North America Cup Friday

Our weekly look at the NA Cup contenders. As stated earlier some interesting things are happening. I have updated the list on the right with an odds line. Next week it will shape up further I think, as many potential starters show what they can do in race conditions.

Here is Mr. R's update on the top five this week.

The Road To The NA Cup: May 9 Edition

Another busy week on the way to the Pepsi North America Cup, so let’s get right down to business. After yesterday’s poor performances by both Duneside Perch and Moon Beam that were mentioned on the blog, we’ll only do a top five this week.

Somebeachsomewhere: The Mach Three colt got a week off after his big 1:51.1 qualifier. His first start will be next Saturday evening at Mohawk in the first Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Series eliminations of 2008.

Dali: Dali made his 2008 debut on Friday at Mohawk with a sparkling 1:52.2 qualifier (with the track rated one second off by the judges). He will probably qualify one more time and then head into the Burlington Stakes on May 31.

Santanna Blue Chip: He also got the week off after winning his qualifier last Friday in 1:55.1. I haven’t heard what the plans are with him as far as a first pari-mutual start.

Sand Shooter: Sand Shooter has been spending his time getting ready at the five-eighths mile track at Scioto Downs in Columbus, Ohio. He won a qualifier in 1:54.2 on April 26 in 1:54.2 and then came back on May 3 to win in 1:56.1 with the track rated two seconds off.

Badlands Nitro: Badlands Nitro was idle this week, but has had three good qualifiers prepping for his three-year old campaign. We have been high on this horse since last year because of his performances at Dover, and think he’s the best horse in the George Teague barn.

A few more horses are rounding into form. Share The Delight (trained by Linda Toscano) qualified in an impressive 1:52.4 on Thursday at the Meadowlands. He is owned by Andrew Cohen, who runs the blog over on harnessracing.com. I believe he is heading to the Empire Breeders Stakes at Tioga. That is also where On The Brink is heading. Dali’s stablemate qualified in 1:55.3 this morning at Mohawk (again with the track rated one second off).

We’ll be back next week, hopefully with better performances from Moon Beam and Duneside Perch and a full top-ten list.

PTP: Here is the updated Top Ten for this week:

#1 Somebeachsomewhere (2-1)
Is he destined to be the greatest pacer ever?

#2 Dali (10-1)
Marfisi student has returned sound

#3 Santanna Blue Chip (18-1)
2YO BC champ not to be overlooked

#4 Sand Shooter (20-1)
Came back sound

#5 Badlands Nitro (25-1)
Maryland invader is quick

#6 Real Tough * (30-1)
This horse has alotta go! Sleeper

#7 Deuce Seelster (40-1)
We'll give him respect

#8 Mucho Sleazy * (40-1)
17 starts as a 2yo seemed to not hurt him

#9 Genuwine * (50-1)
Decent qualifier

#10 Share the Delight * (60-1)
I liked that qualifier, and he had wheels last year

* - new entrants