64 dachshunds dash for the wiener’s circle
As the world’s top snowboarders and skiers gathered in South Korea for the Olympics, another set of athletes assembled in northwest Houston for what may be the region’s premier event in the sport of wiener dog racing.
Sixty-four dachshunds descended on Sam Houston Race Park for a Saturday night contest where long contestants run a short distance — about 100 feet — in a frenzied search for glory. The races are the park’s effort to lure families with attractions like a moonbounce obstacle course and “Star Wars” night with free lightsabers. Their dachshund races have hit the road, appearing during halftime at a Texans preseason game.
Nearly half the athletes in any given heat won’t finish the course. A few good dogs will bolt for the finish line, where their coaches often dangle toys or treats. Several will make a few confused circles and meander down the track. A couple don’t leave the starting box.
Many competitors were regulars. Frankie was back for redemption and to pass on the torch. The scrappy former street dog finished third in his heat last year, narrowly missing the final round that determines a grand champion.
The 10-year-old has been energized since December, when his coach’s sister got a little athlete of her own as a Christmas gift. Fourmonth-old Roland had trained with his older cousin, but coach Olivia Lopez, of Bellaire, worried his personality could pose an obstacle.
“It could go either way,” Lopez said. “He’s very timid, so he might just sit in the box. But he’s a mama’s boy, so he might come running.”
John Wayne, a newcomer wearing a red bowtie, seemed unfazed by the bright lights and barking that filled the pavilion where the athletes awaited their turn.
His coach, Baytown resident Shelby Weatherly, admitted he struggles with a personal issue off the field: “He’s addicted to toys.”
Before the race, Weatherly sized up the competition and grew more confident about John Wayne’s chances.
“He’s perfect because all he does is run around,” she said. “Look at all those other dogs just sitting down.”
As the racers waited for the horses to be led off the track, their coaches massaged muscles and gave final pep talks. One man played “Eye of the Tiger” on his smartphone speakers to pump up a competitor who looked more ready to nap than to run.
Grant Whitney whispered to his athlete, Snookie: “Walk. Treat.” He listed commands in quick succession to get the racer riled up.
As the dogs were plopped in the starting boxes Grant’s wife, Robin, began bellowing their athlete’s name, which was picked in honor of a Frisco restaurant with a wiener dog mascot.
“Snooookie,” she screamed, her voice rising in volume and pitch to be heard above the other coaches’ cheers. It’s all part of the strategy.
“I lose my voice for him,” she said. “I won’t be able to talk tomorrow.”
The athlete, a rescue aged 7, clawed at the gate to his starting box. He was the dachshund to beat, having finished second last year and won the race at NRG Stadium. His coaches said it took several years of undistinguished racing before his first victory.
Snookie was born with a black line on his brown back that his coaches call his racing stripe. He wears a black studded collar to look tough. He stands an inch or two taller than many other racers.
“People accuse us of cheating,” Grant Whitney said. But the coaches say he was adopted directly from Texas Dachshund Rescue, which said that both parents were full dachshunds.
In the final, Snookie bolted out with top speed but was bested by another middle-aged regular. Roxy, age 6, took the top spot. Snookie landed second.
Tonya Drach and Mark Chokie said Roxy’s reward would be one of the $1 hot dogs — the low price in honor of the wiener dog races. The humans accepted the two $100 bills for Roxy and the one for Snookie.