Owner Francesca Field has yet another greyhound that appears virtually unstoppable.
By BOB PUTNAM
Published January 15, 2004
Francesca Field pines for fast greyhounds and big moments.
Two years ago, the owner of Bahama Mama Kennel had the biggest moment of her racing career. Field's prized greyhound, Talentedmrripley, was the fastest dog at Derby Lane and became one of the most celebrated in America.
But the good times eventually faded. The fawn brindle raced seven times at Tampa Greyhound in the summer of 2002 before a bone chip in his leg forced him to retire as a sire on his owner's farm in Ocala.
"I loved every moment when Ripley was racing," Field said. "We were lucky enough to have a dog of that caliber. You search and search and never know when another one like that is going to come around."
Apparently, the search is over.
Cayman Went, a fawn brindle male, is close to matching the accomplishments of Ripley.
Believe it or not.
Running at Tampa Greyhound and Derby Lane, Cayman Went has won 12 consecutive races, one shy of Ripley's best. Cayman also has won three stake races in his past seven starts and has posted the best time at Derby Lane this season in a 5/16ths mile race in 30.18 seconds, .03 off Ripley's track record.
Cayman Went's last start was Jan. 10 when he beat another touted greyhound, WW Apple Jax by 6 lengths. Cayman's next race is Saturday night at Derby Lane.
"In my opinion, at this point in his career, Cayman is better than Talentedmrripley," Derby Lane spokesperson Vera Filipelli said. "(Cayman's) phenomenal. He just keeps going and going and going. He's the best dog in America right now."
A year ago Field wasn't counting on Cayman Went becoming the next Ripley. She was more concerned about whether the dog would race again.
After winning his first two qualifying rounds in the Distance Classic last season, Cayman Went went down with a leg injury. He ended up having two large screws inserted into his hock and was given a 65 percent chance to resume racing.
The prized pooch missed the rest of the season at Derby Lane. He made his comeback at Tampa Greyhound in August and has been winning ever since.
Cayman Went joined Kiowa Motivate and Dominator as the only greyhounds to win the Tampa Speed Classic and the Tampa Derby in the same season. The success continued at Derby Lane with wins in the St. Pete Inaugural and the All-Star Kennel Preview.
"It's hard to perceive having another dog as good as Ripley," Field said. "But Cayman has posted some great times and he can run from any box and any distance. I think in time he'll rival Ripley."
About the only thing Cayman won't be able to equal is Riley's fame.
"For some reason, fans just seemed to flock to Ripley," Field said. "Ripley was like the common person. He was businesslike. Cayman is more laid back and does what he pleases. But I'm not going to try to change him. Why mess with success?"
