Red Mile Racing

Red Mile Racing The Red Mile is the second oldest harness track in the world, simulcasts 364 days a year and hosts live harness racing from July—October.

Visit www.redmileracing.com for more information!

06/20/2026

The countdown is on! 🎉

The 2026 season is officially one month away!
Join us Sunday through Wednesday all season long, running through October 10th.

It’s going to be action-packed both on AND off the track:
🎶 Live music
🎁 Giveaways
🍽️ Sunday Buffet in the Clubhouse
…and so much more. We can’t wait to see you at the track. 👏

'Mamba' lands at No. 1 in first 2026 Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown pollby Ken Weingartner(New Image Media photo)Od...
06/18/2026

'Mamba' lands at No. 1 in first 2026 Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown poll

by Ken Weingartner
(New Image Media photo)

Odds On Mr Mamba, fresh off his win in this past weekend’s Pepsi North America Cup, found himself first again when the Week 1 edition of the 2026 Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown poll was released on Wednesday (June 17).

Odds On Mr Mamba is 3-for-3 this year after capturing the C$1 million Grade 1 North America Cup at Woodbine Mohawk Park and leads all horses in North America in purses, with $426,000. The 3-year-old male pacer received 29 of 35 first-place votes and totaled 343 points, giving him a 72-point cushion over No. 2-ranked Loua Dipa.

Loua Dipa, who won the Fan Hanover (G1) for 3-year-old filly pacers this past weekend at Mohawk in a Canadian-record 1:48.1, received two first-place votes and 271 points. Following Lou Dipa in spots 3 through 5 were Roses Are Red (G1) winner Miki And Minnie, Oak Grove Trotting Derby and Empire Breeders Classic champ Spencer Hanover, and North America Cup runner-up Brandon Blvd.

Ranked No. 6 was On To Norway, who received the poll’s remaining four first-place votes after stretching his winning streak to 27 races with a 1:49.3 victory this past Friday in a division of the Graduate Series at the Meadowlands. The time, in On To Norway’s fourth start of this season, was a world record for a 4-year-old gelding trotter.

Rounding out the Top 10 were Mohawk Gold Cup Invitational (G3) winner Ervin Hanover, New Jersey Sire Stakes champion Apex, North America Cup third-place finisher Beau Jangles, and Fan Hanover runner-up Be Perfect BG.

The Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown poll, which will continue weekly on Wednesdays through the Grand Circuit season, does not determine year-end awards. The members of the U.S. Harness Writers Association vote on all Dan Patch Award division winners plus Trotter of the Year, Pacer of the Year, and Horse of the Year.

Rankings based on the votes of harness racing media representatives on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis.

Showdown of “Mamba”, “Beau” & “Brandon” pushes North America Cup race record handleTotal of $687,448 wagered on NA Cup r...
06/17/2026

Showdown of “Mamba”, “Beau” & “Brandon” pushes North America Cup race record handle

Total of $687,448 wagered on NA Cup race tops 2015 record

from Mark McKelvie, for Woodbine Mohawk Park
(Michael Burns photo)

MILTON, ONT – Odds On Mr Mamba’s thrilling victory in the 43rd Pepsi North America Cup (G1) highlighted a tremendous 2026 event at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

The highly anticipated showdown between top three-year-old pacers Odds On Mr Mamba, Brandon Blvd and Beau Jangles helped drive a North America Cup race record handle of $687,448, topping the previous record of $681,716 in 2015. The race handle was also up 25.5 per cent over last year.

The all-sources handle for the 13-race card was $5,610,228, the fourth highest ever. This year’s handle delivered a number that would rank at the top if you remove the effect of Jackpot Hi-5 mandatory payouts on Cup cards since 2016.

“We witnessed an incredible race on Saturday night,” said Michael Copeland, CEO of Woodbine. “The hype for this year’s race was the highest in recent memory and the horses, drivers, trainers, and connections all delivered.

“The energy onsite was excellent and that clearly was felt across the racing world by the record handle for the Cup race. Fans love stars and we love hosting the best of the best at Woodbine Mohawk Park.”

