by Greg Gangle, WEG media

Campbellville, ON — After finishing second in the $1.53 million Pepsi North America Cup last Saturday at Mohawk, Roll With Joe’s next stakes test will be in the Meadowlands Pace eliminations on July 9 at Meadowlands Racetrack.

Trainer Ed Hart confirmed that the 3-year-old regally-bred son of Cam’s Card Shark-Classic Wish came out of the Cup with flying colors and believes his star can only improve off his trip to Canada.

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Roll With Joe will be heading to New Jersey for the Meadowlands Pace eliminations.

“I thought he raced tremendous in the final (of the North America Cup). What a lot of people don’t know is that Randy (Waples) actually choked him down a bit in the elimination.

“When your’re racing in a rich final like the Cup, you can only hope for a trip and be thankful if things play out in your favor. I knew my colt was ready, he had a great week leading up to the Cup. We could only hope for some luck, and luck was on our side that night.”

Hart is no stranger to being around world class horses. In the early 2000s, he trained Four Starzzz Shark to more than $2.5 million in earnings with a 1:47.4 lifetime best. Hart also campaigned Village Jolt to a $663,200 Breeders Crown score and $432,000 Woodrow Wilson victory. Also a son of Cam’s Card Shark, Village Jolt finished second in the $933,086 Metro Pace before retiring with $1,634,220 in career earnings.

Now, with $609,127 in lifetime earnings, Roll With Joe looks like he could be Hart’s next millionaire.

“He’s always been a terrific horse. Since day one, he’s always been a classy individual who has a big heart and desire. You have to love that in a horse.”

Hart was also quick to mention Randy Waples’ terrific work in the sulky while in Canada.

“Randy did an absolutely wonderful job with this horse. In all three races in Canada, Randy was patient and drove him accordingly. He didn’t over race the horse and gave him a shot every week. After the Cup, my horse wasn’t tired and that only bodes well later in the year.”

Roll With Joe’s majority of stakes engagements remain in the U.S. and Hart confirmed that Brian Sears will be the pilot in the Meadowlands Pace.

“Brian confirmed with me today, that he will drive him in the Pace elimination.”

With the Meadowlands Pace eliminations set for July 9, Hart explained that he will either look for an overnight event or qualify Roll With Joe before.

He has a 2011 record of 2-2-0 from four starts for Blue Chip Bloodstock, Winbak Farms, Stephen Demeter and Not To Worry Stable.