The post position draw for the 2016 Confederation Cup took place Monday morning. With no eliminations necessary, a group of nine four-year-old pacers advanced directly to this Sunday’s (May 15) $244,000 Confederation Cup final, which is to be raced at Flamboro Downs.
U.S. Horse of the Year Wiggle It Jiggleit headlines the field of nine and will start from the second-tier in Post 9. The George Teague stable star is by far the richest horse in the field with over $2.3 million in earnings.
Trained by Clyde Francis and driven by Montrell Teague, Wiggle It Jiggleit has won four of six starts this season. The son of Mr Wiggles won 22 of 26 starts last year, including victories in the Meadowlands Pace and Little Brown Jug.
Wiggle It Jiggleit is no stranger to racing on a half-mile track. He has won seven of eight career starts on a half with arguably his greatest victory coming in the Little Brown Jug over the half-mile surface at the Delaware County Fairgrounds.
“We train on a half, he showed in the Jug he can race on a half and when he went around Northfield he raced on a half,” said Francis. “Size of the track doesn’t bother him.”
A pair of Canadian-owned and trained four-year-olds will look to upset the reigning U.S. Horse of the Year.
Marcel Barrieau trainee Drachan Hanover will start from Post 5 with driver Randy Waples. The Ontario-sired son of Jeremes Jet made close to $200,000 last season, while racing primarily in the Ontario Sires Stakes program.
Dr. Ian Moore trainee Rockin In Heaven was a standout last season in the New York program with his biggest victory coming in the $290,000 Empire Breeders Classic. The son of Rock N Roll Heaven has drawn Post 7 and will team up with driver Trevor Henry.
Rockin In Heaven, who posted a Grand Circuit victory in a division of last year’s Somebeachsomewhere Stakes, is coming into the Confederation Cup off a 1:50.1 victory last Saturday at Mohawk.
Trainer Ron Burke, who sent out last year’s Confederation Cup winner All Bets Off, will send out three starters in Sunday’s race. My Hero Ron (Post 2), Rockin Ron (Post 4) and Rock N Roll World (Post 8) will offer the Burke stable a chance at consecutive Cup victories.
Conditioner Chris Ryder will also send out multiple starters in this year’s Cup. Rodeo Romeo has drawn the coveted rail starting spot, while stablemate National Seelster will start from Post 6.
Rounding out the field of nine is Rick Dane trainee Americanprimetime from Post 3. The son of American Ideal recently posted a 1:51.3 victory over the half-mile track at Yonkers Raceway on April 18.
The Confederation Cup will highlight an outstanding evening of events set for Sunday at Flamboro.
Fans visiting the track Sunday will be able to enjoy an interactive trade show floor featuring sample stations, a parachute drop into the infield and live entertainment from the Mike Barnes Duo.
The entertainment on the racing surface will also include a Racing Under Saddle event, which will be followed by a poster signing. A miniature horse race and meet is greet is also scheduled, while the Dachshund Dog Dash, in support of the Dachshund Rescue Fund will also entertain fans.
Flamboro will once again be holding a canned food drive on Sunday, in support of the Good Shepherd Food Bank of Hamilton. Fans who donate a canned food item will have the chance to win a Dinner for Four at Flamboro.
First-race post time on Sunday is 6 p.m. The full field for the $244,000 Confederation Cup appears below.
$244,000 Confederation Cup
(PP – Horse – Listed Driver – Trainer)
1 – Rodeo Romeo – Brett Miller – Chris Ryder
2 – My Hero Ron – Yannick Gingras – Ron Burke
3 – Americanprimetime – TBA – Rick Dane
4 – Rockin Ron – Yannick Gingras – Ron Burke
5 – Drachan Hanover – Randy Waples – Marcel Barrieau
6 – National Seelster – Sylvain Filion – Chris Ryder
7 – Rockin In Heaven – Trevor Henry – Dr. Ian Moore
8 – Rock N Roll World – Yannick Gingras – Ron Burke
9 – Wiggle It Jiggleit – Montrell Teague – Clyde Francis
(WEG)