AMF SLEEKSTRANGR STREAKS TO NO. 1 IN THE UGR TOP 25 POLL
By Michael D. Frino
You can’t beat perfection, and that is just what AMF Sleekstrangr accomplished in the two month period ending July 1. The son of Djays Octane and Super C Alexis won all nine of his starts, and managed to set a new Wheeling Island track record of 28.79. The 70 lb. male, owned by Tom Ferris, ascended to the top of the poll recording the second highest score (11.65) in UGR Top 25 history. Only Bella Infrared’s record score of 13.00 in July, 2013 is higher.
Sleekstrangr’s track record- set in the first round of the George Kellas Memorial Sprint Stakes- was an eye opener. He accomplished it, not in box-to-wire fashion, but by seizing the lead on the backstretch and pulling away to win by 11 ½ lengths. In his last five starts, AMF Sleekstrangr’s average margin of victory was an impressive 9 ½ lengths. An injury forced him out of the George Kellas, but word is that Sleekstrangr will return. Born November 2012, it seems this Wheeling powerhouse is just reaching his prime, so here’s hoping his return is sooner rather than later. AMF Sleekstrangr runs for the A Ray Kennel.
In most instances, CBJ Irish Cream’s score of 11.32 would be enough to secure the No. 1 ranking. However with AMF Sleekstrangr’s outstanding performance at Wheeling, the red hot Southland early speedster had to settle for No. 2. Irish Cream has been a consistent top grade performer at Southland, but his performance this May and June has been spectacular. CBJ Irish Cream (Gable Sour Cream-CBJ Jordy Brown) won 9 of 11 starts, and recorded two separate winning streaks of three and four races. His three consecutive wins were in the highly competitive qualifying rounds of the Southland Derby. The 78 lb. male will certainly be one of the favorites to win the Derby scheduled for July 3rd. CBJ Irish Cream races for the Mike Harris Kennel and is owned by Carmen Jorgensen.
One of the top greyhounds in the country this year has been Gulf Greyhound Park’s Need My Moneynow. Making his fourth straight appearance in the top 25, Money is now ranked No. 3. He won 9 of 10 races and his latest lines show seven consecutive wins going into the month of July. Using his early speed, Need My Moneynow (No More Loving-Need A Date) convincingly won the first two rounds of the Diane Whiteley Sprint Stakes. The 68 lb. male will head into the July 4th finals for the DQ William Kennel and owner Sharon Williams as the favorite.
The No. 4 and No. 5 rankings in the poll are occupied by two well-known Derby Lane standouts-both who appeared in the Daytona 550 National Championship. Penrose Lobo returns to the UGR Top 25 in a big way, earning the No. 4 ranking. The 71 lb. male out of Rhythmless and Penrose Ralene was ranked No. 17 earlier this year. Lobo tallied 10 wins in 15 starts this period, and won the T.L. Weaver Memorial Stakes in a record time of 30.21. He is a versatile greyhound that can win from on the lead or off the pace. Penrose Lobo is owned by Joan De Salvo and runs for the Cal Holland Kennel.
Husker Magic continues her impressive run as she appears in the Top 10 for the third time this year. Her No. 5 ranking in this poll was preceded by a No. 1 and No. 2 ranking in our previous polls. In fact, the Daytona 550 winner has actually appeared in five straight Top 25 polls, which should be no surprise considering she is the country’s winningest female. Husker Magic (Rhythmless-Casino Zada) won 6 of 9 races in May and June, and finished second in the Weaver Memorial. The 69 lb. blonde standout also had a remarkable streak of eleven consecutive wins that began in April. Husker Magic runs for the Abernathy Kennel and is owned by the I Mark Kennels.
Oshkosh Fantasia garnered the No. 6 ranking by winning five of seven starts following a third place finish in the 3/8 Southland Derby. The 66 lb. red female, not yet 2 ½ years old, recorded 7 wins in 12 starts over the two month period. She finished out of the money only once, and was second three times. The daughter of Oshkosh Lamont and Oshkosh Icee finished third in the Southland Razorback Classic on Memorial Day. Oshkosh Fantasia runs for the Charter Kennel and owner Larry Pollard.
No. 7 in this poll is Boc’s Sailfish, winner of the $60,000 Secretary’s Choice at Bluffs Run. He was in good form as the stake’s qualifying rounds got underway, winning the first three rounds. In the finals, Sailfish stalked the early leader-kennelmate Boc’s Hank Jr – before making a powerful move and cruising to a 3 length win in a quick 29.97. Boc’s Sailfish (Djays Octane-Boc’s Mc Raisen) won 5 of 9 races in this poll period. His last race in June was a dominating eight length win, clocking the fastest time (30.30) of the day. The 70 lb. male is owned by Brad Boeckenstedt and Mickey Hasty.