Odds On Mr Mamba edged Brandon Blvd and Beau Jangles in an epic stretch battle to win the 2026 $1 million Pepsi North America Cup. It was the first Cup win for James MacDonald, Woodbine’s leading driver in each of the past five seasons. Trainer Melanie Wrenn became the seventh woman to train a Cup winner, while owner Dana Parham’s Odds On Racing earned their first Cup win.

MacDonald’s dream night also included a victory in the $320,000 Roses Are Red (G1) with pacing mare Miki And Minnie. That victory gave trainer Chris Ryder three consecutive wins in the event.

Dexter Dunn, a five-time U.S. Driver of the Year award winner, had a terrific evening by winning three graded stakes, Goodtimes (G2), Armbro Flight (G2) and Mohawk Gold Cup (G3). Dunn in total won four races on the card.

The $420,000 Fan Hanover (G1) for three-year-old pacing fillies saw a memorable stretch duel go to Loua Dipa and driver Ronnie Wrenn by a head over the previously undefeated Be Perfect BG. The Ron Burke trained Loua Dipa has now won three Grade 1 races at Woodbine Mohawk Park after capturing the Shes A Great Lady and Breeders Crown in 2025.

Live racing at Woodbine Mohawk Park does not slow down following the Cup, as the Campbellville oval is set to add Thursdays to its racing schedule on June 25 and will race five-nights-a-week through October 12.

The remaining major race dates for 2026 are listed below:

Saturday, August 29

William Wellwood Memorial (G1)
Peaceful Way (G1)
Saturday, September 5

Canadian Pacing Derby (G1)
Maple Leaf Trot (G1)
Saturday, September 26

Mohawk Million (G1)
Metro Pace (G1)
Canadian Trotting Classic (G1)
Shes A Great Lady (G1)
Elegantimage (G1)
Saturday, October 3

Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots Finals
Saturday, October 10

Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Super Finals
For the latest news and information on Woodbine Mohawk Park, visit Woodbine.com/Mohawk or follow across social media.

No eliminations needed for MGM Yonkers Trot, MGM Grand Messenger Stakesfrom Yonkers Raceway Media(Chris Tully file photo...
06/16/2026

No eliminations needed for MGM Yonkers Trot, MGM Grand Messenger Stakes

from Yonkers Raceway Media
(Chris Tully file photo

Eliminations were not required for either the MGM Yonkers Trot or the MGM Grand Messenger Stakes, the opening leg of the Trotting and Pacing Triple Crowns for 3-year-old c**ts and geldings, and so the ten entered for the MGM Yonkers Trot and the seven that dropped in the box for the MGM Grand Messenger Stakes will advance directly to the Grade 2 finals on Friday, June 26 at MGM Yonkers Raceway.

Both finals will be raced at 1 1/4 miles, and the post position draws for the finals will be held on Monday, June 22. The companion filly races - the Park MGM Pace and New York New York Mile - will also be drawn then.

The MGM Yonkers Trot will carry a purse of $300,000 and will have eight horses on the gate plus two trailers. Here are the finalists in alphabetical order:

AI
Ardonne
Create Escape
Inexpressable
Kingmen
Nordic Dancer S
Requiem
Secured
Silverstein
Spencer Hanover

As for the MGM Grand Messenger Stakes, the purse will be $200,000 and the finalists are as follows, again in alphabetical order:

Al Papi
Apocalypsebluechip
Fragment
Frantic Hanover
Hunt Off The Press
Melillo
Mighty Matt

MGM Yonkers Raceway is currently operating on a Monday through Friday live racing schedule with post time each night at 6:45 p.m. (EDT). Tonight's (June 15) program features a $3,091.42 carryover and a $20,000 guaranteed pool in the Pick 5 in Race 5.

06/16/2026

With a rich history of over 150 years, the Red Mile hosts the best of the best each season. Just steps from downtown Lexington, you can enjoy a fulll Kentucky experience all in one weekend.

Join us July 26th-October 10th for a rememberable season of harness racing!

