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. P V I O Z E F S 3 ( B D F J W O J H V 4 O E Z B B Z E T F Q V N 5 £näÉ£ÓÊÝÌÊ£ÊÊUÊÊ£nääÓÎnÓ{ÈÊÊÊ -USTBEOROLDERTOGAMBLE+NOW7HEN4O3TOP"EFORE9OU3TART'AMBLING0ROBLEM#ALL"%43/&&)OWAOR.ATIONAL!(ARRAHS%NTERTAINMENT3UBSIDIARY 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 Name__________________________________________________________________________________________ Shipping Address_ _______________________________________________________________________________ City_______________________________________________State______________ Zip Code__________________ ❑ Down Under Jones Book Quantity__________________ $10.00 (plus shipping) Shipping $_______________________________ Total $_______________________________ Don’t delay – order today! Make checks payable to Iowa Greyhound Association. SHIPPING 1 $3.0011-20 $12.00 2-4 5.5021-3014.00 5-8 7.00 31-4016.00 9-10 10.00 41-5018.00 All orders are shipped U.P.S. or 3rd Class U.S. Mail. • 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 Guaranteed to be the Best in the Business! Attention Everyone! Maintenance Free Crates! Are you tired of sand blasting and repainting your kennel crates every few years? 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Box D Garber, Iowa 52048 DAY CALLS Shop Phone: 563-255-2760 Residence Phone (after 4:00 p.m.) 563-875-2830 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! 1-800-999-2738 Division of Darling International, LLC www.nationalby-products.com qualpet@nbyprod.com * * * Quality Meat at Fair Prices * * * DISTRIBUTED BY: QUAL PET Alabama 334-467-5457 A&B DISTRIBUTING Valdosta, GA 912-244-8218 LGP Cranston, RI 401-722-4600 TRISTATE Beech Bottom, WV 304-394-5400 MIDWEST GREYHOUND SUPPLY Abilene, KS 800-221-9552 or 785-263-4238 DAVIS PACKING Stigler, OK 405-235-2806 COUNCIL BLUFFS FEED Council Bluffs, IA 712-323-7160 DRESSLER’S DOG SUPPLY Kansas City, KS 800-622-4669 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 e h t f o te NEW sta open with now o n i s a c ts! o l s 0 0 1,0 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
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