NA Cup Reflections

Published: July 1, 2009 07:29 am EDT

I thought the NA Cup this year was a great race. Keep It Real showed tremendous speed and heart to finish third. Art Colony raced huge coming from seventh at the half to be second, and Well Said was absolutely awesome in winning in 1:48.1, last quarter in :25.4.

There was a lot of talk before the NA Cup about this maybe being a mediocre group of three-year-olds but this race showed that they are a very talented bunch. Six horses paced in 1:49.1 or better and Chasin Racin finished 7th pacing in 1:49.3, last quarter in :26.1. Somebeachsomewhere won last years Cup easily in 1:49, last quarter in :27.

I thought it was interesting who the drivers were that finished 1-2-3. Ron Pierce, John Campbell, and Steve Condren, who are all in their 50's. Steve started from a tough spot, made the bold move that he had to make to give his colt a shot at winning to finish third. John had a poor post and caught a third over trip behind the favourite to finish second, and Ron Pierce gave Well Said the perfect 2nd over trip to win it. All that talent combined with their years of experience make these three guys a potent force especially in a pressure packed race like the NA Cup.

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