Post Positions Drawn for NA Cup Saturday June 27

Here are the post positions, drivers, trainers and m/l odds for the 2009 Pepsi North America Cup:

Post-Horse-Driver-Trainer-Morning Line
1-OK Boromir-L. Ouellette-F. Baker, Jr.-15-1
2-Mr Wiggles-C. Callahan-B. Teague-15-1
3-Dial Or Nodial-B. Sears-Jm. Campbell-4-1
4-If I Can Dream-G. Brennan-T. Brainard-5-1
5-Well Said-R. Pierce-S. Elliott-2-1
6-Keep It Real-S. Condren-J. Shea-3-1
7-Art Colony-J. Campbell-C. Coleman-8-1
8-Chasin Racin-D. Miller-B. Teague-20-1
9-Annieswesterncard-T. Tetrick-T. Deters-25-1
10-Millionaire Cam-J. Jamieson-T. O'Sullivan-30-1
AE1-Arctic Warrior-TBA-B. Wallace-TBA

Here is my estimate of what the colts mat actually go off at:

Post-Horse-Estimated Post Time Odds
1-OK Boromir-14-1
2-Mr Wiggles-11-1
3-Dial Or Nodial-5/2
4-If I Can Dream-5-1
5-Well Said-9-5
6-Keep It Real-3-1
7-Art Colony-4-1
8-Chasin Racin-26-1
9-Annieswesterncard-22-1
10-Millionaire Cam-46-1

AE1-Arctic Warrior-TBA-B. Wallace-TBA

My prediction for actual finish:

Keep It Real
Art Colony
Well Said
Dial Or No Dial
OK Boromir
If I Can Dream
Mr Wiggles
Annieswesterncard
Millionaire Cam
Chasin Racin

There are many great races to behold this saturday evening, so come out to Mohawk and see world class live harness racing with some of the fastest colts and fillies in the world racing for millions of dollars in purses.

Chasin Racin and Millionaire Cam each valid dark horses in North America Cup at Mohawk Saturday

While top 2009 Pepsi North America Cup contenders Well Said (holding off previously unbeaten Keep It Real), If I Can Dream (Annieswesterncard placed), Dial or No Dial (over a closing OK Boromir) and Art Colony (2nd to Mr. Wiggles) all made it to the final on their finishes, Chasin Racin and local fave Millionaire Cam each squeaked in with a show and a lucky draw. Depending on the posts they draw, these two may go off at longer odds than others but each deserves consideration as they could win off an ideal trip.

Well Said seems to be rounding into his last year's late season dominant form, and will be tough on the weekend. Keep It Real will be back to keep it real, while Art Colony, If I Can Dream and Dial Or No Dial will also find bettors leaning their way.

Record 4 Eliminations for North America Cup 2009 at Mohawk!!!

This year it will take a top two finish to make it to the Pepsi NA Cup finals on Saturday, June 27th at Mohawk in Ontario. The four elimination races this Saturday June 20th are shaping up to be competitive dashes, and some excellent three year old pacing colts will be showing up in the consolation, as only two third place finishers make it to the grand event.

Here are the four elimination races with post positions and drivers:

5 -- Pace, purse $50,000 (EX, P3, SF, TR)
D-PEPSI NORTH AMERICA CUP XXVI - ELIMINATION - 3 YEAR OLDS.
STARTING FEE $8,000 CDN $7,400 U.S.
Post time: 08:54 P.M. Lasix: 04:39 P.M.
1 Fireintheshark G Brennan J Campbell
2***Lisagain(L) Y Gingras E Miller (cog: no test)
3 Carnivore P Macdonell J Darling
4 Well Said R Pierce S Elliott
5 Chasin Racin(L) J Campbell B Teague
6 Glad To Be Back(L) L Ouellette J Wilkinson
7 Waffles And Cream J Morrill Jr T Brainard
8 Captain Sir J Jamieson C Jamieson
9***Nob Hill High D Miller W Webb (cog: no test)
10 Keep It Real S Condren J Shea
Race 5 - Retention Barn - All horses


The undefeated Keep It Real, the surging Carnivore and the highly regarded Well Said are sure to be the 3 favourites here, but consider including Lisagain or Chasin Racin for a bigger payout possibility. Any entrant could win this elim, but the first three mentioned should all be tough.