Odds On Mr Mamba wins Pepsi North America Cup classicby Chris Lomom, for Woodbine Entertainment(New Image Media photos)M...
06/14/2026

Odds On Mr Mamba wins Pepsi North America Cup classic

by Chris Lomom, for Woodbine Entertainment
(New Image Media photos)

MILTON, ONT – In a sophomore showdown for glory, prestige, and a place in the history books, it was the diminutive Odds Mr Mamba who came up huge in the 43rd edition of the $1 million Pepsi North America Cup on Saturday night at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

The pre-eminent North American event for three-year-old pacers once again showcased some of the sport’s brightest stars, adding another compelling chapter to its rich history in front of a packed house on a spectacular, stakes-laden evening at the Milton oval.

No Waitlist and Al Papi, leaving from post nine and post eight, respectively, blasted off the gate and looked to set the early tone, with the former landing into top spot, followed by Melillo and while Beau Jangles, the 3-5 choice who had his unbeaten string snapped at 15 in one of last week’s Cup eliminations. Odds On Mr Mamba, second choice on the tote board, sat sixth through an opening quarter in :26.1.

Beau Jangles was given his cue to carry on and took the lead ahead of a half in :54.1, with Al Papi, No Waitlist and Brandon Blvd filling out the top four, while MacDonald and Odds On Mr Mamba remained sixth.

Brandon Blvd picked up the pursuit of Beau Jangles and began to ratchet up the pressure on the pacesetter, while Odds On Mr Mamba began to make inroads on the lead pair.

It was Beau Jangles on top by three lengths after three-quarters in 1:21.1, as Brandon Blvd, saddled with post 10, continued to grind away on the outside, while Odds On Mr Mamba roared onto the scene with a powerful outside burst, setting the stage for a scintillating stretch drive. ​ ​ ​

At the wire, Odds On Mr Mamba bested Brandon Blvd by a half-length. Beau Jangles finished a shade behind the runner-up in third and Al Papi crossed the wire fourth.

The final time was 1:48.1.

It was the first Cup crown for MacDonald and for trainer Melanie Wrenn.

"I was so confident,” said MacDonald, who was making his seventh Cup appearance. “I just thought the way the draw set up, I thought I was going to get a great trip, and it was a dream come true. I watched my brother win this race with Sportswriter, and I was at Kawartha Downs, never thinking I was ever going to ever going to do anything like this on this kind of stage. So, it's pretty special for me, and I'm just so thankful I got the drive, and so, so lucky to be here.

“I’m so proud of the horse, so happy for Melanie and the connections, and it's just time to party.”

Wrenn, who finished fourth with Odds On Osiris in the 2020 edition, was in an equally celebratory mood.

“I was so nervous. I mean, I knew he was in a good spot at that point, but I mean, he was in with so many nice horses, and he's just amazing. I love him.

“I knew we were going to give it a heck of a try, and he never quits when they're coming to the wire,” continued Wrenn. “He's always gaining on them. So, we had a pretty good shot."

It was the third win in as many starts in 2026 for the bay gelding, who arrived at the North America Cup final off a gutsy neck victory in his Cup elimination race, a 1:48.2 mile paced last Saturday at Mohawk.

Odds On Mr Mamba, who holds status as the fastest two-year-old in harness racing history, a 1:47.4 mile on Oct. 2, 2025, at Hoosier Park, won the Indiana Sires Stakes Final and Elevation Stakes last year and took an Indiana Sires Stakes division on May 25, 2026.

Owned by Odds On Racing and bred by Odds On Nourrir, Odds On Mr Mamba, who paid $6.10 for Saturday’s win, is 10-0-0 from 11 career starts, along with over $1 million in purse earnings.

“It was something that we pointed this horse to, and but there's so many other good horses, and so many other things that can go wrong,” said Dana Parham, of Odds On Racing. “But for this year it went right for us, and maybe not quite perfect for some of the others.

"I do want to thank Pepsi and Mohawk for putting on this great event. I think they should be recognized, so I want to thank all of them.”

