Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

North America Cup on the Horizon

June 5, 2007

Linda Toscano would prefer to go to the Pepsi North America Cup without being the center of attention, but that’s the only part of her plan for 3-year-old pacer Kenneth J to be unfulfilled at this point. Kenneth J, who was idle over the weekend, will train Tuesday and then ship to Ontario, where he is the No. 1-rated contender for the C$1.5 million North America Cup at Mohawk Racetrack. Eliminations are Saturday and the final is June 16.

“Everything is good,” Toscano said. “Hopefully, everything will continue to go as planned. We set a plan for him and right now we haven’t wavered from it. I don’t like every time people say he’s the favorite; I’d much rather be flying under the radar. He’s going to have to rise to the occasion. I don’t know if there’s one standout in the race, but there’s a lot of nice horses.”

Kenneth J won seven of 11 races in 2006, including the New York Sire Stakes championship and divisions of the International Stallion and Bluegrass stakes. He was second in the Breeders Crown. This season, he is 2-for-2 with his most recent triumph coming in the Empire Breeders Classic at Tioga Downs on May 27.
“I turned out a healthy horse and brought back a healthy horse,” said Toscano, who trains the horse for owner Kenneth Jacobs. “I don’t think he grew a ton from last year, but he seems to be stronger. He can be used hard and raced any way you want to race him. He’s a pleasure, and he’s been a pleasure all along.”

George Teague Jr., who won last year’s North America Cup with Total Truth, plans to send three horses to Mohawk for this season’s event. Art Rooney Pace winner Southwind Lynx will be joined by Rooney fourth-place finisher Mattdultery and Whats Up Now. Missing the race will be Mr Apples, who won a qualifier in 1:54.1 at Rosecroft Raceway on May 30.

“He’s still not a hundred percent,” Teague said about Mr Apples, who won three of eight races and $169,571 last year. “We’re gearing him toward the Meadowlands Pace.”

Southwind Lynx is ranked No. 4 in the North America Cup ratings. An abscessed foot cost him two months of action last season, although he rebounded to win a division of the International Stallion Stakes. He rallied from fifth place at the top of the stretch to win the Rooney by a half-length over Forensic Z Tam in 1:52.3.

“He was awfully good the other night,” Teague said. “It looked like he was in no man’s land going to the half (mile). To still kick it home like he did gives me more confidence going anywhere. He’s won the biggest race so far, so you’ve got to favor him right now. It’s going to be different horses in the North America Cup; his game will definitely need to be stepped up. But if things set up well I think we’ve got a shot with the horses we’re bringing into it.”

Sutter Hanover, the No. 2-ranked North America Cup contender, was one of three Burlington Stakes division winners on June 2 at Mohawk. He won by nearly six lengths in a lifetime best 1:50.1. It was his second win in as many races this year, and his seventh victory in his last 10 starts dating to last September. He ended 2006 by winning the Governor’s Cup at the Meadowlands Racetrack.

“I was a little disappointed with him early last year, but it seems the more he raced and got tighter, he just woke up,” trainer Mark Harder said. “He’s good right now. I thought he was pretty impressive the other night. He looks like he’s right on track and getting good at the right time. Everything has gone without a problem so far, knock on wood.”

Other Burlington winners were Bettor Tuwin and Shamardal. Bettor Tuwin has five victories in seven lifetime starts. Shamardal picked up his second win in five career races, all this year. Four of the last seven North America Cup winners prepped in the Burlington, with three heading to the Cup elims off victories – Gallo Blue Chip in 2000, Red River Hanover in 2002 and Total Truth in 2006. Mantacular was second in his Burlington division in 2004.

“There’s plenty to beat; nothing is easy anymore,” Harder said. “I’m happy with my horse; I just have to concentrate on him and make sure he’s healthy, that’s all you can do.”