Red Mile Racing

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 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.

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.

Schedule Change this week at the Meadowlands

Meadowlands Racetrack

East Rutherford, NJ - Due to the World Cup soccer match being played at the NY/NJ Stadium (aka MetLife Stadium) on Saturday, June 13, live racing this week takes place on Thursday, June 11, and Friday, June 12.

There will be a pair of carryovers to entice punters when live racing resumes on Thursday.

The Early 20-cent Pick-5 went un-hit and has a carryover of $24,117, while the 20-cent Pick-6 did not yield a winning ticket for a second straight offering, upping that carryover to $11,808. The Early Pick-5 is offered on races 1-5, and the Pick-6 is available on races 3-8.

In addition, Breakfast with the Babies will take place on Thursday at 9 a.m. Free breakfast and programs will be available in Trotters.

This year’s sponsors are the Tactical Landing Syndicate, Ecurie D Syndicate, and Karl Syndicate, standing at Southwind Farms of New Jersey.

The countdown to days back on the track starts now! 🐎

What are you most excited for this 2026 season?

Odds On Mr Mamba, Sweet Lovin Lou Victorious in North America Cup Eliminations

by Ray Cotolo, for Woodbine Communications
(New Image Media photos)

MILTON, ONT — World champion Odds On Mr Mamba shipped north from Indiana and vanquished the unbeaten Beau Jangles while Sweet Lovin Lou stoutly powered first over to give driver James MacDonald a difficult choice after he guided both to victories in the pair of $50,000 Pepsi North America Cup eliminations on Saturday night at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

MacDonald worked a covered trip for Odds On Mr Mamba and exploded with fervor down the grandstand side to land the win in his North America Cup elimination in a 1:48.2 mile.

Melillo looped after his stablemate Ubrute rushing into a :26.2 first quarter and grabbed the lead, but Gentlemans Club soon swung out of third and swept to the front as the field rolled up the backstretch. Beau Jangles, the 2-5 favorite, gapped in fourth but received the cue from driver Bob McClure to attack past three-eighths and moved through the gears to hit top speed into a :54.1 half. Brandon Blvd tracked the favorite through the turn with Odds On Mr Mamba perched third over.

Beau Jangles blitzed Gentlemans Club rounding the last turn but failed to clear to the lead. He held a head up on Gentlemans Club past three-quarters in 1:21.1 while Brandon Blvd fanned three wide and Odds On Mr Mamba unwound even wider spinning for home. Beau Jangles inched by Gentlemans Club while Brandon Blvd and a drifting Odds On Mr Mamba burst past the inside pair to battle for the lead late. Brandon Blvd dug in on a straight line but failed to stave Odds On Mr Mamba’s momentum late in a neck decision on the finish. Beau Jangles held third with Melillo and Redland Rocket Man securing the last berths into the final.

“I just wanted to get myself into a good spot turning for home where I could let him do his best work, whether that was too far back or whatever,” MacDonald, who picked up the drive on Odds On Mr Mamba when Dexter Dunn opted for Brandon Blvd, said after the race. “They told me what a kick he had and Dexter said the same thing, so I thought if I could be second, third over it would work out great. In the first turn I was happy to get Dexter in because I thought Beau [Jangles] move back to the lead. It worked out amazing tonight. A lot of times when they run out like that down the lane, they usually can't get there, they lose the competitive raciness because they don't have someone right beside them. I know I'm confident they'll get them straightened out for next week.”

Trainer Melanie Wrenn said picking James MacDonald to drive Odds On Mr Mamba was “a pretty easy decision. James is a great driver, and his home turf, the whole nine yards. How could we go wrong? And plus, we had one start, and ‘Mamba’ is probably better off the pace like that, and we didn't really want to be in the hunt, so we knew that James would do the right thing.”