Odds On Mr Mamba’s sire, Odds On Equuleus, finished 10th in the 2013 NA Cup, and finished his racing career with 20 wins, $938,000 in purse earnings and a mark of 1:47.4.

*A new wagering record of $687,448 on the North America Cup race was set, eclipsing the previous record of $681,000 in 2015.

Brandon Blvd hopes to find path to victory in North America CupNew Image Media photo.Story by Ken Weingartner, USTA Medi...
06/13/2026

Brandon Blvd hopes to find path to victory in North America Cup

New Image Media photo.
Story by Ken Weingartner, USTA Media Relations Manager

Brandon Blvd will have to make history to win Saturday’s (June 13) C$1 million Pepsi North America Cup from post 10 at Woodbine Mohawk Park, but the c**t has made history before at the Ontario oval.

Last year, Brandon Blvd became the first 2-year-old pacer to win a race in Canada with a sub-1:49 mile when he captured his Breeders Crown elimination in 1:48.4 at Mohawk. And last week in his North America Cup elimination, he became the first horse to pass previously undefeated Beau Jangles in the stretch of any race, although he ultimately got nabbed in the final strides by Odds On Mr Mamba well to his outside.

Now, on Saturday, Brandon Blvd, with driver Dexter Dunn, will attempt to become the first horse to win the Grade 1 North America Cup from post 10. Over the past 32 years, when the event for 3-year-old pacers was moved to Woodbine (1994 through 2006), and since then to Mohawk, no horse has won the race from that outermost starting spot.

“Brandon Blvd had done a lot of firsts,” trainer Andrew Harris said at the North America Cup press conference following Tuesday’s draw. “If there’s any (other) firsts out there that he can accomplish, maybe this is it.”

Of course, it will not be easy. But six of Brandon Blvd’s nine career wins have come from off the pace, with three seeing him no better than fifth with a quarter-mile to go. Last year, he started from post 9 in a division of the International Stallion Stakes (G3) at the Red Mile and rallied from eighth after three-quarters to win by a head over Frantic Hanover in 1:49.1.

“He sat parked, with cover, that mile and he got it done,” Harris said Thursday. “I think that’s one of the strongest things about Brandon Blvd – he actually doesn’t need a specific type of trip. He’s won, literally, every single way there is to win. He’s won from the front, he’s done it first-up, he’s done it from off the pace. So, that is a huge asset. Obviously, you need things to go your way, but I don’t think that there’s a specific trip where he races better.”

Brandon Blvd, a son of Downbytheseaside-Alexis Faith, has nine wins and three seconds in 13 career races (with earnings of nearly $500,000) for the Punisher 11 Stable ownership group of Bill Po***ck, Bruce Areman, and Harris. He won Grade 3 stakes in his first two races this year – the Paul Revere Pace at Plainridge Park and the Somebeachsomewhere at Mohawk, which he captured in a stakes-record 1:48.1.

His next start was his North America Cup elimination this past Saturday, where he overtook Beau Jangles in deep stretch but was beaten by Odds On Mr Mamba by a neck in 1:48.2. The setback cost Brandon Blvd the opportunity to draw for a post position in spots 2 through 6 as an elim winner.

“I truthfully don’t think he saw Mr Mamba,” Harris said. “When he got by Beau, he thought the job was done and kind of let up a little bit. Me and Dex were talking, and we just firmly believe that the other one was out so wide, he just didn’t see him coming, not in enough time to get re-engaged anyways.

“The thing that’s tough now is that your destiny is tied to what everybody else does. That’s the hardest part for me. There’s not really a lot of taking your destiny into your own hands from (post 10). We’re not the biggest leaver in the race, so really what we need is a lot of action. If things worked out and we sat parked with cover, that would probably be the most ideal situation. But that said, there’s probably four or five horses that want the same thing; they want to trip-out.”

Beau Jangles, despite the first loss of his 16-race career last week, heads to the North America Cup as the 7-5 morning-line favorite. The 2025 Horse of the Year will leave from post 5 with Bob McClure driving for trainer Dr. Ian Moore. Odds On Mr Mamba, starting from post 3 with James MacDonald in the sulky for trainer Melanie Wrenn, is 9-5 followed by the event’s other elimination winner, Sweet Lovin Lou, at 9-2. Sweet Lovin Lou will leave from post 4 with Scott Zeron driving for trainer Dan Lagace.

