"I was telling a few people last week that after he had one start on this track he'd be better the next week, and he was

. And I think [Saturday] he'll be even better."

Even after winning his Pepsi North America Cup elimination last weekend, the Wayne Givens-trained Powerful Mist still might be considered a longshot to many handicappers when the field lines up for the $1.5 million final this Saturday at Mohawk Racetrack.

Trained by Wayne Givens, the three-year-old son of Powerful Toy-Misty Speed has already earned $186,000 this season from seven starts. With a recent third place finish in his Somebeachsomewhere Stakes division two starts ago and finishing second in the $300,000 Hempt final earlier this year, Powerful Mist appears to have as good of chance to win the rich final as anyone.

"He's always been a nice horse," commented Givens. "I'm sure when he first came up here he might not have had a lot of respect but he probably does now. I think his chances are good."

Givens admitted that luck hasn't been on his side in some of the major races in the past but feels that Powerful Mist is due for his share of the spotlight.

"I think he's due and I think Saturday night we're going for a big performance."

Though it's Givens' first million-dollar race, you wouldn't know it from his demeanor. His confidence in his colt is evident while acknowledging the group of three-year-olds is fairly evenly matched.

“I don’t think there is a real standout [coming into the final], I still think my horse is one of the best ones,” Givens commented to WEG Media. “I thought my horse had a real good chance of beating Big Jim [in the elimination]. I think my colt is real good and he’s on top of his game right now.”

The 13-time winner has exceeded Givens’ expectations as Powerful Mist has risen from the Delaware Sires Stakes program onto the Grand Circuit in fine form.

“I bought him for the Delaware Sires Stakes. I went to the Winbak Sale for that purpose and he just stood out to me, he was the class of the sale, so I bought him.

“Training down, he was perfect since day one. I remember calling my owners and telling them that we better pay this horse into a little more stakes events. So far it’s paid off.”

After earning $212,537 from 16 starts as a two-year-old, including nine wins, Givens began his star’s sophomore campaign in March. The first stakes event for Powerful Mist was in the $100,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) on April 14, which he captured with ease.

“I decided to fire him up a little early because I thought that race would be a nice fit for him. He was the top Delaware sired two-year-old last year and winning the $100,000 final would make up for the money being spent on stakes payments this year,” Givens laughed.

Owned by Legacy Racing, Niel Gargiulo and Louie Paglierani, Powerful Mist has earnings of $398,537 lifetime with a 1:50.2 speed record.

Post Position - Horse - Driver - Trainer - Morning Line Odds

1. Big Jim - Phil Hudon - James Dean - 7-1
2. Up The Credit - Jody Jamieson - Carl Jamieson - 5-2
3. Powerful Mist - David Miller - Wayne Givens - 6-1
4. Big Bad John - Brett Miller - Ron Potter - 2-1
5. Shadyshark Hanover - Tim Tetrick - Erv Miller - 5-1
6. Rockabillie - Brian Sears - Dr. Ian Moore - 15-1
7. Roll With Joe - Randy Waples - Ed Hart - 8-1
8. Eighteen - Paul MacDonell - Dr. Ian Moore - 25-1
9. Dutch Richman - Scott Zeron - Erv Miller - 30-1
10. Foreclosure N - Sylvain Filion - Mark Steacy - 25-1

Harness racing's richest pacing event, the Pepsi North America Cup goes this Saturday night with first post at 7:10 p.m. The race will be broadcast nationally on The Score from 8:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. (E.T.)

To view a program for Saturday night, please click the following link: Saturday Program - Mohawk Racetrack.

(with files from WEG)