Charter Press

Quick Strike wins 2008 Flashy Sir Award!

Quick Strike wins Flashy Sir Award


From the Times Leader Web Site

    TK Quick Strike’s performance during the 2008 racing season was the most dominant ever by a middle distance greyhound at Wheeling Island.
  On April 23 in Abilene, Kansas, Quick Strike will be recognized for his achievements when he is presented the Flashy Sir Award as the nation’s top distance greyhound in 2008. Starz Jenko will receive the Rural Rube Award as the top sprinter in the country last year.
    The awards were announced late last week by The Greyhound Review. Members of the National Greyhound Association and readers of The Greyhound Review magazine cast ballots.
    Charter Kennel trainer Rodney Cooley was ecstatic when learning his distance dandy won the prestigious award.
    “It’s quite an honor to win either the Flashy Sir or Rural Rube awards. It made my year,” Cooley said. “In my heart I feel Quick Strike deserved it and I take a lot of pride in what he did on the racetrack.”
    Quick Strike’s 2008 performance was one for the ages. A few of the highlights from his dream season follow:
    — Won the $10,000 Mountaineer Derby in May after going through the early rounds undefeated.
    — Captured Night of Stars XXI in November.
    — Broke the Wheeling 3/8 track record three times during the year (March, May and July). Holds the current mark of 37.20.
    — Wheeling track win leader with 31 victories.
    — Romped to victories by 17, 13 1/2, 12, 11 1/2 (twice), 10 1/2 (twice), 10, 9 1/2, 9, 8, 7 1/2, 7, 6 1/2 (twice), 6 (twice) and 5 1/2 lengths.
    A July 2005 greyhound out of Flying Penske-Joanne’s Peach, Quick Strike was raised by Dr. Marty Tanner of Texas and sold to Charter Kennel’s Cary Alsobrook at the 2006 NGA Fall Meet.
    Cooley said Tanner deserves all the credit for Quick Strike’s success.
    “Marty (Tanner) made Quick Strike what he is today. He did all the work breeding and raising him,” Cooley said. “I’d also like to thank Cary (Alsobrook) for recognizing Quick Strike’s talent and purchasing him at the NGA meet.”
    Tanner was thrilled one of the greyhounds he raised received national honors. Although Tanner knew Quick Strike had the potential to be something special, he never imagined he would have a year like 2008.
    “I am very proud of Quick Strike,” Tanner said. “He was good the whole year long which isn’t an easy thing to do.”
    Tanner also had special praise for Cooley.
    “Rodney did a super job with Quick Strike throughout the year,” Tanner said. “You have to know when to do something with a greyhound and you have to know when to just let them go.”
    Consistency was one of Quick Strike’s trademarks.
    “In all my years, I’ve never had a greyhound stay as competitive as Quick Strike,” Cooley said. “I rate him up there with some of the best ever.”
    Alsobrook couldn’t be happier.
    “It was a tremendous joy each time we won a stake race, or broke a track record. The ultimate achievement, however, is to enjoy racing an All-American, and more importantly to experience racing a Flashy Sir Award Winner as Quick Strike has done,” Alsobrook said. “The only thing I could expect to make that better will be if Quick Strike is selected as a member of the 2008 All-American Team.”

