Flying leap helps Flying Dynomite into Derby Lane's Husker Magic Fall Sprint final

ST. PETERSBURG — When the unexpected began to unfold, Derby Lane kennel owner Malcolm McAllister didn't expect to be so relieved after it happened.

His Flying Dynomite had just cleared the first turn in the second round of the $50,000 Husker Magic Fall Sprint Stakes on Sept. 17 when two rivals collided in front of her.

Flying Dynomite was accelerating along the rail — less than two lengths behind the pair — when Stacys Dark Hawk fell after being bumped by Hi Noon Viper. Instead of getting tangled up in the incident, Flying Dynomite made a split-second decision that saved the day.

"(She) leapt the fallen rival on the first turn," Derby Lane chart writer Timothy Barr reported in the official racing chart. After that, Flying Dynomite continued on to finish fourth, only 3 lengths behind the winner.

"How she didn't go down I do not know," McAllister said. "How she overcame the 2-dog (Stacys Dark Hawk) was amazing."

If Flying Dynomite wins the Husker Magic Fall Sprint tonight in Race 10 (9:47 p.m.), McAllister said his dog's near fall won't be forgotten. She earned six points that night, helping her gain a spot in the 550-yard finale of her stakes debut.

"(Greyhound racing) is a contact sport. … It's the name of the game," McAllister said. "I've seen (collisions) before and one or two dogs go down and there's no room for the (other) dogs to go but jump over them."

Flying Dynomite, the Derby Lane meet wins leader with nine for trainer Louis Amaral, will be the youngest (20 months old) and least experienced (24 starts) among the eight starters tonight. But few greyhounds have been more consistent recently than Flying Dynomite, who has placed in the money in 14 of her past 15 starts with top-four finishes, including six wins.

Bred by owner Vince Berland of Abilene, Kan., Flying Dynomite is a 67-pound female by Flying Coal City and Firecracker Sue. Flying Coal City, a dual-distance star and five-time stakes winner, was the industry's Triple Crown winner in 2010 for McAllister and his late wife, Barbara. Firecracker Sue was a sprinter who raced in one stakes series.

"If (Flying Dynomite) gets through trouble, she'll be right there knocking on the door," McAllister said. "It depends on how close she is around the first turn and what position she has when she comes out (of the turn)."

Nine of Flying Dynomite's 10 lifetime wins have come from off the pace.

McAllister is going for his 26th Derby Lane stakes victory, all since 2007. Other starters in tonight's feature: Bella Gigan (Alderson kennel), Gt's Gin N Juice (Abernathy), Hallo French Gig (Pauline O'Donnell), stakes winner Lego Andrew (Floyd), Lk's Crazee Boyz (Lashmet), two-time stakes winner Mac's Gossie (Alabama Racing) and Tr's Flapjack (Floyd).

First place pays $22,000.