Badlands Nitro takes Hempt Final in 1:50

Badlands Nitro and Brian Sears captured the $301,072 Max C. Hempt Memorial Pace Final Saturday afternoon at Pocono Downs – in a track record equaling (for three-year-old colt pacers) and career best 1:50.

Leaving from post position one, Badlands Nitro went straight to the top and never looked back to score victory for trainer George Teague, Jr. and owners John Celii and Teague Inc.  This week proved to be quite different from elimination week, when Badlands Nitro got away sixth and was parked from the half-mile marker on.

Blueridge Western (Yannick Gingras) followed Badlands Nitro through the fractions but had to settle for second place, two and a quarter lengths back.  Its That Time (Ron Pierce) got away fifth and came first up to get third.

Badlands Nitro, by Badlands Hanover out of the Artsplace mare Pleasant Thoughts, now has $324,257 in career earnings.

Skipping the Burlington, Badlands Nitro will ship north early this week to prep for the North America Cup eliminations on June 7.

« Back