The Texas Greyhound Association Round-Up Goes to CL Texas Star

Heading into the far turn during the Texas Greyhound Association Round Up Stakes, things looked really promising for long shot SP's Rags to spring an incredible upset. Going off at odds approaching 16-1, Rags was leading the pack by a couple of lengths at Gulf Greyhound Park and looked to be home free. However, CL Texas Star proved to be just that, a Texas star that would not be eclipsed on this night as he pulled out a narrow victory down the stretch. SP's Rags had to settle for place, with the hard-charging C Ya Wild Fire flying all the way from last to get up for third.

CL Texas Star had gone off the betting favorite in the TGA Round Up on the strength of his most recent exploits. Two wins and a strong second in the four elimination races leading up to the final convinced the Gulf Greyhound Park patrons that Texas Star would be tough to beat once the starting box opened for the tenth race on the May 5th evening card at the Lone Star oval. Breaking from the eight hole, the fans felt confident that the 74 pound dark brindle male out of WW Time Warp and Deco Annette would find a way to get into the mix early and use his late speed to win. In the end they were correct, but just barely.

Also in this field was the wily veteran Bob's Tuscola in the one box, a 19 race winner last year and in his finest form all season. His full brother, the more than capable Bob's Wal, was out in the seven with such closers as Button Hole in the four and the always dangerous C Ya Wild Fire in the six. The early speed tandem of Shadows Bythebay and SP's Rags occupied the 2 and 5 respectively, with the unpredictable but talented Dobb's Fairy wearing the green blanket of the four. On the break, SP's Rags hit the ground running and went out to an early advantage of about a length and a half over Shadows Bythebay as the pair led the other six greyhounds around the first bend.

CL Texas Star had managed to make his way up from the far outside and settled into third as the dogs flew down the backstretch. Bob's Tuscola, who many felt had a great chance to take the TGA Round Up if he broke well, did just the opposite, coming out poorly and stumbling ever so slightly, enough to give the field time to separate itself from him. This mistake relegated Tuscola to a last place finish, although it was only by seven lengths.

Down the backside of the Gulf Greyhound Park racing surface, it appeared that SP's Rags would make his backers look very wise indeed. He held a margin of a couple of lengths over Shadows Bythebay and it was apparent that Bythebay could not catch him. Bythebay ran a hard race, but in the end having to chase another greyhound down was too much for the dog to overcome and a seventh place finish would be the result. But CL Texas Star, after staying in third for what must have seemed an eternity to his handlers, began to eat away at the space between him and the two leaders. By the time the dogs had made it to the beginning of the far turn, he had gotten into second place by staying on the outer half of the track. Once the greyhounds straightened out and began the stretch run to the wire, it was obvious to all watching that the shortening strides of the game but outgunned SP's Rags were being overtaken by Texas Star.

At the finish line Texas Star was in front by a length and pulling away. Rags was able to easily hold off C Ya Wild Fire for the place spot while Button Hole finished strong on the far outside and got up for fourth. Going off at odds of 8-5, CL Texas Star returned $5.40 to win the TGA Round UP and the quiniela of 5-8 came back for a handsome payoff of $53.20. The triple of 8-5-6 paid$291.60 and the superfecta of 8-5-6-4 put$1,281 into a few lucky gamblers pockets.