Parimutuels

Greys Calibrator, Joe Hearns win 3 in a row

By DON JENSEN
Published February 19, 2006

ST. PETERSBURG - Joe Hearns isn't letting Greys Calibrator out of his sight.

Both greyhounds continued to set the pace Saturday night in the third round of the Derby Lane Million, winning for the third straight time at Derby Lane.

A season-high crowd of 4,538 saw a determined Joe Hearns of Floyd & Porter Kennel rally in the final yards for a 1-length victory over Wtd Country Gold. In Saturday's earlier qualifier, Greys Calibrator of D'Arcy Kennel defeated Ww Gale Trade by 2 lengths. Both greyhounds lead the tournament-style event with 48 points each.

"I think Joe will get to the final (March 4)," kennel co-owner Lamar Porter said.

Sixteen greyhounds were eliminated, sending the remaining 32 into Wednesday's quarterfinal. The elimination cutoff was 15 points.

Joe Hearns, the 2005 Tampa Greyhound Track win leader and Derby Lane Inaugural Stakes champion, broke first from the 7 box and led until midstretch, when Wtd Country Gold stuck his nose in front. But the 2-year-old red brindle male by Craigie Whistler and Touche Baby surged to the front in the closing seconds. Joe Hearns paid $5.40 for a $2 win ticket with a time of 30.33 seconds for 550 yards.

Greys Calibrator set a track record Wednesday and was the only favorite to win. She paid $3.80 and was timed at 30.05 seconds.

Thorne/Herron became the first kennel to get three victories in a round, winning with Kiowa Cruzethru ($19.80), Sas Mason Jar ($14.60) and Kiowa Cruzechamp ($28.80). The fourth race went to Magic City Kennel's Ebony River, which ran Saturday's fastest time at 29.88 seconds and paid $16.20 to win.

Sas Mason Jar was the only greyhound with a sub-30 second time (29.96).

[Last modified February 19, 2006, 01:09:21]