Jim Abernathy makes right moves at Derby Lane

ST. PETERSBURG — It is autumn, when decisions by kennel owner Jim Abernathy have turned golden in the $50,000 Fall Sprint Stakes at Derby Lane.

Shortly before submitting his entries for the track's first stakes race of the season, Abernathy substituted Magic Husker in place of Pj Fresno, who finished a close third last year in the 550-yard event.

In June, Abernathy gave two-time stakes winner Odd Grayson time off to heal from a slight injury. The greyhound returned in style on Aug. 22, clocking a career- and season-best time of 30.10 seconds in his first start back.

Tonight, both Abernathy kennel dogs are among the Fall Sprint leaders for the third of four qualifying rounds.

Magic Husker, Odd Grayson and Joey Ice of Capabal kennel are unbeaten with 32 points each. Abernathy's third entry, Husker Magic, is sixth in the points standings with 20 after a pair of second-place finishes. Odd Grayson is in Race 6 (8:55 p.m.); the other three challengers are in Race 10 (10:11). The field of 16 will be whittled to eight Wednesday for the Oct. 4 finale. First place pays $22,000.

Abernathy, whose kennel entered Friday tied for first with Patriot in the meet win standings, isn't taking his dogs' success for granted.

"I haven't made the final yet. … Anything can happen," he said. "You don't count your chickens before they hatch."

Magic Husker and Odd Grayson appear to be in excellent position to make the finale, while Husker Magic needs at least one more quality finish to advance. The greyhounds are trained by Kayruth Abernathy, Jim's wife.

In an event loaded with early-speed dogs, Odd Grayson is one of the few with a high-octane late kick.

"Grayson is probably the only dog (in the field) that has finish like that," Jim Abernathy said. "Don't let him get around (the first turn) second or third, because he might be the sleeper in the whole thing. He's a monster whenever you run him."

Odd Grayson has stakes victories in the 660-yard Distance Classic on April 12 and the 550-yard Fall Juvenile on Nov. 2. The 34-month-old male out of a litter by Tk Quick Strike and Odd Swanee has 38 career victories with more than $75,000 in purse earnings for owner Linda Jones.

Husker Magic and Magic Husker are 29-month-old littermates produced by Rhythmless and Casino Zada. Husker Magic leads the meet with 17 victories, and Magic Husker is third with 11, one behind Joey Ice.

"It's probably the best litter in the United States right now," said Abernathy, who shares ownership in those dogs with Terry Haber and Arthur Kaufman.

Joey Ice has the longest current win streak at six, including two over Husker Magic in qualifying. The 32-month-old male out of a litter by Kiowa Sweet Trey and Queen Rania is the track's defending top dog. The Sprint Classic champion is trained by Belinda Parker for owner Joey Lingle.