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Husker Magic takes T.L. Weaver Memorial Challenge at Derby Lane

 
Husker Magic before a race on Thursday, February 11, 2016 at Derby Lane in St. Petersburg. EVE EDELHEIT   |   Times
Husker Magic before a race on Thursday, February 11, 2016 at Derby Lane in St. Petersburg. EVE EDELHEIT | Times
Published June 11, 2016

ST. PETERSBURG — Fifteen minutes before the $8,000 T.L. Weaver Memorial Challenge at Derby Lane, the muggy night transformed into one of rain and wind.

Leadouts were caught without rain gear; patrons ran for cover.

Waiting in the paddock was Husker Magic, who watched the fast-moving storm June 4 pass by before walking toward the starting box.

Nothing was going to rain on her parade.

Facing stakes rivals for possibly the final time, Husker Magic capped a magical week with a photo-finish victory in the 20th annual stakes race named for the track's late founder. It was the third career stakes title and 102nd victory overall for the Abernathy kennel standout, who three nights earlier had become the first greyhound in Derby Lane's 91 years to win 100 races on the St. Petersburg oval.

It also was the first T.L. Weaver crown for kennel owners Jim and Kayruth Abernathy, who were presented the championship trophy by track vice president Louise Weaver, great-granddaughter of Derby Lane's founding father.

Husker Magic's win ended with drama. The 2-1 second wagering choice broke crisply, built a four-length advantage by the first call and held on as Alderson kennel's Yolo Swag, a 17-1 shot, rallied in the stretch along the rail. Husker Magic prevailed by a nose with a 550-yard clocking of 30.53 seconds.

"She did what she had to do. … She had to break and get to the lead," Jim Abernathy said. "(Yolo Swag) was coming hard, but when (Husker Magic) went to the front like that, it would have been disappointing if she wouldn't have won."

Husker Magic — the 2015 All-America captain, Rural Rube winner as the sport's top sprinter and national win leader — moved into a tie for 39th place on the industry's all-time win leaderboard. She missed nearly three months this year with a hock issue and was unable to defend her Sprint Classic title.

"This (win) is a little bit of redemption," Abernathy said "(The Sprint Classic) was supposed to be her big, last hurrah. I was hoping for her to do good in the Sprint stake for the simple fact that you're looking at (an) All-American, and there's not too many three-time All-Americans (Husker Magic was on the All-America team in 2014-15). That goes a long way into getting into the Hall of Fame one day, maybe."

Trainer Claudio Lopez said Husker Magic has given him a wonderful opportunity.

"It's really cool because I'm working for one of the kennels that has one of the best greyhound dogs in the industry," he said. "It's one of the things that you get to live once in a lifetime."

Kayruth Abernathy said the 69-pound dog possesses many good qualities: "She has a big heart and is completely different (from other dogs). You can see it in her eyes. She appreciates everything, and she knows what she does. She has been a blessing."