Pancho Villa of Lopez Island is a Mexican descendant not known as a bandit or a revolutionist, but he will soon compete for the title of Fastest Chihuahua in America.

Samantha (or Sam, as she prefers) Patrick said her 5-year-old Chihuahua was named after the Mexican revolutionary leader, though, and she hopes he can live up to the name with a win in the Petco Unleashed National Chihuahua Races set for Labor Day weekend.

Pancho is one of 15 finalist canines and will represent Lopez Island and the Seattle area in the fourth annual race to be held Sunday, Aug. 31, at Petco Park in San Diego between the innings of a San Diego Padres game.

Petco representative Sarah Blood said in a news release that nearly 2,900 dogs competed in regional Petco Unleashed races held this year in 15 markets.

This is Pancho Villa’s first trip to the national race after winning the Seattle regionals in April, clocking a time of 3.1 seconds on the 35-foot-long track.

“How fun is it to a get free trip to San Diego!” Patrick said Wednesday. “Out of 188 dogs (in the regional race), your dog wins.”

The regional prize included a round-trip coach air package for two people and one Chihuahua from Seattle to San Diego and three nights lodging at the Omni San Diego Hotel. “They sent us a special little doggie carrier, too,” Patrick said.

The Petco Unleashed championship race will determine whether last year’s winner, 3-year-old Maddy of New York City, will retain or lose her title.

The grand prize winner will receive bragging rights, a trophy, a one-year supply of Royal Canin Chihuahua dog food and a $300 Petco gift card. Prizes will also be awarded for second and third place.

Patrick said her little “boss of the house” didn’t win the first time they entered the regional race in 2007. She said the entry to the track “had these little tiny openings. I couldn’t get him through.”

So she and husband Michael solved that problem this year by trading places. Michael was the launcher and got him through, she said.

Patrick said Pancho trains with his favorite ball, but is naturally quick.

“He’s fast, he just is,” she said. “He’s a country dog. We throw the ball for him every day, but it’s all for fun.”

She said Pancho also gets exercise by chasing deer away from her flowers.

“He has a close personal relationship with the squirrels, too!” she said with a chuckle.