Field Set for North America Cup

The field for the 28^th $1.5-million Pepsi North America Cup was drawn Tuesday morning, featuring some of the most aggressive three-year-olds in North America. They will contest the mile at Mohawk Racetrack.

Elimination-winners Big Bad John, Powerful Mist and Up The Credit got to choose their post positions. Powerful Mist chose first and got post 3, then Big Bad John chose post 4 and Up The Credit took post 2.

Elimination-winner Up The Credit has displayed talent on the seven-eighths oval. The Diplomat Stakes champion broke the stakes record in the Somebeachsomewhere Stakes (formally known as the Burlington Stakes), making it 1:49. In that division, he defeated another elimination winner, Powerful Mist, as well as world-champion Big Jim. He is co-owned by trainer Carl Jamieson, along with Thomas Kyron, Brian Paquet and Joanne Morrison.

The Western Hanover colt Big Bad John is the “now” horse. Being undefeated at three, he dominated in his elimination despite a bad trip and won it by 2 lengths. Trainer Ron Potter said he would be afraid to make any change to the colt’s equipment. “He wears a tight hopple, that’s just what he’s always worn. I’m scared to death to let them out,” Ron Potter said. “We are going to stay with what we are doing.”

Powerful Mist with the 3 post is trained by Melvin Wayne Givens and Dave Miller will drive. He has finished on the board in the Max Hempt Memorial and the “Somebeach.” He defeated Big Jim in a 1:50.2 North America Cup elim. Legacy Racing of De Inc, Niel Gargiulo and Louie Paglierani own Powerful Mist.

Listed below is the field for the 28^th $1,500,000 Pepsi North America Cup at Mohawk Racetrack.

Post Position-Horse-Driver-Trainer-Morning Line Odds

1.Big Jim-Phil Hudon-James Dean-7-1

2.Up The Credit-Jody Jamieson-Carl Jamieson-5-2

3.Powerful Mist-David Miller-Melvin Wayne Givens-6-1

4.Big Bad John-Brett Miller-Ron Potter-2-1

5.Shadyshark Hanover-Tim Tetrick-Erv Miller-5-1

6.Rockabille-Brian Sears-Dr. Ian Moore-15-1

7.Roll With Joe-Randall Waples-Ed Hart-8-1

8.Eighteen-Paul Macdonell-Dr. Ian Moore-25-1

9.Dutch Richman-Scott Zeron-Erv Miller-30-1

10.Foreclosure N-Sylvain Filion-Mark Steacy-25-1

Big Bad John will be the one to beat in here. Shadyshark Hanover may be the horse that can upset. He gamely tried to beat Up The Credit but just lost by ½ length at the line. He is a strong horse returning at three though he has not started the season with a bang. With Big Jim is off his game, “Shady” can have an advantage. He lost to Big Jim in the New Jersey Classic and now Shady is doing better than “Jim.” All Shady has to do is move at the right time. Seeing that he went a final quarter in :25.4 in a qualifier, we know he can close.