Cal Holland hopes to break stakes losing streak at Derby Lane

ST. PETERSBURG — If Derby Lane's courses at 550 and 660 yards were a tad shorter, Cal Holland kennel's winless streak in stakes finals probably wouldn't be as long.

The drought, one that has lasted nearly a decade, could end in the $20,000 Fall Juvenile. Third-round qualifying is tonight in Races 6 and 10. The 550-yard finale is Nov. 8.

"We've probably got just as good a shot as anybody to win it," said Holland, the 69-year-old kennel owner. "Puppy stakes are a little different. … Not all the time does the favorite win."

Three littermates carry Holland's hopes: Penrose Lobo (Race 10, 9:47 p.m.), Penrose Macie (Race 10) and Penrose Plex (Race 6, 8:39). The pups are named after the hometown of their breeders, Nick and Joan Desalvo of Penrose, Colo.

Penrose Lobo won Wednesday to share the points lead with Floyd & Porter kennel's Well Received (Race 6), each at 26. Penrose Macie, who had a four-race winning streak snapped in her latest qualifier, has 18 points, and Penrose Flex has 13.

The greyhounds are from a four-dog litter by Rhythmless and Penrose Ralene, and all have raced at Grade A.

"Lobo is a pleasant surprise," Holland said. "Macie was always the best one and Plex the second best."

Holland's last stakes victory at Derby Lane came with Rambition in the Matinee Idol on Dec. 10, 2005. A total of 3,248 days and 104 Derby Lane stakes races have passed since the victory by Rambition, who raced in the inaugural Derby Lane Million and was eliminated after three rounds.

"It would certainly feel different to win," Holland said. "We've had the favorite in a few (previous stakes races) and ended up not winning."

Holland nearly broke the ice with Jack's Cruze and Kentucky Ice.

Jack's Cruze, who continues to race and has 59 victories, sped to an early three-length lead in the 550-yard Fall Sprint in 2013, only to lose by a nose to Kiowa Jordan Doc. Jack's Cruze also finished second to Tmc's Roxslide in the 2012 Holiday Distance Challenge.

Kentucky Ice, a meet wins leader in 2011, raced to a fourth-length advantage in the 660-Yard Challenge (now called the Holiday Distance Challenge) that year but was beaten by a neck by Flying Big Gun.

Kentucky Ice was a runnerup in two other stakes that season: the St. Petersburg Consolation Derby (won by Magic Finch) and the Gold Trophy Juvenile (Hi Noon Renegade).

Justin Holland, Cal's grandson, is the kennel manager and trainer.

HORSES: The Breeders' Cup ends today at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif. The $5 million Classic (Race 12, 8:35 p.m., Ch. 8) is the final event, with undefeated Shared Belief tabbed the 9-5 morning-line favorite. One of his owners is radio and television personality Jim Rome. Simulcast wagering on the Breeders' Cup is available at Derby Lane, Tampa Bay Downs in Oldsmar and Tampa Greyhound Track.