2011 Pepsi NA Cup; Top 40 Contenders

Pepsi North America Cup advance odds

The 2011 North America Cup will be raced on Saturday, June 18 at Mohawk Racetrack in Campbellville, Ontario. Here are my Top 40 Contenders for the race, with advance odds initially based on Trot Magazine's Spring Book, then refined as race date gets closer.

Top 40 Contenders for the 2011 North America Cup

#1 - Big Jim -- 5/2
#2 - Shadyshark Hanover -- 4-1
#3 - Feel Like A Fool -- 5-1
#4 - Fashion Delight -- 6-1
#5 - Foreclosure N -- 12-1
#6 - Prodigal Seelster -- 15-1
#7 - Big Bad John -- 15-1
#8 - Powerful Mist -- 16-1
#9 - Mystician -- 18-1
#10 - Lookinforadventure -- 20-1


#11 - Wink N Atcha -- 22-1
#12 - Grams Legacy -- 22-1
#13 - Custard The Dragon -- 25-1
#14 - Prana -- 25-1
#14 - Joe Palz -- 25-1
#15 - Rock To Glory -- 28-1
#16 - Just Asign To Me -- 28-1
#17 - Dutch Richman -- 30-1
#18 - Dapper Denzil -- 35-1
#19 - Up The Credit -- 35-1
#20 - Roll With Joe -- 35-1

#21 - Wind Me Up -- 38-1
#22 - Arsenal -- 40-1
#23 - On The Radar -- 40-1
#24 - Reckless Ric -- 45-1
#25 - Watermelonwine -- 45-1
#26 - Betterthancheddar -- 48-1
#27 - Bettors Green -- 48-1
#28 - Ohmygosh Hanover -- 48-1
#29 - D M Bodatious -- 50-1
#30 - Keystone Velocity -- 50-1


#31 - Bestofbest Hanover -- 55-1
#32 - Draconian -- 55-1
#33 - Facebook -- 55-1
#34 - Four Starzzz Z -- 55-1
#35 - Jackson Killean -- 55-1
#36 - Mach Of Ballykeel -- 55-1
#37 - Nakai Hanover -- 60-1
#38 - Risk Management -- 60-1
#39 - Townslight Hanover -- 60-1
#40 - Doin Time Together -- 60-1


Still in the hunt for North America Cup:

Dreamfair Kovu -- 65-1
Eighteen -- 65-1
Ideal Joe -- 65-1
Rockabillie -- 65-1
Western Alumni -- 65-1

Big Time Rocks -- 70-1
We The People -- 70-1

Lyons Elite -- 75-1
Roll On -- 75-1
A And Gs Express -- 75-1
Drain Daddy -- 75-1
National Interest -- 75-1

Celebrity Citation -- 80-1
Mickey Hanover -- 80-1
Oil Tumbles -- 80-1
Rock Camroller -- 80-1

Achilles Blue Chip -- 90-1
Audreys Dream -- 90-1
Dm Big Dog Daddy -- 90-1
Talkin First -- 90-1

Fearless Diablo -- 100-1
Lyons Johnny -- 100-1

Good luck to all 63 colts still eligible, and to all their connections.

Leafs sign goalie / rapper Mark "Markindapark" Owuya

Markindapark joins colourful cats Optimus Reim, The Monster and Jiggy in Toronto nets

Swedish hockey player / rapper Mark Owuya's father is from Uganda and his mother is from Russia. Owuya is also known in Sweden for rapping on popular talent show Idol as "Mark In Da Park."

Please enjoy these photos and videos of new Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender signing Mark Owuya.



Mark Aloysius Opoya Owuya (born 18 July 1989) is a professional Swedish ice hockey goaltender, currently a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs organization of the National Hockey League, having been signed by Toronto on 28 April 2011.



Owuya began playing junior hockey with Djurgårdens IF in the 2005–06 season when he began playing with the U18 team. The following season Owuya played with both Djurgården's U18 and J20 team and also played most of the games with the Djurgården's J20 team in the 2007–08 season. While Stefan Ridderwall joined team Sweden for the 2008 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, Owuya made his Elitserien debut on 3 January 2008, against Brynäs IF.