And despite the long-awaited matchup against Beau Jangles coming inside the North America Cup elimination, MacDonald also said that “I think it's going to add more to the race, some people look at it as Beau Jangles not being undefeated anymore, but I think we've learned over the years champions bounce back. And I think for Beau Jangles, Doc Moore will have him amazing, Bob will drive him perfect, and it's going to be a heck of a horse race.”

A homebred Odds On Equuleus gelding for Dana Parham’s Odds On Racing, Odds On Mr Mamba stayed unbeaten from two starts this year and won his ninth race from 10 starts in his career, earning $528,219.

“He's grown a bit, but he's still not a big horse, but he has a huge heart, and he just wants to do it,” trainer Melanie Wrenn said after the race. “He did everything perfectly. He didn't miss a meal. He shipped fantastic. It wasn’t a problem.”

Sent the second choice in the betting, Odds On Mr Mamba paid $7.40 to win.

Odds-on favorite Sweet Lovin Lou cruised uncovered into the last turn and persisted to overhaul tiring horses in the first North America Cup elimination in 1:48.2.

Following a recall to repair a broken overcheck on Al Papi, Al Papi blasted off the starting car to take the lead through a :26.3 first quarter. He pocketed No Waitlist heading into the backstretch with pylon-starter Superchamp Hanover following in third and Sweet Lovin Lou landing into fourth. Al Papi motored to the half in :54.1, at which point driver James MacDonald tipped Sweet Lovin Lou off the pylons from fourth and advanced on the outside while Al Papi continued to speed towards three-quarters in 1:20.4. Sweet Lovin Lou lunged forward as the pace flattened into the stretch and spurted away under a hand drive to a 1-1/4-length victory over a game Al Papi in second. Azrael Blue Chip rallied from second over for third ahead of an even No Waitlist while Lindy Dragonwater secured the last spot into the final.

“Dan [Lagace] did a great job training him down and we just kind of brought him along each start,” driver James MacDonald said after the race. “Raced him off the pace, last week [in the Somebeachsomewhere] he was closing again and I thought tonight he was ready to do a little work and he showed he was. I just kind of rode out there first over – last year he’d get a little rolly in the turns, but he was flawless tonight. Dan did a great job, smoothed him out, had him perfect so that made my job easier. I just coasted up to the lead and when I called on him at the top of the stretch he just exploded.”

A c**t by Sweet Lou, Sweet Lovin Lou nabbed his first win of the season in his third start and his fourth win in his career from 12 starts, earning $312,317 for owners Lagace Stables, Edwin Buhler, Big Als Stables and Brittany Farms Micki Rae. The victory lowered Sweet Lovin Lou’s lifetime mark by over two seconds.

“He’s always showed the speed, he’s just been mature – he actually turns 3 tomorrow,” trainer Dan Lagace said after the race. “We spent all winter and his first couple of races just try to teach him to relax, to settle, and James has done a great job. He’s the same way as last year. His hopples are four inches longer, but other than that he’s the same. We had him in an open [bridle] all winter just to teach him that it’s okay to relax and settle. Chasing good horses for a long season and being immature, when you’ve got someone like James in your corner and he’s teaching them and letting them finish strong, you can’t ask for anything better.”

Sent the 3-5 favorite, Sweet Lovin Lou paid $3.20 to win.

Gingras Sweeps Goodtimes Eliminations with Magic Punk, Neighver Punt

by Ray Cotolo for Woodbine Communications
(New Image Media photo)

MILTON, Ont.— Yannick Gingras flew into Woodbine Mohawk Park for a pair of drives in the two $30,000 Goodtimes Eliminations – a Grade 2 event for trotting 3-year-olds – on Friday night (June 5) and found the winner’s circle with both, guiding 4-5 favorite Magic Punk and 4-1 third choice Neighver Punt to victories.

