by Mark Pendgraft 11/8/09
Just after the races started the Iowa Greyhound Association gave away t-shirts in the clubhouse. The t-shirts read; “Greyhound Racing In Iowa Is Agriculture”.
The $500,000 Iowa Breeders Classic crowned a new champion, BOC’S SKIPPY LOU
Picture left to right: Rory DeSantiago - Racing Director, Brad Boeckenstedt, Kara Boeckenstedt, Kathy Boeckenstedt, Jarrod Danahy, Matt Rider, Dan Beaton - Trainer, Jill Paxton - Bureau Chief for the Iowa Department of Ag., Sam Burnight - Inspector for the Iowa Department of Ag.
On Wednesday, November 4, 2009, Asst. Trainer Matt Rider drew the #4 Post Position, during the Iowa Breeders Classic Post Position Draw live in the Champion Clubhouse during the races. The stats showed that his best hole was out of the #2 post, however after this race it had to be the #4 post.
Once the races started Bluffs Run Greyhound Park 's adoption program in association with Heartland Greyhound Adoption, set up an area in the grandstand to show people on Bluffs Run's biggest night how to adopt a greyhound.
Then it was post time for the biggest race of the year in the Country, the $500,000 Iowa Breeders Classic. If you follow Bluffs Run racing any night you know that the #1 Post Position is the track favorite and Saturday November 7, it was no different. Prior to the $500,000 Iowa Breeders Classic the #1 Post Position went off as the betting favorite.
Out of the box and breaking on top was the #4 post BOC’S SKIPPY LOU. He may not have been the fastest greyhound in the field, however he does have a tendency to go box to wire. Just about everyone thought she had no chance of going box to wire.
BOC’S SKIPPY LOU wins the $500,000 Iowa Breeders Classic and sets three new records in the 24 year history of the Iowa Breeders Classic.
The first record she broke; never before, in the 24 year history of the Iowa Breeders Classic has a greyhound won with the longest odds of 37.80, breaking the record of Noble Titan in 1997 with 19.20. BOC’S SKIPPY LOU paid $77.60 for the Win Payout.
The second record she broke; BOC’S SKIPPY LOU raced the fastest time ever in the 24 year history of the Iowa Breeders Classic, with a winning time of 30.03, breaking the record of Down Two in 1987 of 30.12.
The third record she broke was the most money earned in a single race, $235,000. The record was held by last year’s winner Boc’s Bullseye $223,250.
The Boeckenstedt kennel became the third kennel in the 24 year Iowa Breeders Classic history to win back to back.
BOC'S SKIPPY LOU owned by Brad Boeckenstedt or James Feller, racing for the Boeckenstedt kennel and trained by Dan Beaton.
Purse Breakdown:
BOC'S SKIPPY LOU - $235,000
NATURAL TALENT - $117,500
JACK BE GOOD - $47,000
PJ'S SICILY SUN - $23,500
PG TIGER - $11,750
UNBELIEVABLERIDE - $11,750
JAYHAWK NINE - $11,750
BOB'S RADIOFLYER - $11,750
Department of Agriculture - $30,000
To be selected as a leadout in the Iowa Breeders Classic is an honor and a privilege. As a leadout in the Iowa Breeders Classic, the public gets a chance to see the top 8 leadouts in action.
Photo top left to right: Paige Maus, Mara George, Nolan Campbell, Melissa Kellar, Brandie Rastede
bottom left to right: Daniel Randall, Kiersten Haubrich, Mersaydes Lundstad, Jamie Swisher.