ST. PETERSBURG — The proverbial window to winning a stakes race at Derby Lane is seldom closed for kennel owners Randy and Patty Floyd. The couple's goal is always the same.
Advance a greyhound to the final and then hope for some racing luck.
That philosophy remains in place tonight as Floyd kennel participates in the $50,000 Fall Sprint, the first of 11 stakes races in Derby Lane's 2015-16 season. Thirty-two greyhounds are entered in the 550-yard event that features four qualifying rounds. The winner of the Oct. 3 finale earns $22,000.
Abernathy kennel has two of the main challengers in littermates Magic Husker (Race 4, 8:10 p.m.) and Husker Magic (Race 6, 8:39), Derby Lane's two-time defending win leader and 2014 All-America selection with 86 lifetime victories. Another strong entry is D'Arcy kennel's Fair Thee Well (Race 4), the track's current top dog.
"I would have to give (the favorite's role) to Husker Magic," Patty Floyd said. "Anything can happen, but she's just a standout.
"You're always shooting to make the final. If you get in the final, you want to win."
One of the Floyds' major upsets in a stakes race took place in 2000 with Roman Follies in the Gold Trophy Juvenile. The dog advanced to the puppy final despite losing both qualifying races at odds of 18-1 and 20-1. In the championship race, he was the longest shot at 27-1, but won by a head over Wolf Pack in 31.17 seconds at 550 yards. It is the slowest time clocked by a Gold Trophy winner since 1984. Roman Follies, who won only six of 65 lifetime starts, would lose his next 40 races after his stunning Gold Trophy victory.
"(The Gold Trophy final) was like a 10-minute photo, and we beat one of Ryan Farms' dogs," Patty Floyd said.
Deja Flew Again, a 27-month-old female out of a litter by Pb's Primo and Flashy Rhythm, could give the Floyds that deja vu experience in the Fall Sprint. She has overcome a slow career start to be a consistent sprinter for owner Kenton Rider.
Deja Flew Again broke her maiden in her first outing, and then lost her next 20 starts. Deja Flew Again found her stride, placing in the money 27 times in her past 34 starts with top-four finishes, including eight wins.
This will be the second stakes series for Deja Flew Again, who came within one round of advancing to the Gold Trophy Juvenile finale in May.
"(Deja Flew Again) will give you everything she's got," Floyd said. "She is a love muffin (in the kennel). Kenton Rider's dogs remind us of our dogs when we get them from the farm. They've been handled well, they love you, and they jump all over you."
The Floyds also entered Kaias Redd Foxx in Race 6. Their last stakes winner was Lily Rose, who captured the Inaugural and Matinee Idol in 2013.