With one month to go to the $1 million Pepsi North America Cup, Trot Insider takes a look at what the contenders have been up to lately.
The 38th edition of the $1 million Pepsi North America Cup for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings will take place on Saturday, Sept. 11 at Woodbine Mohawk Park. The eliminations will be held a week prior on Saturday, Sept. 4.
For many years, TROT Magazine's Pepsi North America Cup Spring Book has served as an initial barometer for the colts and geldings that may be in the running for the Glamour Boy division's single biggest payday. As in past years, the Spring Book appeared in the April Horseplayers issue of TROT.
Bettor Sun (New Image Media), Proline (New Image Media)
Here is a look at the horses that remain eligible to the 2021 Pepsi North America Cup, highlighting their previous race and next start entered as of press time on August 11, 2021.
Abuckabett Hanover - Trained by Tony Alagna, the Betting Line colt last raced on July 31 at The Meadows in the Adios, finishing fifth by 2-1/4 lengths, individually timed in 1:49.1.
Always A Miki - Trained by Nancy Takter, the Always B Miki colt last raced on August 7 at The Meadowlands in the Cane Pace, finishing sixth by 6-1/2 lengths, individually timed in 1:49.2.
American Courage - Trained by Travis Alexander, the American Ideal colt last raced on August 7 at The Meadowlands in the Cane Pace, finishing seventh by 14-1/2 lengths, individually timed in 1:51. He is entered to race on August 13 at Yonkers Raceway in the New York Sire Stakes.
As Always - Trained by Per Engblom, the Always B Miki gelding last raced on August 11 at Harrah's Philadelphia, finishing second by half a length, individually timed in 1:54.4.
Bayfield Beach - Trained by Nancy Takter, the Somebeachsomewhere colt last raced on July 24 at The Meadows in the Adios eliminations, finishing sixth by 17 lengths, individually timed in 1:51.4. He is entered to race on August 14 at Northfield Park in the Carl Milstein Memorial.
Bettim Again - Trained by Richard Moreau, the Malicious gelding last raced on August 10 at Georgian Downs, finishing third by 1-3/4 lengths, individually timed in 1:53.4.
Bettor Sun - Trained by Gregg McNair, the Sunshine Beach gelding last raced on August 7 at Woodbine Mohawk Park in the Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Series, finishing third by 1-1/2 lengths, individually timed in 1:50.1 with a :26.4 last quarter. He is entered to race on August 14 at Northfield Park in the Carl Milstein Memorial.
Bulldog Hanover - Trained by Jack Darling, the Shadow Play colt last raced on August 7 at Woodbine Mohawk Park in the Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Series, finishing first by three-quarters of a length in 1:50 flat.
Candy Trader - Trained by David Menary, the Bettors Delight gelding last raced on June 12 at Woodbine Mohawk Park, finishing eighth by seven lengths, individually timed in 1:53.3.
Captainofrocknroll - Trained by Casie Coleman Herlihy, the Captaintreacherous gelding last raced on August 1 at Harrah's Philadelphia, finishing fourth by 3-1/2 lengths, individually timed in 1:52.3.
Captains Place - Trained by Todd Luther, the Captaintreacherous gelding last raced on August 11 at The Red Mile in the Kentucky Commonwealth Series, finishing seventh by 5-3/4 lengths, individually timed in 1:52.4.
Chase H Hanover - Trained by Scott Cox, the Captaintreacherous gelding last raced on July 31 at The Meadows in the Adios, finishing eighth by 3-1/4 lengths, individually timed in 1:49.2 with a :26.4 last quarter. He is entered to race on August 14 at Northfield Park in the Carl Milstein Memorial.
Control Heaven - Trained by Chantal Mitchell, the Control The Moment gelding qualified on August 10 at Woodbine Mohawk Park, finishing first by 5-1/2 lengths in 1:53.1 with a :26.1 last quarter.