"Makin Bakin" by Stan Pawloski

"Makin Bakin"
by Stan Pawloski

 Not only is Makin Bakin fast, she's one smart cookie.
    Smart and spoiled.
    Every time Charter Kennel trainer Rodney Cooley or one of his assistants walk past Makin Bakin in the kennel, she lets out a short, high-pitched bark. While she'll gladly accept a stroke of her head, Makin Bakin is looking for a treat and she usually gets one.
    "She's trained us to always have one (treat) in our pocket," Cooley said. "Just like on the track, she knows what she wants and goes after it."
    Spoiled or not, Makin Bakin deserves each treat she receives.
    A February 2005 greyhound out of Lonesome Cry-Can She Cook, Makin Bakin has had a remarkable career and doesn't appear to be slowing down a bit despite turning 4 years old later this month. With three Grade AA wins at Wheeling Island this year, Makin Bakin has now posted top grade victories in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.
    "It takes a special dog to compete for this long at this level. She puts it all out on the line," Cooley said. "When Bakin first came to Wheeling, I thought she had the potential to be a nice Grade AA dog but not what she's turned into. She's exceeded all expectations."
    Makin Bakin's career marks, which include stops at Southland, The Woodlands, Derby Lane and Wheeling, are staggering. In 128 career starts, she has 57 wins, 25 seconds, 14 thirds and 11 fourths.
    Her track-by-track breakdown follows:
    -- Southland (2-2-0-0-0);
    -- The Woodlands (4-2-1-0-0)
    -- Derby Lane (11-1-4-2-3)
    -- Wheeling (111-52-20-12-8).
    "I knew she had the speed to compete at Wheeling, but her consistency has surprised me with all the other early speed dogs," Cooley noted. "She's very determined, very alert. She's not going out there for a little spin ... she's going out there to win."
    Makin Bakin also has shined in stakes competition.
    After winning her first two career starts (Maiden and Juvenile) at Southland in August 2006, Makin Bakin came to Wheeling in September. She never had an official schooling race, but worked out in preparation for The Great American Greyhound Futurity in November 2006 at The Woodlands.
    Makin Bakin made the championship final of the Futurity, but experienced early trouble and finished sixth. Shipped to Florida for the Derby Lane Million, Bakin made the consolation final in March 2007 where she finished eighth after getting bumped early.
    Shortly thereafter, the speed merchant arrived at Wheeling Island which became her home track.
    Despite missing the first two months of the 2007 racing season, Makin Bakin turned in a stellar year. With a victory in the last race of the year at Wheeling, Bakin tied Gable Pimiento for the track win championship with 30 apiece.
    "It was a thrill, a great accomplishment for Bakin," Cooley said. "She struggled a little the last couple months of 2007, but responded with a big effort to share the win title."
    The 2008 racing season proved another banner year for Makin Bakin. She was fourth in the Superstar Challenge in March, fourth in the Wheeling Island Invitational in October and third in the Holiday Sprint in December.
    "It was a special year for Bakin considering her age," Cooley said. "While she wasn't able to win any of the stake finals, it wasn't for a lack of effort."
    Cooley isn't surprised Makin Bakin enjoyed success at each track she graced.
    "Different tracks can take adjustments, but that didn't seem to affect Bakin," Cooley said. "Fast tracks, deep tracks ... it didn't matter to her. She's all heart and she's smart. She just gets up and goes."
    Popping the box is Makin Bakin's game.
    "She's a different dog on the lead," Cooley said. "The way she's been snapping it this year looks like the Bakin of two years ago."
    Makin Bakin has won three out of her last four Grade AA starts this year -- all box-to-wire efforts from the eight hole. She also has a second and a third in her six starts this year.
    Owner Jay Woodhull of Connecticut is thrilled with Makin Bakin's accomplishments.
    "To do what Bakin has done at her age is incredible. She's shined from A to Z," Woodhull said. "Even when she traveled to different racetracks she took it as a new adventure. She's amazing."
    When Makin Bakin's racing career comes to an end, she'll be remembered as one of Wheeling's all-time greats. The numbers tell the story -- 83 percent mark on the pay sheet, 75 percent on the trifecta ticket and a 44 percent winning mark.
    All but a handful of her races have been against Grade AA company.
    "Bakin has been a joy and a lot of fun. I'd love to have 15 more like her," Cooley said. "She was my top dog in 2007, my top sprinter in 2008 and now she's off and rolling this year."
    Charter Kennel's Cary Alsobrook, who raised Makin Bakin, said she "fulfilled every dream a person could ever expect."
    Barry Baldwin, former President/General Manager of Southland Park and now working for the parent company, Delaware North, saw Makin Bakin first-hand when she broke in at the Arkansas track.
    "Makin Bakin is still one of my favorite greyhounds. She won her first two starts at Southland and went right to stake competition at The Woodlands," Baldwin said. "At four years old, she is still holding her own with the very best greyhounds racing at Wheeling. This is the type of greyhound every breeder, owner and trainer hopes for. She tries hard every start and stays healthly practically 100 percent of the time."
    While Makin Bakin is all business on the racing surface, she's a doll baby off the track.
    "She could be a poster child for a positive outlook," Woodhull said. "She's a sweetheart. She's all love."

Time to Vote!

Charter Owners ....Its time to get out the vote!!
 
We will soon be receiving our ballots in the greyhound review for the privilege of voting for 2008  Flashy Sir and Rural Rube awards.
 
The Flashy Sir Award is for the best distance greyhound in 2008 and the Rural Rube award is given to the best sprinter in 2008.
 
Please make sure you vote!!!

Nominated for the 2008 Flashy Sir award is our own Tk Quick Strike !
 