He was loaned out to Mälarhöjden/Bredängs IK during the 2007–08 winter, later was loaned out to Almtuna IS for the entire 2008–09 season. Owuya was also on loan during the 2009–10 season, first to Örebro HK and later Mora IK. In the 2010 pre-season, Owuya was moved up to Djurgården's senior team, to compete with goaltender Stefan Ridderwall to be the first choice in the goal.




Ultimately, Owuya played in 32 out of 55 games in the 2010–11 Elitserien season, with a 2.18 goals against average and league-best save percentage of .927. He also played in all of Djurgården's seven playoff games, with a 1.66 goals against average and .924.


























Peace!

Eberle, Skinner, Tavares power Canada to 4-1 win over Belarus

Reimer solid against Belarus attack, faces 5 shots by Grabovski

IIHF World Hockey Championship - Canada Men's Team

Jordan Eberle scored two goals, with Jeff Skinner potting a goal and an assist and John Tavares chipping in the other tally while adding an assist himself.

Youth, speed, skill in abundance in 4-1 win

by ANDREW PODNIEKS, IIHF.com

KOSICE – Jordan Eberle and Jeff Skinner, not even 40 years old as a pair, led Canada to a 4-1 win over Belarus in Preliminary Round action at the lively Steel Arena tonight. Eberle had two goals while Skinner had a goal and an assist. John Tavares had the other goal for Canada.

Goalie James Reimer was excellent in goal, allowing only an Andrei Stepanov shot to elude him.

The win gives Canada three points and top spot in the Group B standings.

Canada got off to a fast start thanks to a veritable unknown and two fine rookies. Defenceman Mario Scalzo stopped a Belarus rush and moved the puck up to Evander Kane, and he went down the wing and behind Andrei Mezin’s goal. But before he went around, he slid the puck out front and Eberle was right there to smack it home.

The Canadians came at Belarus with size and tremendous speed, but as the period progressed Belarus gained confidence, especially after killing off a 5-on-3 for Canada. Near the end of the period Belarus had a power play which produced several great chances, but no goal. In the final minute, though, Luke Schenn was checked off the puck by Alexander Kitarov. He whipped the puck out front of Canada’s goal to Alexander Kulakov who made a sensational little pass to Andrei Stepanov, who merely redirected the puck into the back side to tie the game, 1-1.

The Canadians pulled ahead again midway through the second period on two great little plays. John Tavares had to puck in the slot and looked ready to shoot, but instead he passed it ahead just slightly to Skinner, and the 18-year-old roofed a shot over the glove of Mezin.

Despite being outplayed, Belarus still had its share of the play. Three times great rushes resulted in Canadian defencemen taking penalties, but each time the penalty killers were up to the task. When tested, Reimer was solid.

In the third, Tavares scored on a lovely shot from a bad angle after skating around a sliding defenceman, and Eberle added his second knocking a puck in from just outside the goal line. Mezin stopped Chris Stewart on a late penalty shot.

Canada next plays on May 1 against France while Belarus plays Switzerland also that night.

IIHF 2011 World Hockey website




Canada, U.S. add players; More NHLers on their way to Kosice

29-04-11 - KOSICE – Canada and the United States will soon welcome new players on the World Championship squads in Kosice.

Hockey Canada announced the addition to its roster of goalkeeper Jonathan Bernier (Los Angeles Kings), defencemen Carlo Colaiacovo (St. Louis Blues), Marc-André Gragnani (Buffalo Sabres) and Mario Scalzo (Adler Mannheim, GER), and forward James Neal (Pittsburgh Penguins). Of the player additions, only Scalzo is expected to be in Canada’s lineup against Belarus on April 29, as the four other players will be arriving over the coming two days.

This brings Canada’s official registered roster to 23 players, including three goalkeepers, seven defencemen and 13 forwards. An additional forward and 24th player, Antoine Vermette, is with the team, with an injury that will keep him on the sidelines until the end of the preliminary round. Vermette could be added to the roster after Canada’s third game, when the roster can be extended to 25 players.

