Parimutuels

This Joe is really good to go, go, go

By DON JENSEN
Published October 1, 2005

ST. PETERSBURG - Joe Hearns is no ordinary Joe.

The Floyd & Porter Kennel greyhound has won a meet title and a stakes race. He also has the area's longest current win streak at 10 after Wednesday night's Grade A victory at Derby Lane.

Joe Hearns has been an exception since birth. The 27-month-old speedster was the only male in an eight-pup litter. His racing career has been exceptional.

"When he first started, I had no idea he'd be this good," owner Randy Floyd said. "He's really shown his maturity."

Floyd and his wife of 36 years, Pat , have a special place in their hearts for Joe Hearns. His dam, Touche Baby , also is owned by the St. Petersburg couple. Touche Baby raced for more than three years and made 200 starts before retiring in 2002 as a brood female. She's at the Belleview farm of father and daughter Chuck and Jean Schoup . Pat and Lorraine Carrier also have an interest in Touche Baby's pups.

Joe Hearns is from the first litter of sire Craigie Whistler and Touche Baby, both stakes champions. Touche Baby won 28 races, including the 1999 St. Petersburg Derby. The distance runner often faced the best with 186 starts coming against Grades A, B and stakes rivals.

Joe Hearns is following a similar path. In 45 career starts, all this year, he has competed in 42 Grades A, B and stakes races. Joe Hearns won his first stakes in the St. Petersburg Inaugural on Sept. 17. He was third in the Tampa Speed Classic and fifth in the St. Petersburg Gold Trophy Juvenile.

The 73-pound red brindle dog hasn't lost in 45 days, winning 10 in a row by 49 total lengths. He is unbeaten in his four starts at Derby Lane after ending the Tampa Greyhound Track meet with six straight victories to take the win title with 12. Joe Hearns has 24 career wins, all at 550 yards.

There is no immediate plan to move the Cal Holland Jr. -trained dog to 660 yards.

"I don't want to rock the boat," Floyd said.

Floyd, 55, is kennel partners with Lamar Porter . Floyd has been in the greyhound industry for 30 years.

"I've never had a dog win more than six or seven in a row until Joe Hearns came along," Floyd said. "About a month ago, I got the second litter from Touche Baby. I'm looking forward to those dogs, and hope that Joe Hearns is not a fluke."

BIG RETURNS: Bd's Nubia of Charles C. Marriott Kennel paid a season-high $85.20 for a $2 win ticket Thursday. Ryan Farms' Fuzzys Hawkeye ($77.80), C & C Kennel's Dream Star ($76.40) and Capabal Kennel's Cw Brave Choice ($70.20) also have paid big win prices recently.

[Last modified October 1, 2005, 01:46:16]