Dean B Hanover - Trained by Brett Pelling, the Betting Line gelding last raced on July 30 at The Meadowlands, finishing eighth by 8-1/2 lengths, individually timed in 1:52.1.
Desperate Man - Trained by Kathy Cecchin, the Shadow Play colt last raced on August 7 at Woodbine Mohawk Park in the Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Series, finishing sixth by three lengths, individually timed in 1:50.3 with a :26.3 last quarter.
Exploit - Trained by Tony Alagna, the Somebeachsomewhere colt last raced on August 11 at The Red Mile in the Kentucky Championship Series, finishing third by 2-3/4 lengths, individually timed in 1:49.4.
Great Somewhere - Trained by Thierry Vandenplas, the Somebeachsomewhere colt last raced on August 1 at Rideau Carleton Raceway, finishing second by a head, individually timed in 1:54. He is entered to race on August 14 at Woodbine Mohawk Park for trainer Richard Moreau.
Highlandbeachsbest - Trained by Linda Toscano, the Somebeachsomewhere colt was a vet scratch on August 7 at The Meadowlands. He last raced on July 31 at The Meadowlands, finishing third by two lengths, individually timed in 1:49.2 with a :26.3 last quarter.
Island Beach Boy - Trained by Marcel Barrieau, the Somebeachsomewhere colt last raced on August 7 at Woodbine Mohawk Park, finishing fifth by 5-3/4 lengths, individually timed in 1:53.2.
Jimmy Connor B - Trained by Gregg McNair, the Big Jim gelding last raced on August 7 in the Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Series, finishing fourth by two lengths, individually timed in 1:50.2 with a :25.3 last quarter.
JK Going West - Trained by Lewayne Miller, the JK Endofanera gelding last raced on July 25 at Hoosier Park in the Indiana Sire Stakes, finishing fifth by 5-1/4 lengths, individually timed in 1:51.1. He is entered to race on August 11 at Indiana Star Fair in The Horseman.
Joelsyy Hanover - Trained by Melanie Wrenn, the JK Endofanera gelding last raced on August 5 at Hoosier Park, finishing second by two lengths, individually timed in 1:52.1 with a 26.4 last quarter. He is entered to race on August 13 at Hoosier Park in the Joe Patchen Series final.
JTS Jet - Trained by Gabriella Sasso, the Betting Line colt last raced on August 2 at Woodbine Mohawk Park, finishing third by 2-1/2 lengths, individually timed in 1:51.3.
Kinkaid Seelster - Trained by Ben Baillargeon, the Big Jim gelding last raced on August 9 at Woodbine Mohawk Park, finishing third by 2-1/4 lengths, individually timed in 1:53.1 with a :26.3 last quarter.
Komodo Beach - Trained by Brett Pelling, the Somebeachsomewhere gelding last raced on August 11 at The Red Mile in the Kentucky Championship Series, finishing second by 2-1/2 lengths, individually timed in 1:49.3 with a :26.3 last quarter.
Lawless Shadow - Trained by Ian Moore, the Shadow Play colt last raced on August 7 at Woodbine Mohawk Park in the Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Series, finishing 10th by 7-1/4 lengths, individually timed in 1:51.2.
Linedrive Hanover - Trained by Casie Coleman Herlihy, the Betting Line gelding qualified on May 5 at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, finishing first by 5-1/2 lengths in 1:54.4.
Lous Pearlman - Trained by Ron Burke, the Sweet Lou colt last raced on July 31 at The Meadows in the Adios, finishing sixth by three lengths, individually timed in 1:49.2. He is entered to race on August 14 at The Meadows.
No Better Joy - Trained by Nicky Comegna, the Betterthancheddar gelding last raced on August 10 at Georgian Downs, finishing first by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:54.3.
One Eight Hundred - Trained by Nancy Takter, the Somebeachsomewhere colt last raced on August 7 at The Meadowlands in the Cane Pace, finishing fifth by 6-1/4 lengths, individually timed in 1:49.2.
