from WEG Communications

Campbellville, ON — Wakizashi Hanover, driven by Tim Tetrick, sat a perfect two-hole trip behind the pacesetting heavy favorite and previously unbeaten Wiggle It Jiggleit, before charging by the leader in deep stretch to capture the C$1 million Pepsi North America Cup, the richest pacing event in the world, on Saturday (June 20) at Mohawk Racetrack in 1:48.

Wakizashi Hanover came charging on the outside to win the North America Cup final.

The final time was just a fifth of a second off the stakes record at Mohawk set by Thinking Out Loud in 2012. It also marked the 18th time that an elimination winner had also won the final.

Named for a ceremonial Japanese sword, Wakizashi Hanover had come into the final off a blazing 1:49.2 elim win, when he threw down a :25.3 final quarter while upsetting last year’s division champion Artspeak.

The 32nd edition of the Cup brought together the finest 3-year-old pacers on the continent, including the undefeated Wiggle It Jiggleit, a perfect 11-for-11, including his elim in 1:49.2 and Wakizashi Hanover, who tipped his hand last week as well.

For Tetrick, it was his second Cup win, following a victory with favored Captaintreacherous in 2013.

Wakizashi Hanover, purchased for only $23,000 at the Standardbred Horse Sale in 2013, is owned by a group of Nova Scotians, based in Truro, and trained by Joann Looney-King. The Cup was his fifth and biggest win in six starts this year, after taking two of six last year.

But the gelded son of Dragon Again-Western Gesture, bred by Hanover Shoe Farms in Pennsylvania, has only been worse than second once. The sire was fourth to Straight Path in the 1998 Cup.

Winning driver Tim Tetrick kisses the North America Cup trophy.

“It worked out perfect,” said Tetrick. “I got to follow a really good horse (Wiggle It Jiggleit) and the horse did the rest. My horse tipped and we got the job done. He’s a nice colt. The connections have done a great job with him. I appreciate them letting me drive the horse. He’s versatile. He’s a good horse and he’s got tons of speed.”

As expected, Wiggle It Jiggleit, driven by 24-year-old Montrell Teague for his father, owner George Teague, went immediately to the front, putting down fractions of :25.1 (equaling the fastest Cup first quarter), :53.3 for the half and 1:21 for three-quarters.

But right on his tail throughout was Wakizashi Hanover, who was then angled out in mid-stretch and wore down the leader for the mild surprise by three-quarters of a length. Betting Exchange came on for third, three lengths behind the winner, while In The Arsenal, another elim winner from last week, was fourth.

USTA/Mark Hall photos

The connections of Wakizashi Hanover celebrate in the winner’s circle.

“Lots of supporters calling, sending messages in the last two days, it’s just been phenomenal,” said co-owner Bruce Kennedy, who along with his partners, races under the Tri County Stable banner. “We’re living a dream. Three of the six people are brand new owners, never owned a horse before. What a way to start a career. Now they’re hooked, I hope.

“We’ve got a great trainer in Joann Looney-King and her husband, Jim, and we have a great relationship. We’re all small time operators. I don’t know how you get Tim Tetrick as a driver but we did. We had the package coming in.”

Wakizashi Hanover earned C$500,000 for the prestigious win, pushing his career bankroll to almost C$700,000. Sent postward the 5-1 third choice, he paid $13.40, $4.00 and $3.20.