This champ goes for a prestigious North American mark tonight

A great champion will shoot for a major honor tonight at Derby Lane Greyhound Track in St. Petersburg.

Flying Coal City is gunning for his 49th win of 2010 in Race 10. If he gets it, that would make him the winningest dog in North America this year. (He could tie for the honor depending on the outcome of an afternoon race in Palm Beach).

Now Joe’s been a greyhound racing fan for a long time. And Joe can assure you this is a huge deal.

Flying Coal City, aka Cook Train, has faced top competition all year in sprint and distance races. And he’s recorded record times in both. No challenge is too great for this dog.

Tonight he’ll look to repeat his latest performance in the 550-yard sprint, which he covered Wednesday in 30.66 seconds. …The Bucs could use a running back with those kind of wheels!

If you don’t have New Year’s Eve plans, get out to Derby Lane tonight to enjoy great racing, poker and dining. The action runs all night.