Milton, ON — The final stop on the road to the Pepsi North America Cup took place Saturday night (May 31) at Woodbine Mohawk Park with two divisions of the Somebeachsomewhere, for 3-year-old pacers.
Prince Hal Hanover battled back gamely while confronted in the lane by Ayeaye Captain Deo to win the C$80,500 first division in 1:49.4.
With travel issues forcing David Miller to miss Saturday’s races, driver Doug McNair got the last-minute call behind the Dr. Ian Moore trained Prince Hal Hanover. The duo left from post seven to the top and posted fractions of :26.3, :54.4 and 1:22.
Pocket sitter Ayeaye Captain Deo edged out at three-quarters to set up a stretch duel, taking a slight lead in mid-stretch. However, Prince Hal Hanover responded to the challenge to battle back and win a thriller by a neck.
Madden Oaks edged American Son for third.
“I was in the shower when I got the phone call, so I was glad I was able to get her in time and he was a real pleasure to drive,” said McNair of the opportunity to sit behind Prince Hal Hanover. “I was going to float him, but then last minute I saw (Ayeaye Captain Deo) crossing over and I pushed on through there, and he did the rest. He’s a pretty handy horse.”
A son of Captaintreacherous, Prince Hal Hanover is out of the Dr. Moore trained Percy Bluechip and is now a four-time winner with over C$465,000 earned.
“We’ve had a lot of horses by stallions we used to race, like Century Farroh, State Treasure, Shadow Play,” said Moore. “This is the first one we’ve had out of a mare we used to race…so that’s a real thrill for us.”
Prince Hal Hanover, who is two-for-three this season, is now pointed to the Pepsi North America Cup eliminations next Saturday for Prince Hal Hanover Stable.
A $2 win ticket on Prince Hal Hanover returned $5.50.
Bourbon County was able to take down heavy favorite Lite Up The World in the C$81,500 second Somebeachsomewhere division.
Driven by Trevor Henry, Bourbon County got a three-hole trip and angled out on the far turn to a second-over position behind the favorite. Papis Pistol cut the mile, posting fractions of :27.1, :55.4 and 1:23.2, and led until halfway down the stretch.
Lite Up The World overtook Papis Pistol to strike the lead, but Bourbon County kept roaring up on the outside to nail the new leader late for a 1:50.1 score.
Courts On Fire couldn’t find room in the lane and settled for third. Papis Pistol was fourth.
A son of Always B Miki, Bourbon County was making his second start of the season after a six-for-13 rookie season that included a Kentucky Sire Stakes final victory at Cumberland Run.
Racing exclusively south of the border at age 2, Bourbon County moved into the barn of trainer Paul Reid for the start of his sophomore season.
“I train at Spring Garden Ranch with Steve Elliott (co-owner of Bourbon County), and I saw him train,” said Reid. “Steve mentioned if he came back good he’d be sending him up, and he came back in great shape. He said he liked him and what he had, and Steve’s had some nice horses in his day, so I’ll take his word for it.”
Bourbon County now sits at just under C$200,000 earned for owners Elliott, William Salmeri, Rick Berks and Jerry Glantz.
Reid confirmed Bourbon County will be entered in the Pepsi North America Cup eliminations.
Bourbon County paid $12 to win.
The entry box for the Pepsi North America Cup eliminations closes this Tuesday (June 3) at 10:30 a.m. The eliminations are scheduled for next Saturday (June 7) and the final will be held on Saturday, June 14.