Friend Delilah is the all-time winningest greyhound in Wheeling racing history. Of her 112 career victories, 106 of them were recorded at the Wheeling Island track. (2024)

Anniversary: Only 11 Wheeling greyhounds in 75-win club

(NOTE: This month marks 48 years of greyhound racing at Wheeling. In conjunction with the anniversary, this column will feature articles related to the track’s history. Today’s article highlights greyhounds with at least 75 career wins at Wheeling Downs/Island).

In the 48-year history of Wheeling racing, only 11 greyhounds have posted at least 75 victories during their careers at the island racetrack.

If Wheeling had a Hall of Fame, it’s a sure bet the 11 greyhounds would have been inducted in the inaugural class of honorees or shortly thereafter. Several of the greyhounds are on the national list of the winningest racers ever in the sport.

For a greyhound to reach 75 career wins is quite an accomplishment. In addition to raw speed, a few of the other factors playing a factor in a greyhound’s success are desire/heart, track smarts and luck.

At the top of the list of Wheeling greyhounds with at least 75 wins is Friend Delilah (106), Casual Casey (98) and Stage Door Ace (91). Next in line are Kiowa Day Jazz (88), Prima Gold Tone (80), DD’s Nelson and Ben G Desire (79 each), Greys Beaver (77), Itsjustplaingood, Odd Express and Yucca T (76 each).

Following are capsule looks at the records of the 11 greyhounds, compiled by local historian Robin Reed.

FRIEND DELILAH

The track’s all-time win leader raced at Wheeling from 1980-1982. In 214 starts, the sprinter posted 106 wins, 45 seconds and 22 thirds – a 49 percent win mark and an 80 percent trifecta finish.

Wheeling yearly records: 1980 (68-23-16-12), 1981 (76-47-12-4), 1982 (70-36-17-6).

Friend Delilah opened her career at Jacksonville (51-6-5-6) before moving to Wheeling.

In 265 career races, Friend Delilah had 112 wins, 50 seconds and 28 thirds. The 112 career wins places her 17th on the all-time national win list.

CASUAL CASEY

The track’s consecutive win record holder (16 straight victories) raced at Wheeling from 1993-1997. In 179 races, Casual Casey had 98 wins, 21 seconds and 17 thirds – a 54 percent win mark and a 75 percent trifecta finish.

Wheeling yearly records: 1993 (59-39-6-3), 1994 (45-31-3-5), 1995 (21-14-3-2), 1996 (34-9-6-6), 1997 (20-5-3-1).

Casual Casey raced at Wheeling his entire career. The 98 career wins places him 54th on the all-time national win list.

STAGE DOOR ACE

The track’s all-time top 3/8th winner raced at Wheeling from 1988-1992. In 211 starts, Stage Door Ace had 91 wins, 30 seconds and 36 thirds – a 43 percent win mark and a 78 percent trifecta finish.

Wheeling yearly records: 1988 (45-9-3-11), 1989 (63-29-8-9), 1990 (69-38-12-11), 1991 (33-15-7-5), 1992 (1-0-0-0).

Stage Door Ace also raced at Naples/Ft. Myers, FL in 1992 (47-7-9-3-7), St. Croix, WI in 1991 (19-1-4-6-4) and Dairyland, WI in 1990 (1-0-0-1).

In 278 career races, Stage Door Ace had 99 wins, 43 seconds and 45 thirds. The 99 career wins places him 52nd on the all-time national win list.

KIOWA DAY JAZZ

The sprinter raced at Wheeling from 1995-1998. In 156 races, Kiowa Day Jazz had 88 wins, 22 seconds and 3 thirds – a 56 percent win mark and a 72 percent trifecta finish.

Wheeling yearly records: 1995 (34-23-2-1), 1996 (59-41-6-1), 1997 (57-23-13-1), 1998 (6-1-1-0).

Kiowa Day Jazz also raced at Shoreline Star, CT in 1998 (14-5-6-1) and at Seabrook and Hinsdale in 1995 (3 wins in 5 starts).

