kids? This place
is a bummer.
FATHER: The last time you went trick or treating, Son, you tried to burn a
neighbor’s house down.
SON: Guy wouldn’t cough up. Trick or Treat! You know the gig. No treat. Trick
time. Wax the windows. Turn the outhouse over. Put a burning bag of horse manure
on the doorstep and ring the bell.
FATHER: The guy, Son, who used to be our best neighbor, was on vacation in
Hawaii. You’re too old for trick or treat.
SON: It’s Halloween. I had plans.
FATHER: What about the house you covered with toilet paper? For months those
poor people could not get that mess out of their trees. And the house you plastered
with eggs? And even after pressure hosing, they still left stains? And I had to pay
for it!
SON: Trick or treat. Pillar to post. Pay the piper.
FATHER: Precisely. That’s why we’re here. I can’t afford to bail you out of juvenile
detention again.
SON: Who are those people, down by the finish line rail, all dressed up in stupid
costumes? Those aren’t kids; those are adults.
FATHER: Those are the track’s dog trainers, Son. Dressed up for Halloween.
Obviously, a public relations gag for the crowd. Kind of cute when you think about it.
SON: What’s that sign Adopt a Retired Racing Greyhound all about?
FATHER: There is a very popular movement these days to adopt retired racers into
loving homes when they retire. I was thinking..... (spook music)
SON: Hey! You clowns down by the rail! What’s your problem? Act your age!
FLEAS FINNEGAN: Who’s the jerky kid with the big mouth?
MADDOG MCDERMUTT: I don’t know. Do we care?
22 • IA Greyhound Association
SON: Hey! You Circus rejects down by the rail! Why don’t you grow up?
LITTLE ELSIE: I thought you had to be 21 to get in here.
NARRATOR: Maybe the kid and his dad have come to the track to adopt a dog.
MADDOG MCDERMUTT: You gotta be kidden. You’d never find a dog to match
that personality.
SON: Hey! Grownups who dress up in weirdo costumes, like you guys, they put
somewhere.
LITTLE ELSIE: Somebody ought to teach that kid some manners.
PUBLIC ADDRESS: (Mike whines) Ladies and gentlemen. (call of the dogs)
The dogs are on the track for the first race of the evening. Five minutes to post time.
(Mike whines)
FATHER: Well son, your mother and I wondered....would you be interested in
adopting a dog? Greyhounds make great pets.
SON: No thanks.
FATHER: The dog would be your dog, of course. You would have to take care of it,
feed it, walk it, look after it.
SON: You really gotta be kidding. I don’t do dogs.
FATHER: I think you could use some responsibility, Son. You could use a reliable
buddy. Go fishing. Hiking. Teach the dog a few tricks. I understand the Greyhound
is the friendliest, most loyal dog in the world.
SON: No thanks. (to trainers) Hey! You clowns down by the rail. (sings the
ukelele tuning) Your dogs have fleas ....
MADDOG MCDERMUTT: I don’t think I like that kid.
FATHER: (sighs) Give it some thought, Son. (organ music)
IA Greyhound Association •
23
Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino’s
2007 live racing season comes to an end
Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino ended its 2007 live racing season Sunday, Oct. 28, with four stakes races, which
included the $230,000 Iowa Breeders’ Cup, the $20,000 Iowa Bred consolation, the $2,000 Secretary’s Choice and the
$2,000 Au Revior.
The first stakes race of the day was the $2,000 Secretary’s Choice. Eight hand picked greyhounds by our very own
Racing Secretary, Robby Michels. He put together a race that was not an easy one to handicap with five of the top 10 win
leaders in it and a couple of finalists from other stakes races that ran during the season. When the box opened, Rido’s
Isabel of the Sweetcorn City Kennel, broke out on top followed by Pazzo Hawkeye of the Blanchard-Calabro Kennel.
As they entered into the backstretch Pazzo Hawkeye, the favorite of the race, took the lead with Rise To The Top of the
Seastrom-Lovely Kennel chasing him all the way to the finish line. Pazzo Hawkeye won the race by two lengths to be
named 2007 Secretary’s Choice Champion with Rise To The Top in second and Stellar Stella of the Dog Patch Kennel
showing an impressive late drive to take third.
