1940's

Jacksonville Kennel Club

1940 Season

A mighty shout of "They're Off" around 8:15 o'clock will usher in the sixth annual season of greyhound racing tonight at the Jacksonville Kennel Club. W. H. (Bill) Johnston general manager, and his corps of officials have in the past two weeks completed an extensive program of remodeling and the Macduff Avenue establishment is in tip-top condition for the season.

"The class of greyhounds we have here this season is the best I've seen booked at the local course in all it's history," says Clint Dewhurst, racing secretary. "Many of those here last year are greatly improved, a number of others who have raced brilliantly elsewhere, in addition to a promising host of youngsters, make me feel sure that Jacksonville fans are going to see the best racing since this track was built."

The Inaugural Handicap is the outstanding feature of the gala opening night's program. Four of the field competing in the Inaugural were high class performers here last season. They are Sweet Glory, Miramond, Dominoe and Noah Count. The others proved their greatness the past Summer and Fall on other racing strips. They are Rolando, probable post-time favorite, Take All, Bill's Secretary and Tallyup. 

Bill's Secretary wins Inaugural

Bill's Secretary, a new star here and backed heavily in the mutuels, justified the faith of his backers in nosing out a thrilling triumph in the Inaugural Handicap.

Bill's Secretary won his first nine races in a row

If Bill's Secretary runs to form, he'll come from behind to win. In all of his wins, he has never broken the starting boxes first, nor has he gone to the first turn in first place, but from that point on his record shows a string of firsts on the past performance charts.

His streak of nine wins was broken during a inter-city match race with Tampa

Bill's Secretary met his Waterloo in the inter-city championship last night at the Jacksonville Kennel Club as a record throng turned out to see two of the three Tampa dogs run one two over the local entries. Pleasant News, the winner of the classic, was bad news for Bill's Secretary and the host of admirers who had believed him unbeatable.

The Puppy Stakes

Spence Wins First Annual Puppy Stakes

Spence from J. R. Boyle's kennel is the Puppy Stakes champion for 1940. This solid black 20 month old son of Best Inspector and Javentine, came from behind to claim the annual classic and the richest purse of the season. Morstep, the pace-setter was second, with Morning Mall third.

The Jacksonville Derby

This is the fifth such classic in the tracks history and eight of the outstanding stars for the season will go post-ward in tonight's classic. Dominoe and Bill's Secretary are expected to favorites, others include Rolando, Fast Judgment, The Sexton, Class Play, Tallyup and Pap Fields.

Dominoe Wins Fifth Annual Derby Classic

Breaking on top in full stride and never menaced at any stage of the journey, Dominoe owned by Jim Williams, a Jacksonville man and trained by H. Dixon, captured the fifth annual Jacksonville Derby at the Kennel Club last night. Class Play, also a Jacksonville owned star and 20-1 in the mutuels, proved the big surprise of the contest in saving the place award while Dipper Boyle's Rolando was third. Bill's Secretary the favorite, was pinched back and finished sixth. 

 All-Florida Derby

The complete field for the sixth annual All-Florida greyhound racing derby next Monday, was announced last night. The three local stars are Dominoe, Jacksonville Derby winner, Bill's Secretary, and Rolando. The five visitors are Byron Nelson and Buy A Ticket, from Miami Beach. Dolly Green, Velma Starter and Tuffy Band, from Tampa. The latter trio finished in that order Wednesday when the Tampa track's eighth annual derby was presented.

Outstanding greyhound racing celebrities, all champions or near champions from Tampa, Miami Beach and Jacksonville, clash tonight in the sixth annual All-Florida Derby. Tampa will probably be better represented this time around than past years. That track has some of the best greyhounds in the State this winter and has won four inter-city match races against Jacksonville during the season. Tampa is confident that Dolly Green, Tuffy Band or Velma Starter will win the contest. Dolly Green was victorious in Tampa's Derby last Wednesday.

