by Greg Gangle, WEG Communications

Toronto, ON — Woodbine Entertainment Group has signed a deal with Sportsnet to air the 30th edition of the Pepsi North America Cup, slated for Saturday (June 15) at Mohawk, on Sportsnet’s The Score.

The one-hour broadcast, a joint production of WEG and Sportsnet, is scheduled for 9 p.m. (EDT), with the race set for 9:42 p.m.

It will be the first time that a Standardbred race will be shot and aired live in HD in Canada.

The Cup, which carries a C$1 million purse, spotlights the best 3-year-old pacers on the continent.

“We are very pleased to partner with Sportsnet and have the Pepsi North America Cup aired in high definition,” said Jamie Martin, WEG’s Executive Vice-President of Racing. “Standardbred racing is an exciting sport and Mohawk — in its 50th year — is a terrific venue. Both will really shine in HD.”

Eclipse Award winner Rob Platts will produce the show. Jason Portuondo will host, while Chad Rozema and Dawn Lupul will report on all the action and offer expert analysis. Ken Middleton, Jr. will call the race.

The 84-date Mohawk meet, which kicks off Thursday (May 23), will offer racing Thursday through Saturday, and Monday. Post time is 7:25 p.m.

First race post time on Pepsi North America Cup night is 7:05 p.m.