2016 BetAmerica Daytona550 Participant #5 - Boc’s Hank Jr.

Boc's Hank Jr. (Kiowa Mon Manny- Boc's Miss Rodeo) 
Owner: Brad Boeckenstedt or Mickey Hasty
Kennel: Boeckenstedt Kennel
Trainer: Phillip Stapleton
Track: Bluffs Run
Race Record (through November):  (46)  25-5-7-0

The #2 ranked greyhound in the 2015 UGR Top 25 is Bluffs Run representative Boc's Hank Jr. Hank is a powerful early speedster who quite possibly may be the quickest runner in the Daytona 550 field. Bluffs Run is one of the toughest track in the United States. Hank Jr.’s early speed was routinely unmatched at the Iowa oval.

Hank utilized his box break and strong rush to capture America's richest race in October, the $500,000 Iowa Breeders Classic and in doing so defeated last year's Daytona 550 third place finisher Boc's John Luke and the highly touted, two time stakes winner Boc's Sailfish. Owner and breeder Brad Boeckenstedt was remarkably represented by half the field in the IBC final. He will returning to Daytona Beach for a second year in a row for a shot at the national championship.

The Iowa bred son of Kiowa Mon Manny began his career much like his racing style- with a flying start. After breaking his maiden last July in his career debut, he easily went up the ladder to top grade undefeated. He was confidently entered in stakes competition by just his sixth career start. Although precocious, his talent wasn't quite polished enough to win the 2014 Secretary's Choice but did make the final as one the favorites placing fourth. The Iowa-Bred champ went on to close out the year with a third in the 2014 Iowa Breeders Classic.

Hank has finished third in two Bluffs Run stakes finals in 2015 before taking the IBC crown. He just missed making a fourth final by way of a minor injury in late September during qualifying of the Bluffs Finale.

Boc's Hank Jr races out of one of the top racing operations in Iowa. The Boeckenstedt Kennel is enjoying a phenomenal year and controls a 100 win lead over the second place Bluffs Run kennel heading into the final three weeks of 2015. The kennel also finished 2014 #1 in the standings.

Brad Boeckenstedt has a leg up on the Daytona 550 field as he holds experience in traveling to Daytona last year with Boc's John Luke. Last year Boeckenstedt arrived early to school and have two official races over the surface. A similar plan might be in the works this year.
 

Respected dogman, Phillip Stapleton, conditions Boc's Hank Jr and the rest of the kennel in Council Bluffs. An Irishman who came to the states in 1987, Stapleton was chosen as the 2014 Bluffs trainer of the year. He is a clear cut favorite to repeat in 2015 having captured an astounding five stakes finals with four different greyhounds.

Speed is always dangerous at any level. The ability to have a clear run into the first turn is paramount to any runner's success on 550 night. If Hank nails his break he will likely be on the lead and the field will be chasing him home to the wire.