Brandon Blvd is the fourth choice on the morning line, at 8-1.

“This is one of our signature races, and to be able to be part of one is great,” said Harris, a native of Ontario who has been based in the U.S. for a number of years. “But to be able to win one would be huge. For me, it would be everything. These are the races that put you on the map.”

The North America Cup is race 11 on Mohawk’s loaded Saturday card, which also includes the C$420,000 Fan Hanover (G1) for 3-year-old female pacers, C$320,000 Roses Are Red (G1) for older female pacers, C$240,000 Goodtimes (G2) for 3-year-old trotters, C$215,000 Armbro Flight (G2) for older female trotters and C$100,000 Mohawk Gold Cup Invitational Pace (G3).

Racing begins at 6:30 p.m. (EDT) Saturday at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

On To Norway brings win streak to Meadowlands for the Graduate SeriesDean Gillette PhotographyStory by Ken Weingartner, ...
06/12/2026

On To Norway brings win streak to Meadowlands for the Graduate Series

Dean Gillette Photography
Story by Ken Weingartner, USTA Media Relations Manager

On To Norway is on to the Big M, where the 4-year-old trotter will look to add another “W” to a win streak he launched in April 2025.

On To Norway, an Indiana-bred son of Muscle Massive-One Class Act, has won 26 consecutive races since finishing second in his seasonal debut last year. On Friday (June 12), the Ron Burke-trained gelding will face eight foes in a $50,000 second-round division of the Graduate Series, for 4-year-old trotters, at the Meadowlands.

Except for one win at the Indiana State Fair, all of On To Norway’s victories during his streak have come at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. Those triumphs included the Grade 2 Carl Erskine Trot, Grade 3 Phil Langley Memorial and the Indiana Sire Stakes Super Final. After finishing last year with 23 straight wins, he has started this season 3-for-3.

For his career, On To Norway has won 30 of 36 races, finished second four times, and earned $693,381.

“For me, it’s exciting because I’m going to get to see him out on the East Coast now,” said Frank Baldachino, a New Jersey resident and co-owner of On To Norway. “It’s been a great run in Indiana and hopefully he can continue it for the next few weeks at the Meadowlands. He’s coming into the race (Friday) feeling good. It will be his first time over the racetrack, but I think he’ll really like going over the Meadowlands surface. So, I’m expecting a good performance from him.”

On To Norway will leave from post 8 in his nine-horse Graduate division, the second of the two splits, and is the 2-1 morning-line favorite. Yannick Gingras will be in the sulky, taking over for John DeLong, who drove On To Norway in his past 25 races.

Meshuggah, who won the Grade 1 Breeders Crown for 3-year-old male trotters last season, is the race’s 9-2 second choice in his seasonal debut. Dexter Dunn will drive Meshuggah for trainer Marcus Melander, leaving from post 6. The field also includes mare Delaney Hanover, who won last year’s Kentucky Filly Futurity (G1) for driver Scott Zeron and trainer Lucas Wallin, and also is making her seasonal debut. She is 5-1 on the morning line and will start from post 3.

“There’s a bunch of quality horses in that race, so he’s going to have to earn it,” Baldachino said about On To Norway. “No one is going to concede anything to him. But that’s how he’s liked it anyway; he’s earned every win that he’s got. Hopefully, Yannick can work out a trip and (On To Norway) is picking them up and putting them down coming to the wire and we can continue our streak.”

And just how important is the streak to Baldachino?

“It’s not that important, to be honest with you,” he said. “The health of the horse, the happiness of the horse, and the experience for the horse is most important. Last year was super exciting, but this is a new year, and he’s going to have to step up and race some really nice Grand Circuit horses that are top-notch. He’s not going to be able to win every race. As long as he’s healthy and sound, he’ll show up and represent really well. He’s going to have to elevate his game, but we all have confidence that he can.