In the first elimination, Magic Punk floated off the wings from post 7 and gradually advanced to take the lead from Greenarrow Hanover past a :28 first quarter. As Magic Punk cleared, second-choice Strobe Lite tipped off the pylons from fourth and marched uncovered up the rim to reach for the lead into a :56 half. Gingras obliged to sit the pocket moving for the final turn and readied to pounce with his charge. Magic Punk spurted out of the pocket past three-quarters in 1:24.3 and slid away from Strobe Lite in the stretch to register an easy 2-3/4-length win. Wolfpack Crown grabbed third from Greenarrow Hanover while Land The Plane earned the last berth into the final.

“Ake [Svanstedt] said he’d be a little aggressive in the post parade and races two-fingered,” Gingras said after the race. “He had a lot of trot; push-button in the race. I used him a couple of times the way the race shook out, but he was well in hand. It was easy to let James [MacDonald] go – his horse was one of the horses to beat – and I figured I’d get him getting to the top of the stretch. It was no worries.”

Magic Punk, a c**t by Wishing Stone out of the Explosive Matter mare I D Entity NO, remained unbeaten from two starts this year with his other win coming in the Grade 3 Dexter Cup last month at The Meadowlands. Ake Svanstedt trains the six-time winner from 10 starts, with $427,879 earned, for owner Magic Punk Inc. He paid $3.50 to win.

Gingras fished cover for a second-over tow and successfully downed even-money favorite Touchedbyanangel in the final strides of a 1:51.4 mile in the second Goodtimes elimination.

After 8-5 second choice Exactly broke stride behind the gate, Royal Captain fired from post 6 to take the lead from pylon-starter Classified ripping into a :26.3 first quarter. Touchedbyanangel planted into fourth ahead of Neighver Punt and strode along up the backstretch until Gingras began creeping off the pylons approaching a :55.4 half, at which point driver Doug McNair pulled off the cones to push for the lead into the far turn. Royal Captain clung to a diminishing advantage with Touchedbyanangel looming to three-quarters in 1:24 and gave way in the stretch while McNair’s charge hustled for the finish. Neighver Punt had clear sailing in the final eighth and persisted to reel in the loose leader with every stride late for a NECK victory on the finish. Royal Captain held third with Classified finishing fourth and Dream For Peace closing for the last spot into the final.

“[I was told] he’s easy to drive, so I figured him out in the post parade,” Gingras said after the race. “I was confident in the middle of the last turn, but when we kicked for home Dougie [McNair] took off a little bit and I was like ‘alright, we’ll be second’ but he was still trotting. Down late he really dug in, so credit to the horse.”

Marcus Melander trains Neighver Punt, a c**t by Bar Hopping out of the Donato Hanover mare Twice Is Right, for owner Courant Inc. The c**t collected just the second win of his career from 12 starts, pushing his career earnings to $110,654, and paid $10.60 to win.

The post positions for the Goodtimes Final were drawn following the eliminations. The elimination winners earned the right to draw first for posts 2 through 6. Below is the field for the Goodtimes Final, which will take place on the undercard of the $1-million Pepsi North America Cup next Saturday (June 13):

$240,000 Grade 2 Goodtimes Final

PP-Name-Driver-Trainer

1-Strobe Lite-James MacDonald-Ben Baillargeon
​2-Wolfpack Crown-Louis Roy-Tyler Moore
​3-Magic Punk-Yannick Gingras-Ake Svanstedt
​4-Touchedbyanangel-Doug McNair-Duane Marfisi
​5-Neighver Punt-Yannick Gingras-Marcus Melander
​6-Dream For Peace-Mark MacDonald-Shawn Steacy
​7-Land The Plane-Jody Jamieson-Carl Jamieson
​8-Royal Captain-Tyler Jones-R. Dustin Jones
​9-Classified-Louis Roy-Matt Bax
​10-Greenarrow Hanover-Bob McClure-Shawn Steacy
​AE-I Am-Trevor Henry-Herbert Holland

Captain Albano to get back to business in Battle of Lake Erie

By Ken Weingartner, USTA Media Relations Manager
(Chris Tully photo)

After enjoying a lighter workload in the weeks since winning the MGM Borgata Pacing Series championship in early May, Captain Albano is ready to get back to serious business this weekend.

