More sports

Team of Sidhu-Darville returns focus to Million

The pair had great success at last year's Derby Lane Million.

By DON JENSEN
Published January 27, 2007

ST. PETERSBURG - Greys Calibrator rushed to the first turn and took the lead in the inaugural Derby Lane Million at Derby Lane, sending an adrenaline rush through Bobby Sidhu.

With the finish line still 400 yards away, a charged-up Sidhu turned toward Gayle Darville and told his close friend, "No dog is going to catch her tonight."

Grey Calibrator's 4-length victory over Ebony River on March 4 took the industry by storm. The Derby Lane Million returns Feb. 10, and Sidhu and Darville will attempt to repeat their magic as nominators of greyhound racing's richest event.

"We're confident," Sidhu said.

They are considering five greyhounds for their one entry in the 550-yard, tournament-style series that concludes March 3. Their list includes Kiowa Colonel, a male owned by Dean Miner of West Virginia, and a pair of females, Gable Maldives and Gable Burma, owned by Harlyn and Janna Goebel of Texas. All are in the D'Arcy Kennel. The 72 entries must be registered through Racing Life Challenge Inc. and be at Derby Lane by Thursday.

Greys Calibrator dominated Million qualifying, set a track record and earned the sport's biggest paycheck of $500,000. Sidhu and Darville helped bring that to fruition. Once they were introduced to kennel owner-trainer Mick D'Arcy by Gainesville greyhound farmer Kevin Doyle, the two sought a top caliber dog. An Internet search located Greys Calibrator at Wheeling Downs (W.Va.), but Sidhu said the news was "bothersome" because she had a hip injury. They'd never seen her run, but agreed the red brindle female by Craigie Whistler and Greys Nose Dive would be their selection. She was leased from Jack and Mary Butler of Abilene, Kan., with D'Arcy Kennel serving as her Derby Lane base.

Sidhu said the deal was consummated with a handshake, with the Butlers receiving 50 percent of the dog's earnings, D'Arcy 10 percent and the remainder to the two nominators who paid approximately $11,000 to enter her.

After the event, Greys Calibrator, now five months shy of her fourth birthday, was bought by a D'Arcy-led group for $50,000.

Sidhu and his wife, Neetu, own the 10-acre Malwa Greyhound Farm in Ocala. It is named after a state region in Sidhu's native country of India. There are approximately 100 greyhounds on the farm with 30 racing at various tracks. Darville lives in Jupiter and also races dogs.

"Gayle has always supported me 100 percent," Sidhu said. "He is like a godfather figure to me."

From 1993-2000, Sidhu dominated the greyhound scene in Punjab, India, where races consist of straight 200-yard dashes.

"Nothing compares to winning the Million," he said. "It was a dream come true. When we bought the farm, I told my wife it would be nice to get on the cover of the Greyhound Review with one of our dogs. I just didn't think it would happen with someone else's dog."

HORSES: Rene Douglas, one of 10 riders banned from tracks during a Thoroughbred Racing and Protective Bureau investigation, is being allowed to compete at Gulfstream Park. According to Bloodhorse.com, Gulfstream president and general manager Bill Murphy said Douglas' riding privileges were being granted based on additional information given to the Hallandale Beach track by the TRPB. ... Hall of Fame trainers Bill Mott and Nick Zito send horses to the post today in the $75,000 Pasco Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs in Oldsmar. Mott conditions Got the Last Laugh while Zito saddles Moneymoneymoney. Ten 3-year-old colts and geldings are entered in the 7-furlong dirt event with post time at 4:25 p.m. ... Defending rider champion Jose Lezcano has two mounts in today's Sunshine Millions at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach: Forbidden Bear (Dash) and Rich in Spirit (Filly and Mare Turf). ... Gerry Daube, Frank Farnan and Barbara Saveski compete today in the final round of the Daily Racing Form/National Thoroughbred Racing Association National Handicapping Contest in Las Vegas.

[Last modified January 27, 2007, 06:18:40]