The countdown to the 2018 Pepsi North America Cup is on, with Trot Magazine profiling the horses predicted to be the top contenders for Canadian harness racing's richest prize.

At 6-1, Pedro Hanover comes in at #3 in Trot Magazine's 2018 Pepsi North America Cup Spring Book.

Owned by Ontario's Brad Gray & Denise Guerriero, Pedro Hanover banked $348,784 as a freshman by virtue of a 5-0-2 summary from eight seasonal starts. His rookie season culminated with O'Brien Award consideration after victories in the PASS Championship, Nassagaweya and his Metro Pace elim. Trot Insider caught up with trainer Andrew Harris for an update on the son of 2008 North America Cup winner Somebeachsomewhere.

Where did he winter?

“After the Metro he literally did not have a race left...he wasn’t staked to anything else as a two-year-old. So right after that start in the Metro, he was sent to Anvil & Lace Farms in Kentucky and they did an amazing job with him.”

When did you start back with him?

“We started back with him in the middle of December. We started a touch earlier than everyone else because we stopped with him so early.”

Where are you at with him right now?

“Dave Miller took him and trained him [Saturday, April 14] morning at the Meadowlands and went in [1]:55 with him. [He] did it with a 26-and-change last quarter and finished with the bit in his mouth. Dave said he was real happy with him and he was completely loaded finishing.

Have you noticed any changes from last year to this year?

“He actually doesn’t resemble anything of what he was last year. He’s all man now -- he’s big, strong, filled out. He kind of just has that presence to him now. Everyone asks ‘hey, is that Pedro? Like holy hell does he ever look good.’ Last year, nobody was looking at him like that; he didn’t demand attention last year.”

What will his early schedule look like leading up to the Pepsi North America Cup?

“We’re going to qualify next week [at the Meadowlands]. If everything goes to plan, he’ll go to the [Pennsylvania] Sire Stakes in May. I want to hit the May 5th one [at The Meadows] and the one on May 19th [at Pocono Downs]. And then most likely the Somebeachsomewhere, because sometimes these horses need to get around Mohawk. [It’s] one extra start just to make sure we get the shoes right and the equipment right so that he’s in top shape for the North America Cup. Sometimes it’s hard for the American horses because they come [up] there and you got to add a little grab to Mohawk; it’s a little bit looser than American tracks, so sometimes you do have to play with the shoes a little bit.”

What does his tentative schedule look like after the North America Cup?

“Depending how he comes out, how he does in [the North America Cup], we’ll maybe hit the [Max] Hempt [Memorial at Pocono Downs]. The Meadowlands Pace is definitely on the radar, so I don’t know where exactly we’ll go with him but we have a few options and we’ll play it out by ear.

“He has a light-staking schedule. He’ll be supplemented to the Breeders Crown if everything works out. He’s not staked to the Little Brown Jug unfortunately, not staked to the Adios. So he’s going to miss a few of those races, but we’ve got enough other things on him and we can supplement him to a few other ones if we decide.”

At what point last year did you think this horse was North America Cup material?

“For me, it was probably his second start. [It] was a PA Sires Stake. He sat last and he went four-wide around the last turn to win. I looked at the timer and it read 1:52 and I was like ‘what is this horse pacing?’

“Brad and Cory Giles, they thought so before I even got him; they qualified him and they said ‘he’s a real horse.’ I got him and you hear those things sometimes and they’re not always true... he opened my eyes big time that day.”

What's his biggest asset/strength?

“The overall package. He’s got speed, lungs and he’s got the ability to let the driver do what he wants to do when he wants to do it. His attitude is just awesome -- he wants to pass horses and he’s got all of the tools to make it happen.”

Any three-year-old stablemates in the barn right now that are paid up and also looking promising?

“I’ve got a couple that are eligible. I don’t know if they’re on the same level as ‘Pedro’ that’s for sure. I’ve got Major Authority for [owner] Bob Hamather; I think he’s a real nice colt but I don’t know where he ranks yet; he’ll test the waters. I’ve got another colt for Brad Gray and Denise Guerriero and that’s Jimtastic. He’s probably not going to be a top, top horse, but I think he’ll be a really good second tier, like, New York Sires Stakes-type horse and hit some of the smaller stakes races.

Where does the North America Cup sit on the bucket list of races you've get to win?

“Because I’m Canadian, [the] North America Cup was the biggest race I grew up watching and going to every year, so for me [to win] is very big, huge.”

Previous Profiles:

► Trot N.A. Cup Spring Book: #4
► Trot N.A. Cup Spring Book: #5
► Trot N.A. Cup Spring Book: #6
► Trot N.A. Cup Spring Book: #7
► Trot N.A. Cup Spring Book: #8
► Trot N.A. Cup Spring Book: #9
► Trot N.A. Cup Spring Book: #10