Thinking Out Loud Roars in North America Cup; World Record in Fan Hanover

The Bob McIntosh trained Thinking Out Loud took advantage of the fast fractions and closed on pace setters Warrawee Needy and Sweet Lou to take the 29^th edition of the Pepsi North America Cup. Also contested was the $642,000 Fan Hanover and the $376,000 Armbro Flight.

Pembroke Heat Wave trotted a tough mile to upset in the $376,000 Armbro Flight. Cedar Dove was second, China Pearls was third and Bax Of Life was fourth.

Pembroke Heat Wave dead-heating in her elimination

Frenchfriesnvinegar set the pace for the first half of a mile. Pembroke Heat Wave started the two wide flow, while Cedar Dove and Unefoisdansmavie were tracking her cover. Pembroke Heat Wave stuck her head in front in the final eighth. Cedar Dove fanned wide and China Pearls found racing room and was starting her bid. But Pembroke Heat Wave showed she was much the best and crossed the line in 1:54.

Pembroke Heat Wave is a six-year-old mare by Like A Prayer out of the mare Super Earl by Earl. She is owned by William Varney, trained by Gregg McNair and Brian Sears was in the bike.  



American Jewel pacing a world record 1:48.2 in the Fan Hanover

American Jewel went wire to wire to win the Fan Hanover in a world record 1:48.2. Nobody was able to challenge the filly, but rather give chase. Romantic Moment took the pocket and finished second, Big Mcdeal was third and Angel Scent fanned off the cones to close for fourth.

American Jewel is a three-year-old filly by American Ideal out of the mare Trim Hanover by Camluck. She is owned by Brittany Farms, trained by Jimmy Takter and Tim Tetrick was in the bike to win in a world record 1:48.2.

The North America Cup audience was shocked when Sweet Lou faded in the stretch. Longshot bettors were extatic when they saw Thinking Out Loud cross the line first.

Thinking Out Loud crossing the finish line in 1:47.4

Randy Waples brought Thinking Out Loud to the back of the field, 15 lengths off the leader by the :25.1 first quarter. Sweet Lou started the two wide flow, coming first over at the half in :52.4 (:27.3). Dapper Dude came second over, Time To Roll was third over and Thinking Out Loud was fourth over heading around the far turn. He fanned three wide, having to pass Dapper Dude and Time To Roll. Sweet Lou was aggressive turning for home. Thinking Out Loud swooped right by him as Time To Roll and Dapper Dude were gaining their momentum. It was too late as Thinking Out Loud crossed the line to upset Sweet Lou in the North America Cup. Time To Roll was second, Dapper Dude was third and Sweet Lou settled for fourth. The mile was paced in 1:47.4, a world record for pacing geldings. Thinking Out Loud returned $18.60 at the windows.

 
Thinking Out Loud is a three-year-old gelding by Ponder out of the mare Los Angeles by Camluck. He is owned by Bob McIntosh, C S X Stables and Al McIntosh Holdings Inc., trained by Bob McIntosh and Randy Waples was in the bike to score his first North America Cup, along with Bob McIntosh.