“He’s so versatile, he can race any which way. He can race on the lead, he can race first-over, he can race off a helmet. That’s what makes him so special. And his will to win is beyond incredible; he’ll just chase down anything.”

Following Friday’s start, On To Norway will remain in New Jersey as the Meadowlands hosts the third round of the Graduate Series on June 20, the Graduate final (G2) on July 4, and the Hambletonian Maturity (G1) on July 11.

“We’ll get a lot better feel for what he can be in the next month,” said Baldachino, who shares ownership of On To Norway with Burke Racing Stable, Black And White Stable, and Michael Rosenthal. “We’re all excited to see him here.”

In the first of the two Graduate divisions for the trotters, returning Dan Patch Award-winner Super Chapter is the 5-2 morning-line favorite in his seasonal debut for driver Dunn and trainer Melander. He will leave from post 6 in a field of eight. Monserrate is the 7-2 second choice after winning the Graduate’s first round in 1:52 at Woodbine Mohawk Park. He will start from post 5 with Jason Bartlett driving for trainer Andrew Harris.

There also will be two $50,000 divisions of the Graduate’s second round for 4-year-old pacers on Friday plus $225,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes Platinum finals for 3-year-old male and female trotters.

The NJSS Platinum final for the sophomore boys features a field of eight Hambletonian-eligible trotters, with Apex the 9-5 morning-line favorite followed by Diabolic Hill at 3-1 and American Power at 9-2. The final for the fillies features eight Hambletonian Oaks eligibles in a field of 10, with Naked And Famous and Jailbird Jog topping the morning line at 3-1 and 4-1, respectively.

Racing begins at 6:35 p.m. (EDT) at the Meadowlands.

06/11/2026

A beautiful Kentucky day at Crawford Farms, LLC 🐎

Post Positions Drawn for the 43rd Pepsi North America Cupby Grace Martin, for Woodbine Entertainment(New Image Media pho...
06/10/2026

Post Positions Drawn for the 43rd Pepsi North America Cup

by Grace Martin, for Woodbine Entertainment
(New Image Media photo)

MILTON, ONT – Top contenders Odds On Mr Mamba, Sweet Lovin Lou and Beau Jangles will all start in posts three through five in Saturday’s $1 million Pepsi North America Cup (Grade 1) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Elimination winners Odds On Mr Mamba and Sweet Lovin Lou were guaranteed to land a post anywhere from two through six. Odds On Mr Mamba landed post-3 and Sweet Lovin Lou drew post-4. ​

It was a dramatic face-off last Saturday when Odds On Mr Mamba handed Beau Jangles his first loss in the second Cup elimination. Trainer Melanie Wrenn was pleasantly surprised by Odds On Mr Mamba’s victory.

“I knew he was a super nice c**t but I truly didn't think we were gonna win,” shared Melanie Wren “Beau Jangles is pretty massive, and it was a big surprise for me. I knew he was fast, but he's really fast.”

James MacDonald, the driver of both Odds On Mr Mamba and Sweet Lovin Lou in their respective eliminations, has selected to drive Odds On Mr Mamba in the Cup final for trainer Melanie Wren and owners Odds On Racing. ​

“It's always tough when you bring a horse along at two, you baby race them, you fall in love with them, and it's always hard to make a decision like that,” MacDonald shared. ​

“I think the North America Cup is, is my opinion, one of the premier races in the world, and it's going to be a big crowd, and they, I can't wait to see the great racing, and [the Cup] is going to be a war.” ​

Odds On Mr Mamba, the world’s fastest 2-year-old of all-time (1:47.4), enters Saturday with nine wins and 10 starts.

“He (Odds On Mr Mamba) clearly was drifting a little bit, as everyone saw, but Melanie and Pete (Wrenn) were confident they could have him steering better, and I think no matter how the race goes, it's good to have that kick, and hopefully I can work a trip out and do something productive, because he's a special horse,” said MacDonald.

Sweet Lovin Lou had a powerful performance to win last Saturday’s first elimination for Dan Legace and Partners. Legace announced Scott Zeron will drive, a decision he came to easily.

