After months of waiting patiently, Mohawk Racetrack's figurehead event, the $1.5 million Pepsi North America Cup, will be contested over the Campbellville, Ont. oval in front of a packed house, and it isn't just the hoards of fans which are eagerly awaiting the nation's richest harness race.
"You're just very fortunate to get to drive in these types of events," Randy Waples told Trot Insider. "It's Mohawk's biggest night, and it's great. I thought that elim night went off very well. They have the track in really good shape down there now. Hopefully we get good weather and there are a lot of people in the stands. It should be a really good night of harness racing."
Since moving the NA Cup to Mohawk in 2007, the Woodbine Entertainment Group has seen its June showcase draw massive crowds and truly become an event. Its not just an event for the fans in attendance, though.
"There is nothing better than coming out of the paddock and seeing a whole bunch of people out in front of the grandstand --- it kind of reminds you of the good 'ole days," Waples said. "It's the big nights like the North America Cup, the Maple Leaf Trot and Breeders Crown which seem like they bring everybody back to the track and it's great. It's nice winning races when there is a big crowd out there. Even in the post parade, it kind of gives you a thrill when you see so many people out there."
In regard to his mounts on Cup Night, Waples told Trot Insider that he wished some of them would've drawn better, but that he is high on all of them.
"I like all of their chances. I was kind of hoping that I'd get a little bit of draw relief with Carman Hie's filly in the Elegantimage and Sim Brown in the Goodtimes. They didn't draw the best, (posts) eight and nine. I think Roll With Joe is coming into the race (NA Cup) really good, and the seven-hole is not a bad hole at Mohawk, so I'm fairly happy with that one, but it would've been nice to see the other two trotters draw a little better."
Mohawk's Saturday slate of racing is impressive from top to bottom, but it's the Cup that people are licking their chops over.
"I think it's wide open," said Waples. "There are a couple of horses that probably should stand out, but maybe their form is a little bit off right now. When a trainer has these kinds of horses and they are going for a million five they usually have them right on their toes.
"I just think it's one of those years where right now there is no real clear-cut standout. I think that maybe Carl's horse (Up The Credit) is showing the best form coming into it, but if Big Jim rebounds or Shadyshark Hanover or Bid Bad John gets the right trip...even Roll With Joe, if he gets the right trip. I think any one of those horses can win it. So I really do think it is wide open, and that is not taking away anything from any of the other ones. It's one of those years where just about anybody can win it."