The come-from-behind win brings Greymeadow Kennel even closer to its first Kennel Standings title.
By BOB PUTNAM
Published June 29, 2003
ST. PETERSBURG - It was just hours before Saturday's stake races at Derby Lane, and Mick Darcy was scrambling.
The trainer for Greymeadow Kennel moved into a new house this week and was frantically searching through a pile of scattered clothes for his lucky blue sport coat. Unable to find it, Darcy put on a gray blazer and hoped for the best.
Turns out, he really didn't need much luck.
Greymeadow Kennel's entry in the 77th St. Petersburg Derby, Greys Marquis, already had the coveted No. 1 box and went off as the favorite at 3-to-5 odds.
The red female also ended up with the win, coming from behind in the backstretch to finish the 3/8-mile race in 37.78 seconds. She paid $3.20 to win, $2.40 to place and $2.20 to show.
"(Marquis) made it awfully close," Darcy said. "She fell behind at the start of the race and I was wondering whether I picked the right jacket to wear. But now that she won, I can keep this jacket around for a few more years."
Black Mack, who was the points leader in qualifying races, ran out of the third post and took the lead around the first turn before Greys Marquis stuck its snout out in front in the backstretch. Both dogs ended up in a neck-straining battle for the wire with Greys Marquis prevailing by a bobbing head.
The win was Greymeadow Kennel's first in the St. Petersburg Derby and helped move the kennel one step closer to wrapping up its first Kennel Standings title outright.
In Saturday's other races, Dotties Dynamo of the Cahill & O'Connor Kennel won the 73rd Consolation Derby, a stakes race featuring the top eight dogs who didn't qualify for the St. Petersburg Derby.
The fawn male, who won the Distance Classic and prefers to run inside, drew a favorable post (No. 2) and was the betting favorite at 4-to-5 odds. He pulled ahead around the first turn and never relinquished his lead, winning the 3/8-mile race in 37.78 seconds.
Dotties Dynamo paid $3.60 to win, $3.40 to place and $3 to show.
"(Dotties) was a little sluggish in his last couple of starts," trainer Richard Bradshaw said. "Still I felt he would be ready tonight. He ended up doing exactly what I thought he could do."
Greys Maneuverer finished seventh.
The St. Petersburg Derby and Consolation Derby usually conclude Derby Lane's season, but neither did Saturday night. The track will close with matinee and evening races on Monday.
