Pacing colt Sportswriter made headlines both north and south of the border with multiple awards and new owners in the off-season, but his trainer now has firmly her sights set on her first North America Cup title

World Record holder and reigning divisional champion Sportswriter has been installed as the 3-1 choice, coming in at #1 in Trot Magazine's Pepsi North America Cup 2010 Spring Book.

Over the past week, the SC website will counted down to the Spring Book favourite, complete with updates from the trainers on the pacers that Trot staff assessed as the leading contenders for the richest prize in Canadian harness racing. The full list of Spring Book odds is available in the April issue of Trot Magazine, arriving in mailboxes this week.

Trainer and co-owner Casie Coleman updated Trot Insider on Sportswriter's progress training down.

Where did he winter?

I had him turned out at Darlene Hayes’ farm (Hillsborough Stables Inc. near Classy Lane Stables). He was turned out there for six weeks.

When did you start back with him?

I started back with him around the second week of January.

Where are you at with him right now?

He was trained in 2:22 on Wednesday (March 24), and I’m going to train him in 2:20 on Saturday (March 27).

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

He’s grown a lot; he’s really filled out and his attitude is the same as last year - perfect. He bites a bit in the barn, but on the track you’d think he was a gelding. We let his hopples out about 2 ½ inches from last year. I’ve hadn’t had a headpole on him this year, he’s been straight as an arrow so far.

When will he qualify?

I’m going to go with him either the last week in April or the first week in May. I’ll qualify twice for sure and maybe even three times.

What will his early schedule be leading up to the Pepsi NA Cup?

We have some options. I’d like to get an overnight race for him here and then we might go to the Hoosier Cup. We’re undecided if we’re going to go to that or not, it will depend on whether or not I can get him a start or two up here. Then he has the Burlington at Mohawk, but the NA Cup is my major focus.

The 2010 Trot North America Cup Spring Book Top 10

1. Sportswriter (3-1)
2. All Speed Hanover (6-1)
3. Rock N Roll Heaven (8-1)
4. One More Laugh (12-1)
5. Malicious (15-1)
6. Delmarvalous (18-1)
7. Rockin Image (20-1)
8. Woodstock (22-1)
9. Red Bugler (25-1)
10. Power Of A Moment (26-1)