The 96 career wins places her 63rd on the all-time national win list.

PRIMA GOLD TONE

The sprinter raced at Wheeling from 1998-2001. In 169 starts, Prima Gold Tone posted 80 wins, 26 seconds and 15 thirds – a 47 percent win mark and a 71 percent trifecta finish.

Wheeling yearly records: 1998 (11-5-2-0), 1999 (75-40-8-6), 2000 (61-30-11-6), 2001 (22-5-5-3).

The 80 career wins places him 155th on the all-time national win list.

DD’s NELSON

The 1987 All-American raced at Wheeling from 1985-1988. In 132 starts, DD’s Nelson had 79 wins, 20 seconds and 16 thirds – a 59 percent win mark and an 87 percent trifecta finish.

Wheeling yearly records: 1985 (24-6-5-3), 1986 (51-38-3-5), 1987 (28-16-7-4), 1988 (33-19-5-4).

DD’s Nelson also raced at Hollywood (24-8-10-3), Seabrook (12-3-5-1), Hinsdale (3-2-1-0), Mile High (2-1-0-0), Biscayne (9-1-0-2) and Flagler (1-0-0-0).

In 192 career starts, DD’s Nelson had 95 wins, 36 seconds and 24 thirds. The 95 career wins places him 66th on the all-time national win list.

BEN G DESIRE

The sprinter raced at Wheeling from 1992-1995. In 161 trips, Ben G Desire had 79 wins, 20 seconds and 9 thirds – a 49 percent win mark and a 67 percent trifecta finish.

Wheeling yearly records: 1992 (37-12-4-3), 1993 (58-36-4-2), 1994 (61-31-12-3), 1995 (5-0-0-1).

Ben G Desire had 1 win in Colorado in 1992 for 80 career victories.

GREYS BEAVER

The sprinter raced at Wheeling from 1990-1992. In 119 starts, Greys Beaver had 77 wins, 18 seconds and 8 thirds – a 64 percent win mark and an 86 percent trifecta finish.

Wheeling yearly records: 1990 (22-10-4-1), 1991 (50-33-9-3), 1992 (47-34-5-4).

Greys Beaver also raced at Jacksonville, FL in 1992-93 (52-8-8-9-11), Woodlands, KS in 1991 (1 win), Wichita, KS in 1991 (2-0-1-0-1) and Wonderland, MA in 1992 (5-0-2-1-0).

The 86 career wins places him 101st on the all-time national win list.

ITSJUSTPLAINGOOD

The sprinter/middle distance ace raced at Wheeling from 1998-2001. In 125 starts, Itsjustplaingood had 76 wins, 17 seconds and 12 thirds – a 60 percent win mark and an 84 percent trifecta finish.

Wheeling yearly records: 1998 (13-7-2-1), 1999 (55-34-8-5), 2000 (54-34-7-6), 2001 (3-1-0-0).

Itsjustplaingood also raced at Bluffs Run in 2000 (4-1-1-0-1), finishing her career with 77 victories.

ODD EXPRESS

“The Train” raced at Wheeling from 1979-1982. In 204 races, Odd Express had 76 wins, 32 seconds and 30 thirds – a 37 percent win mark and a 66 percent trifecta finish.

Wheeling yearly records: 1979 (22-13-3-0), 1980 (42-16-7-10), 1981 (71-32-12-11), 1982 (69-15-10-9).

Odd Express also raced in Hollywood in 1980 (3-0-0-0).

YUCCA T

The sprinter raced at Wheeling from 1983-1987. In 255 starts, Yucca T had 76 wins, 45 seconds and 14 thirds – a 29 percent win mark and a 52 percent trifecta finish.

Wheeling yearly record: 1983 (1-1-0-0), 1984 (74-36-14-5), 1985 (78-21-14-4), 1986 (79-14-15-3), 1987 (23-4-2-2).

Yucca T raced at Wheeling his entire career.

Friend Delilah