In the past, connections of the some higher-tier three-year-old colts have utilized Woodbine Racetrack's Youthful Pacing Series as a step in the direction of the $1.5 million Pepsi North America Cup
. Unless a mass amount of 'Cup' eligibles are aiming for the second leg of the series, the Youthful will undoubtedly be short of Cup horses this go round.
Woodbine's race office drew the Youthful's $25,000 opening leg yesterday, and 21 colts will contest a total of two divisions during the Toronto oval's live card on Friday, March 27. Of the 27 which have been entered, just two are eligible to the $1.5 million Cup, which will take place at Mohawk Racetrack on June 27. The Youthful's second leg will be contested April 3, while the $57,000 (estimated) final will go postward April 10.
The first of the Youthful's opening-leg divisions has been carded as Race 5. The 10-horse field will not feature any Cup eligibles. Its a Good Thing (PP2, Ra. Waples, 2-1) has been named the morning line choice. The Shawn Robinson-trained Western Maverick colt has won five of seven starts this year and has yet to finish off the board. Herestopatrick (PP9, L. Ouellette, 3-1) and Cest La Vie (PP&, S. Filion, 9-2) round out the top three morning line selections.
Jerry Sims-trained Four Starzzz Shark colt Allamerican Motive (PP6, S. Filion, 7-1) will begin behind the starting car in the 11-horse dash. The first of two Cup eligibles in the field, the bay colt went unraced at two and has made eight starts this year. The colt currently sports a record of 2-1-2 and is fresh off a mark-lowering 1:53.2 mile that he paced while racing as the favourite in a non-winners of two races event at Woodbine.
The second of the Cup-eligible colts in the field, Giddy Up Delight (PP3, C. Christoforou, 8-1) will be making his fifth career start after going unraced as a freshman. The Joey Shea-conditioned Bettors Delight gelding has yet to take a mark in his four starts, but has produced three on-the-board finishes.
The morning line favourite for the second division is Bring The Heat (PP1, P. MacDonell, 7-2), who has shipped in to make his sixth start of the season.
To view Woodbine's Friday entries, click here.
On Tuesday, Woodbine's race office also drew the opening leg of the Spring Pacing Championship, which also came up very light. Just one $50,000, nine-horse division will contest the opening leg. Click here to view Woodbine's Saturday entries.