Tony Beaton can say he's been in the winner's circle as part of a team that campaigned a Pepsi North America Cup champion, but a win in the 2023 edition would be much sweeter.

A former assistant trainer in the Casie Coleman stable, Beaton celebrated jubilantly when Sportswriter delivered in the 2010 edition of the N.A. Cup. This time around, he's in the race with a significantly greater role as the co-owner and trainer of Redwood Hanover. 

How would it feel for Beaton to raise the Cup on Saturday, June 17 at Woodbine Mohawk Park?

"It would obviously be much more appealing," Beaton said with a smile and laugh on Tuesday at the 2023 Pepsi North America Cup post draw. "It's always nice to get out there for any race, to be honest with you, but the big races, the stakes races...obviously the biggest races around here would be quite a feather in your hat."

A win in a million-dollar race never comes easy, but the depth of this year's North America Cup field might make that feather appear more vibrant. When posed with the multiple choice question of which horse Beaton thought was the biggest competition to his entrant, he circled the 'All of the Above' option.

"It's a very deep group. I think any one of them could win."

He also acknowledged how strong fellow third-place finisher Moment Is Here looked in his elimination, and that's the horse driver James MacDonald chose not to drive, instead sticking with Beaton's Redwood Hanover.

"We're very happy that James stuck with us. Obviously it gives you a little more confidence that your driver has confidence in your horse. So that's always a positive thing."

Owned by Beaton along with Mac Nichol of Burlington, Ont., McKinlay & Fielding of Toronto, Ont. and David Mercer of Westmount, N.S., Redwood Hanover (Stay Hungry - Rockingcam Park) sports a 4-0-1 summary from six seasonal starts with a mark of 1:49 taken in his Somebeachsomewhere win. He was individually timed in 1:49 last Saturday, finishing third behind Fulton and Ammo.

"He raced very tough. We were the unlucky person to get the only nine-hole, and James went hard with him in :25 and a bit. We were kind of hung on the outside but we did get a hole. He wasn't in that hole very long and come first up...he earned the right to be in this race."

Before the million-dollar main event on Saturday, Beaton will send out a pair of talented starters in the supporting stakes on the 2023 Pepsi North America Cup card. 

One race prior to the N.A. Cup, Lyons Bettorday will aim to knock off the formidable Sylvia Hanover and Twin B Joe Fresh in the $420,000 Fan Hanover final. She leaves from the rail with driver Louis-Philippe Roy at odds of 15-1. In the eighth race, Linedrive Hanover is the prohibitive 3-1 morning line favourite in the $100,000 Mohawk Gold Cup Invitational Pace. James MacDonald drives from post four.

Hear Beaton's thoughts on these starters and more in the interview below.

Racing fans across Canada will be able to watch all the excitement of Saturday’s $1 million Pepsi North America Cup on TSN.

The 40th edition of Canada’s most prestigious harness race will air nationally on TSN3 from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. The show will feature hosts Laura Diakun, Greg Blanchard and Mark McKelvie live from Woodbine Mohawk Park.

First post time for Saturday’s card is 6:30 p.m. To view Saturday’s harness racing entries, click one of the following links: Pepsi North America Cup Night -- Saturday Entries || North America Cup Card Program Pages (courtesy TrackIT).