It was just about one year ago that Boc’s Hank Jr broke in at Bluffs Run and promptly moved straight up the ladder to Grade A. The son of Kiowa Mon Manny and Boc’s Miss Rodeo has since made it a habit to appear in the UGR Top 25, and is now ranked No. 8. Since reaching Grade A last summer, Hank Jr. has been ranked in four consecutive polls. Boc’s Hank Jr possesses a strong rush to the turn, and can take charge of a race early on. He won 6 of 9 races during the poll period and finished third in the Secretary’s Choice. The 75 pounder is another talented greyhound owned by Brad Boeckenstedt and Mickey Hasty.
Pat C Unplugged moved to Iowa Greyhound Park in May and found the track very much to his liking. He is ranked No. 9. The 72 lb. male won his first five 5/16 races there, and through July 1 showed a record of 5 wins in 7 starts. He is scheduled to run for the King & Queen Championship on July 4. Pat C Unplugged is a versatile performer that usually relies on his strong late rush to bring home a win. Not surprisingly the son of Pat C Clement and Operation Scorch also had a successful stint in 3/8 at Orange Park earlier this year. Pat C Unplugged is owned by Patrick Collins and races for the Collins-Schmidt Kennel.
Wheeling Island places its second greyhound in the Top 10 with AMF Spamwich. The 58 lb. female’s impressive performance in the qualifying rounds of the George Kellas Memorial earned her enough points to edge out another Wheeling standout WW’s Showman for the No. 10 ranking. The Tom Ferris owned greyhound was the only greyhound to go unbeaten in the three qualifying rounds of the George Kellas. With littermate Sleekstrangr scratched from the George Kellas, Spamwich will most likely head into the July 5 finals as the favorite. Overall, AMF Spamwich (Kiowa WW Brother-AMF Push) won 6 of 11 races with four consecutive wins as the poll period closed. Her late outside rush should make for an exciting sprint stake finals.
Just seven greyhounds managed to make back-to-back appearances in the Top 25 Poll. In addition to the greyhounds mentioned above, Sakkara Bowie (No 16), Counselor (No. 18) and Atascocita Pirro (No. 23) can claim that accomplishment. The previous rankings are noted in the Poll.
The introduction of the BetAmerica Bonus Series has placed some added significance to many of the stakes races that are scheduled to crown a champion over the July 4th weekend. The Southland Derby, Diane Whiteley Sprint, George Kellas Memorial, and the IGA King and Queen Stakes are all considered Group A stakes. They are among the nine designated as round one of the Bonus Series. Round two consist of two Group B stakes- the BA Kings vs. Queens Classic at Southland on November 13, and the BA Floridian on December 26. Winners of those two races will receive an automatic bid to the Daytona 550. Additionally, if a Group A winner also wins a Group B stakes, that Greyhound will have the opportunity in Daytona to win the Triple Crown… and earn a $20,000 bonus.
Consequently, it is definitely not too early to think about the 2016 BetAmerica Daytona 550 to be run on January 23. In addition to the two automatic qualifiers, six invitations will be extended to greyhounds based on the UGR Final Top 10 poll, and by a selection committee.
Keeping that in mind, a handful of greyhounds have placed themselves in a very good position. The defending champion Husker Magic, as well as AMF Sleekstrangr, Need My Moneynow, and Boc’s Hank Jr have to be considered as mid-season favorites to receive a Daytona 550 invitation later this year. Certainly there is considerable time before the final poll, and lots can change. Many greyhounds will peak in the second half of the year…we will just have to wait and see how things play (race) out!
How the Poll Works.
The UGR Top 25 Poll utilizes two score components plus bonus points/adjustments in three other categories to give each greyhound a final point total or score.
One score is derived from the greyhound’s individual ranking at their home track. It constitutes approximately two-thirds of the final point total. The rankings are done by poll members representing each of the tracks. The poll members rank the greyhounds they chose as the top five greyhounds presently running at their track. The greyhounds receive points depending on their ranking. The points are weighted according to Track’s Power Rating (TPR) designated by UGR. The TPR will be adjusted when necessary, as the competition level may change at some of the tracks during the year.
The second major component is derived from the UGR Rating Formula based on top grade win percentage, stakes race performance (first and second place), and consecutive wins. Points are again weighted depending on the track’s TPR, and also adjusted for the greyhounds that had limited starts. UGR understands the subjective components of the poll, and plans to tweak the ranking system when necessary to make the poll as fair as possible.
Ten major tracks were included in this poll, resulting in approximately fifty greyhounds receiving a final score. The greyhounds were evaluated based on their performances from May 2 through July 1, 2015. Greyhounds not racing in the month of June were not eligible. Any accolades or records from a prior period were not considered in this poll.