6 -- Pace, purse $50,000 (EX, P3, TR)
D-PEPSI NORTH AMERICA CUP XXVI - ELIMINATION - 3 YEAR OLDS.
STARTING FEE $8,000 CDN $7,400 U.S.
Post time: 09:15 P.M. Lasix: 05:00 P.M.
1 Stinger Blue Chip J Campbell C Coleman
2 Dial Or Nodial B Sears J Campbell
3 Ok Boromir L Ouellette F Baker Jr
4 Ideal Race Ma Macdonald T Brainard
5 Johnny Z(L) B Sears B Teague
6 Ideal Danny(L) R Pierce E Miller
7 Mysticism T Tetrick S Elliott
8 Bay Of Sharks M Baillargeon B Wallace
9 Hay Goodlooking G Brunet G Brunet
10 Mighty Me(L) J Moiseyev R Furlong
Race 6 - Retention Barn - All horses


Dial Or No Dial is the likely m/l and post-time fave, but Bay of Sharks, Ideal Danny, Johnny Z, OK Boromir and Stinger Blue Chip should all find significant backers.




8 -- Pace, purse $50,000 (EX, P3, SF, TR)
D-PEPSI NORTH AMERICA CUP XXVI - ELIMINATION - 3 YEAR OLDS.
STARTING FEE $8,000 CDN $7,400 U.S.
Post time: 09:57 P.M. Lasix: 05:42 P.M.
1 Schoolkids To Be Announced T Brainard
2***Sheer Desire D Palone R Burke (cog: no test)
3 Arctic Warrior D Miller B Wallace
4 Shipps Xpectancy J Moiseyev J Kopas
5 If I Can Dream(L) G Brennan T Brainard
6 *Stonebridge Terror M Saftic J Darling (cog: 12-AUG-2009)
7***Barber Pole B Sears B Teague (cog: no test)
8 Manhattan Bluechip Ra Waples M Austin
9 Annieswesterncard R Pierce T Deters
10 Passmaster Hanover T Tetrick B Burgess
Race 8 - Retention Barn - All horses


IF I Can Dream looks well positioned for victory in this group but could see some challenges from colts like Schoolkids on the rail, plus Barber Pole and Stonebridhge Terror in the middle. There is wicked speed on the outside also, and any of the 8, 9, or 10 could win with a fortunate trip and a late brush.



9 -- Pace, purse $50,000 (EX, P3, TR)
D-PEPSI NORTH AMERICA CUP XXVI - ELIMINATION - 3 YEAR OLDS.
STARTING FEE $8,000 CDN $7,400 U.S.
Post time: 10:18 P.M. Lasix: 06:03 P.M.
1 Fire On The Water P Macdonell M Brethour
2 Fast Pay P Macdonell D Menary
3 Vintage Master D Dube J Takter
4 Drop Red G Brennan R Horowitz
5 Straight Shooting T Tetrick T Brainard
6 Sombrero Blue Chip S Condren R Laarman
7 Art Colony J Campbell C Coleman
8 Millionaire Cam J Jamieson T Osullivan
9 Mr Wiggles(L) C Callahan B Teague
10 Chief Of The Beach S Filion B Wallace
Race 9 - Retention Barn - All horses


Art Colony is facing mostly pacers that have disappointed of late, and of all 40 entrants he may be best positioned to make it to the final. Challengers will include Drop Red, Vintage Master, Millionaire Cam, Straight Shooting and Chief Of The Beach.


Here is analysis from StandardbredCanada.ca on these races:

Race 5:

Coming in off a Burlington victory in which driver Paul MacDonell found daylight late, Jack Darling-trained Real Desire colt Carnivore (PP3, P. MacDonell) will be looking to gain entrance to the Cup via the first elim. Last season's Breeders Crown winner Well Said (PP4, R. Pierce) has drawn mid-gate for conditioner Steve Elliott. Upstart Real Artist colt Keep It Real (PP10, S. Condren) will be looking to keep his career unbeaten streak intact for trainer Joey Shea. The bay continued to roll right along last week in the Burlington Stakes, but will have a tall task ahead of him from the 10-hole.


Race 6:

After having just missed by a half length last weekend in the New Jersey Classic at the Meadowlands, Western Ideal gelding Dial Or No Dial (PP2, B. Sears) will be representing trainer Jim Campbell in the second of the Cup elims. OK Boromir (PP3, L. Ouellette), the No Pan Intended colt that posted a minor upset in the Burlington, has drawn a favourable post for conditioner Frank Baker, Jr. Ideal Danny (PP6, R. Pierce), representing the Erv Miller barn in the third elim, will also be looking to build upon his Burlington victory.


