News Update:
May 29, 2008
Red Dirt Road sets new win record
Wednesday night Red Dirt Road set a new winmark at Derby Lane. The son of
former All-American BenAwhile collected his 38th win in 70 starts this
season. Red's victory nudges Extruding Dream's 2006-win record of 37.
Margaret Roban Bridges and Dorothy Roban of Ft. White, FL owns Red Dirt Road
that races out of the LaRosa Enterprises kennel. Red is trained by Kim
McAuliffe who also trained Red's father.
Red Dirt Road broke on top, but was briefly challenged by Flying Nirvana who
charged past Red on the outside. By the time the greyhounds rounded the
first turn Red recaptured the lead. There was no doubt that Red Dirt Road
would leave the field behind and score the record-setting victory. Red won
by
six lengths followed Sol Deli, CTW On The Plaza and Flying Nirvana.
Red Dirt Road's appearance in the first half of the Twin Trifecta boosted
the forced out jackpot from a starting $22,000 to over $90,000. Red's first
half combination of (1-8-3) combined with the (2-8-1) back half combination
led by a longshot winner BBR Penske Pal produced a payout of $48,916.90 for
each winning ticket.
Red is the leading sprinter in the LaRosa kennel and is expected to appear
in the starting lineup on Wednesday night June 4, in the T. L. Weaver
Memorial Challenge qualifiers. The stakes final is Saturday night June 7
and is part of the Triple Crown weekend at Derby Lane.
Other News:
While Red Dirt Road is celebrating-he can't loose track of his biggest
nemesis Flying Macbeth who won by nine lengths recording his 35th win in 63
starts this past Monday night. MacBeth held the top spot for months before a
brief layoff. Flying Macbeth is among the considerations in the McAllister
kennel for the upcoming Weaver stakes.
Ballet Lady and Van's Escalade will be returning to Derby Lane today after
exceptional performances in the $85,000 Palm Beach Classic Monday matinee.
Local kennel operator and trainer Mick D'Arcy nearly won the event two
consecutive years when Ballet Lady took advantage of an early jam but was
caught up in a late jam that saw her settle for fourth. Meanwhile, her
kennelmate, Van's Escalade found an opening in the late jam and scored a
second place victory for the "Derby Dogs" and the Mountain kennel. A BIG
CONGRATULATIONS to D'Arcy, Mountain kennel, Palm Beach trainer Ron Lies, Van
Winkle Greyhounds, Ballet Lady and Van's Escalade for their efforts.
Welcome home!
May 28, 2008 | 
Red Dirt Road seeks to break wins record tonight
Tonight will be a big night for celebration in the LaRosa Kennel if their
star sprinter Red Dirt Road wins race 11. Red tied the win record of 37
with 2006 champion Extruding Dream on May 19. Last week Red finished second
while attempting to break the record. Tonight, Red Dirt Road is on track
again in another record-seeking race.
Like his name, Red will wear the red number one blanket when he steps on
track. He will need to watch out for the fleet-footed Lamorge Streaker who
will break next to him in post two. CTW On the Plaza (3) had his win streak
halted at three straight last week and is out for revenge.
Bobbye's Donjuan is five out of six in the trifecta and will break from post
four. Kiowa Logans Run, in post five, has won two of his last three starts.
And he seeks a repeat win from the same five box he scored from in his last
outing.
Greys Nightghost is a superfecta finisher that can't be discounted in the
field. He competes from the six. Next to him is Flying Nirvana who moved
back up in grade two starts ago. Sol Deli completes the field and will break
from the outside eight. Deli has recorded four quiniela finishes during her
past five races. Best of luck to Red Dirt Road.
Twin Trifecta jackpot forced out every Wednesday night
Every Wednesday night the twin trifecta jackpot is forced out at Derby Lane.
The jackpot will begin over $14,000 for the matinee. The Twin Trifecta is
played in races 11 and 13.
Memorial Day Update
Updated news May 25, 2008
Memorial Day Matinee-the final Monday matinee of the summer
Don’t miss our final Monday matinee during our Red, White, or Blue promotion on Memorial Day. Gates open 11:30 AM for Poker, Racing, Simulcast wagering and a delicious BBQ lunch. The Memorial Day matinee will be the last Monday matinee of the summer. Monday evening racing will continue.
During the first 10 races of the day if the number one, two or three greyhound crosses first in any of the ten races, a name will be drawn for $200.00 cash. Enjoy a $6.00 BBQ plate of Chicken or Ribs that includes coleslaw, chips, baked beans and a soda. A combo plate is just a $1.00 more. Poker games begin at 1:00 with continuous play until 1:00 AM.
AND…Watch our Derby dogs Ballet Lady and Van’s Escalade seek the win at Palm Beach in the second annual Palm Beach Classic. Mick D’Arcy owned last year’s winner and hopes his Ballet Lady will dance to victory for the Mountain kennel. GO DERBY DOGS!
