Bob’s Diva Tallies Another Stakes Victory for Stokes - LaRosa
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 Bob’s Diva showed off her wares on Sunday, Sept. 3, with a huge win in the $10,000 Stubbs Harley Sprint Stakes Championship at Gulf Greyhound Park. The 2-1/2 year old female out of Gable Dodge and Gable Angelita bucked the odds board and the other seven competitors to grab the stakes victory.
Diva broke on top from the four-hole and out-rushed a very good field of early-footers to the first turn. As the leader passed the toteboard, it was evident that the only real challenge would come from Leonard Slye from the Pevehouse Kennel. Leonard Slye pushed Diva to and around the first turn, and was only ˝-length off the leader. As the greyhounds reached the stretch, still just ˝-length separated the two; however, while the duel was going on, others were gaining ground.
Race favorite Bob’s Laural and second choice San Tan Jackpot (who won each of his three qualifying rounds) came steaming down the stretch, but the late blast turned out to be a duel for third place as Bob’s Diva maintained the ˝-length edge all the way to the finish line, while Leonard Slye, in a terrific effort, finished second. Bob’s Laural passed San Tan Jackpot on the inside to take third place.
If you asked most people in attendance at Gulf Greyhound Park on Sunday afternoon, they would probably tell you that the wrong “Bob’s” dog won the $10,000 Stubbs Sprint Championship; however, Tommy LaRosa, Stokes – LaRosa co-owner and trainer, would beg to differ.
“I really liked Diva’s chances in this race better than (Bob’s) Laural’s,” said LaRosa, “It seemed as though “karma” would have Bob’s Laural win the race, since all of her brothers and sisters had won big races, but Diva was well rested and hit the lid.”
LaRosa is referring to one of the most prolific litters to ever run at Gulf. Bob’s Laural’s littermates, also out of Gable Dodge and Bob’s Fraschilla, include: Bob’s Skeet (3 stakes wins), Bob’s Wal (Texas Fall Classic Champ), Bob’s Streak (2 stakes wins) & Bob’s Tuscola (1 stakes win). “Diva is tough on the front end,” added LaRosa, and “I really thought that she had a good chance to take the lead early, and that is just what she did…it was very nice running 1st & 3rd in this final.”
Bob’s Diva ran a solid 30.78 over the 550-yard course and paid $16.40 to win. The rest of the field ran as follows: 2nd – Leonard Slye, 3rd – Bob’s Laural, 4th – San Tan Jackpot, 5th – Seegold Hallmark, 6th – Bigtimeplayer, 7th – Sans Shadow & 8th – Too Late. |
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| For more information on this, or any greyhound news, contact Gulf Greyhound Park at 1-800-275-2946 or log on to the track's website at http://www.gulfgreyhound.com. |
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