Tracking The NA Cup Contenders
With eliminations for the Pepsi North America Cup just over a week away, Trot Insider has provided a final update on where contenders are racing heading into the $1 million event.
The 38th edition of the $1 million Pepsi North America Cup for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings will take place on Saturday, Sept. 11 at Woodbine Mohawk Park. The eliminations will be held a week prior on Saturday, Sept. 4.
For many years, TROT Magazine's Pepsi North America Cup Spring Book has served as an initial barometer for the colts and geldings that may be in the running for the Glamour Boy division's single biggest payday. As in past years, the Spring Book appeared in the April Horseplayers issue of TROT.
Komodo Beach (Amanda Stephens), Bulldog Hanover (New Image Media)
Here is a look at the horses that remain eligible to the 2021 Pepsi North America Cup, highlighting their previous race and next start entered as of press time on August 25, 2021.
Abuckabett Hanover - Trained by Tony Alagna, the Betting Line colt last raced on August 21 at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono in the Max C. Hempt Memorial, finishing eighth by 25 lengths after an early break, individually timed in 1:53.2.
Always A Miki - Trained by Nancy Takter, the Always B Miki colt last raced on August 21 at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono in the Max C. Hempt Memorial Consolation II, finishing second by nine lengths, individually timed in 1:50.3.
American Courage - Trained by Travis Alexander, the American Ideal colt was scratched (vet) on August 21 at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono from the Max C. Hempt Memorial. He last raced on August 13 at Yonkers Raceway in the New York Sire Stakes, finishing first by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:52.
As Always - Trained by Per Engblom, the Always B Miki gelding last raced on August 18 at Harrah's Philadelphia, finishing second by one length, individually timed in 1:55.
Bayfield Beach - Trained by Ron Burke, the Somebeachsomewhere colt last raced on August 14 at Northfield Park in the Carl Milstein Memorial, finishing eighth by 16-1/2 lengths, individually timed in 1:52.
Bettim Again - Trained by Richard Moreau, the Malicious gelding last raced on August 21 at Woodbine Mohawk Park, finishing third by a half-length, individually timed in 1:51.2. He is entered to race on August 28 at Woodbine Mohawk Park in the Somebeachsomewhere Stakes.
Bettor Sun - Trained by Gregg McNair, the Sunshine Beach gelding last raced on August 20 at Woodbine Mohawk Park in the Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots Series, finishing first by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:49.4. He is entered to race on August 28 at Woodbine Mohawk Park in the Somebeachsomewhere Stakes.
Bulldog Hanover - Trained by Jack Darling, the Shadow Play colt last raced on August 21 at Woodbine Mohawk Park in the Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Series, finishing first by a half-length in 1:49. He is entered to race on August 28 at Woodbine Mohawk Park in the Somebeachsomewhere Stakes.
Candy Trader - Trained by David Menary, the Bettors Delight gelding last raced on June 12 at Woodbine Mohawk Park, finishing eighth by seven lengths, individually timed in 1:53.3.
Captainofrocknroll - Trained by Casie Coleman Herlihy, the Captaintreacherous gelding last raced on August 1 at Harrah's Philadelphia, finishing fourth by 3-1/2 lengths, individually timed in 1:52.3.
Captains Place - Trained by Todd Luther, the Captaintreacherous gelding last raced on August 22 at The Red Mile in the Kentucky Commonwealth Series, finishing fourth by 2-1/2 lengths, individually timed in 1:50.1.
Chase H Hanover - Trained by Scott Cox, the Captaintreacherous gelding last raced on August 21 at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono in the Max C. Hempt Memorial, finishing fourth by 3-1/4 lengths, individually timed in 1:49 with a :26.4 final quarter.
Control Heaven - Trained by Chantal Mitchell, the Control The Moment gelding last raced on August 20 at Woodbine Mohawk Park in the Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots Series, finishing eighth by 17 lengths, individually timed in 1:53.1. He is entered to race on August 27 at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Dean B Hanover - Trained by Brett Pelling, the Betting Line gelding last raced on August 21 at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono in the Max C. Hempt Memorial Consolation II, finishing sixth by 11-1/4 lengths, individually timed in 1:51.
