Jamieson Talks 'Cup' Tactics, Foes

Possessing what many consider the livest mount in the Pepsi North America Cup, Jody Jamieson has faced a stream of questions in the past week

. Nevertheless, a comment from the driver regarding one of his top competitors may prove to be the most interesting thing he's said over the past few days.

Anything that has to be said about Jamieson's Cup drive, Up The Credit, has been said already on the track by the colt himself. The son of Western Terror lowered the stakes record in the Somebeachsomewhere Stakes and followed that mile up with a 1:50.4 victory in his 'Cup' elimination, thus granting his connections the right to choose their post position (Post 2) for Mohawk Racetrack's $1.5 million showcase.

After the Cup draw, Jamieson spoke with Trot Insider about his starting spot and how it will give him tactical options in the early stages of the clash. Jamieson and Up The Credit will have Powerful Mist (PP3), Big Bad John (PP4) and Shadyshark Hanover (PP5) to their direct right. It is the horse to their direct left, Big Jim (PP1), who Jamieson had some interesting words about, though.

It was in discussion with Dan Ralph of the Canadian Press when Jamieson commented on Big Jim, the hulking son of Western Ideal who has seen some of his steadfast followers exit his bandwagon recently after two consecutive loses.

"You hear the talk of Big Jim getting beat, he's no good or not as good ... but you can't go down the road in this division," Ralph quoted Jamieson as saying. "This is the toughest division in harness racing, it's like being in the American League East.

"That horse has been travelling back and forth (between Canada and the U.S.) and been asked to compete at the highest level his last two starts. You might see Big Jim race the start of his life ... I'm hoping not because it doesn't do me any good, but Big Jim is far from done. Big Jim is going to come back and haunt some people for things they've said about him and will make liars of some people."

Jamieson's praise for the O'Brien Award winner was balanced by his confidence in Up The Credit and the second slot from the pylons. Trot Insider asked Jamieson whether he thinks the race will shape up in a favourable fashion for him flow-wise? Jamieson's response: without question.

"I think it is a foregone conclusion," he said. "I wouldn't have picked [Post 2] if I didn't think it was going to set up well. I think it worked right into my hands when they picked (posts) three and four ahead of me. You can obviously do a lot of things from the three or four, but from the two-hole I can kind of dictate who is in front of me, who is behind me and be right where I need to be, whether that is second over, third over, first over, I don't think it matters at this point, my colt is ready."

Up The Credit's trainer, Carl Jamieson, assured that his colt is tight, actually sharper than what he was in the elims.

"He's had two starts after being off for two weeks after The Diplomat Stakes," he said. "I had trained him a couple of times, lightly, and then he won in (1:) 49 (in the Somebeachsomewhere Stakes), so last week I didn't train him at all.

"He's really good. He seems to be right on top of his game. He seems to be sharper this week than he was last week, really --- more full of himself."

To view the entries for Saturday's harness racing card, click on the following link: Saturday Entries - Mohawk Racetrack.

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