by John Zimich, publicity director, Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs

Wilkes-Barre, PA — Badlands Nitro, who wears saddle pad number two but is leaving from the number one post in Saturday’s $301,072 Max C. Hempt Memorial Pace at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, is favored to win his third race in as many 2008 starts.

Badlands Nitro was the fastest winner of the two Hempt elimination races last Saturday, coming from off the pace and stopping the timer in 1:51.1. Badlands Nitro raced on the outside for half of the mile before winning by 2-1/4 lengths.

“He’s definitely a contender and I like my chances in the Hempt,” said Brian Sears, who drove Badlands Nitro to the win in the Hempt elimination race. He’ll once again be in the sulky on Saturday afternoon in the Hempt final.

Other 3-year-olds and posts for Saturday’s Hempt final include number one Alastair Hanover, leaving from post two; stablemate Fly High, post seven; Segundo Hanover, post three; Blueridge Western, post four; Its That Time, post five; Duke Did It, post six; Four Starz Affair, post eight; and Mystery Chase, post nine.

A winner of $173,721, Badlands Nitro’s racing career could have suffered a serious blow last year in the Matron Sakes at Dover Downs. In that race, First Rate, driven by Tony Morgan, knocked down the George Teague-trained 3-year-old colt.

Teague said Badlands Nitro got karate chopped when First Rate jumped straight up. Teague’s prized colt had to have stitches to the damaged hock.

Noting it could have been worse, Teague added his colt didn’t sustain any lasting injuries in that Matron mishap.

“He’s a very versatile colt,” said Teague, noting Badlands Nitro can do well by being on the front end or by coming from behind.

Badlands Nitro was purchased at the Harrisburg Sale for $16,000 and is co-owned by John Celii.

Chris Oakes, who trains Duke Did It, feels the 2008 version of the Hempt is a wide-open race. Duke Did It received a two-hole trip behind second Hempt elimination winner Its That Time, finishing second.

Oakes is looking for his second straight Hempt win after Tivoli Hanover captured last year’s race with a time of 1:51 with Eric Goodell in the bike.

“That first Hempt elimination race was loaded,” said Oakes, perennially one of the top trainers at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. “I’d probably give a slight edge to Badlands Nitro but there are several horses in here that could win. A lot will depend on how the race sets up early-on.”