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>Prana made the Max Hempt Memorial favorite

 

Wilkes-Barre, PA --- Prana, a 3-year-old colt from the barn of Jimmy Takter, was made the 3-1 morning line favorite for Saturday’s Max C. Hempt Memorial Stakes at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. The race, Pocono’s premiere event for 3-year-old colts and geldings on the pace, will carry a purse of $300,000.


Prana was made the favorite despite finishing fifth in last Saturday’s Hempt Elimination, which was marred by two horses breaking stride at the top of the stretch and scattering the field. Prana, who will have Dave Palone in the bike, was one of the ones whose chances were damaged when he suffered late interference. He’ll leave from the number six post in a field of nine in the final.


Powerful Mist, whose fourth place finish in the elimination also included some interference issues, was made the second choice at 7-2. Joe Pavia, Jr. will drive for trainer Wayne Givens. Movie Idol, who avoided all the breaking horses and won the elimination as a 26-1 shot, is the third choice on the morning line, at 4-1, and will leave from the number five post. Trainer Shaun Callahan once again will have his brother, Corey, in the bike.


The complete field, along with drivers, trainers and odds, includes:


The $300,000 MaxHempt Memorial Final
PP – Horse (Driver, Trainer) – Line
1 - Sharp West Hanover (Tyler Buter, Don Swick) - 20-1
2 - Pan From Nantucket (Aaron Merriman, Casie Coleman) - 10-1
3 - Vegas Rusty (George Napolitano Jr., Steve LeBlanc) - 9-2
4 - Reckless Ric (Howard Parker, George Teague, Jr.) - 15-1
5 - Movie Idol (Corey Callahan, Shaun Callahan) - 4-1
6 - Prana (Dave Palone, Jimmy Takter) - 3-1
7 - Powerful Mist (Joe Pavia Jr., Wayne Givens) - 7-2
8 - Smile A Little (Andrew McCarthy, Michael Hall) - 8-1
9 - Custard The Dragon (Montrell Teague, George Teague, Jr. - 6-1
AE - Dana’s Sharp Smart (Matt Kakaley, Linda Toscano)


The Max C. Hempt Memorial, raced in honor of the legendary Pennsylavia-based owner and breeder, who was a giant in the sport of harness racing, will be the 10th race on the card.


Pocono will have a special 5 p.m., eastern post time on Saturday. A few races will be run ahead of the simulcast of the Preakness Stakes, and the remainder of the program will be held after the completion of the Preakness, the second leg of Thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown.