Trot Insider continues to profile the horses predicted to be the top contenders for Canadian harness racing's richest prize, the 2020 Pepsi North America Cup.
This year's edition of the North America Cup was originally slated to be contested on Saturday, June 20 at Woodbine Mohawk Park. On Wednesday, Woodbine Entertainment CEO Jim Lawson announced the race would be postponed due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Prior to the viral outbreak, TROT Magazine compiled its annual ranking of the horses expected to be in contention for the 2020 Pepsi North America Cup.
Continuing the countdown, Captain Barbossa comes at #8 in TROT Magazine's 2020 Pepsi North America Cup Spring Book at odds of 25-1.
Trained by Tony Alagna for owners Alagnafrankinthegym Stable of Manalapan, N.J., Robert Leblanc of Austin, Tex. and David Anderson of Aurora, Ont., Captain Barbossa (Captaintreacherous - Swinging Beauty) amassed a summary of 3-5-2 from 14 freshman starts and never misssed a cheque for his connections. He's one of three Tony Alagna trainees sired by Captaintreacherous in the Pepsi North America Cup Spring Book Top 10.
Trot Insider caught up with co-owner David Anderson while he was quarantined in Florida.
First, how are you dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic both personally and professionally?
"I'm in Florida at the moment trying to stay safe. The virus broke out while I was here with my eldest daughter so we just hunkered down. It’s actually been wonderful spending time with her."
Where did he winter and when did he start back?
"Captain Barbossa wintered at Olive Branch Farm with Chris Coyle. He came in the middle of January and looked phenomenal."
Where is he at now in terms of training down?
"Captain Barbossa has been a mile in 1:56 at Sunshine Meadows Training Center and now is on a lighter training routine until we get some kind of idea of a start up date for racing."
Before racing was paused, what was he staked to leading up to the NA Cup?
"The original plan was to start out in PaSS before heading to Canada for the NA Cup. Now we’re in a bit of a holding pattern until COVID-19 settles down."
What is he staked aside from the NA Cup?
"He’s fully staked."
What's his biggest asset/strength?
"His biggest strength is his versatility. He can leave the gate for position or race from behind and that’s very important in your three-year-old campaign. Captain Barbossa showed us at Lexington he was the type of horse that could race at the top level with a win and a second to Tall Dark Stranger the following week."
Any three-year-olds you're in on that are paid up and also looking promising?
"The only other three-year-old that I have is a trotting colt with Per Engblom in N.J. named Synergy that Per is very happy with. He is staked to all of the majors."
How much are you missing racing right now?
"I’m really missing racing, as we all are. It’s doubly hard for me because I have thoroughbreds as well. I just hope all of the owners are able to hang in and we will get through this. Something good will come out of this, I’m not sure what yet, but it will happen."