While little is known of the Miami Beach entries, they have been running against the best down there and F. B. (Happy) Stutz, who is handling the pair here, is particularly "high" on the chances of Byron Nelson. Happy says this is the best pup he's ever handled and predicts a great future for this son of My Laddie. Buy A Ticket, a full littermate of Byron Nelson, whose dam is Means By Andrew, but is from another kennel, is also here to represent Miami Beach.

The Jacksonville entries are at the peak of their form, Bill's Secretary will be the chief hope to win. This black and white chested star has won 13 races here this season, his first nine in a row, and is one of two greyhounds that have came close to equaling Hazard Laddie's track record. The next best local entry is Dominoe who won the annual Jacksonville Derby on Saturday. The other local dog is Rolando.

The Field

                                                       1- Rolando (Jacksonville)

                                                       2- Velma Starter (Tampa)

                                                       3- Buy A Ticket (Miami)

                                                       4- Dominoe (Jacksonville)

                                                       5- Tuffy Band (Tampa)

                                                       6- Bill's Secretary (Jacksonville)

                                                       7- Dolly Green (Tampa)

                                                       8- Byron Nelson (Miami)

Byron Nelson, a mere nineteen-months old youngster and son of the renowned My Laddie, captured the sixth annual All-Florida Derby, outstanding classic of the local greyhound racing season, at the Jacksonville Kennel Club last night. Dolly Green, the red-hot favorite placed, with Dominoe third.

Byron Nelson made every post a winning one. He broke sharply, got a break on the first turn where a slight jam enabled him to take the lead. Then the Miami Beach star opened up plenty of daylight and at one time was in front "Approximately"  six lengths. At the finish however, Dolly Green just missed, being beaten by only a half length. Tuffy Band was fourth, Bill's Secretary was fifth, Rolando sixth, Buy A Ticket seventh and Velma Starter last. 

1941 Season

The Inaugural

The Inaugural Handicap will feature the opening night's racing slate, eight of the outstanding greyhounds available have been hand-picked on the basis of their schooling performance for this test and a thrill-packed contest appears certain.

Bill's Secretary, winner of the Inaugural last year and track champion for that meeting, is one of the entries. In fact he is the only dog from last year's classic, who will compete this time. The other seven in this thriller are Barby Lee, Amache, My Coronet, Benedict's, Handcuff, Blanche D., Early Mail and Fast Judgement.

Blanche D. Wins Inaugural

Blanche D., a little black and white miss from Otto Wohlauf's kennel, turned in a smashing and thrilling triumph in annexing the Inaugural Handicap, the outstanding feature. Bill's Secretary, the favorite finished second with highly regarded Barby Lee saving the small end of the purse.

Jacksonville Puppy Stakes

The Puppy Stakes championship, richest of all stake races every greyhound season, promises to attract the largest crowd of the present meeting. The eliminations, four in number and two semi-finals were competed and the eight stars going post-ward in the classic are past the fooling stage, but racing for keeps.

There has been some exceptional juvenile or puppy talent this season. Outstanding in the classy field seeking this year's rich purse, is Last Down and three dogs whose names end in Caress, namely Carbon, Certain and Courser. 

Last Down has been the toast of racing fans for the past two weeks. This youngster was idle most of the early season, not from choice, but because of that dreaded of all canine illnesses, distemper. 

Carbon Caress wins 1941 Puppy Stakes

The Caress greyhounds captured top honors in the rich annual Puppy Stakes championship last night, before a roaring and large throng of racing lovers. Carbon Caress was the winner, with Courser Caress second, Last Down, the favorite and winner of his last five contests in a row, finished third.

The Caress dogs, despite their name are not litter mates and do not have the same breeding, but both are trained by Floyd Gilrie, a Jacksonville man, Carbon is owned by Ellen Rhodes and Courser's owner is C. A. Rhodes.

Carbon Caress won with some ease, he broke in lightning like fashion, took the lead from the outset and though hard pressed until the last stretch drive, was never headed and scored by a margin of three lengths.