USA Hockey announced that goaltender Jack Campbell (Windsor Spitfires, OHL) and forward Paul Gaustad (Buffalo Sabres) have been added to the roster.

2011 Pepsi North America Cup Spring Book advance odds

The 2011 edition of the North America Cup will be contested on Saturday, June 18 at Mohawk Racetrack in Campbellville, Ontario. Here are Trot Magazine's top contenders for the race, with advance odds:

#1 - Big Jim -- 3-1
#2 - Shadyshark Hanover -- 9-2
#3 - Feel Like A Fool -- 6-1
#4 - Fashion Delight -- 7-1
#5 - Foreclosure N -- 15-1
#6 - Prodigal Seelster -- 18-1
#7 - Big Bad John -- 20-1
#8 - Mystician -- 22-1
#9 - Rollwithitharry -- 25-1
#10 - Great Vintage -- 26-1


Lookinforadventure -- 28-1
Powerful Mist -- 28-1
Wink N Atcha -- 28-1

Grams Legacy -- 30-1
Line Officer -- 30-1

Custard The Dragon -- 35-1
Prana -- 35-1
Rock To Glory -- 35-1

Just Asign To Me -- 38-1

Dutch Richman -- 40-1
Joe Palz -- 40-1

Dapper Denzil -- 45-1
Up The Credit -- 45-1

Its Rock N Roll -- 48-1
Roll With Joe -- 48-1
Wind Me Up -- 48-1

Arsenal -- 50-1
On The Radar -- 50-1

Reckless Ric -- 52-1
Watermelonwine -- 52-1

Betterthancheddar -- 55-1
Bettors Green -- 55-1
Ohmygosh Hanover -- 55-1

D M Bodatious -- 60-1
Keystone Velocity -- 60-1

Bestofbest Hanover -- 65-1
Draconian -- 65-1
Facebook -- 65-1
Four Starzzz Z -- 65-1
Ishmaels Brother -- 65-1
Jackson Killean -- 65-1
Mach Of Ballykeel -- 65-1
Manchester Hanover -- 65-1
Nakai Hanover -- 65-1
Risk Management -- 65-1
Townslight Hanover -- 65-1

Doin Time Together -- 70-1
Dreamfair Kovu -- 70-1
Eighteen -- 70-1
Ideal Joe -- 70-1
Rockabillie -- 70-1
Western Alumni -- 70-1

Big Time Rocks -- 75-1
We The People -- 75-1
Lyons Elite -- 80-1
Roll Em Up -- 80-1
Roll On -- 80-1

A And Gs Express -- 85-1
Drain Daddy -- 85-1
National Interest -- 85-1

Colossal Hanover -- 90-1
Cowboy Wisdom -- 90-1

Fat Mans Alley -- 95-1
Torrington -- 95-1

Avenue Hanover -- 100-1
Billy White Sell -- 100-1
Celebrity Citation -- 100-1
In Mint Condition -- 100-1
Lucky Cadet -- 100-1
Mickey Hanover -- 100-1
Oil Tumbles -- 100-1
Rock Camroller -- 100-1
Wildcats Major -- 100-1

Achilles Blue Chip -- 125-1
Audreys Dream -- 125-1
Dm Big Dog Daddy -- 125-1
Marvelthisbliss -- 125-1
Mr Josey Wales -- 125-1
Talkin First -- 125-1

A And Gs Fire -- 150-1
Fearless Diablo -- 150-1
Insane In Spain -- 150-1
Lyons Johnny -- 150-1


Every couple of weeks I will reduce this list and post updated advance odds, based on 2011 performances (or lack thereof...), so please Bookmark this blog in your favorites, and you'll follow all the top 3 year old pacing contenders, all the way to the 2011 North America Cup!

April 30, 2011 UPDATED Advance Odds - 2011 Pepsi North America Cup Top 40 Contenders

TODAY: $1.5 MILLION Rainbow Six at Gulfstream!