Race 8:

After going down to Yonkers Raceway and capturing the Art Rooney Memorial by open lengths, Western Hanover colt If I Can Dream (PP5, G. Brennan) has drawn mid-gate for trainer Tracy Brainard in the third elim. Courtesy of a 1:49 mile, three-year-old North American season's leader Barber Pole (PP7, B. Sears) will be looking to improve on a disappointing off-the-board finish in the Rooney. Fresh off victory in the Jersey Classic, Blair Burgess-trained Cams Card Shark colt Passmaster Hanover (PP10, T. Tetrick) will have to overcome a disadvantaged post position if he is to make it to the Cup finale.


Race 9:

Having recently captured an Ontario Sires Stakes Gold final at Rideau Carleton Raceway, Western Terror colt Fast Pay (PP2, P. MacDonell) has drawn favourable in the fourth elimination for trainer Dave Menary. Vintage Master (PP3, D. Dube) almost converted a tough overland trip in the Jersey Classic into pay dirt for trainer Jimmy Takter, but the Western Ideal colt settled for a second-place finish by a mere head. Having finished a neck back in second to Carnivore in the Burlington, Art Colony (PP7, J. Campbell) will be looking to get the job done for trainer Casie Coleman.


More Mohawk Racing on Saturday June 20th:

In addition to the Cup elims, Mohawk Racetrack will also be showcasing some of the continent's top three-year-old pacing fillies in eliminations for the Fan Hanover Stakes. The $35,000 elims have been carded as Races 3, 7 and 10.

Three-year-old trotters are sure to be a draw Saturday at 'The Hawk,' as a trio of $30,000 Goodtimes Stakes elims will also head postward. The Goodtimes elims have been slotted as Races 1, 2 and 4.


Full Entries for Saturday June 20, 2009 Mohawk

Burlington Stakes Upset Winners create new TOP 30 NA Cup Contenders

My hypothetical wagers from last night returned zilch, and though they were lotto-style bets, I had expected at least a couple of them to cash. The outstanding performances by Carnivore over Art Colony, Keep It Real over a wicked field, plus Bay of Sharks and Barn Art each getting up for 2nd killed all 4 of my imaginary tickets.

Before people get too excited about the other division winners, keep in mind what I wrote yesterday (see below; that the 6th or 7th finisher in Race 5 could win a NA Cup elim next week). Well Said was 4th but still a few ticks faster than the other winners, and Stonebridge Terror in 7th TIED THE FASTEST of the other winners, Ideal Danny.

Here is a revised TOP 30 Horses eligible for the 2009 Pepsi North America Cup at Woodbine:

1 - Dial Or Nodial - 5-1

2 - Keep It Real - 6-1
2 - Art Colony - 6-1
2 - Well Said - 6-1

5 - If I Can Dream - 10-1
5 - Schoolkids - 10-1
5 - Carnivore - 10-1
5 - Chasin Racin - 10-1
5 - Ideal Danny - 10-1

10 - Redneck Riviera - 12-1
10 - Passmaster Hanover - 12-1
10 - Johnny Z - 12-1
10 - Drop Red 12-1


14 - Bay Of Sharks - 15-1
14 - Vintage Master - 15-1
14 - Barber Pole 15-1
14 - Sheer Desire - 15-1
14 - OK Boromir - 15-1

19 - Arctic Warrior - 18-1
19 - Glad To Be Back - 18-1
19 - Stonebridge Terror - 18-1
19 - Lisagain - 18-1
19 - Estero Bay - 18-1

24 - Millionaire Cam - 20-1
24 - Barn Art - 20-1
24 - Stinger Blue Chip - 20-1
24 - Annieswesterncard - 20-1

28 - Straight Shooting - 25-1
28 - Manhattan Blue Chip - 25-1

30 - Nob Hill High - 30-1
30 - Chief of The Beach - 30-1

A few more 3 year old colts to watch for in the North America Cup eliminations next week:

Mr. Wiggles, Ideal Race, Captain Sir, Fast Pay, Western Posse, Bunkmeister, Panmunjom, Built To Drive, Waffles and Cream

Entries For Burlington Stakes - Four Divisions to go at Mohawk Raceway

Tonight's Burlington Stakes, named after my home town, will see many top NA Cup hopefuls take to the track. The Burlington is considered the major prep for the 2009 Pepsi North America Cup at Mohwak Raceway in Campbellville, Ontario.

Race by Race analysis:

Race Four

Art Colony is firming up and looking more and more like he may be the dominant 3 year old of 2009. Johnny Z, Carnivore, Glad To Be Back and Mysticism would be worth including in a tri key.

