The road to the 2024 North America Cup is becoming shorter as the date quickly approaches and a pair of contenders for the glory announced their presence on Saturday evening, May 18 at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Legendary Hanover sits second on the 2024 North America Cup Spring Book odds list with 9-2 odds. The three-year-old colt posted a career-best mile on Saturday in a $23,000 conditioned pace with James MacDonald at the controls for Anthony Beaton.
Also on the N.A. Cup Spring Book odds list, in third, with 5-1 odds, Clever Cody (Bob McClure) left from post eight and took the early lead to the quarter in :26. Stormalong (Doug McNair) took second and Legendary Hanover was third going to the opening panel. After that mark, Legendary Hanover took command of the field, yielding a half in :53.4 and three-quarters in 1:22. Uncontested, he flew home to win by 4-1/4 lengths in 1:48.3. Southwind Sambucca (Trevor Henry) and Reign Supreme (Tyler Borth) completed the top three. Clever Cody faced broken equipment and faded.
"He's just a lot of fun to sit behind. He's just a big powerhouse and I'm just happy to be along for the ride," said MacDonald. "He was able to get it done, didn't have to push him too hard, but he's just so gifted on his own."
Owned by Eric Good, West Wins Stable and Mark Dumain, Legendary Hanover (Huntsville-Lillian Hanover) moved his career record to 8-2-0 and bankroll to $428,100 from 11 lifetime starts. The O'Brien Award winner is a perfect two-for-two this year and earned his new career mark in the mile. As the heavily backed favourite, he returned $2.20 to win.
With Spring Book odds of 8-1, Captains Quarters charts in fourth on the path to the N.A. Cup, but the Herb Holland student charted number one in Saturday's $21,000 conditioned pace in race eight. Regular pilot Jody Jamieson was in the seat. The pair, heavily backed, returned $2.30 to win.
Captains Quarters got away fifth early and to the quarter in :27.3, but charged to the top after that panel. Without looking back, Captains Quarters hit the half in :55.4 and three-quarters in 1:23.1 before winning by 3-3/4 lengths in 1:50.1. Kaptain Karlos (MacDonald) and Call Me It (Henry) finished second and third, respectively.
"This is a real horse and I think everybody knew that last year after the Metro," said Jamieson. "These real horses are hard to stay on as a driver, even a trainer for that matter sometimes. I just pinch myself everyday I'm Captains Quarters' regular driver. I just love every second of it."
In his debut appearance of 2024, Captains Quarters (Captaintreacherous-Prescient Beauty) picked up where he left off after the 2023 Metro Pace victory. He moved his career record to 3-1-2 in six starts while moving his lifetime earnings to $536,404 for owner Rich Stiles.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.
(Standardbred Canada)