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

Wilkes-Barre, PA — Rusty’s For Real and Takeshigemichi, who established identical track records with 1:50 times in Max C. Hempt Memorial Pace elimination races last week, have drawn outside posts for the $301,032 final on Saturday (May 19).

Trained by Robert Myers and driven by Tim Tetrick, Rusty’s For Real will be leaving from the seven post while Takeshigemichi will fire from the six hole.

“He’s definitely for real,” said Tetrick in talking about the horse he’ll be driving in the Hempt finale. “My horse was well in hand in that elimination race. I really never had to get after him. Getting to the half in :54.3 was something I wasn’t looking for but we took the lead and drew away at the end of the mile.

“My horse is good enough to compete and it’s going to be a very interesting race.”

Rusty’s For Real also left from the seven post in his elimination race.

Takeshigemichi, whom his connections call “Steve,” had the three post in his elimination race. Like Tetrick, Daniel Dube hustled him to the front after the opening quarter and they never looked back.

Both Rusty’s For Real and Takeshigemichi made their first starts of the 2007 season in those Hempt elimination races. Both were coming into the race off impressive qualifying victories.

Purchased at the Lexington Select Sale under the name of Best Bet Hanover for $80,000 by Glenn Berger’s Lightning Stable of Millstone, N.J., Takeshigemichi won four of 12 races in 2006.

“We were of the belief that Takeshigemichi in Japanese meant ‘Pathway to Prosperity,’” said Jerry Glantz, who manages the Lightning Stable. “Later we learned it was connected to Hollywood movie star Steven Segal, who is a strong environmentalist.”

Akido Master (Takeshigemichi) is an animal rights activist.

“Our trainer, (Tony Mannino) has done a great job with Takeshigemichi,” offered Glantz. “The horse has really matured and gotten stronger. Last season, Takeshigemichi would run over horses if he had to sit in a hole. That’s all changed nowadays and we’re looking for a big effort from him on Saturday afternoon.”

“I have a good feeling about him,” said Dube in referring to Takeshigemichi. “We’ll just have to wait to see how the race unfolds.”

Other horses and posts in the nine-horse field include 1 – Mr Aviator, 2 – Big Al’s Delight, 3 – Trueys Legacy, 4 – The Double Dion, 5 – Whats Up Now, 8 – Tivoli Hanover, and 9 – Isaac Newton.

The Hempt will be the ninth race on the 14-race card and the $301,032 purse will be the richest in the history of the racetrack.

Editor’s Note: The Hempt Final will be the fourth stop on the USTA’s Cyber Circuit. Be sure to view the race replay moments after the “official” sign is posted. Follow the entire Cyber Circuit by following this link.