No chaser: Bourbon tops Whiskey in Westminster whippet upset
Straight up, this was a Westminster Kennel Club surprise: Bourbon over Whiskey.
A big-winning whippet was bounced from America's top pooch pageant Monday — knocked off, in fact, by his own sister.
Whiskey had won the prized National Dog Show televised on Thanksgiving Day and the prominent AKC event shown on New Year's Day. But his bid for a Triple Crown of dogdom ended when he was topped by littermate Bourbon in the breed judging.
"She's the new kid on the block," handler Cheslie Pickett Smithey said.
Create a More Connected Minnesota
MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.
Bourbon advanced to the hound group competition at Madison Square Garden on Monday night. The toy, herding and nonsporting champ also will compete — Biggie the pug, who had fans chanting his name at the Garden last year, advanced to the evening session.
More than 2,800 dogs in 203 breeds and varieties were entered. The best in show will be picked Tuesday.
For Pickett Smithey, the win was a bit bittersweet. She teared up talking about the result because she and her husband, Justin Smithey of Sugar Valley, Georgia, co-own both dogs. He guided Whiskey in the ring.
"I just hate beating Whiskey," she said.
Last year, Whiskey won the breed at Westminster, and Bourbon was awarded best of opposite sex. This time, the 3-year-olds switched places.
"We're as proud as we can get," he said.
Whiskey wasn't sour after the upset. The littermates are "best buds," Cheslie said, and nuzzled outside the ring when it was over.
Whippets are similar to greyhounds, only smaller. They're known for their tremendous running speed, but Bourbon was completely under control. She was more mesmerized by the meat treats Cheslie fastened to her arm with a rubberband.
At one point, she sensed Bourbon needed a little extra.
"Go get me the fish," she told an assistant from inside the ring.
This year's Westminster features two new breeds, the grand basset griffon Vendeen and the Nederlandse kooikerhondje. There were 57 golden retrievers entered, but just one sloughi — who was a no-show.