All-Florida Derby

Considerable interests is being shown over the seventh annual All-Florida Derby, which will take place Saturday. Three Tampa stars, two Miami Beach and three local aces, will make up this field. 

Rock Springs, the Tampa champion and winner of an inter-city match race several weeks ago, is one of the invaders and already many fans are picking him to win the classic. At last reports Rock Springs had compiled the impressive record of 12 victories, two seconds and two thirds in only 16 starts. One of the other Tampa stars is Who's Boy and has twice succeeded in defeating Rock Springs, though the latter was a bang-up second in both cases. Scatterbrain is the third star from Tampa to compete in the race. 

Daily Record and Disputed Passage, Miami Beach Kennel Club representative, will claim the spotlight at the Jacksonville plant tonight. The down-State greyhounds will be schooled in between races on the regular program. In the six All-Florida Derbies so far, the Miami Beach track has enjoyed the most success by far, winning four of the classics. 

The track record for the 5/16ths of a mile was set by an All-Florida Derby winner, this being Hazard Laddie, who ran the route in 31 and 4/5 seconds. The next fastest time of 32 flat was made last year by Byron Nelson, also a Miami Beach star.

Rock Springs of Tampa, Daily Record from Miami Beach, and Bill's Secretary of the local track looms as favorites in the seventh annual All-Florida Greyhound Derby tonight at the Jacksonville Kennel Club. Tampa stars have never won an All-Florida Derby and the opportunity for Tampa to win was never better than tonight.

Bill's Secretary, one of the local trio, is the only dog racing tonight who participated in the event last year. Handcuff and Rochester, are the two others that complete the Jacksonville trio.

The Field

                                                       1- Who's Boy (Tampa)

                                                       2- Daily Record (Miami Beach)

                                                       3- Rochester (Jacksonville)

                                                       4- Handcuff (Jacksonville)

                                                       5- Scatterbrain (Tampa)

                                                       6- Rock Springs (Tampa)

                                                       7- Disputed Passage (Miami Beach)

                                                       8- Bill's Secretary (Jacksonville)

Scatterbrain and Rock Springs Cross Finish Line Together

Tampa waited a long time to win an All-Florida greyhound derby in Jacksonville, but when the Cigar City's representatives did come through, they produced not one winner, but two in the same event. In other words Tampa greyhounds not only won the seventh annual All-Florida at the local track last night before an enthusiastic and capacity throng, but two of them finished in a dead heat, thereby sharing equally in the purse distribution, gold loving cup and floral blanket.

Bill's Secretary pride of Jacksonville finished third while the two Miami Beach outfits were never factors, winding up fifth and seventh, Rochester was fourth.

The race began as if Jacksonville stars would make a show of things, Rochester surprised his warmest admirers by breaking on top and had a two lengths lead the first time past the judges stand. Bill's Secretary then moved up rapidly and forged into the lead in the middle of the back stretch. Then along came Scatterbrain and he had a full length lead entering the top of the home stretch. Rock Springs was fourth at the same stage, but pulled the throttle wide open and was truly flying in the final few yards.

The loving cup and floral presentation was made by Mrs. W. H. Johnston, wife of the Kennel Club's general manager. The crowd roared as the winners pranced around shying away from both the cup and the blanket. It was with some difficulty that the photographer was able to take a group picture.  

1942 Season

(The year of the youngster's)

Inaugural

The Inaugural Handicap is the outstanding feature of the gala opening night's program. Rochester, not only winner of last year's Jacksonville Derby, but a dog who has performed creditably the past Summer on the Pacific Coast, will be one of the favorites in the Inaugural. He is one of six in the race who have performed here in the past.

Of the two newcomers, Dixie Clipper will carry the most favoritism. This star won the Arkansas Derby last Summer in West Memphis. The other newcomer is Grand Son. The complete field in post position order with the racers owners will be; 1, Dixie Clipper, T. J. Daniels; 2, Dreyfus, Joe Boone; 3, Rochester, O. R. Wohlauf; 4, Grand Son, Blackwell Kennels; 5, Prefect Rhythm, John Prevatt; 6, Jerry Kay, Glen Garverick; 7, Last Down, L. E. Curtis, and No. 8, My Coronet, W. B. Nowlin.

