2010 ASFA Greyhound Specialty - Part 1

Banner is a running dog.

Yeah...  yeah....  I know....  ALL greyhounds are "running dogs".  True, but few approach it with as much gusto and intensity as Banner.  Banner truly loves and lives to run.  He loves to compete and he really dislikes it when he doesn't win.  Yes, I think this boy knows when he doesn't win.

Back in November 2010, the American Sighthound Field Association (ASFA) Greyhound Specialty lure course was being held in Tyler, Texas.  It was to be a weekend of lure coursing and a Greyhound LGRA (Large Gazehound Racing Asso.) Specialty.

Up until 2010, the event had always been held on the East Coast, usually in Georgia.  Since the event was so close, relatively speaking, we just had to go.  It was also a good time to check out the dogs as potential mates for Glory.  So, off to Texas Banner & Glory went.  I only hoped that Banner would uphold the family honor as Glory was not entered due to a chronic toe injury.

It was time for a road trip.

Laurel Drew & I loaded up the Toyota 4Runner with the dogs, our stuff, coursing stuff, and other stuff and hit the road.  I had contacted Buddy Scitern at C&C Greyhound Farm to see if he'd allow Banner to take a lap around his training track. It was a desire to see how well the boy could run. We worked our way down towards Buddy's and found ourselves there on Friday, the day before the Specialty.

Immaculate kennels...  Such a clean floor!
(courtesy of C&C Greyhound Farm)

Buddy has a lovely place.  The kennels & runs are immaculate...  The dogs are happy & well fed...  The track is impeccable...  His is a top notch, well run organization.  Buddy & his family are top notch dog people.

There were a few hounds to run before Banner was to get his turn but the first time he saw the lure zip by on the track, he knew what this was about.  He impatiently waited for his turn.  Since we did not have a dog to test the boy with, Buddy had one dog left to run and he graciously allowed Banner to load up next to him, a Grade A Gulf dog, to do the 3/16's of a mile.

I was so thankful that Banner knew how to load in the box, thanks to NOTRA racing.  Buddy's wife (I think it was his wife) took the boy by the collar to walk him to the box and she was almost pulled off her feet by the lad. He was eager, especially after being on the road for a couple of days. She loaded him up and then loaded the Gulf dog, Stomper, and, quick as a flash, the traps were sprung!

Banner never passed Stomp, but he wasn't distanced either.  He held his own and finished lapped onto the dog's hip. The time was under 17 secs.  Coming off the track, he had dirt on his face (a first), but the boy was content and it served as a good warm-up for the weekend.  It cleared the kinks, mental & physical, out. Putting an edge on him for the upcoming Specialty.

Leaving Buddy's, we stopped at the free, Dog Collectibles Museum in Waco, TX, spent more money, and then proceeded to Tyler, TX to check into our hotel and then to scope out the Texas Rose Horse Park - the location of the Specialty.

That's Part 2....