North America's Cup To Be A Wide Open Affair

This time last year Somebeachsomewhere was blowing away the competition across the continent including a spectacular performance in the North America's Cup. You watched The Beach race not to handicap, but to enjoy the sheer spectacle of the best pacer of a generation.



This year's edition of the NA Cup contains no such standout as the race will return to the bettors who have a chance to make some money on the event. Ten horses will answer the call at 9:40PM this evening under the stars at Mohawk and one will emerge champion in what promises to be a furious finish.

7 -- Pace, purse $1,500,000 (EX, P3, SF, TR)
D-PEPSI NORTH AMERICA CUP XXVI - FINAL - 3 YEAR OLDS.
Post time: 09:40 P.M. Lasix: 05:25 P.M.
1 Ok Boromir L Ouellette F Baker Jr 15-1
2 Mr Wiggles(L) C Callahan B Teague 15-1
3 Dial Or Nodial B Sears J Campbell 4-1
4 If I Can Dream(L) G Brennan T Brainard 5-1
5 Well Said R Pierce S Elliott 2-1
6 Keep It Real S Condren J Shea 3-1
7 Art Colony J Campbell C Coleman 8-1
8 Chasin Racin(L) D Miller B Teague 20-1
9 Annieswesterncard T Tetrick T Deters 25-1
10 Millionaire Cam J Jamieson T Osullivan 30-1
AE1 Arctic Warrior M Baillargeon B Wallace 30-1

Well Said is the likely public choice in the race. Trained by Steve Elliott and driven by Ron Pierce, Well Said paced to the quickest elimination win holding off a determined Keep It Real by a quarter-length. It was Well Said's second victory in only three starts this year and marked Keep It Real's first defeat as he just missed catching Well Said at the wire out of the precarious 10-hole. Tonight the tables are even as Keep It Real has drawn post 6, just outside of Well Said in post 5.

Trainer Casie Coleman sends out Art Colony at odds of 8-1 this evening. The son of Artsplace was second to Mr Wiggles last out and has never been worse than second in 10 career starts, with five wins and five seconds. Art Colony was the runner-up to Well Said in the Breeders Crown last year, appears to be rounding into form, and offers good value at 8-1 in the morning line. At the post position draw Coleman revealed, "He'd been fighting sickness the last couple of weeks...this morning, we trained him up a pretty big mile, and he responded real well. We changed his bridle and changed up a few other things. The way he trained this morning, hopefully he'll be right there (at the finish), right in the hunt."

Drivers Jody Jamieson and Tim Tetrick, the hardest working men in the sport, will be guiding long shots Annieswesterncard and Millionaire Cam respectively from the furthest posts. Jamieson and Tetrick always fight for the money and I expect them to be a factor in superfecta wagering.

My shot at a superfecta will see Art Colony over Well Said and Keep It Real in the place, show spots and Jamieson and Tetrick at long odds to hit the board fourth.

For a full and proper analysis of this race, I point you in the direction of the excellent Pull The Pocket blog.