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He may be one of America's tiniest racers, but he sure is mighty fast. Tiger, a 2-year-old Chihuahua from Bakersfield, Calif., prevailed over six other regional champions Sunday to win the title of America's Fastest Chihuahua in the PETCO Unleashed national finals.

The second annual PETCO Unleashed national finals brought together the seven fastest Chihuahuas from across the country. Junior, Peanut, Tiger, Sam, Voodoo, Carolina and last year's defending champion, Chalupa, collectively beat more than 1,200 others for a chance to race in front of thousands of cheering Chihuahua and baseball fans at PETCO Park in San Diego.

The tiny racers were mostly unfazed by the festive surroundings and cheering crowds as they raced down the 1/18th furlong (35-foot-long) track between the first and second innings of today's San Diego Padres-Cincinnati Reds game.

Tiger unseated Chalupa from Hammond, Ind., as America's Fastest Chihuahua. Tiger, who does agility training and competes in "fly ball" in his spare time, covered the track in 3.3 seconds, showing the level of determination and focus common to all great champions.

"We are ecstatic. It is so great to show what these little dogs can do," said Tiger's owner and trainer, Cathy Smith. "He loves to run and knows that I always have a treat waiting for him at the finish line. He has been doing a lot of training since the regional races and has picked up nearly 2 pounds of muscle in the last three months."

Besides earning America's Fastest Chihuahua bragging rights, Tiger received a trophy, a $300 PETCO gift card and approximately 12 times the average Chihuahua's weight in Royal Canin Chihuahua food (a year's supply).

Right on the paws of the champion, Carolina from Miami, Fla., was a close second and Peanut from Reseda, Calif., won the bronze. They all received PETCO gift cards and a year's supply of Chihuahua food.

PETCO sponsors the race to celebrate America's fastest-growing small breed of dog and to encourage prospective pet parents to consider adoption as a first option. The company works with local shelters nationwide to find homes for millions of homeless animals.

"PETCO Unleashed is about getting people and their pets together to celebrate the human-animal bond and have lots of fun," said Clint White, PETCO Manager of Strategic Partnership and Promotions. "Chihuahuas are great companion animals, and we hope the races will lead more people to consider adopting these great pets."

About PETCO:

PETCO is a leading specialty retailer of premium pet food, supplies and services with a commitment to quality animal care and education. PETCO's strategy is to offer its customers a complete assortment of pet- related products and services at competitive prices, with superior levels of customer service at convenient locations, by hiring pet lovers and training them to become counselors to our pet-loving customers. PETCO operates more than 800 neighborhood stores in 49 states and the District of Columbia, as well as a leading destination for on-line pet food and supplies at http://www.petco.com/.

SOURCE: PETCO