Sometimes when a field this good is put together for a race, it doesn’t quite live up to it’s hype; however, this years talented bunch drawn together by Gulf Greyhound Park Director of Racing/Racing Secretary Ron Godfroy for the March Mania Stakes was awesome, at least for the winner, Mulberry Lazer.
High Star Kennel’s Mulberry Lazer is one of the hottest young pups to break in at Gulf in 2009. He is the son of Stan’s Boy Flyer and Global Statement, and he does not even turn two-years old until June. Along with the March Mania win, Lazer has accomplished much so far in his young career. Owner Mick Massa’s superstar has won 12 races in his short 23 race career, 10 of 19 in 2009, and he has broken the coveted 30-second barrier over the 550-yard course four times, running an extremely fast 30.71 twice, most recently in the March Mania.
In the unbelievable hand picked race on Saturday night, April 4, Mulberry Lazer’s trainer Heather Currid had to go back to Thursday and determine that her stakes sprinter immediately drew a serious disadvantage. The rail-loving youngster loves the one or two post, but instead would have to settle for the outside eight-hole. When Currid was asked if this would hurt the pup, she replied `a greyhound can draw eight different holes at anytime, so they must learn to break from the inside and outside, the truly great ones can run from any hole, let’s hope that Lazer takes that next step.`
Well of course, it is too early to call how good this youngster will be, but he sure had all eight-cylinders hitting on Saturday night.
As the box opened for the running of the March Mania, Midnight Caper put his nose to the front, but found himself challenged early by TNJ Countdown. When the two reached the first turn, only TNJ Countdown remained on the lead, as Midnight Caper bumped out of contention. Mulberry Lazer broke in sixth position, but took advantage of the trouble going into the first turn and hooked the rail into second place at the first call. Once Lazer saw only one greyhound to the front, the race was over. He busted loose with another gear, and he caught and passed TNJ Countdown going by the tote board. As he reached the stretch call he mounted a two-length lead over the field, and pulled away to a five-length victory at the finish line, clocking a very fast 29.71 over the 550-yard course.
The rest of the 2009 March Mania field finished as follows: 2nd – Gable Sour Cream (30.05), 3rd – TNJ Countdown (30.20), 4th – C Ya Salty Dog (30.37), 5th – WWW Keenland (30.49), 6th – DLT Captain USA (30.51), 7th – Winning Olga (30.63), and 8th – Winning Olga (30.88).
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