A number of industry insiders have weighed in with their selections for this year’s $1.5 million Pepsi North America Cup and opinions are certainly varied, indicating
what a competitive field has been assembled.
Greg Blanchard - (WEG/Score Harness Host)
Art Colony - He’s the one I’ve been backing since his return and so far he has been slightly disappointing. Trainer Coleman has said the colt has been battling sickness and not putting forth his best effort to this point. She has changed his routine this week, training him a big mile mid-week, and says he was very good. He needs to step up but I think he can do it. I’m calling him for the mild upset.
Dave Briggs - (Managing Editor, Canadian Sportsman)
Mr Wiggles - Seriously underrated and no way deserves 15-1 in the morning line. I was at Hoosier Cup less than a month ago when this colt defeated a strong field of 12, with three trailers, coming out of the nine hole on a seven-eighths mile track. He was spectacular coming out of the nine hole in his Cup elim. and finally, thanks to the win, gets a decent post (two) for the first time in three weeks. Plus, it's hard to pick against Team Teague, especially with two in the mix.
Andrew Cohen - (Legal analyst CBS, Horse Owner and Writer)
Dial Or Nodial - I am picking and I will be rooting for Dial or Nodial. Jules and Arlene Siegel are first-class, dedicated owners who care deeply about the sport and Jim Campbell is a class act. The horse isn't too shabby, either."
Mike Hamilton - (WEG Harness Analyst)
Keep It Real - With no standout, several speed horses, several famously aggressive drivers, and the way the draw worked out, I see the winner being the fourth or fifth leader in the race. Who's most likely to avoid any confrontation and be perfectly spotted as they turn for home? John Campbell (Art Colony) or Steve Condren (Keep It Real) aren't likely to be sucked into the speed vortex so one of these two will be best positioned to win. I'll give a slight edge to Keep It Real but caution that if Art Colony is over the sickness that kept him off his game in the last two starts, he too could sweep up for the win.
Chris Hickey - (Harness Commentator, WEG)
Dial Or Nodial - Showed me something in the elimination when he won from off the pace. If Sears chooses to race him that way in the final I think he can pick them all off.
Darryl Kaplan - (Managing Editor, Trot Magazine)
Mr Wiggles - His effort in the Hoosier Cup was huge and his NA Cup Elimination was extremely impressive. He races every start as bravely as any horse in the field yet he doesn't seem to garner the respect. Expect that to change.
Renee Kierans - (Racing Commentator, WEG)
Keep It Real - tough trip from the outside post when 2nd to Well Said in the elims. Better starting position for Saturday.
Greg Lanzo - (Producer, Race Night On The Score)
Keep It Real - I’m a big fan of the three-year-olds that were unraced at two. It worked for Straight Path and Tell All in this race and it seems to be working for Keep It Real. His only defeat was probably his most impressive effort when he finished second in his cup elimination with a 26 second final quarter after leaving from post 10. Post 6 with Condren in the bike should bode well for his chances in the wide open final.
Rob Longley - (Sports Writer, Toronto Sun)
Art Colony - Never been worse than second and trainer Coleman says he's over a sickness that has been dogging him for weeks. No standout favourite this year year so why not price shop on a horse who has never been worse than second in 10 career starts. And did we mention five-time Cup winner John Campbell is in the bike?
Ken Middleton Jr. - (Track Announcer, Mohawk)
Well Said - Was a bust in the Burlington, but he was solid gold in his NA Cup elim. Pierce should be able to work out a covered up trip for the Elliott trainee, who is doubly good when he can chase horses as opposed to have them chasing him. I'll look for his patented closing kick to get him there.
Kathy Parker - (Managing Editor, Horseman and Fair World)
Well Said - If his post turns out to be strategically favorable after the entire race is drawn, I think it's his race to lose. He's got the speed to win, and will be making his third start this season in the NA Cup final, so he should be tight and ready for battle.
Jeff Porchak - (Web Director, standardbredcanada.ca)
Dial Or Nodial - My pick in a very tight field. Although I'm a bit concerned with the fact that it's his sixth straight week of racing, his last two miles have been extremely impressive - 50 and change over less than stellar conditions. Never saw the wood last week and still came home in :26.4.
Heather MacKay Roberts - (The Harness Edge)
Keep It Real - I was really impressed with his performance in the Burlington and in his NA Cup elimination; he's definitely proven he belongs with the big boys. Of course, from someone who will be covering the race, I love the story angles a win by Keep It Real provides - tiny Truro Raceway producing the winner of our richest event two years in a row and Steve Condren achieving a unique milestone in winning two million dollar races two decades apart.
Chad Rozema - (Racing Commentator, WEG)
Keep It Real - Maritime sensation draws a great starting post for Condren to engineer a covered-up trip.
John Siscos - (Senior Manager Racing Communications, WEG)
Dial or Nodial - Had a tough trip in his elim and still won. He was also the only one who came from far back to win his elim on a night many closer to the pace got the money. Likeable at the price.
Gord Waterstone - (The Horseman and Fair World)
Keep It Real - After taking a look at the draw, I would say that I see six horses that if they win the NA Cup, it wouldn't be any kind of surprise. I can easily see any of the six winning. That said, I said a couple weeks ago that I thought Keep It Real was for real and that he was the "x" factor here, and I'm sticking with him as the winner.
Fans are reminded that first post on Saturday is 7:10 p.m. and doors will open to the public at 5:00 p.m. Bob ‘Hollywood’ Heyden will host an NA Cup seminar beginning at 5:30 p.m. and there will also be a trackside beer tent and live entertainment for on-track customers to enjoy.
For complete details, visit www.northamerica.com.
(With files from WEG)