Desperate Man - Trained by Kathy Cecchin, the Shadow Play colt last raced on August 21 at Woodbine Mohawk Park in the Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Series, finishing second by a half-length, individually timed in 1:49. He is entered to race on August 28 at Woodbine Mohawk Park in the Somebeachsomewhere Stakes.
Exploit - Trained by Tony Alagna, the Somebeachsomewhere colt last raced on August 21 at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono in the Max C. Hempt Memorial Consolation II, finishing third by 9-3/4 lengths, individually timed in 1:50.4.
Great Somewhere - Trained by Richard Moreau, the Somebeachsomewhere colt last raced on August 21 at Woodbine Mohawk Park, finishing seventh by 5-1/2 lengths, individually timed in 1:52.2.
Highlandbeachsbest - Trained by Linda Toscano, the Somebeachsomewhere colt last raced on August 21 at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono in the Max C. Hempt Memorial Consolation II, finishing eighth by 15 lengths, individually timed in 1:51.4.
Island Beach Boy - Trained by Marcel Barrieau, the Somebeachsomewhere colt last raced on August 19 at Woodbine Mohawk Park, finishing eighth by 10-3/4 lengths, individually timed in 1:53.4.
Jimmy Connor B - Trained by Gregg McNair, the Big Jim gelding last raced on August 20 at Woodbine Mohawk Park in the Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots Series, finishing first by one length in 1:50.1. He is entered to race on August 28 at Woodbine Mohawk Park in the Somebeachsomewhere Stakes.
JK Going West - Trained by Lewayne Miller, the JK Endofanera gelding last raced on August 22 at Hoosier Park in the Indiana Sires Stakes, finishing fifth by 5-3/4 lengths, individually timed in 1:50.2.
Joelsyy Hanover - Trained by Melanie Wrenn, the JK Endofanera gelding last raced on August 22 at Hoosier Park in the Indiana Sires Stakes, finishing eighth by three lengths, individually timed in 1:51.
JTS Jet - Trained by Gabriella Sasso, the Betting Line colt last raced on August 21 at Woodbine Mohawk Park, finishing first by a head in 1:51.2. He is entered to race on August 28 at Woodbine Mohawk Park in the Somebeachsomewhere Stakes.
Kinkaid Seelster - Trained by Ben Baillargeon, the Big Jim gelding last raced on August 20 at Woodbine Mohawk Park in the Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots Series, finishing seventh by 15 lengths, individually timed in 1:52.4. He is entered to race on August 27 at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Komodo Beach - Trained by Brett Pelling, the Somebeachsomewhere gelding last raced on August 22 at The Red Mile in the Kentucky Championship Series, finishing first by a head in 1:48.4 with a :25.2 last quarter.
Lawless Shadow - Trained by Ian Moore, the Shadow Play colt last raced on August 21 at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono in the Max C. Hempt Memorial, finishing first by a nose in 1:48.2. He is not entered to race this week, with his connections deciding to skip the Somebeachsomewhere in preparation for the North America Cup and future stakes.
Linedrive Hanover - Trained by Casie Coleman Herlihy, the Betting Line gelding qualified on May 5 at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, finishing first by 5-1/2 lengths in 1:54.4.
Lous Pearlman - Trained by Ron Burke, the Sweet Lou colt last raced on August 21 at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono in the Max C. Hempt Memorial Consolation II, finishing first by nine lengths in 1:48.4.
No Better Joy - Trained by Nicky Comegna, the Betterthancheddar gelding last raced on August 20 at Woodbine Mohawk Park in the Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots Series, finishing 10th by 13-3/4 lengths, individually timed in 1:53.
One Eight Hundred - Trained by Nancy Takter, the Somebeachsomewhere colt last raced on August 7 at The Meadowlands in the Cane Pace, finishing fifth by 6-1/4 lengths, individually timed in 1:49.2.