TK Quick Strike (Flying Penske - Joanne's Peach) - Emerged as the best distance greyhound in the country in 2008. Racing at Wheeling Island he put together one of the greatest seasons ever...he broke the 3/8's track record on 3 different occasions...He won a classic NOS event in front of a national audience...he won the 2008 Wheeling Mountaineer Classic in which his performance was one for the ages having gone undefeated in all the rounds...winning by 17 and breaking his own track record...He compiled an outstanding record of 60-31-9-8-3 in 2008. Tk Quick Strike earn the highest honor from Wheeling track Historian Robin Reed who ranked him the best to ever grace the Wheeling 3/8s course. Quick Strikes explosive stretch run is simply awe inspiring to watch. Rodney Cooley who has trained many great greyhounds had the following to say  He's fast ! He's Powerful! He's Explosive! He's Exciting! Cooley adds "He is the perfect 3/8's greyhound. Dr. Marty Tanner who raised this son of Flying Penske x Joanne's Peach said that he is the fastest greyhound he ever raised.
 
 
Nominated for the 2008 Rural Rube award is our own Silver Jones !
 
Silver Jones (Dodgem By Design - Fuzzys Jasmine ) - The late Johnny Biehle wasn't one to boast or tout young greyhounds , one exception was Silver Jones. Biehle was right about Silver Jones...out of Dodgem By Design and Fuzzys Jasmine. Silver Jones competed at Wheeling Island throughout his career...in 2007 he captured the Holiday Sprint ,was runner up in the Winners Challenge and finalist in the Super Star Challenge. Silver Jones has posted All American type numbers in 2008 with a record of 58 /18-19-4-8 that's 84% on the payheet...Jones is fast having dipped below the 30 - Second mark 17 times including his best at 29:51. He is the total package of speed,desire, and intelligences. His bloodlines of Dodgem By Design x Fuzzys Jasmine have been some of the most productive in recent history,add his racing record credentials and you have the total package...who could ask for more!
 
 
Please make sure you vote!!!

SILVER JONES IN GREYHOUND REVIEW

SILVER JONES IN GREYHOUND REVIEW

Silver Jones made the January 2009 issue of the Greyhound Review (click to enlarge):

Charter captures ’08 kennel crown

 

Charter captures ’08 kennel crown

By STAN PAWLOSKI, Times Leader Wire Editor

The third time's the charm.

After finishing runnerup in the Wheeling Island kennel standings in both 2006 and 2007, Charter came out flying in 2008.

The Rodney Cooley-trained juggernaut never eased up as Charter nearly went box-to-wire in winning its first kennel championship since coming to Wheeling in late 2005. Charter captured 575 races while Wayne Ward was second with 531 wins.

"We came out swinging and didn't let up. Winning the kennel championship was a goal we set when we came to Wheeling and it's a great feeling to win it," Cooley said. "We had a nice combination of our own dogs, national dogs, leased dogs, veterans and pups. Just finishing in the top five at Wheeling is an accomplishment with the competition."

Photo: T-L Photo/STAN PAWLOSKI
LEADING THE Charter Kennel to the 2008 win championship at Wheeling Island were, from left, Makin Bakin and TNJ Bonita, held by trainer Rodney Cooley; Ugo Lonesome Boy, with Donnie Finsley; and Silver Jones and TK?Quick Strike, held by Robert Cooley. The five combined for nearly 100 victories.

Next in line behind Charter (575) and Wayne Ward (531) were Darren Henry, 486; Steubenville, 477; Flying Eagles-Miner, 413; Gable, 410; C And C, 404; Arivada-Plum Creek, 389; Lester Raines, 368; A Ray, 353; Douglas, 343; Ryan Farms, 340; Thorne-Abrahamson, 335; Michael Fynmore, 330; Steve Sarras, 300; Wayne Strong, 284 (partial year); Green-Maupin, 232; Cardinal, 228; Majestic, 37 (partial year); and Keota, 30 (partial year).

Charter Kennel's Cary Alsobrook said it's an honor to take top kennel honors at the Wheeling racetrack.

"Winning a kennel championship means we took care of details throughout the entire organization. To win at Wheeling means much more as we are accomplishing some of the highest and most demanding goals in this industry," Alsobrook said. "It has been our purpose to run at the top tracks with the best competition in the nation. The challenge is not work when we are all sharing the fun that comes with success."

Leading the way for the Charter Kennel was TK Quick Strike, the All-American hopeful, with 31 victories. Also in double digit wins were Makin Bakin (19), Silver Jones (18), Ugo Lonesome Boy (16) and TNJ Bonita (13).

