Palm Beach Alumni Compete In The $1.2 Million Dollar Festival Of Stakes

The Breeders Cup of greyhound racing has finally arrived.

This Saturday at Southland Park in West Memphis, Arkansas, many of the best athletes in the world will put it all on the line for a piece of a record $1.2 million in stakes purses, the richest in the history of the sport.  Palm Beach will also be involved in the action as many alumni that started their career in South FLA will be participating this weekend.

Lets take a look at the Palm Beach alumni racers that will be trying to bring home a championship.

Race 1- Super Sprint Consolation - 334 Yards

No big stakes money on the line in this one, but it does give fans a chance to see the fastest super sprinter ever in the history of "The Beach."

Craigie Renegade from owners Steve Sarras & James Zawisa broke the super sprint record three times to a now ridiculous low of 16.22 secs before transferring to Southland in March.  Renegade wasn't able to make the $100,000 Final that happens in Race 10, but it will be great to start off the card watching Renegade compete.

Race 6 - Marathon Consolation - 703 Yards

Kb's Sophia from owner Norm Rader was brought over to Southland after making the Final of the 3/8ths Mile Derby last February won by Ethel Is Here.

Sophia has a huge rush to the lead but was unable to hold on to any of those in qualifying, thus keeping her out of the $100,000 Final. There is an extra $3,400 on the line here though!  With Rader opening up a new pizza business in South Florida, he'll take any extra funds out there he can get his hands on for sure.

Race  8 - Darby Henry Female Sprint Consolation

Daily Prayer from owner Henry Chin began her career at Palm Beach in March of 2015 and hasn't stopped since.  Was a Puppy Stakes Finalist and Memorial Day Rooney's Ale Champ before transferring to Southland shortly after. Has made multiple finals at Southland and was recently ranked as high as #5 in the UGR Top 25 National Poll.  Surprisingly wasn't able to make the $150,000 Final of this championship after being one of the early favorites to win it all.

Great story with Daily Prayer is all winnings from her career have gone to Henry Chin's church.  That church has to be decked out after all the winning she has done the last few seasons.

Race 10 - $100,000 Crittenden Super Sprint Championship - 334 Yards

Now the real money starts getting paid out.  Palm Beach has one alumni slated in JW Wyatt Earp who ran for Royal Racing before transferring to Southland last June.  Pulled a huge upset in the semifinals to secure a Finals spot and will be another gigantic underdog in the 8 box in this one.  If Earp wins this, I certainly will be yelling out a famous Tombstone line, "Hell's coming with me!" in celebration.

Race 13 - $100,000 Arkansas Bred Sprint Championship - 583 Yards

Oaks Maddy is the best chance the Palm Beach alumni have at bringing home a championship.

Undefeated in four rounds of qualifying, Maddy who ran for Rader Racing was a Labor Day Puppy Stakes Finalist in 2015 before transferring. She has torn Southland up this season, taking home 16 victories and clearly putting herself on the radar of the National Championship committee. Maddy draws the outside 8 box, where she will need that blazing early speed to strike gold.

Race 18 - $150,000 Darby Henry Male Sprint Championship - 583 Yards

Palm Beach fans will remember back in 2013 when Rob Gronkowski (pictured) from Rader Racing took home the top prize of this championship before coming back home to South Florida.

Well Norm Rader sends another title contender into this years field with veteran PJ CarvedInStone.  Ran at Palm Beach to start his career from November 2014 to May of 2015, competing in the Spring Puppy Stakes Tournament along the way.

CarvedInStone was able to secure a win and a place through this tourneys qualifying with the sizzling early speed he possesses, but should get a big price in this Final.  Daytona 550 finalist from last year Chasmo's Dutch probably goes off as your favorite.

Good luck to all athletes in one of the greatest days of the year in greyhound racing.  Hopefully South Florida will be able to represent well with it's former athletes competing.  Enjoy all the action on Saturday race fans!