The countdown to the 2019 Pepsi North America Cup is on, with Trot Insider profiling the horses predicted to be the top contenders for Canadian harness racing's richest prize.

At 17-1, the ultra-consistent Proof comes in at #7 in TROT Magazine's 2019 Pepsi North America Cup Spring Book.

A regally-bred son of A Rocknroll Dance and near double millionaire Ginger And Fred, Proof is a homebred owned by Diamond Creek Racing of Wellsville, Penn. Proof made 11 starts as a freshman and posted a 6-3-1-1 summary (and that fourth-place finish was only by a half-length) picking up major wins in the PASS Final, Elevation and the Breeders Crown elimination. Trot Insider caught up with trainer Brian Brown for an update.

Where did he winter and how long was he turned out?

"He wintered at Diamond Creek after the Breeders Crown, then he shipped down to Florida the week after Christmas, and then he went into training January 3rd."

Where are you at with him now?

"He trained in 1:57 [on March 30]."

Any noticeable changes in him from two to three?

"He grew some; he didn't get really big, probably put some weight but he came back looking really slick, like it was summer. Short hair, real slick and he was that way all winter. Some of my horses even in Florida get some hair. This horse did not! He looked in racing shape when we got him."

When do you plan to qualify him?

"I'll qualify at Miami Valley in about a two-week period."

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

"I think it's PASS, PA All Stars and the North America Cup."

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

"He's in pretty much everything."

What's his biggest asset/strength?

"Between his desire and his consistency."

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

"Even before we qualified him, we really liked him. He was one of my top colts all spring last year right up until he was qualified and racing."

Which race of his from 2018 impressed you the most?

"His first really big race was when he won the final of the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes. He had been racing good -- he was first or second every race except for Lexington I believe -- but he wound up beating some really good horses in that race. He got a great trip, Scotty Zeron put him in the right place....We didn't draw good, we drew the seven hole, and I actually said to Scotty right befire he got the horse, I said 'you know we're in a tough spot here'. He had him on the gate and fired up, no one really left hard but us, we crossed over the front...we won the race and I really wasn't expecting to win."

Any other North America Cup-eligible colts in your stable?

"I also have Workin Ona Mystery and Air Force Hanover. They all train together."

What would it mean for you to add another North America Cup to your trophy case?

"When you win, it was unbelievable to win the first time [with Fear The Dragon]...and we went up there last year and was second [with Done Well]. To go back up and win and have two wins and a second in three years would be pretty unbelievable to pull that off."

Any more pressure to perform given your success over the past two seasons?

"No, if anything, to me, it makes me feel more comfortable because I've been there and done that. It helps you to relax and just do your job and make sure your horse is ready. If he's as good as I can have him, whatever happens from there happens."

Previous North America Cup Spring Book Profiles:
► North America Cup Spring Book - #8
► North America Cup Spring Book - #9
► North America Cup Spring Book - #10