Bartley counts on Flint to spark success at Derby Lane

ST. PETERSBURG — Once Rick Bartley received a booking this summer at Derby Lane, he revisited a chapter in his life.

The one featuring Doug Flint.

More than a decade ago, Bartley hired Flint to manage his kennel in Jacksonville. So when Bartley got the okay from Derby Lane vice president David Tiano to bring his operation to St. Petersburg, he knew who to call.

Flint, 71, a native of The Dalles, Ore., was the hands-down choice to manage Bartley Corporation, which replaced Abrahamson on the track's 16-kennel roster. For Flint, it marked a return to the industry after a 15-month hiatus.

"The main reason (to come back) is basically if you retire and have nothing to do, it's boring after a while," Flint said. "When Rick called me, it did seem like something I might want to do."

Flint's involvement with greyhounds had stopped in May 2014. He was the manager of four-time leading kennel Patriot, but stepped down after five months with health-related issues. "I feel a lot better now," he said.

Flint worked with Bartley for three years before moving to Derby Lane, where he has nine stakes wins and one kennel crown. Seven of those stakes victories and the win title in 2005-06 came with Magic City kennel, whose top athlete was five-time stakes winner Extruding Dream, a 2006 All-America choice and Flashy Sir award winner as the nation's top distance dog.

A move to Royal Racing Team ensued for Flint and he won the 2011 St. Petersburg Derby with Storm Rush. Flint also had success with Hambleton kennel, which finished second in the 2011 July to December standings — losing the win title on the meet's final night by a 270-269 margin to four-time track champion McAllister kennel. Flint's last stakes victory came in 2013 with Hambleton sprinter Art Vandelay in the Gold Trophy Juvenile.

Bartley raises dogs on his farm in Abilene, Kan., and will be the primary supplier for Flint, whose trainer is Greg Morse. Bartley races greyhounds at various tracks around the country. He has a booking at Bluffs Run in Council Bluffs, Iowa, but that track plans to end dog racing on Dec. 31.

Bartley Corporation made its first Derby Lane start on Aug. 1, and sent only seven dogs to the starting box in its first nine performances. On Tuesday, the kennel had eight entries. Entering Friday, it had won four of its first 19 starts.

Youth dominates the 51-dog kennel.

"I've got 25 to 30 puppies, and when you're breaking maidens, it takes a little while (to develop them)," Flint said. "(Bartley) has already sent me about 20 graded dogs, ones that are already running.

"The first thing you've got to do is have good dogs, just like any other athletic endeavor. I just try to pay attention to detail — take care of your dogs, feed them good, treat them good, make your turnouts on time. When they're happy, they run good."