“Even when I raced Lou last year in Kentucky, I listed James down first, but I put Scott down as an alternative if James wasn't going to make it. I think they both have the same style and fit the horse great,” said Legace.

Reigning Horse of the Year Beau Jangles drew post 5. The superstar went into the elimination undefeated with 15 wins, including the Metro Pace and Breeders Crown. He suffered his first loss on Saturday night, but he will look to rebound for trainer Dr. Ian Moore.

“We figured [the loss] was going to happen at some point in time. It might have happened at the wrong time, hopefully not, but I still think he raced very well under the circumstances, and he seems to be fine, I jogged him today after a couple days off. So, hopefully, we'll have him ready to go on Saturday, shared Dr. Moore. “I don't think we've ever drawn inside of eight in this before. So, it's that was good to see that five for sure, and that is my lucky number.”

Ron Burke trains three of Saturday’s Cup contenders: Melillo, Lindy Dragonwater, and Al Papi. Burke goes for his third North America Cup win after winning last year’s edition with Louprint and in 2014 with JK Endofanera.

Melillo, to be driven by 2025 Cup winner Ronnie Wrenn Jr., drew post 1. Lindy Dragonwater, 2025 Ohio Sire Stakes champion, has post-6, and Al Papi drew post 8. ​

With 7 wins in 13 starts, Azrael Blue Chip will see the Cup debut for trainer Besim Odza. Driven by Andrew McCarthy, Azrael Blue Chip will start from post 7.

Brandon Blvd, winner of the Grade 3 Somebeachsomewhere Stakes, is one of the major players in the Cup, but had no luck in the draw, landing post 10. ​ The Andrew Harris trainee has nine wins in 13 starts. ​

“Brandon Blvd has done a lot of firsts, I mean, last year as a two-year-old, he was the first 1:48.4 pacer here at Woodbine, and last week he was the first horse to go by Beau Jangles, so if there are any first out there he can accomplish, maybe this is it,” said Harris.

Local hopeful No Waitlist drew post-9 for owner Tim Dickerson, trainer Blake McIntosh, and driver Doug McNair.

Redland Rocket Man will be looking for the upset from post-2 for first-time Cup trainer John Pentland of Dorchester, and Cup-winning driver Louis-Philippe Roy.

The Field for the 43rd Pepsi North America Cup:

PP – HORSE – DRIVER – TRAINER ​

1 – ​ Melillo – Ronnie Wrenn Jr. – Ron Burke

2 – Redland Rocket Man – Louis-Philippe Roy – John Pentland ​

3 – Odds On Mr Mamba – James MacDonald – Melanie Wrenn

4 – Sweet Lovin Lou – Scott Zeron – Dan Lagace

5 – Beau Jangles – Bob McClure – Dr. Ian Moore

6 – Lindy Dragonwater – Jason Bartlett. – Ron Burke

7 – Azrael Blue Chip – Andrew McCarthy – Besim Odza

8 – Al Papi – Yannick Gingras – Ron Burke ​

9 – No Waitlist – Doug McNair – Blake MacIntosh

10 – Brandon Blvd – Dexter Dunn – Andrew Harris

Michael Copeland, CEO Woodbine Entertainment, also spoke at the draw. ​

“We're very proud of the racing here at Woodburn Mohawk Park, and we’re thankful for the people that give so much time and energy to make this one of the best Standardbred racing facilities in the world, said Copeland. “We're happy to share that with you this Saturday night.”

The stakes record for the Pepsi North America Cup is 1:47.1, set last year by Louprint.

The Pepsi North America Cup is scheduled as Race 11 (10:45 p.m. ET).

The $1 million Pepsi North America Cup is the feature race on a $2.5 million card of racing. The Grade 1 Fan Hanover, Grade 1 Roses Are Red, Grade 2 Armbro Flight, Grade 2 Goodtimes and Grade 3 Mohawk Gold Cup are all part of the rich program.

First-race post time is 6:30 p.m. Admission and parking are free.

For event information, visit WoodbineMohawkPark.com.

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