Dixie Clipper Wins Inaugural 

In annexing the Inaugural, Dixie Clipper nosed out Last Down in a photo finish with Jerry Kay, a long shot, a fast finishing third. Dixie Clipper is trained by Sam Gerald, he is a brindle sired by Man At Arms with Donna Doreen as his dam.

When juveniles show great promise, they bring high hopes of good things. This season brings added hopes with the arrival of Old Man River, More Taxes and Discount. Each would shine in the spotlight in the coming years. Old Man River, not nearly as renowned as the other two, but still highly regarded. More Taxes prospered as a racer, and became a legend as a Sire. Discount would accomplish something that no local greyhound has ever equaled in a ninety day meet. 

The Puppy Stakes

Old Man River and More Taxes, outstanding favorites just now for the annual Puppy Stakes which will be run the first week of March, match strides in the ninth and featured race tonight. Old Man River is from Walter Smith's kennel, by Doubtful R out of Gambling Lady, while More Taxes is from Blackwell kennel and a brother, but not littermate of the highly regarded Grand Son. The sire of More Taxes was Par Ex and the dam Grancop.

Old Man River is a five-time winner while More Taxes has registered four triumphs. Both graduated recently to "hot box" classification, but showed they are not ready to keep up with the group just yet, so are being dropped back slightly in tonight's offering.

The third annual Puppy Stakes, one of three stake races but carrying the richest purse value of all contests every greyhound racing season, will be run at Jacksonville Kennel Club next Friday night. Thus far the three favorites among racing fans are Old Man River, More Taxes and Painted Beauty. The first of these is an eight-time winner, while More Taxes and Painted Beauty have accounted for six triumphs each. 

A greyhound champion will be crowned in the ninth race at the Jacksonville Kennel Club tonight. The field matching strides tonight is a better balanced one than in past seasons. Three of the entries will carry more support by the fans than the others. These are Old Man River, probable post-time favorite, despite his bad luck in drawing the No. 4 post position; More Taxes, with the "red blanket" or No. 1 starting box and Painted Beauty who breaks from the No. 7. 

Old Man River is the Puppy Stake champion for 1942 at the Jacksonville Kennel Club. This sterling youngster  whipped a great band of rivals in the juvenile championship last night before a near-capacity turnout of greyhound racing lovers. More Taxes second favorite placed, with Puck saving the show portion of the purse.

The Jacksonville Derby

The Derby field is made up of stars who have raced here all season and won their right to compete in the blue ribbon attraction through five elimination races. Last Down, figures to be post-time favorite in the star-studded test. His arch rivals or rather a pair who have been running in extra-ordinarily fine form recently and sure to attract more than passing interest are Ben Advertiser and Discount. Others are Perfect Rhythm, Texas Ben, Grand Son, Lila Lee and Scoby.

Grand Son wins Derby

In a brilliantly ran performance, Grand Son always in a contending position, came from behind in the home stretch drive last night to over take Last Down, the pacesetter and won by a length, Discount was third. 

All-Florida Derby

Derby winners at all three tracks are included in this field. They are Silver Zephyr, Scatterbrain and Grand Son. 

The Field

                                                           1- Silver Zephyr (Miami)

                                                           2- Discount (Jacksonville)

                                                           3- Who's Boy (Tampa)

                                                           4- Scatterbrain (Tampa)

                                                           5- Last Down (Jacksonville)

                                                           6- Grand Son (Jacksonville)

                                                           7- Guy David (Jacksonville)

                                                           8- Kilshannig Rover (Miami)

Discount, Jacksonville owned and trained and one of the local track's four representatives, captured the eighth annual All-Florida Greyhound Derby at the Jacksonville Kennel Club last night. A roaring enthusiastic and record setting throng of race lovers witnessed the triumph of the star from Johnny Prevatt's kennel, Scatterbrain, winner of the Tampa Derby last Friday night and who ran a dead heat in the same race last year, was second, Guy David, also a Jacksonville owned and trained star was third.