With carryover at $1.3 mil, record payout guaranteed

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Anticipation is building at Gulfstream Park as the scheduled guaranteed payout of the Rainbow 6 jackpot on Saturday grows closer. As long as no one claims the $1.3 million-plus jackpot in the meantime, bettors will be scrambling to get a share of a bonanza that could grow as high as several million dollars.

The innovative 10-cent wager has required a bettor to be the only ticket-holder with a single winning combination on the last six races in order to claim the jackpot that has been growing since Feb. 17. On Saturday, the next to last day of the 2011 Gulfstream Park meeting, the entire pool is scheduled to be disbursed among all bettors with tickets including the winners of the last six races on the 12-race program..

The guaranteed payout of the entire pool may send bettors into somewhat of a quandary about how to bet the Rainbow 6. They will have to decide whether to avoid betting more than a single ticket on each combination or forego the chance of winning the whole jackpot and play multiple tickets in the hope of carving out a bigger share of the huge guaranteed payout.

The Rainbow 6 jackpot has been hit four times, including a $221,677 payout on Jan. 27, and the large evenly-matched fields in the six races on Saturday may make it possible for a single bettor to take down the whole jackpot. If not, the entire Rainbow 6 pool, including the $1.3 million-and-growing carryover, will be spread out to all betters holding tickets with all six winners in races 7-12.

Anticipating a jump in betting, starting Thursday Gulfstream’s pari-mutuel clerks will accept wagers on the Rainbow 6, which previously had been accepted only at self-bet terminals.

The Rainbow 6 will be kicked off in the seventh race, a seven-furlong race for $12,500 claiming maidens that drew a field of 12. A field of 12 $15,000-$20,000 claimers was entered for the eighth race, which will be run at five furlongs on turf. The ninth race, a maiden special weight race at six furlongs, will include the smallest field of the six races with 10 entrants. The final three races of the Rainbow 6, a mile allowance, a 1 1/16-mile allowance and a 1 1/8-mile maiden race for $20,000-$25,000 claimers, all attracted 12-horse fields and will all be run on turf.

Toronto Maple Leafs and Brad Richards, a potential 5-year deal

The Leafs need a bona fide #1 NHL centreman, and Brad requires a team that will keep him young and competitive for years to come. Maple leafs GM Brian Burke can certainly afford to sign Burke for 2011-2012, and here's a typical 5 year contract for a player of Richards' caliber:

NHL Season - Salary

2011-2012 - $9 mil
2012-2013 - $9 mil
2013-2014 - $8 mil
2014-2015 - $7 mil
2015-2016 - $7 mil


That's 40 million over 5 years, however the stipend is declining over time, allowing the Leafs to continue to be able to re-sign talent or acquire new players as the contract runs on.

What if Brian and Brad were to get really creative, and come up with a contract that would land Richards, plus allow the Buds to stay competitive over the full five years of the deal? Here's how that may look:

2011-2012 - $10 mil
2012-2013 - $10 mil
2013-2014 - $9 mil
2014-2015 - $6 mil
2015-2016 - $5 mil

It requires biting hard on the bullet for the next few seasons, then frees up some stretching room as Brad reaches his mid-30s and we may need more support up the middle, or elsewhere on the team to stay among the NHL's elite (I mean that).


Canada Day, please come soon!

Core Maple Leafs to keep and build upon

Dandy Dozen: 12 Toronto Maple leafs we need to stick around

While Brian Burke has stocked the Leafs' cupboard with plenty of draft picks and prospects, which players do we have that have already proven they can excel in the NHL?

It would seem these would form the core of the untouchables, together with the best prospects that have not yet earned or been given an opportunity to show what they can do at the highest level. If the Leafs want to win a Stanley Cup in the next three to five years, one goal should be for the Marlies to win it all in 2011-2012, and that will require bringing in more than "two or three" players to take the Buds over the hump.

This past regular season the Leafs decimated the Marlies and ruined their playoff hopes, by bringing up seven players as the top team opted for a full-fledged youth movement. If Frattin plays well in pre-season games he deserves a shot at the NHL, whereas Joe Colborne and the other youngsters must be pencilled in for the Marlies, with only a Herculean effort elevating them to the bigs.