Next was the $20,000 Iowa Bred Consolation race, which featured the ninth through 16th place qualifiers of the Iowa
Breeders’ Cup rounds. The Pat C Greyhound Kennel looked tough to beat with three of the eight dogs running in the
finals. But Scott Robinette, trainer for the Iowa Racers Kennel had the top point getter in the Consolation Race, being that
he missed getting into the finals of the $230,000 Iowa Breeders’ Cup by three points. Bringingittolife of the Iowa Racers
Kennel, did not due to well the last time it was posted in an outside post. As the race went off he quickly took the lead
and pulled away from the field, winning with a 7-1/2 length lead to be the Iowa Bred Consolation Champ. In second place
was Eastboundanddown of the Dog Patch Kennel, who followed the winner and Pat C Rival of the Pat C Greyhound
Kennel took third place after overcoming early trouble and worked his way for a show ticket.
In the 12th race, the highest paying stakes race of the season was the $230,000 Iowa Breeders’ Cup. 112 grade A and
B, Iowa bred greyhounds that had a minimum of 12 official starts at Dubuque during its 2007 season got their chance
to run for this $230,000 stakes event. With 64 greyhounds being cut after the second round, it was very important to
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– continued on 26 8
24 • IA Greyhound Association
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IA Greyhound Association •
25
8Season ends– ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– continued from 24
do well in the first two starts and out of 112 dogs, only one had two wins in the first two rounds, Pat C Trip of the Pat C
Greyhound Kennel.
After the third round four more greyhounds, Nicky Boy of the Blanchard-Calabro Kennel, O’Martin Green of the Copper
Kettle Kennel, Pat C Game Face of the Pat C Greyhound Kennel and WMB Spirit of the L & K Kennel, added a second
win to help them get closer into the finals. After the fourth round everyone found out that it took 48 points to get into the
finals. Pat C Game Face was the top point getter with 61 points and was the favorite to win. When the box opened Pat
C Game Face was dead last and nobody thought he would be able to win it that far back. But he showed us all, working
his way up along the rail with a steady drive, he slipped through on the inside coming down the homestretch with a late
rush to pull off the win and become the $230,000 Iowa Breeders’ Cup Champion. JD Blazing Star of the Stidham & Stout
Kennel gave a winning effort coming down the homestretch to only lose by a half of a length to take second. WMB Spirit
of the L&K Kennel lead the race early but could not hold off the two challengers and finished up in third place.
The last race of the season was the $2,000 Au Revoir that was again hand picked and ran over our Dubuque Course
box, which is 3-8th of a mile long. The Pat C Greyhound Kennel was having a great day of racing with a couple of wins
earlier in the day then winning the $230,000 Iowa Breeders’ Cup and to top it off Pat C She’s Right, who breaks out last
every start and kicks in her late speed, decided to kick her late speed in a little earlier this race ad blew away the field
with a nine-length victory to claim the $2,00 Au Revoir title. In second place was Whole New Level of the Iowa Racers
Kennel and Rockin Recoil of the River Bluffs Kennel, who set the pace early in the race, but just could not hold off the
challengers, finishing in third place.
26 • IA Greyhound Association
Wishing you peace,
love and joy during the
holidays and throughout
the New Year!
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IA Greyhound Association •
27
Greyhound Racing
Live racing May thru October
Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday: Matinees at 1:00
Thursday, Friday and Saturday: Evening at 7:00
Simulcast racing year round
-art
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NEW sta open with
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Watch and wager on a variety of simulcast greyhound races
from; Bluffs Run, Gulf Greyhound Park, Jacksonville Racing
Circuit, Dairyland Greyhound Park and Derby Lane. If your
preference is thoroughbred horse racing call for schedule
information.
CASINO HOURS:
Sunday - Thursday 8 a.m. - 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday 24 hours
Just off Highway 151-61 at the Dubuque-Wisconsin bridge Dubuque, Iowa
1-800-373-3647 www.dgpc.com
28 • IA Greyhound Association