Perfect Sting - Trained by Joe Holloway, the Always B Miki colt last raced on August 21 at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono in the Max C. Hempt Memorial, finishing second by a nose, individually timed in 1:48.2 with a :26.4 last quarter.
Pirate Hanover - Trained by Tony Alagna, the Captaintreacherous colt last raced on August 7 at The Meadowlands, finishing fourth by two lengths, individually timed in 1:49.3 with a :26.2 last quarter. He is entered to race on August 28 at Woodbine Mohawk Park in the Somebeachsomewhere Stakes.
P L Ozzy - Trained by Amanda Fine, the Sunshine Beach colt last raced on August 20 at Woodbine Mohawk Park in the Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots Series, finishing fifth by six lengths, individually timed in 1:50.4. He is entered to race on August 28 at Woodbine Mohawk Park in the Somebeachsomewhere Stakes.
Proline - Trained by Luc Blais, the Sportswriter colt last raced on August 20 at Woodbine Mohawk Park in the Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots Series, finishing sixth by 6-1/2 lengths in 1:51.2.
Rau Ru - Trained by Clark Beelby, the Bettors Delight gelding qualified on August 24 at Woodbine Mohawk Park, finishing third by 2-1/2 lengths, individually timed in 1:56.
Red Right Hand - Trained by Nancy Takter, the Captaintreacherous colt last raced on August 22 at The Red Mile in the Kentucky Commonwealth Series, finishing third by a half-length, individually timed in 1:49.4.
Rockyroad Hanover - Trained by Tony Alagna, the Captaintreacherous colt last raced on August 21 at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono in the Max C. Hempt Memorial, finishing sixth by 6-3/4 lengths in 1:49.4.
Saratoga Blue Chip - Trained by Carmen Auciello, the Hes Watching gelding last raced on August 20 at Woodbine Mohawk Park in the Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots Series, finishing ninth by 7-3/4 lengths, individually timed in 1:51.1 with a :26.3 last quarter. He is entered to race on August 27 at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Second Bruiser - Trained by Vernon Cochrane, the Believeinbruiser gelding last raced on August 21 at Woodbine Mohawk Park in the Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Series, finishing fourth by 5-1/4 lengths, individually timed in 1:50. He is entered to race on August 28 at Woodbine Mohawk Park in the Somebeachsomewhere Stakes.
Simon Says Hanover - Trained by Tony Alagna, the Captaintreacherous colt last raced on August 21 at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono in the Max C. Hempt Memorial Consolation I, finishing fifth by four lengths in 1:51.
Southwind Gendry - Trained by Ron Burke, the Always B Miki gelding last raced on August 21 at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono in the Max C. Hempt Memorial, finishing fifth by 4-1/2 lengths, individually timed in 1:49.1.
Southwind Petyr - Trained by Mark Harder, the American Ideal colt last raced on August 20 at Vernon Downs on the New York Sire Stakes, finishing third by 2-1/2 lengths, individually timed in 1:50.2 with a :26.4 last quarter.
Summa Cum Laude - Trained by Ron Burke, the Somebeachsomewhere colt last raced on August 21 at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono in the Max C. Hempt Memorial Consolation II, finishing seventh by 12-1/4 lengths, individually timed in 1:51.1. He is entered to race on August 28 at Woodbine Mohawk Park in the Somebeachsomewhere Stakes.
Twin B Eagle - Trained by Anthony Beaton, the Sportswriter gelding last raced on August 20 at Woodbine Mohawk Park in the Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots Series, finishing 11th by 36 lengths after breaking stride, individually timed in 1:57.
Warrawee Whynot - Trained by Rob Fellows, the Sweet Lou gelding last raced on August 7 at Woodbine Mohawk Park, finishing a distant eighth after breaking stride.
Whichwaytothebeach - Trained by Brett Pelling, the Somebeachsomewhere gelding last raced on August 21 at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono in the Max C. Hempt Memorial Consolation I, finishing first by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:50.1. He is entered to race on August 28 at Woodbine Mohawk Park in the Somebeachsomewhere Stakes.