By Tony Elliott
Every year, the Pepsi North America Cup racecard is a must circle on the Grand Circuit calendar. This year’s edition required a little more patience from race fans after being postponed from its original date in June due to COVID-19. With $2.4 million on the line, racing fans across the world will tune in to the broadcast. Stakes action includes: the $400,000 Fan Hanover, $290,000 Roses Are Red, $220,000 Armbro Flight, $234,058 Nassagaweya (two divisions) and $214,645 Eternal Camnation (three divisions).
The Pepsi North America Cup and the Fan Hanover offer two of the most exciting races in North America. They are featured in races 11 and 13, Saturday night at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
$400,000 Fan Hanover Stakes
Top Contenders
(3) After taking her freshmen season off,
Party Girl Hill has wasted no time in inserting her dominance in this division by going undefeated through seven races and earning north of $200,000. Party Girl Hill acquired the driving services of Doug McNair for the Fan Hanover Stakes and the pair won the second Fan Hanover elimination in a time of 1:50 with a last quarter of 26.1. Party Girl Hill will likely be a short price come post time.
(4) A dominant score in the first Fan Hanover elimination has
Peaky Sneaky primed to be a potential upsetter in this Saturday’s final. This daughter of Bettors Delight has struggled to find consistency, but is tough to beat when she is on her game. The Nancy Takter trainee picks up driver Yannick Gingras on this Grand circuit stop in Campbellville, Ontario.
Value Play
(8) After being one of the top 2-year-old filly pacers in North America last year,
Alicorn has struggled to find her consistent form that she showcased her freshmen year. However, last week’s second place finish in the fastest Fan Hanover elimination could be an indicator that she is rounding into her top form. Alicorn should offer great value come post time.
$1,000,000 Pepsi North America Cup
Top Contenders
(4) “Spectacular” has often been the word used to describe
Tall Dark Stranger. This Bettors Delight colt has dominated since he first stepped on the racetrack, with a record of 13 for 15 lifetime and over $1.4 million earned. The toughness of this colt has been shown on multiple occasions, most recently in last Saturday’s North America Cup elimination when he fought off horses on either side of him to hold on for the win. Tall Dark Stranger will be tough to beat, but he will have a major target on his back.
(5) The late charging
Capt Midnight just missed capturing last week’s elimination by a head. The second place finish to Tall Dark Stranger should be a confidence booster for this Captaintreacherous colt and driver Doug McNair. A similar trip and faster fractions just might be what Capt Midnight needs to reel in Tall Dark Stranger at the wire.
Value Play
(7) The raceline of last week’s elimination does not tell the full story for
Tattoo Artist. Major traffic trouble kept this Hes Watching colt’s speed at bay late in the mile, only allowing for a fifth place finish. Tattoo Artist has been exceptionally good this season in Ontario Sires Stakes action, posting a lifetime best of 1:48.2. Driver Bob McClure believes he will be in the hunt this Saturday night. “I wouldn’t trade him for any others. I was very happy with his elimination. He got a horrible trip so here I am hoping I can get him a better opportunity this week”.
National TV Coverage
A special first-race post time of 6:30 p.m. (ET) has been set for the Pepsi North America Cup card.
The wagering menu for Saturday’s card has been enhanced to include a $100,000 Early Pick-5 (starts Race 1), an ‘All-Stakes’ Pick-5 (starts Race 7) and a Jackpot Hi-5 mandatory payout (Race 11). The carryover for the Jackpot Hi-5 is $381,378.37.
Fans can catch live coverage of the 37th Pepsi North America Cup on TSN4 from 10-11 p.m. (EDT). Horseplayers can watch and wager on the entire card through HPIbet, and the new Dark Horse App offers rookie and veteran horseplayers a great option to get in the action.
Photo by John Watkins
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