Craigie Mr Venus wins Gold Trophy
It has been over a decade since the Lester Raines kennel took home a Gold Trophy Juvenile win. Saturday night Craigie Mr Venus crossed first in the 69th annual running of stakes-the track’s fourth longest running event. The 26 month-old male rocketed out of the box and was never headed when he crossed six lengths in front of his nearest contender.
Craigie Mr Venus is a son of former Derby Lane All American Dodgem By Design and was whelped by Greys Starwishes. Owned by Steven Boyd of OK, who watched the race at derbylane.com was in town to see Craigie win his semifinal. "We are really glad to have won this race," said Lesperance. "I arrived in the Raines kennel shortly after Ellen Ann won the 1996 stakes so this is my first Gold Trophy win for the kennel."
Jeanne Lesperance, Ken’s wife, was hopeful for Venus from the start. The St. Petersburg Times featured Mr Venus as a leading favorite before the series began and Lesperance said that really made the win extra special. "He lived up to the hype," said Jeanne. Craigie Mr Venus is Raines kennel’s top sprinter and will be an entry in the upcoming T. L. Weaver Memorial Challenge.
Craigie Mr Venus paid $11.80 for the win. Second through eighth place was Flyin Home Depot, Kiowa Ice Man, Born To Dream, Flying Regent, Forest Dylan, Deco Ellen Alone and Shadowy.
Mr Venus and Home Depot top Juvenile finalists for Saturday's race
Wednesday night's semifinals produced the eighth contenders for Saturday night's 69th annual stakes. Flyin Home Depot who was a guaranteed finalist that gave a box to wire performance and drew away from his rivals in a six-length victory. The betting favorite paid .20 on the dollar and is the early favorite in the stakes. Designer Style, who went off at 75-1 finished second paying $20.80 to place. Mo Drive, the second longshot finished third to return $7.60 to show. Flying Xylitol, Born To Dream, Little E Nation, WW's Uh Huh and TMC's Trail Boss completed the field.
Craigie Mr Venus,also a leading favorite for Saturday's race went box to wire to keep up with Home Depot. The two recorded 56 points in the series. Jeanne Lesperance, trainer of the Lester Raines kennel was featured in the
St. Petersburg Times and Craigie Mr Venus was highlighted at the onset of the series making it extra special for Lesperance to see Venus in the final.
Kiowa Ice Man pulled off a much needed high point finish to advance him to the final and defend the kennel title for Filpelli & O'Donnell. Flying Regent ran third giving McAllister two shots at the title. Forest Dylan, Deco Ellen Alone, Shadowy, Ww Waffle Crisp and JRH Ashley complete the field. The posts for Saturday's race will be drawn in the Racing Office
tonight at approximately 6:30 PM. The eight that advanced are Craigie Mr Venus, Flyin Home Depot, Deco Ellen Alone, Forest Dylan, Flying Regent, Born To Dream, Kiowa Ice Man and Shadowy. There was a two-way tie for the last
slot between Shadowy and Designer Style, but Shadowy's series record was better. Style is the sub should there be a scratch before posts are drawn tonight.
A MUST SEE EVENT
Red Dirt Road seeks record-breaking win Friday night LaRosa Enterprises Red Dirt Road (Ben Awhile x Izz Our Rags) who tied the 2006 wins record of 37 this past Monday night, is poised to set a new record when he steps on track Friday night May 23. Red Dirt Road will wear the red blanket as he seeks six straight top grade victories in race ten. A win will
nudge Extruding Dream out of the top spot. Kim McAuliffe trains the soon to be three year-old Red. She also handled Ben Awhile during his All American career. "Ben was spunky and loved to give kisses," said McAuliffe. "Red is
so calm and totally focused."
Red's race on Monday that tied the record was exceptional. He broke from post seven where the number eight greyhound cut in front of him bumping him back to last. Red quickly regained composure and began picking off his rivals one-by-one until the wire. Red's explosive finish left fans wanting more and Friday night, they will be witnessing history in the making.
LaRosa could not compliment the owners Dorthy and Mary Roban enough for raising such a wonderful athlete. "He (Red) is really special," said LaRosa."He will eventually break the win record."
Red will have five more weeks of racing to extend the record before the 2007-2008 meet ends on June 30. He has compiled an impressive record since last July of 68-37-15-6-3. Red Dirt Road's race is expected to go off at approximately 10:05 PM, EST Friday night.
DON'T MISS THE BBQ & RED, WHITE OR BLUE PROMOTION MONDAY MATINEE
Join us Memorial Day Monday May 26, as we are drawing for cash during our first 10 races of the matinee AND offering a great BBQ plate special in the matinee. Gates open at 11:30 AM. Leave the BBQ to us and enjoy BBQ Chicken or Ribs for $6.00 that includes backed beans, cole slaw chips and soda. Combo plate is just $7.00.
Enter your name by 12:30 PM on Monday and you will have ten chances to win $200.00 cash. Every time the red (number one), white (number three) or blue (number two) greyhound crosses first in races one through ten, we will draw for $200.00 cash. MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN AND 18 years of age with ID to win cash.