Up The Credit survived a first over journey to capture the 28th edition of the $1.5 million Pepsi North America Cup for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings on Saturday night at Mohawk Racetrack in Campbellville, Ont. for the father-son team of Carl and Jody Jamieson

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Roll With Joe (Randy Waples) fired off the gate from Post 7, but settled into the pocket with Powerful Mist (David Miller) getting up on the inside for the early lead. His lead was short-lived though as elimination winner and 9-5 favourite Big Bad John (Brett Miller) rolled to command from third at the :26.2 opening quarter mark.

As the competitive field of 10 rolled down the backstretch, elimination winner Up The Credit and Mohawk’s leading driver Jody Jamieson advanced first up after getting away fourth from his chosen post position number two.

Big Bad John showed the way past fractions of :55.2 and 1:22.3, but could not withstand the pressure from Up The Credit in the stretch. The Carl Jamieson trainee struck the front and held off his rivals to score in 1:49.3, with his final quarter clocked in :26.3. Roll With Joe finished one length behind in second while Big Jim (Phil Hudon) rallied from third over to show.

“It’s unbelievable. I just want to show all the fans here this is the 2011 Pepsi NA Cup champion right here, take a good look,” said Jody while aboard Up The Credit as he made his way to the winner’s circle. “All I have to say is Happy Father’s Day dad. You did such a great job. It’s just unbelievable. It’s just unbelievable how much he’s worked. It’s just unbelievable."

Jody, who has driven in the Cup a total of six times, also won the the 2007 edition with the Blair Burgess-trained Tell All. The victory was the first for his father Carl, a 60-year-old resident of Princeton, Ont. who has trained two third place finishers, Santanna Blue Chip (2008) and Duke Of Abby (1996).

“He [Up The Credit] is just an amazing horse and he’s been proving it all along,” added the 34-year-old resident of Moffat, Ont. “I said it at the draw, I think my horse can go anyway - I think he can go first over, I think he can go on the front, it didn’t matter - and he proved it tonight. I’m so happy for everybody.”

Up The Credit paid $6.60 to win as the 2-1 second choice. The son of Western Terror-Cantbuymehappiness was bred by Kentuckiana Farms Gen Par of Lexington, Kentucky and was purchased for $72,000 at the Lexington Select Yearling Sale by Carl Jamieson, Thomas Kyron of Toronto, Ont., Joanne Morrison of Beeton, Ont. and Brian Paquet of Quebec. Lightly raced as a two-year-old, Up The Credit is now five-for-six this year with career earnings swelling to $923,440.

Somebeachsomewhere Stakes winner Bestofbest Hanover and driver Jack Moiseyev converted from the pocket to capture the $100,000 Pepsi North America Cup consolation in a career-best time of 1:49.1 for trainer Daniel Martin and owner L Ecurie Triple P Inc. of Quebec. Mystician (Jody Jamieson) edged out pacesetter Custard The Dragon (Montrell Teague) in a photo for place.

For recaps of Saturday's undercard, featuring the $601,000 Fan Hanover for three-year-old pacing fillies, the $519,000 Elegantimage for three-year-old trotting fillies, the $347,000 Goodtimes for three-year-old trotting colts and geldings and the $100,000 Mohawk Gold Cup Invitational Pace, click here.

For results from Saturday's harness racing card, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Mohawk Racetrack.