$2 Triactor key Art Colony with 4 horses = $24

Race Five

Well Said will be the favourite here but he hasn't yet shown in 2009 that he deserves unbeatable status, and there are nine other colts in this race that can beat him with a perfect trip. Skip this one or maybe box the longest five (m/l odds or post odds) in an exactor box ($1 box of five = $20 for an Exactor)

(Handicapping tip for next week's NA Cup eliminations; a horse that finishes 6th or 7th in this extremely tough division tonight could very well bounce back and win or place next week)


Race Eight

Even though I have bolded five horses and agree that Chasin Racin and Ideal Danny should be the two faves, this is another division where any horse that gets a perfect trip can win.

We'll take a lotto style gamble here and go with a .20 Superfecta box of five: Chasin Racin, Ideal Danny, Millionaire Cam, Straight Shooting and Captain Sir.

.20 Superfecta Box of Five equals $24


Race Eleven

Annieswesterncard may be tougher here than oddsmakers indicate, so let's take him for first and second.

$1 Triactor key Card with Chief, Waffles, Nob, Boro and Bunk = $20

$1 Tri Part-wheel with those five on top, Card 2nd, those five for 3rd (eg. Place key) = $20

Total hypothetical wagering on 4 Burlington Stakes Events: 24 + 20 + 24 + 40 = 108




Here are the entries for the 4 divisions of the Burlington Stakes (BOLDED are those NA Cup eligibles that I feel merit the most attention tonight, and if they race well here, in the elims next week:

4 -- Pace, purse $100,000 (EX, TR, W4)
BURLINGTON STAKES - 3 YEAR OLDS.
STARTING FEE $1,500 CDN $1,400 U.S.
Post time: 08:33 P.M. Lasix: 04:18 P.M.
1 Ideal Race Ma Macdonald T Brainard 8-1
2 Johnny Z(L) J Moiseyev B Teague 9-2
3 World Away J Jamieson C Jamieson 30-1
4 Glad To Be Back(L) L Ouellette J Wilkinson 8-1
5 Art Colony J Campbell C Coleman 1-1
6 Carnivore P Macdonell J Darling 7-1
7 Mysticism S Condren S Elliott 6-1
8 Manhattan Bluechip Ra Waples M Austin 15-1
9 Up Front Eli D Miller G Lilley 25-1
10 Surrealist S Filion B Wallace 30-1




5 -- Pace, purse $100,000 (EX, P3, SF, TR)
BURLINGTON STAKES - 3 YEAR OLDS.
STARTING FEE $1,500 CDN $1,400 U.S.
Post time: 08:54 P.M. Lasix: 04:39 P.M.
1 Schoolkids J Jamieson T Brainard 7-1
2 Keep It Real S Condren J Shea 7-2
3 Stinger Blue Chip Ja Brewer C Coleman 20-1
4 Vertigo Hanover(L) J Campbell D Marfisi 8-1
5***Lisagain(L) Y Gingras E Miller 5-1 (cog: no test)
6 Stonebridge Terror M Saftic J Darling 15-1
7 Well Said R Pierce S Elliott 2-1
8 Drop Red Ma Macdonald R Horowitz 6-1
9***Arctic Warrior D Miller B Wallace 15-1 (cog: no test)
10 Mr Wiggles(L) C Callahan B Teague 15-1




8 -- Pace, purse $100,000 (EX, P3, SF, TR)
BURLINGTON STAKES - 3 YEAR OLDS.
STARTING FEE $1,500 CDN $1,400 U.S.
Post time: 09:57 P.M. Lasix: 05:42 P.M.
1 Suprizemeagain S Filion B Wallace 10-1
2 Bay Of Sharks M Baillargeon B Wallace 10-1
3 Chasin Racin(L) J Campbell B Teague 7-2
4 Ideal Danny(L) R Pierce E Miller 5-2
5 Straight Shooting Ma Macdonald T Brainard 8-1
6 Captain Sir S Condren C Jamieson 20-1
7***Standupnkissme D Miller J Mulinix 7-1 (cog: no test)
8 Millionaire Cam J Jamieson T Osullivan 9-2
9 Fire On The Water P Macdonell M Brethour 12-1
10 Mighty Me(L) J Moiseyev R Furlong 8-1




11 -- Pace, purse $100,000 (EX, P3, TR)
BURLINGTON STAKES - 3 YEAR OLDS.
STARTING FEE $1,500 CDN $1,400 U.S.
Post time: 10:59 P.M. Lasix: 06:44 P.M.
1 Ok Boromir L Ouellette F Baker Jr 12-1
2 Barn Art S Filion B Wallace 10-1
3 Waffles And Cream J Campbell T Brainard 9-2
4 Chief Of The Beach J Jamieson C Jamieson 5-1
5 Annieswesterncard R Pierce T Deters 5-2
6 Card Hustler M Saftic R Mcnair 20-1
7***Nob Hill High D Miller W Webb 7-2 (cog: no test)
8 Carson City Road B Kramer M St Charles 10-1
9 Bunkmeister C Callahan B Teague 7-1

View All Entries for Saturday June 13, 2009 at Mohawk Raceway

Caviar Crown, Shermans Mountain Set WORLD RECORDS in PASS

Three year old trotting colt Caviar Crown (1.53.1) and three year old trotting gelding Shermans Mountain (1.53.3) each set world records in their divisions of Pennsylvania Sires Stakes races at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs on Friday evening, June 12, 2009.

