J. W. Rocket One

Although you were not the pick of your litter and your first schooling lines left something to be desired, you suddenly fired up and rocketed into stardom. You sensed the smell of victory when you crossed the finish line the first time and kept on winning. With your early burst of speed, no greyhound could pass you by.

Described as having an intense disposition, you ran hard until an injury forced your withdrawal from the World Classic. You had a total of 111 lifetime wins, 66 of them in Colorado, and many of them at stake competition. You were twice the winner of the NGA Rural Rube Award and were top sprinter for 1982 and 1983.

You won the Cloverleaf Classic twice and were bound for a third try when your untimely death occurred. You won the 2nd Hollywood Classic, St. Patrick’s Day Stake, and 6th Great Greyhound Race, and twice won the McCarthy  Memorial. You made the All-American Team for 1982-83 and tied the Win Mark in 1983 at Cloverleaf. You set a new track record at RMGP that year, won the All-West Match Race, and were Sprint Champ.

Your owners, Wilbert and Julia Hart of Berthoud, Colo., were heartbroken when you died in 1984 of heart failure following an injury. Loved by those who watched you run, two loyal fans gave your owners a plaque with prose honoring you, their hero. Your memory lives on as one of the greatest in the sport.