1943 Season

The Year of a Star: Discount

The Inaugural

Eight of the top greyhounds in training, including six who were sensational, as well as successful performers a  year ago, have been named as entries for the Inaugural Handicap. Top L to R, So Sweet, Last Down, Old Man River, El Contrabando. Bottom R to L, Discount, Chic Acosta, Court Quiz, Guy David.

Guy David, track champion of last season when he won 14 races, resumed his winning ways in capturing the colorful Inaugural Handicap. The big brindle and white son of Traffic Roll, broke sharply as usual, quickly stepped into a big lead and held on determinedly all the way to score by a two lengths margin. So Sweet saved the place award, while Court Quiz, a newcomer to this track was third.

The Puppy Stakes

Favorite's don't always win the Puppy Stakes events, but admirers of Flirty Marie are convinced she'll roll home as the favorite tonight. This fast finishing young daughter of Dancing Officer and Lucky Judy. She has won seven races, but the way in which she's triumphed, has gained her many friends. She comes from far behind with a blazing burst of home stretch  speed and that kind of racer is always popular. 

Jess Williams has three entries in the event, Gravy Master, Mister Jones and Dowdy.

Mister Jones wins Puppy Stakes    

Mister Jones is the Puppy Stakes champion for 1943 at the Jacksonville Kennel Club. The red and white son of Chinko and Jackie Nell, owned by Jess Williams, captured the richest of all race purses at the Jacksonville Kennel Club last night in a brilliant and convincing triumph, beating out Flirty Marie, the first choice, by two full lengths. Lucky Jack was third while Gravy Master, a full brother of Mister Jones, was fourth.

Mister Jones won the fourth annual classic simply by breaking ahead of the field and staying in front from box opening to finish line. Although Flirty Marie cut his advantage down from four lengths at one stage to two at the finish line.

The Jacksonville Derby

The eight annual Jacksonville Derby, last of the big greyhound racing classics for this season, will be the magnet drawing thousands of fans to the Jacksonville Kennel Club tonight.

Mighty Discount, unquestioned track champ, regardless of how he fares in the blue ribbon attraction, will be favored to win with Mike O looming as his most serious rival. Discount is the only dog in tonight's Derby to run in the same event last year. He was third then, being beaten by Grand Son and Last Down.

Discount was just reaching greatness when the 1942 Derby was run, for his greatest success came after that in the historic All-Florida Derby and then the Au Revoir Handicap. No greyhound in the history of this track has enjoyed so much success as has the noble son of Noah Count, out of Lady Goer, and Discount is tremendously popular, because he is the only home bred, home owned star to ever win the All-Florida Derby and became track champion as well. He won 10 times last season and has recorded 25 triumphs this year in 33 starts.

Discount wins Derby

Discount, the invincible track champion, is the 1943 Greyhound Derby Champion, at the Jacksonville Kennel Club. Du Hu, in closet pursuit all the way, held on tenaciously for the place, while Mike O was third. Discount's triumph was exceedingly popular with the capacity and record-establishing throng of racing lovers. A handsome gold trophy was Discount's reward, this was presented to Mr. & Mrs. (Reba) Prevatt. 

Note: Just a few weeks prior to this Derby, the Johnny Prevatt Kennel suffered a terrible blow. A fire ravaged the kennel, killing 18 dogs, Discount and three others were the only ones rescued.

Au Revoir

Discount scores his record setting 28th win in the Au Revoir, duplicated last year's win in the same event. 28 wins, within 90 day meet, has never been equaled in the 75 years of racing in North Florida.

No All-Florida Derby

Due  to the war

1944 Season

Inaugural

The cream of greyhounds in training and showing to best advantage in last weeks schoolings test, will go post-ward in this opening classic. Six of the eight entries are hold-over stars from last season, while the other two are newcomers, who are not only highly regarded, but have shown surprising speed and ability on a track entirely new to them. 

