Top 10 Greyhounds Palm Beach Kennel Club January 2014

*The Unstoppable Rob Gronkowski*

Top 10 Greyhounds

Palm Beach Kennel Club

January 2014

The start of the 2014 racing season at Palm Beach is off and running!  Stakes season is in full force and this track is sporting some of the fastest greyhounds in the country right now. Here are my Top 10 Greyhounds currently racing at "The Beach."

#1 Rob Gronkowski ~ 545 Yard Racer ~ Rader Racing

~Last month ranking (#1) 3 straight months as the #1 racer here.

~6 wins this month

The fastest greyhound on the planet right now. The "Gronk" won the prestigious He's My Man Classic on January 18th in a blazing time of 29.25.  The future All-American can now add this title to his Southland Sprint Championship as well as the Fall Puppy Stakes Championship here.  Owner Steve Sarras has confirmed that Gronk will be here for the St. Patrick's Day Invitational and then will travel to other Stakes events around the country. The track record holder for the Royal Palm Course (29.02) is like watching history every time he steps on the track. Amazing racer and no doubt my favorite greyhound here.

#2 JS SpeedyPebbles ~ 545 Yard Racer ~ Pat Collins/Neola Joe Kennel

~Last month #2 (Same ranking) 3 straight months at this ranking.
~3 wins this month

The best rookie racer this track has ever seen. Going into the He's My Man Classic Final, any fan would say it came down to Gronk and Pebbles for the title.  Stumbled the last two races at the end of the month, but there was no doubt that this was the best racer behind Gronk before that. Is currently on a break and should come back ready to go for the St. Pat's Invitational. Has won 72% of her races this season. The best female here as track announcer Mike Jameson would say.

#3 Flying Zinc~ 660 Yard Long Distance Racer~ Royal Racing Team
~Last month - Not Ranked
~1 win this month

~The current favorite to win the James W. Paul Derby in February. Has 3 of the top 4 times this season in the 660. Almost beat the course record on 1/31 by posting a blazing 37.30 time.  Only one win this month because she was on a break getting ready for Stakes season.  Has the rare combo of great rush and outstanding close at this distance. Looks to be in top form at the absolutely right time.

 #4  San Tan Spangled ~ 545 Yard Racer ~Steve Gilster Kennel
~Last month #9 - Up 6 spots, biggest mover on this list.
~3 wins this month

Possibly the best closer here at Palm Beach. Made the He's My Man final and was an outside threat to challenge the Gronk. 29.38 best season time.  Looks to be just getting started with only 18 races so far this season. If Gronk and SpeedyPebbles are off for most of February, this may be your #1 greyhound for my next Top 10 here.  Loves picking off early speedsters at the end of races.

#5 TF Chucky Slick ~ 545 Yard Racer ~ Rader Racing
~Last Month Not Ranked
~5 Wins this month

The only racer here that has beaten JS SpeedyPebbles twice. The box to wire specialist has 15 wins on the season and seems to be getting better every race. Season best time of 29.40. If he gets a rail spot against anybody but the Gronk, mail it in.Has won 48% of his races this season and is currently 8th on the wins list and rapidly climbing.

#6 KB's Like A Fox~ 301 Yard Super Sprint Racer ~ Rader Racing
~ Last month #3 - Down 3 spots
~3 wins this month

Still the best sprinter at "The Beach" but it's not by much. Had a few hiccup races this month, which brought his ranking down. Has 4 of the top 10 super sprint times on the season, including tying the track record of 16.38 on January 4th.  Will need to step his game up even more with Southland stud Bae Sang back to his home course and Blackjack Bryce constantly applying pressure. Currently tied for 1st on the season's win list with 23 and has a good shot of taking the wins title once the season ends in June.

