More sports

Heralded kennel to close up shop

By DON JENSON
Published May 20, 2006

ST. PETERSBURG - Bahama Mama Greyhounds, a championship kennel that produced two of the top greyhounds in the sport's history, has decided to disband its operation immediately.

Headed by owner Francesca Field and business manager Donna Moore, Bahama Mama became the envy of greyhound followers across the world. It won kennel championships, captured stakes victories and developed Talentedmrripley and Cayman Went, both All-America team captains.

"I think (Bahama Mama) has been hedging toward getting out for a while," said Bill Van Hoogen, Derby Lane's director of racing. "They reached a pinnacle the industry has never seen before, but they've had some recent bad luck with breedings."

The move appears to be a business decision. Telephone calls to Field were not returned. However, Derby Lane spokeswoman Vera Filipelli said Friday that Field told her earlier this season that she was planning to leave the business.

Track chief operations officer David Tiano has released the kennel from its Derby Lane contract, Van Hoogen said.

Bahama Mama had only 17 greyhounds on the active roster upon departure from Derby Lane on May 13, when Rockmaninov won a Grade C sprint for the kennel's final win.

"They went out with a bang," Van Hoogen said. "They loved the dogs, and brought so much passion and intensity to this business. They'll be missed."

The Bahama Mama farm in Ocala also is being sold. Some of the kennel's dogs have been leased at Naples Fort Myers Greyhound Track.

The move appears similar to the one made by Greymeadow Kennel several years ago. Greymeadow stopped its operation at Derby Lane and began leasing its dogs to other kennels. Greymeadow was owned by Jack and Mary Butler of Abilene, Kansas, who are planning to retire to Ocala in the near future.

Field and Moore started Bahama Mama in 1999 after a one-year partnership with Roger Propst of Pro Racing kennel. In its first three seasons, Bahama Mama never finished lower than sixth in the Derby Lane standings. It also competed at Tampa Greyhound Track.

The kennel's success took off in 2001, when Talentedmrripley and Cayman Went sparked a five-year surge and led Bahama Mama to three Derby Lane kennel titles (one shared with Greymeadow). Last year, Bahama Mama set a Derby Lane meet record with 288 victories. But in the current meet that concludes June 30, Bahama Mama ranks 19th among 20 kennels.

"When Francesca and Donna came in and did as well as they did, the kennel gained worldwide attention," Filipelli said. "All the pieces fell into place for them, and as breeders they produced two legends (Talentedmrripley and Cayman Went) of the industry. It was a whirlwind, an incredible ride. The timing of this is really unexpected."

Lester Raines Kennel's Solitary Demon won his first stakes in Night of Stars XVII on May 13. "He's a nice, consistent dog," trainer Ken Lesperance said. "He always gives a lot of heart." Lesperance said his dog's chances improved after Cajun Cain was scratched with soreness. Turbo Tiger finished second and Brady Thomas third. Solitary Demon paid $13.80 to win.

[Last modified May 20, 2006, 01:58:12]