Captain Albano is the 3-1 morning-line favorite in Saturday’s (May 6) $250,000 Battle of Lake Erie at Northfield Park in Ohio. The two-time Dan Patch Award winner will leave from post 3 in a field of nine in the Grade 2 invitational for older pacers, with regular driver Todd McCarthy in the sulky for trainer Noel Daley.

The 5-year-old son of Captaintreacherous-Angelou prepped for the Battle by winning a qualifier in 1:50.2 (last quarter of :26.1) on May 29 at the Meadowlands. He won the $478,000 Borgata final (G2) May 8 on MGM Yonkers Raceway’s half-mile oval, where also posted two victories in the event’s five preliminary rounds.

“I gave him a little bit of an easy time after the Borgata because he’d raced six weeks in a row there,” Daley said. “We didn’t let him down completely; he stayed training the whole time, we just eased off. He’s in good spirits and in good shape. If anything, he might have put on a little weight during his time off. Racing six weeks in a row at Yonkers catches up with them a little. I’m happy with where he’s at.”

Captain Albano, who received Dan Patch divisional honors at ages 2 and 3, has three wins and a third in his six races this season and his $303,000 in earnings lead all male pacers. Last year, the stallion hit the board in 12 of 18 starts, winning seven and banking $597,775 for owners Patricia Stables, L.A. Express Stable, Sjoblom Racing, and Michael Dolan.

He raced into mid-December last year, capping his campaign with a second-place finish in the $250,000 MGM Grand Prix Pacing Series final at Yonkers after winning three preliminary legs.

“He didn’t have too much of a break from last year,” Daley said about Captain Albano, who made his first 2026 start on March 30 in the Borgata. “He’s good on a half, and (the Borgata) is such a good money race, that we had to have him ready for it.

“Now I’m just going to pick my spots with him, and we’ll try to work our way through the year. We’ll go to the big dances when they’re there. (The Battle of Lake Erie) is a great race, it’s $250,000, no pay-ups, just an invite. He drew OK; (post) 3 is pretty good. It’s better than anything outside of there. Hopefully, we can just be up close somewhere.”

For his career, Captain Albano has won 29 of 51 races, hit the board another 12 times, and earned $2.47 million. He was poised to retire to the breeding shed after his 3-year-old season, but after initial testing and looming deadlines, the connections decided to continue racing.

“When we brought him back at 4, I said if we’re going to do 4, we should do 5,” Daley said. “Then we can retest him and see if he’s good enough to go to stud. But I’m happy to get the two years of racing with him. He’s a great-looking horse and he’s got a good personality to him. He knows he’s a stud, but he’s easy to deal with. And he gets around all size tracks, so that’s a big help.

“He’s just a very cool horse and a pleasure to have around.”

The $250,000 purse for the 40th Battle of Lake Erie is the highest in its history. Ken Hanover, who won last year’s $200,000 Battle of Lake Erie and captured the $100,000 Joseph Auger Memorial (G3) on May 24 at Harrah’s Philadelphia, is the 7-2 second choice on the morning line in Saturday’s race. He will start from post 6 with Brett Miller driving for trainer Roland “Polie” Mallar.

The field also includes 2025 Borgata champion Mossdale Ben N, who will leave from post 2 with Jim Marohn Jr. in the sulky for trainer Peter Tritton and is 4-1. Prince Hal Hanover, who already has two graded stakes victories in four starts this season, is 9-2 and will have Matt Kakaley at the lines for Dr. Ian Moore.

“It’s a good field,” Daley said. “You put the money out there, they’re going to come. We’re all very agreeable there.”

Saturday’s card also includes the $100,000 Buckeye Distaff, for Ohio-sired pacing mares.

Racing begins at 6 p.m. (EDT). The Buckeye Distaff is race 10 (estimated post time of 9:18 p.m.) and the Battle of Lake Erie is race 12 (10:02 p.m.).