One of the hold-overs is Discount, the star who was track champion a year ago, when he set an all-time record of 28 triumphs in 36 starts. So Sweet, his full sister ran second in last years same event, the other four are Mike O., Ben's Duchess, Society Jane and Victory Parade. The two newcomers are New Time and Dr. Andrews.

So Sweet wins Inaugural

The Puppy Stakes

This year's event promises to be equally as good and probably much better than any other in the past. The eight dogs going to post, are some of the fastest youngsters that have ever raced at the local track. The contest is most unusual in that five of the entries are offspring's of Bill's Secretary.

Four of the youngsters are all littermates, whose dam is May Laddies, they are Bill John, Hudson, Red Bill and Dale. The other Bill's Secretary offspring is Summertime, whose dam is Royal Swift. Pre-racing dope favors Bill John to win, with Hudson and Summertime given an excellent chance to score if the favorite fails to justify the faith of his numerous supporters.

Hudson wins puppy stakes

Hudson, one of five sons of Bill's Secretary in the race is the 1944 Puppy Stakes champion at the Jacksonville Kennel Club. Before an enthusiastic and large throng of greyhound lovers, Hudson came through with a brilliant triumph in the annual classic last night. Red Hill, a littermate brother, saved the place award, while Side Bet, the pacemaker lasted long enough for the show portion of the purse.

Discount is still winning races, but not of the same form as last year

The night's program was topped off by the fifteenth success of Discount for the meet. The track champion paid $2.20, the smallest win price ever quoted on any greyhound in the plant's history. 

Ironically, on Discount's 28th start of the season, being in the money 47 consecutive times, over two season's at Jacksonville, with 44 wins, he dropped a muscle and was done for the meet. Discount's had 98 starts over three season's at Jacksonville, compiling a record of 54-20-12.

The Jacksonville Derby

Hudson, sensational son of Bill's Secretary, is not only the Puppy Stakes champion, but winner of the ninth annual Jacksonville Derby as well. The black and white youngster poked his nose in front just in time to win the Derby last night over Lucky Ben, who narrowly missed whipping him. Gold Idol, another crack pup was third.

A capacity crowd, probably the largest in the track's history, witnessed the running of the classic. Hudson, is the only Puppy Stakes winner to also annex the local Derby. The winner took the lead entering the back stretch, was outrun for a spell going to the far turn by Jim Barnes, but once in the home stretch, resumed command and succeeded in staving off the closing rush of Lucky Ben. The victory was also the tenth of the meeting for Hudson.

Four Greyhound Stars honored at the local track

Four great greyhounds of the past, no longer racing, but basking in the limelight as the proud sires and dams of stars even now pilling up purse money and prestige, will be on display at the Jacksonville Kennel Club Monday night. The four are Bill's Secretary, Extra, Melodrama and Chinko.

All but Chinko are favorably remembered by local greyhound racing lovers. Chinko, in his day, was recognized as one of the top sprinters in the country. He performed with meteoric success at the Miami Beach and Taunton race tracks a few years back.

The other three need no introduction to local fans, but Bill's Secretary is probably the most popular. Not only was this big fellow track champion two seasons in a row, winning 14 races at each meeting, but he set a record for consecutive victories-nine- that has never been broken. Bill's Sec., as the fans called him, was tremendously popular too because he was one of the smartest greyhounds to ever race here. There has been many greyhounds much faster, but Bill's Sec. won many a race by simply picking his holes and outsmarting fleeter rivals.

As for Extra and Melodrama, they are the oldest of the four returning to the scene of many former triumphs. They were shinning lights at the same time that Sky was track champion and were all littermates. They are about 11 years old.

Melodrama set and held the track's futurity record for the better part of two seasons and many of her pups have been very successful. Extra was recognized as the top female racer of her time and would undoubtedly have been track queen had she not been forced to race against Sky, her brother on almost every occasion. She too is the proud dam of many successful sons and daughters.

No All-Florida Derby

Due to the war

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