#7 Ghost Buster~ 545 & 660 Yard Racer ~ B & B Racing
~Last month -Not Ranked
~2 wins this month

The hot shot rookie owned by new Facebook buddy Steve Schlachter burst on the scene at the He's My Man Classic taking a surprising 4th.  Switched over to the 660 and immediately ran a 37.51, winning by 10.5 lengths and sporting the 3rd fastest time this season. If he can stay in the hunt during the Final of the Derby in February, could steal the title away from the favorites. Dynamic closing ability on this one and the sky is the limit for how good he could be in either the 545 or 660 distance.

#8 Jawa Bruiser~545 Yard Racer~ Royal Racing Team
~ 2 wins this month
~Last month #5- Down 3 spots

One of the best rushers here.  Has to get the lead to win because closing is not his game.  Track announcer FasTrak Dale's favorite greyhound at this track is always near the front of the pack. Has won 44% of his starts and should be in the St. Patrick's Day Final.

#9 Smokey Joe~ 660 Yard Long Distance Racer ~ Rader Racing
~Last month- Not Ranked
~2 wins this month

The All American transfer from Southland came over with a ton of hype and has not disappointed. Has finished in the top 3 in all but one race since coming over to Palm Beach. Is debatable to me who has a better close between this one and Flying Zinc.  Will be mentioned right along with Flying Zinc and Ghost Buster to win the $50,000 Derby in February.

#10 BlackJack Bryce~301 Yard Super Sprint Racer~ Champions Racing Team
~Last month- #6 (Down 4 spots)
~3 wins this month

The main rival to KB's Like A Fox the last few months. Struggled with consistency at the beginning of the month by winning and then throwing a stinker race right after. Did win 2 races in a row to end the month. 17 wins on the season and sports a 58% win percentage. Should be fantastic watching Like A Fox, Bae Sang and Bryce battle in the coming months on the super sprint course.


Honorable Mention- Relativity, CRT Majestic, PJ Smoke Em Out, Kay Rock Sweet, Storm Control, JS TinkerBelle, PJ Timeless, Bae Sang, Flying The Who, JS Big Mac, CRT Outstanding, Pat C Just Up, JS Angel Touch, PWS Cadishack, Legally Buzzed, San Tan Chisholm, Kiowa Try Tori, SWG Just My Luck, NB's Nice and Easy, Turbo Fire Break, NB's Perazzi, CRT Yusef, Harley Jackie, Atascocita Bette, Fusileer, HS Mallory, CRT Leyla, Kiowa Cain.

January Highlights

~Rob Gronkowski winning the He's My Man Classic on Jan. 18th, going undefeated throughout the tournament. The must see greyhound in America and he runs right here at Palm Beach.

~Super Sprint track time record holder (tied with KB's Like A Fox ~ 16.38) Bae Sang coming back to Palm Beach on Jan. 19th.

~Young racer Ghost Buster running stride for stride with the big dogs here in the He's My Man Classic and immediately having success in the 660 right after the tournament.

~Rader Racing now has firm control of 1st place in the Kennel Standings. A 10th straight title should be expected for Norm Rader and his talented list of athletes racing for him.

Not So Good

~TD's Gator is now 0-64 at Palm Beach. Has not run since January 15th, so it's possible a transfer or retirement maybe happening with this super sprinter.

~Atascocita Golda is not in the Top 10 for the first time all season. Hoping after she gets back from her break that she gets back into top form. One of my favorite racers here.

~Super C Roxee is also out of my Top 10 for the 1st time since September. Her break isn't as solid as it was and cannot close anybody. Currently stuck in the "B" class after having a lot of success in the top class all season long.

~2012-2013 Wins leader Atascocita Henri schooled on 1/15 and finished last. I'll keep an update on this greyhound to see if he gets back into racing here at PB.

James W. Paul Derby

~One of the best fields we have seen in a while.  In my opinion, there are at least 5 greyhounds that could take home the championship.  My pick is Flying Zinc at this point but watch out for Ghost Buster, Smokey Joe, Flying The Who and Kay Rock Sweet. February should be amazing!