Perfect Sting - Trained by Joe Holloway, the Always B Miki colt last raced on August 7 at The Meadowlands in the Cane Pace, finishing second by three-quarters of a length, individually timed in 1:48.2 with a :26.4 last quarter.
Pirate Hanover - Trained by Tony Alagna, the Captaintreacherous colt last raced on August 7 at The Meadowlands, finishing fourth by two lengths, individually timed in 1:49.3 with a :26.2 last quarter.
P L Ozzy - Trained by Amanda Fine, the Sunshine Beach colt last raced on August 7 at Woodbine Mohawk Park in the Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Series, finishing 12th by 14-1/4 lengths, individually timed in 1:52.4.
Proline - Trained by Luc Blais, the Sportswriter colt last raced on August 2 at Dresden Raceway in the Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots Series, finishing first by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:55.1.
Rau Ru - Trained by Clark Beelby, the Bettors Delight gelding was a vet scratch (sick) on June 12 at Woodbine Mohawk Park. He qualified on June 3 at Woodbine Mohawk Park, finishing second by 3-1/2 lengths, individually timed in 1:53.3 with a :26.1 last quarter.
Red Right Hand - Trained by Nancy Takter, the Captaintreacherous colt last raced on August 11 at The Red Mile in the Kentucky Championship Series, finishing seventh by 12-1/2 lengths, individually timed in 1:51.3.
Rockyroad Hanover - Trained by Tony Alagna, the Captaintreacherous colt last raced on August 7 at The Meadowlands in the Cane Pace, finishing first by three-quarters of a length in 1:48.1 with a :26.2 last quarter.
Saratoga Blue Chip - Trained by Carmen Auciello, the Hes Watching gelding last raced on August 9 at Woodbine Mohawk Park, finishing third by one length, individually timed in 1:51.2 with a :26.3 last quarter. He is entered to race on August 14 at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Second Bruiser - Trained by Vernon Cochrane, the Believeinbruiser gelding last raced on August 7 at Woodbine Mohawk Park in the Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Series, finishing fifth by 2-1/4 lengths, individually timed in 1:50.2. with a :26.3 last quarter.
Simon Says Hanover - Trained by Tony Alagna, the Captaintreacherous colt last raced on August 10 at Yonkers Raceway, finishing first by 3-3/4 lengths in 1:51.4.
Southwind Gendry - Trained by Ron Burke, the Always B Miki gelding last raced on July 31 at The Meadows in the Adios, finishing fourth by 1-3/4 lengths, individually timed in 1:49.1 with a :26.2 last quarter.
Southwind Petyr - Trained by Mark Harder, the American Ideal colt last raced on July 28 at Batavia Downs in the New York Sire Stakes, finishing fourth by 5-1/4 lengths, individually timed in 1:53.2. He is entered to race on August 13 at Yonkers Raceway on the New York Sire Stakes.
Summa Cum Laude - Trained by Ron Burke, the Somebeachsomewhere colt last raced on August 7 at The Meadowlands in the Cane Pace, finishing third by 4-1/2 lengths, individually timed in 1:49 with a :26.2 last quarter.
Twin B Eagle - Trained by Anthony Beaton, the Sportswriter gelding last raced on August 7 at Woodbine Mohawk Park, finishing seventh by 12-3/4 lengths, individually timed in 1:53.3.
Warrawee Whynot - Trained by Rob Fellows, the Sweet Lou gelding last raced on August 7 at Woodbine Mohawk Park, finishing a distanced eighth after breaking stride.
Whichwaytothebeach - Trained by Brett Pelling, the Somebeachsomewhere gelding last raced on July 31 at The Meadowlands in the Tompkin-Geers Stakes, finishing second by two lengths, individually timed in 1:49.2 with a :26.4 last quarter. He is entered to race on August 14 at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono.