by Frank Drucker, publicity director, Empire City at Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — Style points were at a premium for Badlands Nitro on Saturday night, July 5, but he was efficient enough to win Yonkers Raceway’s $538,270 final of the Art Rooney Pace.

Badlands Nitro outsprinted his rivals in the stretch to win the Art Rooney Pace.

With Brian Sears driving for co-owner/trainer George Teague, “Nitro” outkicked his main rival, Santanna Blue Chip (Jody Jamieson), to prevail by a half-length in 1:52.4. The win, Teague’s second in succession as trainer in this race — Southwind Lynx won the million-dollar Rooney in ’07 — made Badlands Nitro harness racing’s newest milionaire.

Moon Beam (Eric Abbatiello) was a credible third despite a first-up effort, beaten 1-1/2 lengths. Legacy N Diamonds (Tim Tetrick), the other half of the “Santanna” entry, wound up fourth, with Dragon King (David Miller) grabbing the final pay envelope. Dontloseyourdayjob, Idle Hour (Jason Bartlett driving the other portion of the winning entry) and Meant To Be Me (John Campbell) were the back markers.

Leaving from post position six in the field of eight 3-year-old colts, Badlands Nitro — the stronger half of the 3-10 favored entry –dropped in fifth. Dontloseyourdayjob (Yannick Gingras) had schnoz on starting gate from the eight hole, rolling right to the front just after a :27.1 opening quarter-mile. Santanna Blue Chip, from post three, fell in behind, with pole-sitting Dragon King away third.

“Dayjob” continued through a :56.1 intermission, before Moon Beam took out of fourth. Badlands Nitro looked at it from second-over, though not without his escort getting after him a bit. Dontloseyourdayjob and Moon Beam were right alongside one another going to the 1:24.1 three-quarters, with Badlands Nitro going three-deep and Santanna Blue Chip searching for room.

“Nitro” did get his mind on business when it counted, outgaming a splitting-rivals Santanna Blue Chip for half the pot. The $269,135 winner’s share increased his career cash to seven figures — $1,007,392 — a fraternity which already included Santanna Blue Chip.

The two had won last week’s $40,000 elimination races, with “Nitro’s” 1:51.4 just two-fifths away from the local soph pacing colt record.

Badlands Nitro, a son of Badlands Hanover co-owned by John Celii, paid $2.70 for his sixth win in seven seasonal starts ($861,488). The exacta returned a popular $4.10, with the triple (three wagering choices in order) worth $11.40.

“That’s just the sort of horse he is,” Sears said. “He does what he has to do. You just have to give him a chance, and he really has never disappointed us.”

“I’m just very pleased with his success,” Teague said of the $16,000 yearling who has made a few dollars back from that original investment. “We had this race on his schedule all along, and we just hope to get horses good enough to bring here.”

Mike Lizzi photos

Thong set a new Yonkers track record with her 1:53.3 score in the Lismore Pace final.

Saturday night’s $325,230 final of the Lismore Pace — companion event to the Rooney — saw Thong (Tetrick) two-move to glory in 1:53.3, a new track record for 3-year-old fillies. Southwind Tempo, driven by Tetrick to a win in this race a season ago, had the old divisional standard (1:54.4).

Leaving from post six — same venue as Badlands Nitro — Thong ducked in fourth while Hannah Isabel (Gingras) rated early intervals of :28.2 and :57. Thong edged out to engage the leader by the 1:24.4 three-quarters, with “Isabel” owning a 1-1/4 length lead into the lane.

However, Thong proved too tough, going up and over by that same 1-1/4 lengths. Good News Lady (Greg Grismore), last along the pylons turning for home, knifed through to grab second at 33-1, with Cheyenne Trish (Campbell) — gapping the winner’s cover –settling for third. Riverbank Hanover (Sam Schillaci) and Hannah Isabel rounded out the payees, with Ladycino (Jim Morrill, Jr.), Chocolate Art (Bartlett) and Ideal Newton (Greg Merton) bringing up the rear.

Thong, a daughter of Western Hanover trained by Kevin Lare for North State Street Stable and Jerry Silva, paid $4.20 as the wagering choice. Her fourth win in six ’08 tries led a $139 exacta and $531 triple.

Yonkers’ now-six-night-per-week schedule (Monday through Friday — all at 7:40 p.m. — and Saturday — 6:50 p.m.) welcomed the return of Wednesdays this past week. Evening simulcasting accompanies all live programs, with afternoon simulcasting available around the NYRA schedule.

Editor’s note: To view a Cyber Circuit video replay, click on this link. For more information on the USTA Cyber Circuit, click on this link.