Here are the core, proven NHLers:

# POS PLAYER GP G A P +/- PIM PP SH GW S S%

81 R PHIL KESSEL 82 32 32 64 -20 24 12 1 6 325 9.8

16 L CLARKE MACARTHUR 82 21 41 62 -3 37
6 0 3 154 13.6

84 C MIKHAIL GRABOVSKI 81 29 29 58 14 60
10 0 4 239 12.1

41 L NIKOLAI KULEMIN 82 30 27 57 7 26 5
1 5 173 17.3

19 R JOFFREY LUPUL 54 14 17 31 -11 33 4 0 2 129 10.9

3 D DION PHANEUF 66 8 22 30 -2 88 3 0 1 190 4.2

9 R COLBY ARMSTRONG 50 8 15 23 -1 38 0 0 0 69 11.6

2 D LUKE SCHENN 82 5 17 22 -7 34 0 0 0 128 3.9

36 D CARL GUNNARSSON 68 4 16 20 -2 14 1 0 1 69 5.8

43 C NAZEM KADRI 29 3 9 12 -3 8 0 0 0 51 5.9

59 D KEITH AULIE 40 2 0 2 -1 32 0 0 0 32 6.3




# GOALIE GPI GS MIN GAA W L OT SO SA GA SV% G A PIM

34 JAMES REIMER 37 35 2080 2.60 20 10 5 3 1134 90 .921 0 1 2


That's 12 players that are keepers, and if you want to include top prospects on the "untouchables" list, then start with Matt Lashoff, Joe Colborne, Jake Gardiner, Matt Frattin, Tyler Brenner, Jussi Rynas and Greg McKegg. Now we have 19 players that can be most of the team three to five years from now, however in this coming season it's likely 4 or 5 of them will play for the Marlies.



Toronto Maple Leafs' depth is impressive, setting up trade possibilities

Let's look at more Leafs with the big club or in the system. I would say this group has the potential to contribute significantly in the next couple of years, however seasoning is required for most:

Darryl Boyce, F 26

Simon Gysbers, D 23

Ben Scrivens, G 24

Korbinian Holzer, D 23

Tim Brent, C 27

Bradley Ross, F 18

Joey Crabb, F 28

Josh Nicholls, F 19 on April 27

Tyler Bozak, F 25

Jerry D'Amigo, D 20

Gregg Scott, F 22


The thirty players named in the 3 lists above are the ones I deem most worth keeping at this point in time, indicating those not named should be considered for trade, for not being re-signed, or for being re-signed at a reasonable rate and then included in trades. It doesn't mean I don't think they are good players, many still with vast potential, just that they are not the pieces the Leafs need at this point in their progress from playoffs contender to Cup challenger.

Though Bozak wasn't able to perform as a first line centre, Brian Burke believes that's the fault of Leafs management, not Bozak. This indicates he may find a role as third or fourth line centre, plus perform in key faceoffs when required.

Komisarek is likely staying because his salary limits the teams he can be moved to, however Gustavsson still has value and truly needs a start elsewhere, possibly with a veteran, reasonably priced goalie coming back to us in return. I just think the pressure on Gustavsson would be too much in Toronto, as the Leafs have to treat October and November like it is already the playoffs.



To compete in Autumn, Leafs need to bring in five proven NHLers

Ideally we can get Brad Richards (is there a strong second choice right now?) plus another big scoring forward, two more proven NHL defencemen and a better backup for Reimer. That means bringing in five players, and Burke should be able to do this without affecting the core nineteen above, though he may have to move some of the next eleven, dipping into the thirty pool.

The goal should be three free agent signings, with the other two coming in via two trades, or perhaps one giant three-way bonanza deal, giving each team just what they need. Adding a bona fide centre, another scoring forward, a couple more strong defencemen and another goalie will make the Toronto Maple Leafs 2011-2012 training camp an exciting place to be, and the season that follows a truly memorable one for deeply deserving Leafs' fans.