Woodbine Racetrack's race office has drawn the opening leg of The Diplomat Pacing Series
for three-year-olds. Seven horses eligible to the $1.5 million Pepsi North America Cup will be contesting the series opener this Saturday, April 25.
A total of 15 horses were entered to the opening leg, which will be represented by a pair of $25,000 divisions, slated as Races 2 (7:51 p.m.) and 4 (8:33 p.m.) on the 12-race card.
Three Cup-eligible horses have drawn into the opening split. Giddy Up Delight, ranked at odds of 110-1 in Trot Magazine's 2009 Pepsi North America Cup Spring Book, has drawn the rail for trainer Joey Shea, who has listed Chris Christoforou to drive. Casie Coleman pupil Stinger Blue Chip (100-1 in spring book) will start from Post 3. Mark MacDonald has drawn the driving assignment. Coleman commented on Stinger Blue Chip in a recent Trot Insider exclusive. The third Cup eligible which will be taking to the track in the opening g division is World Away, trained by Carl Jamieson and driven by Jody Jamieson. World Away has been pegged as an 85-1 spring book selection.
Jody Jamieson has been listed five horses in the eight-horse second division.
Carl Jamieson has listed his son to steer Captain Sir (20-1 in spring book), who will be leaving from the rail. The elder Jamieson is also the conditioner behind Chief Of The Beach (80-1 in spring book), which has drawn Post 2. Jody Jamieson is listed on Chief Of The Beach. Primary Purpose, a 50-1 spring book selection that recently shipped to Ontario from conditioner Rod Therres, will start from Post 3 for conditioner Casie Coleman. Mark MacDonald has been listed to steer Primary Purpose. The last Cup eligible to contest the spilt will be Fire On The Water, a 65-1 spring book pick that driver Paul MacDonell has been listed on. Murray Brethour trains Fire On The Water.
The Diplomat Pacing Series is open to three-year-old pacers that were non-winners of $100,000 in 2008 (no allowances). The $25,000 second leg will be contested Saturday, May 2, while the $78,000 (estimated) final will take place Saturday, May 9.
To view Woodbine's Saturday entries, click here.