THE HISTORY OF GREYHOUND RACING IN MASSACHUSETTS

by Dennis McKeon

The great Gravel Gertie---direct female ancestor to Molotov, was bred in Marlboro Ma, at the John D'Orlando farm.  The track at Taunton, and its historic American Greyhound Derby, is the crown jewel in the history, not only of greyhound racing in MA, but of greyhound racing in the US. It was the first open Derby to pay a huge purse to the winner (25K in 1949----unheard of in those days) The bloodlines of American Greyhounds are imbued with the influence of American Derby winners, or their family members and/or siblings....for example, Gable Dodge traces his direct female lineage to Transpat, 3rd in the American Derby, and littermate to 1954(?) winner Mellojean.  Westy Whizzer and IWs Owl led the MA team to a victory of the FL team, in the MA vs FL competition.