On June 16, Randy Waples and Thinking Out Loud came roaring home on the far outside at Mohawk Racetrack to capture the 29th edition of the $1.5 million Pepsi North America Cup. For the thousands of fans on the edge of their seats, the trip didn’t disappoint. As heavy favourite Sweet Lou turned for home, Thinking Out Loud fanned wide around Dapper Dude and, full of late pace, unleashed a :26.1 final quarter to get up in deep stretch to cross the wire half a length the best. For Randy, co-owner/trainer Bob McIntosh and partners Al McIntosh and C S X Stables, the 1:47.4 track and Canadian record was a first time Cup victory, and boosted the bankroll of their homebred Ponder colt to some $861,750.
Photography by Matt Waples
