Husker Magic bows out, health intact, after stellar Derby Lane career

ST. PETERSBURG — When Husker Magic crossed the finish line Tuesday for her 105th career victory at Derby Lane, kennel operator Jim Abernathy didn't realize he had just witnessed his superstar's swan song.

She was as sharp as ever, winning a Grade A 550-yard sprint in 30.61 seconds — the fastest time among 120 dogs that ran on the day's 15-race performance.

But not long after the 6-length victory, the past began to creep into the present for Abernathy, 50.

He thought about other dogs he had previously worked with that got hurt, including Casino Zada —Husker Magic's dam who sustained a career-ending hock injury in December 2010. At the time of her injury, she was tied for third in the meet's win standings.

Abernathy didn't want to see Husker Magic experience the same possible fate. So 24 hours after the talent with the big heart had recorded a fifth victory in a row — her eighth streak with at least five wins — Abernathy decided to retire the fawn-colored dog from racing. Husker Magic's career that began in 2013 spanned 1,097 days.

"She's had enough," Abernathy said. "I'd just hate to see her get hurt, and I'd feel bad. And there's not another stake race until September."

Husker Magic will spend several months at the residence of Jim and wife Kayruth Abernathy until the 69-pound dog begins a breeding career at the farm of Terry Haber in Grapevine, Ark. Arthur Kaufman of Sarasota, Abernathy and Haber own the 50-month-old sired by Rhythmless under the I Mark Kennels brand.

Trained by Claudio Lopez, Husker Magic earned more than $109,000 from 167 starts, and finished in a tie for 33rd place on the National Greyhound Association's all-time win list. She is the only greyhound in Derby Lane's 91 years to reach the century mark in wins — all but one coming at St. Petersburg.

Her resume includes a Rural Rube award for the nation's best sprinter; All-America captain; two-time All-America first-team selection; a national win title; three stakes crowns; two Derby Lane meet win titles; a pair of 11-race win streaks; and a career-best 550 clocking of 30.13 seconds.

Husker Magic used her strong rush to the first turn to win 63 percent of her starts by an average margin of 3.7 lengths, and finished in the money 87 percent of the time with top-four finishes.

"I guarantee I could have gotten another 20 wins with her, (but) it's not worth it," Abernathy said. "She's healthy, and she could have plenty of litters of pups for us. She's been a heck of a dog for us."

MORE DOGS: Derby Lane concludes its 2015-16 stakes program today with the $30,000 St. Petersburg Derby (Race 10, 9:47 p.m.) and the $10,000 Consolation Derby (Race 6, 8:39).

HORSES: Tampa Bay Downs is scheduled to hold its Summer Festival of Racing on June 30-July 1 with post time about noon in Oldsmar.