Here is the USTA report:

Two World Records Set at Mohegan Sun in PASS Harness Racing

Friday, June 12, 2009 - by John Zimich, publicity director, Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs

Wilkes-Barre, PA --- In an amazing night of racing at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs on Friday evening, June 12, world records were established in two of the seven divisions of the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings.

Caviar Crown, trained by Kris Rickert and driven by Dave Palone, won the opening division of the sire stakes in a world record time of 1:53.1 for a 3-year-old trotting colt over a five-eighths-mile oval.

Leaving from the two hole, Palone and Caviar Crown sat second in the pocket behind 1-9 favorite 4 Top Chef with David Miller in the sulky. Top Chef took the seven-horse field to the opening stanza in :27.3, the half in :56.2 and three-quarters in 1:24.4. Top Chef and Caviar Crown battled coming down the stretch before Caviar Crown stopped the timer in the world record time with Top Chef second and Cesar A Blue Chip (Tim Tetrick) third.

Caviar Crown, owned by Dale B. Wareham, was winning for the second time in four starts this season.

Several races later, in the sixth of seven divisions carrying purses of $35,000-plus and $36,000-plus, it was Shermans Mountain (Jim Morrill, Jr.) establishing another world and track mark for 3-year-old trotting geldings, stopping the timer in 1:53.3.

Chris Oakes, one of the leading trainers at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, trains Shermans Mountain, now a winner of three straight Pennsylvania Sire Stakes races. Shermans Mountain has won six of seven starts in 2009 with one second-place finish. Triumphant Caviar (Palone) was second to Shermans Mountain with Shibboleth Hanover (Mike Simons) third.

Winners of the other sire stakes divisions were Broadway Bistro (Tetrick) in 1:54.3; Tagyoureit Hanover (Howard Parker) in 1:55.1; Explosive Matter (Ron Pierce) in 1:54.2; Salutation Hanover (Morrill) in 1:55.1; and Even Better Odds (Tetrick) in 1:55.2.

In addition to the world records, Farasyoucansee became the second fastest pacer ever at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs in winning a conditioned event with a time of 1:48.4. Only Shadow Play has ever gone faster at the Northeastern Pennsylvania racetrack and that win was in 1:48.2, a world mark for a 3-year-old pacing colt.

Morrill was in the bike with Farasyoucansee. This 5-year-old gelding is trained by Virgil Morgan, Jr. and has now won six of eight starts in 2009.

Standardbred Horse Racing World Records List Online

UPDATED June 6th Top 20 2009 Pepsi NA Cup Contenders

After tonight's races, here are my updated Top 20 Favorites and Contenders for Pepsi North America Cup 2009:

(Unofficial advance odds as of 06jun09 by Joe Trainor, Editor/Publisher of Harness Horses Info)

1 - Dial Or Nodial - 5-1
1 - Well Said - 5-1
1 - Art Colony - 5-1


4 - If I Can Dream - 8-1
4 - Drop Red 8-1
4 - Johnny Z - 8-1


7 - Chasin Racin - 10-1
7 - Mr. Wiggles 10-1
7 - Redneck Riviera - 10-1
7 - Passmaster Hanover - 10-1

11 - Carnivore - 15-1
11 - Vintage Master - 15-1
11 - Barber Pole 15-1
11 - Sheer Desire - 15-1


15 - Arctic Warrior - 18-1
15 - Glad To Be Back - 18-1
15 - Waffles and Cream - 18-1
15 - Annieswesterncard - 18-1
15 - Stonebridge Terror - 18-1


20 - Estero Bay 20-1
20 - Schoolkids - 20-1
20 - Millionaire Cam - 20-1
20 - Ideal Danny - 20-1
20 - Captain Sir - 20-1




A few more 3 year old colts to watch for in the Burlington Stakes and the North America Cup:

Lisagain, OK Boromir, Fast Pay, Western Posse, Bunkmeister, Panmunjom, Built To Drive, Stinger Blue Chip, Straight Shooting, Manhattan Blue Chip


May your racing and your lives be inspired!