"I couldn't ask for a better year out of Quick Strike. He had a monster season," Cooley said. "Makin Bakin may have lost a step, but she still competed at a high level. Jones was a greyhound you could count on all year long."

In addition to capturing the kennel win championship, Charter Kennel was tops in win percentage with 17 percent. Wayne Ward was second with 16 percent followed by Darren Henry with 15 percent; Steubenville and Flying Eagles-Miner, 14 percent each; and Lester Raines, 13 percent.

Charter also led all kennels in trifecta percentage with 44 percent. Next in line were Wayne Ward, 43 percent; Darren Henry and Steubenville, 42 percent each; Flying Eagles-Miner, 41 percent; and Lester Raines, 40 percent.

The Gable Kennel topped the chart with 3,381 starts followed by Steubenville (3,313), Wayne Ward (3,264), Charter (3,222) and C And C (3,209).

Cooley was quick to credit his kennel staff which, includes Patti Cooley, Robert Cooley, Dorothy Tober and Michelle Pavelick.

"We have a great team and everyone contributed to our success," Cooley noted. "Cary (Alsobrook) has been there every step of the way."

Alsobrook said the kennel's success is a team effort.

"It's not just Rodney (Cooley) and myself. It's the farms which contribute greyhounds with the athletic quality required at Wheeling and it's the work and study each greyhound owner puts in to produce quality greyhounds," Alsobrook said. "Every member of the Charter team is a spoke which keeps the vehicle rolling and on track. We take pride in communicating with one another in a very productive manner."

Alsobrook also had high praise for Cooley.

"I can't say enough about Rodney Cooley. He is the captain of the ship," Alsobrook said. "To compete with Charter means you have to go through him. He is one of the toughest trainers to beat and manages this organization in an exceptional manner."

IN THE HOMESTRETCH:

INCHING CLOSER: Kiowa Power Pak posted his ninth straight victory Wednesday afternoon as he moved closer to Casual Casey's all-time track mark of 16 straight victories.

It was not easy as the Steubenville Kennel middle distance ace broke slow and was still racing sixth at the escape. Power Pak made a big backstretch move as he advanced to third, and then with a powerful stretch run, picked off leader AMF Nudge by a neck.

A January 2007 greyhound out of Kiowa Mon Manny-Kiowa More Mar, Power Pak has 21 wins, 7 seconds, 2 thirds and 6 fourths in 40 career starts. He is owned by James E. O'Donnell and trained by Debbie Schweizer.

At Derby Lane, Flying Mancini - a finalist in the $100,000 Wheeling Island Invitational in October - had her winning streak snapped after nine straight victories at the Florida track.

Competing in the semifinals of the Matinee Idol (5/16), Mancini broke second to Reward Trent but was unable to run down the frontrunner.

HOT DOGS: Lester Raines Kennel's USS Ricochet has three straight wins (A, AA) for trainer Joel Roden.

Steve Sarras Kennel's Dennis Eckersley has three victories in a row (C, B, A) for trainer Barbara Long.

Ryan Farms Kennel's Navan has won three out of his last four outings (D, C, B) for trainer Terry Green. Kennel-mate Garros has back-to-back victories (C, B).

Steubenville Kennel's Hallo Cruse Gold (AA) and Kiowa Magnate (A, AA) have back-to-back wins for trainer Debbie Schweizer.

Wayne Strong Kennel's Bella Alexander has two straight Grade AA victories for trainer Laura Dolin.

Arivada-Plum Creek Kennel's Going Toe To Toe has three wins and two seconds in his last five trips for trainer Joe Otto.

Flying Eagles-Miner Kennel's CTW Trail Blazer has two straight victories (A, AA) for trainer Pamela Webb.

Douglas Kennel's Julia WW Gerry has two wins and a second in his last three starts for trainer James Roche. Kennel-mate D's Frank Burns has back-to-back wins (B, A).

A Ray Kennel's Diligent has two victories and two seconds in his last four starts for trainer Joe Palmer. Kennel-mates AMF Sweet Betty has two wins and a second in her last three trips while Djays Coolenough has back-to-back wins (C, B).

Darren Henry Kennel's Braska Bambam has two straight victories (B, A) for trainer Donna Wilcox.

Cardinal Kennel's Witty Girl has two wins and a second in her last three outings for trainer Roger Salem.

Wayne Ward Kennel's WW Gale Irish has back-to-back victories (B, A) for trainer Ron Otto.

Pawloski can be reached at sjpawloski@yahoo.com