SEARCH NEWS:

 

Derby Lane Million Pays Richest Purse

ST. PETERSBURG, Florida – (PRESS RELEASE) -- The lure is in motion for greyhound racing's first million dollar stakes--the largest paying stakes event in the history of the sport. The Derby Lane Million will also pay the richest winning purse of $500,000 at historic Derby Lane in St. Petersburg, Florida on March 4, 2006. Track President Vey O. Weaver, a fourth generation family owner, made an official announcement at the National Greyhound Hall of Fame during recent ceremonies in Abilene, Kansas, the heart of American greyhound racing.

"This will be the biggest event in the history of the sport," said Weaver who is the great grandson of founding president T. L. Weaver. "We are looking forward to this epic event at our historic facility." Derby Lane greyhounds collectively have won more awards than any other track in the nation. And only two greyhounds in the history of the NGA national awards have swept all categories--Dominator in 2000 and Cayman Went in 2004-both from the Tampa Bay area. The two greyhounds were featured in the popular Details and FHM magazines.

The Derby Lane Million will showcase top greyhounds from tracks across the nation competing against the legendary "Derby Dogs" in a six-race series paying the winner a record $500,000 purse. The race is a first of its kind in the world and will be preceded by the $100,000 Distance Classic held over the 660-yard course. The 550-yard million dollar stakes will begin February 11 where points will be awarded based on performance in each of the five-round qualifiers to determine the eight contestants for the stakes final and the consolation stakes.

"For now the race has been dubbed the Derby Lane Million," said Media Director Vera Filipelli. "That could change if a corporate sponsor expresses interest in naming rights." Filipelli added that out of state greyhounds have challenged the Derby Lane athletes in their major stakes but have failed to walk away with the trophy. "We hope our local greyhound athletes can continue that winning tradition," she said.

< Gaming News