NGA Greyhound Review 2016

Wayne Cleary blossoms into
top Grade AA racer

Monte Jacobs always thought Wayne was very impressed. I didn’t think he
Cleary had potential while in training on had that kind of speed.”
the farm in Kansas.
It took Wayne Cleary three
attempts to win in Grade B and Jacobs
would have liked it to be even more.

Still, he never expected the youngster to turn into “I prefer to see greyhounds take at
the force he has at Wheeling Island. least 15 starts to get to Grade AA at
Wheeling. That gives them a chance

Racing out of the Jacobs Kennel and trained by to mature and gain experience,”
Jacobs said. “Sometimes when grey-
Louise Strong, Wayne Cleary broke in at Wheeling in late hounds go up too fast, they have a

October 2015, climbed the hard time in Grade AA and lose con-

ladder to Grade AA by year’s end and 12 ½ and 4 lengths, the latter after fidence. A few races in Grade B were
showed he could compete against the overcoming early trouble. Then the good for Wayne Cleary.”
Following his 7-length Grade B
track’s top sprinters. by powerhouse captured three out of his win in 29.65, Wayne Cleary won his
In 21 starts through Stan first four official starts – Maiden by next two trips as well – Grade A by 5
February, Wayne Pawloski 7 lengths in 29.78, Grade D by 10 ½ lengths in 29.70 and Grade AA by
Cleary had 10 wins, lengths in 29.31 and Grade C by 9
4 ½ lengths in 29.40.
including five in lengths in 29.59.
“When he cracked off those three
Grade AA, 2 seconds and 5 thirds. “It didn’t take him long to figure
“I was breaking in a lot of other out the racetrack,” Jacobs noted. “I wins in a row, I knew then that he

pups on the farm along with Wayne

Cleary and I thought several others

were better than him,” Jacobs said.

“He was solid, but I never imagined

he would turn out the way he has and

be a multiple Grade AA winner at

Wheeling.”

Paul Wheeler of Massachusetts, a

son-in-law of Wayne Cleary’s owner

Edward Piziak Jr., said they are over-

joyed by the sprinter’s progress.

“We were very fortunate to have

been able to purchase Wayne Cleary

off of Monte (Jacobs). He’s gotten

better each start and surpassed our

expectations,” Wheeler said. “It’s

been thrilling and exciting to watch

Wayne develop and grow.”

An April 2014 greyhound out of

Bella Infrared-Cruel To Be Kind,

Wayne Cleary turned heads as soon

as the sprinter hit the Wheeling rac- Jacobs Racing Kennel’s Wayne Cleary won 10 out of his first 21 races at
ing oval – schooling victories by Wheeling Island, including five in Grade AA. (Photo by Stan Pawloski)

Review ed on the following workday.

was a special greyhound. He was wasn’t able to clear the first turn with “He had it pretty much his way
putting out a consistent effort every the leaders but rallied in the home- moving up the ladder – getting out
time out,” Jacobs said. “It’s not very stretch to hit the ticket in five of those and running away from the field. In
often you see performances like that starts – a second and four thirds. Grade AA, it’s a lot different although
at his age.” I think he’s holding his own,” Jacobs
“More impressive than winning said. “I do think he’s maturing now
In each of his victories moving up Grade AA races has been his desire and settling in where he needs to be.
the ladder, Wayne Cleary either drove and determination to come back in He’s found himself and getting into
to the front early and never looked those races,” Jacobs said. “That’s position to win races.”
back or got around the first turn with- where you see the character of a grey-
in striking distance. His initial Grade hound. That’s what you like to see.” Wayne Cleary littermate Kinda Cruel
AA win was a box-to-wire effort from Red, owned by Piziak as well, has shined
a favorable rail post position. Wayne Cleary won four out of his early in his career at Palm Beach. He has
next six Grade AA starts – all with late won nine out of his first 13 starts, includ-
Drawing middle holes in his next closing efforts. In each race, the pup ing four in Grade A.
six Grade AA races, Wayne Cleary cleared the first turn second or third.

NOTICE
TO ADVERTISERS

Ad deadline is All ad copy, corrections, additions,
now cancellations, etc. must be received
June 1 on or before the first day of the
month prior to publication. If that
for Summer day falls on a weekend or holiday,
Review ads will be accepted on the follow-
ing workday.